Tabacon Grand Spa and Thermal Resort

We will be in a total of three hotels during our stay in Costa Rica. While I'm normally not a big fan of moving around a lot during vacations, the travel agent recommended it so we could get a taste of the varied climate, geography and sights of Costa Rica.

Tabacon Thermal Resort

Our first destination is Tabacon Grand Spa and Thermal Resort in Arenal, La Fortuna. It takes us about three hours to get to Tabacon from the airport, not including a stop we made to a darling, local restaurant called Cloud Forest restaurant where we discovered the fabulous Lizano salsa. CJ and I just loved this mild, green sauce. CJ had it on his rice and I had it on my shrimp.

The ride to Tabacon was full of switchback turns; at time, the road was full of potholes. Maki got a little carsick, so he moved to the front passenger seat, while CJ and I napped. I guess we could have flown, but we find driving to be such a terrific way to see the local countryside and sights. At one point, we were driving through some mountains and it was very foggy (forests in the mountains are called cloud forests). CJ said, "mama, it's very foggy, but I guess we have to deal with it."

Tabacon Resort is fabulous. We couldn't really afford this place were it not low season. The resort is made up of low, wooden buildings surrounded by rainforest. The grounds are amazing -- full of exotic bushes and flowers. At night, the cicadas chirp loudly and mom saw what looked a racoon. The rooms are very comfortable, and each one has its own balcony, 42 inch plasma TV, DVD player and spacious bathroom. Not too shabby.

We arrived around 4pm, decided to rest for an hour, then hit the hot springs. Tabacon is known for its spa and thermal hot springs. There are hot springs on the grounds; you can wade in several of the hot pools, including one that has a waterfall that you can sit under. The hot springs feed five regular pools; each one is a different temperature, ranging from hot to cool. The largest pool has a swim up bar and a waterslide. It's ridiculous how fabulous this place is.

About about an hour of swimming, we decided to have dinner at the restaurant attached to the resort. We enjoyed a great Mexican meal (it was Mexican that night, who knows what it is on other nights), then headed back to our rooms.

Terrific First Day

I normally read CJ four stories (coz he's 4), but I could not keep my eyes open after 2 stories. CJ didn't seem to mind because he was fast asleep after 2 stories anyway. Even though it was only the first day of our trip, DC seemed a long way off. I love international vacations precisely because we get away physically, mentally and psychologically.