The Awesome Force of Tabacón

by DARCY RHYNO

Photos Courtesy of Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort I step into the mineral waters heated by Arenal, the volcano looming over us, and take a seat on the underwater bench beside my wife. Relaxing into the gentle current, I let out a long sigh, the soothing waters slipping over my skin. We’re alone in one of dozens of secluded pools surrounded by verdant jungle at the heart of Costa Rica’s first and finest hot springs retreat, the five-star Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort.

These are our last days in this amazing Central American country. For ten weeks, we’ve been wandering Costa Rica with the goal of getting to know it, one unique ecosystem at a time. It turns out, we may have saved the best for last.

We start the day with a hike across the volcanic scree that covers the face of mighty Arenal. The active, perfectly conical mountain still smokes, rumbles, and leaks glowing molten rock. Its slopes are littered with hardened lava, cooled perhaps decades ago. Among the chunks of rock, rare slipper orchids somehow thrive beneath the tropical sun.

Our hike is the first of many local adventures available here. Others include boating, cycling, a waterfall adventure, birdwatching, rafting, and horseback riding through dense rainforest—which is what we choose for our second excursion. As we climb up another side of the volcano, the air is noticeably cooler and more humid and the trees hang with so many mosses, bromeliads, and orchids, they weigh the strong limbs down close to the ground, which the monkeys and birds don’t seem to mind.

Recuperating in thermal springs after such adventures is precisely what Jaime Mikowski envisioned. He’s the Costa Rican architect who first saw the potential for the mineral enriched Tabacón River. In the 1980s, his dream was

realized, a resort on this wild 865 acre property near La Fortuna, the only village that survived the last major eruption about 50 years ago. Mikowski harnessed the awesome forces of Arenal, mixing hot and cold streams in various measures to achieve temperatures from pool to pool that range from 75 to 99 ºF.

The canopy of native cloud forest offers shelter and privacy, as well as habitat for wildlife. While relaxing in one pool, we watch in wonder as a green basilisk, or Jesus lizard, runs across the surface of the water. Mikowski was the first to design a spa that put these wild surroundings and the natural therapeutic properties of the thermal mineral waters to use for healing and wellness.

While Tabacón is popular with young adventurers and those in search of indulgence, some find their way here to treat various ailments. Just this year, Tabacón launched “The ESCAPE Route,” a program that pairs traditional wellness techniques with science-backed therapies to promote a return to health after crisis and upheaval.

The program resembles our experience, with the addition of yoga, a cooking class, a treeplanting ceremony, balneotherapy, and complementary access to the adults-only corner of the hot springs, Shangri-La Gardens. ESCAPE is a partnership between the resort and Harvard’s Dr. Natalie Dattilo. It’s also the fulfillment of Mikowski’s mission to take full advantage of Tabacón’s healing potential. The next day, the last before we fly home, my wife and I choose the ultimate Arenal experience to close our Costa Rican winter in style—a couple’s massage in the jungle. After shedding our clothing for puffy robes, we’re offered soothing smoothies and led to a palapa furnished with two massage tables. What follows is one of the most sensual experiences of our lives. The brook babbles past, birds call from the canopy. Eyes closed, I find myself sinking into the sensations for a full hour of soft aroma therapy, heat treatments, warmed oils, and deep muscle massages.

Finally, the masseuse takes my hand, joins it with my wife’s, and recites a poem to renew our bonds of love with the force of the volcano and the warm caress of the Tabacón River. Our two expert attendants retreat, leaving us to slip naked into a billowing Jacuzzi with a bottle of bubbly and a bowl of fresh, tropical fruits. From this earthly paradise, we toast our ten glorious weeks, its heavenly conclusion, and the renewed energy with which we will re-enter or lives at home.

Hegra, AlUla

Photo Courtesy of Saudi Tourism

Saudi is emerging as one of the world’s most exciting travel and tourism destinations. Attracting cultural explorers, dedicated travelers and adventure seekers from around the globe. With Six iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 10,000 sites of archaeological interest combined with the unexpected diversity across sweeping deserts, rugged mountains, crystal seas and thriving modern cities. There has never been a better time to explore all that the destination has to o er.

Riyadh The city’s fascinating, centuries-old history can be found within its alluring souqs, compelling museums and ancient architecture, but it’s also a modern metropolis, with glittering high-rises and a expanding contemporary art scene.

Diriyah’s (archeological site) historical center is the UNESCO-listed site of At-Turaif, which was founded in the 15th century. It is the original seat of power of Saudi Arabia’s Al Saud family and contains ruins of mud-brick houses connected by narrow alleyways. Soon visitors will be able to walk through the ruins as well as the myriad museums and other spaces found inside.

In AlUla, deep in the desert in Saudi’s northwestern region, visitors can play out their fantasy of being an intrepid archaeologist for a day.

Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s oldest city along the Red Sea, a lively, cosmopolitan center that is home to historic architecture, pristine beaches and world-class cuisine and big-ticket events.

Visitors will experience Saudi Arabia’s fi rst UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you’ll explore over 110 remarkably well preserved tombs set in a desert landscape, while learning about the ancient people and learning about the ancient people and culture of AlUla. culture of AlUla. Al Balad is famous for its intricately designed houses, built using coral from the depths of the Red Sea and boasting colorful balconies. It’s unique architecture is not seen anywhere else in the world. Al Balad, otherwise known as Historical Old Jeddah, is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

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