The Affluent Traveler - page 176

A destination of great biodiversity, with abundant wildlife and
some 150 volcanoes, Costa Rica is also home to one of the
world’s identified “Blue Zones” (regions of the world identified
as having a high percentage of active healthy people who live
beyond 100 years) from the book of the same name by author
Dan Buettner. According to Spafinder’s 2015 survey of North
American and European agents, the destination is also getting
“hotter” on the wellness travel scene.
One of the Costa Rica’s most popular regions is the province
of Guanacaste in the northwestern part of Costa Rica, best
serviced with flights into Liberia International Airport.
Bordering on the Pacific Ocean and known for its beautiful
and secluded beaches and national parklands, the province is
home to rare dry tropical forests and over 200 species of birds
and, of course, luxury resorts.
If you are looking to work elements of wellness into your
next trip to Costa Rica, here are four Guanacaste resorts to have
on your radar:
DREAMS LAS MAREAS Costa Rica
In the Northern Guanacaste region, Dreams Las Mareas Costa
Rica is a pocket of luxury surrounded by a lush green
rainforest. Hugging the pink sands of the secluded Playa El
Jobo, the all-suite resort is a luxury, family-focused property
with fitness and other activities for all ages and interests.
The resort offers a base from which to explore the ample
natural attributes of Costa Rica. Minutes away Guanacaste
National Park, offers walkers, hikers and nature lovers a
variety of trails that cross various eco-systems including
cloud forests near volcanic peaks. And, at nearby Santa Rosa
National Park, part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area,
you’ll find protected sea turtles, waterfalls, mangroves plus
over a hundred species of mammals including, white-tailed
deer and white-faced monkeys. And, for bird watching on those
long hikes, look for the ubiquitous magpie. Horseback riding
or a leisurely soak in a nearby hot spring are other options.
Must-See
National Parks
Arenal Volcano
National Park
X
This 30,000-acre
park packs all of
Costa Rica’s allure
into one place:
incredible hiking,
magnificent views,
abounding wildlife
and the country’s
most active volcano.
Hiking and
horseback riding
tours allow you to
get up close and
personal with this
incredible area.
Guanacaste
National Park
X
Guanacaste National
Park was created in
1989 to connect
Santa Rosa National
Park with the cloud
forest of Orosi and
Cacao volcanoes
and across the
continental divide
to the rainforest of
Northern Costa Rica.
174
THE AFFLUENT TRAVELER
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Well-Being
Well-Being
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