A Secret Garden in Costa Rica

Whenever people ask me where my favorite place to travel is, I often respond, “Destinations are like children; it’s hard to name a favorite.” I’ll spill the secret here, though, and tell you that a few of my top choices are the walled city of Carcassonne in France, the ancient ruins of Tulum, and Arenal in Costa Rica. 

What is so cool about the Arenal site is the fact that there is an active, lava-spewing volcano that’s visible from nearly every vantage point in town. And with the geothermal activity comes ah-maze-ing natural hot springs. There are cool rock formations that create pools for dipping, luxuriating, and oh-so-conducive to some couple time. There are public pools, but the ones at Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort are set in a luxurious setting complete with 11 outdoor spa treatment rooms, a menu of indigenous-inspired spa treats (the mud wraps are awesome), and Ayurvadic offerings. There are also places to enjoy delectable spa cuisine and time together.