![]() Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, the hotel has its own natural hot mineral springs. In the evening I retreated to the stunning location of the Arenal Paraiso Hotel and Spa, dominated by the volcano in the near distance. In a collaborative effort, which made it more fun, we made an impressive arroz con pollo with tortillas, and veggies and still finished with all the fingers I started with!Īrenal Volcano framed with wild banana leaves (Image: Getty Images) Worth it? Definitely.Īt the Arenal Vida Campesina, I joined a cooking class, using only organic farm produce hand-picked on this estate. You’ll need a store of fortitude for the 530 steps in and out to the beauty spot. Save some energy to tramp to the La Fortuna waterfall with its ice-cold water and to swim among its 230ft torrent which, at its wildest, pushes you down river. You can get close, but not too close, via the spectacular Sky Tram, a gondola that takes you up through the rainforest with views of Old Grumpy and Lake Arenal. It’s a mountain of natural grandeur, a perfect cone, like a child’s drawing of a peak. Thankfully, CR’s volcano has been chilling for the past few years, old Arenal limiting himself to steamy blasts and the occasional deep rumble. Nature is what the island is all about (Image: Lesley Mann) And did I mention the coffee? It’s Costa Rica, not Costa.Ĭentral America is famous for volcanoes, too – hot lava as well as hot java.įuego in Guatemala erupted shortly after my return to Blighty. Evening meals were more international, though rice and beans is universal.Īll of it was impeccable – these guys know how to cook. My porridge back home just didn’t compare. With freshly cut guava, pineapple and melon on the side, it was a treat to have such beautiful in-season tropical fruit. This time a simple omelette for breakfast with fresh passion fruit juice and the wildlife for company. 'Being plus sized won't stop me travelling the world – even if I get stared at'.The food here was top-notch, as indeed it was everywhere I went. You could have left me at that spot for the rest of the week. I love our British birds, but they were seriously outclassed by toucans of every shape and size and beautifully named birds like the blue-grey and scarlet-rumped tanagers and shining honeycreepers. It’s a beacon of eco-tourism, too, with 500 acres of protected rainforest.īreakfast was memorable, watching strategically placed bird feeders mobbed by winged wonders of every hue. ![]() Then there are prehistoric lizards, happily sunning themselves in full view, including iguanas and the basilisk “Jesus Christ” lizard, which can walk on water.Įnjoy the surrounding rainforest (Image: Lesley Mann) You see two- and three-toed versions by the side of the road. The wildlife is the best thing about Costa Rica, which specialises in the cute and the quirky and definitely not the humdrum.Īt every turn you see jewel-like hummingbirds, extravagant macaws, dapper toucans and, of course, the sensational sloths, surely now challenging the giant panda as the world’s favourite animal. READ MORE: Europe's cheap Lake Como alternative with heaps of glamour and stays from £7 a nightĪll you need is a little patience (and perhaps decent binoculars). Howlers gotta howl!īut it is thrilling, especially when you catch a glimpse of them in the ceiba trees. ![]() It’s not the sweetest of music, to be honest. This allows you to choose the pace of your holiday from day to day.Sometimes you don’t mind the noisy neighbours giving you an early morning wake-up call – not when you are in Costa Rica and that racket is the howler monkeys in the rainforest just outside your window. Our Unpack & Explore holidays offer comprehensive sightseeing programmes, with experienced local guides, as well as additional optional excursions for those keen to explore further. ![]() Less time travelling means more time to unwind, delve deeper into your destination and really getting to know the area. This allows you the luxury to properly unpack, settle into your ‘home from home’ and enjoy a traditional warm welcome. You’ll stay at the same carefully chosen hotel for the full duration of your trip, ranging from three to nine nights. If you’re looking for a group experience but find the idea of moving from place to place a little too hectic, then our Unpack & Explore holidays are an ideal choice.
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