In one of the pools at Tabacon, there was a water slide. Here's a video of Maki and CJ coming down the slide. CJ loved the slide and ended up going down a bunch of times.
Showing posts with label Tabacon Thermal Resort. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tabacon Thermal Resort. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Videos from Tabacon Thermal Springs
A highlight of our trip to Costa Rica was our couple of days at Tabacon Grand Spa and Thermal Resort. Here is a short video of one of the hot springs. You can see the steam rising from the water, which was indeed hot. CJ refused to go into the hot water, opting instead for the cooler pools. I just adored the hot springs.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Fire and Water
Today was our first full day of fun and sightseeing and what a terrific day we had! We were awakened by monkeys screaming and birds singing.
Thermal Springs
We started our day with breakfast in the Tabacon restaurant. My mother-in-law thought it was over the top to have heat lamps to keep the plates warm and ceiling fans to keep the fruit cool. Breakfast was a combination of continental items (bacon, eggs, bread) and Costa Rican dishes. I loved the wild rice, stewed chicken, smoked salmon and fresh fruit. The papaya was incredible -- sweet and fragrant. My brother Alex flew in this morning and joined us for breakfast.
After breakfast, we headed back to the thermal springs. It turns out that morning is a good time to visit the thermal springs since there are few people around. We practically had the run of the place. CJ and I explored the hot springs by climbing up until we reached the highest waterfall we could find. It was really steamy up there. Then he and I proceeded to try every pool. He didn't like the hot pools, so we spent most of our time in the big pool, which had warm water. CJ got a kick out of swimming to the swim-up bar and ordering some water.
CJ just loves the water. He wears a swim vest and with it, he can dog paddle, do a modified crawl, spin around, even do a short backstroke. I loved the hot springs; the water was very hot and I particularly loved the waterfall.
Arenal Volcano
After lunch, it was time for our hike to see the Arenal volcano. Costa Rica is part of the ring of fire; there is a lot of volcanic activity in this part of the world. Costa Rica alone has over 100 volcanos, several active. Arenal is the most active. The volcano spews smoke and ash most of the time, and huge lava flows occurred as late as 1992.
We were part of a tour that includes over 35 other people and several guides. After a 15-minute ride, we set off to hike to the base of the mountain. It was a pretty easy hike and we saw a baby tarantula, a couple of monkeys, a termite mound, and lots of birds. The highlight of the hike was the very last part. We visited the lava flows from 1992 which produced a huge mound of rocks and boulders. We had to climb up a rock staircase, then clamber over a field of rocks. CJ got help from one of the guides in a couple of areas, but he insisted on "doing it himself." CJ takes after Maki in this area. I swear, Maki climbs across a field of boulders like he's crossing a lawn.
From the rock field, we had an amazing view of Arenal above, and the fields and Arenal lake down below. We even saw some boulders falling down the side of the volcano, and some smoke and ash spew from the side of the volcano. We were close enough to admire the volcano, but far enough to be safe.
Massage Time
CJ was pooped after two hours of hiking (he was such a trooper and only had to be carried for a short 5-minute stretch on the way back), but he fell fast asleep on the bus. So we let him nap for an hour, then headed back to the thermal springs for some pool time and dinner.
Me, I booked a Swedish massage. The Grand Spa at Tabacon has got to be the nicest spa I have ever visited (not that I have visited many). My massage took place in an outdoor hut with no walls, just a thatched roof, surrounded by tall bamboo groves, lit by candelight, with some new age music piped in. My masseuse did an amazing job, especially on my chronically stiff shoulders and upper back.
We leave for Monteverde in the morning. I'm sorry to be leaving such an amazing place, but I'm sure the next adventure will be just as fabulous. Love Costa Rica so far!
Thermal Springs
We started our day with breakfast in the Tabacon restaurant. My mother-in-law thought it was over the top to have heat lamps to keep the plates warm and ceiling fans to keep the fruit cool. Breakfast was a combination of continental items (bacon, eggs, bread) and Costa Rican dishes. I loved the wild rice, stewed chicken, smoked salmon and fresh fruit. The papaya was incredible -- sweet and fragrant. My brother Alex flew in this morning and joined us for breakfast.
After breakfast, we headed back to the thermal springs. It turns out that morning is a good time to visit the thermal springs since there are few people around. We practically had the run of the place. CJ and I explored the hot springs by climbing up until we reached the highest waterfall we could find. It was really steamy up there. Then he and I proceeded to try every pool. He didn't like the hot pools, so we spent most of our time in the big pool, which had warm water. CJ got a kick out of swimming to the swim-up bar and ordering some water.
CJ just loves the water. He wears a swim vest and with it, he can dog paddle, do a modified crawl, spin around, even do a short backstroke. I loved the hot springs; the water was very hot and I particularly loved the waterfall.Arenal Volcano
After lunch, it was time for our hike to see the Arenal volcano. Costa Rica is part of the ring of fire; there is a lot of volcanic activity in this part of the world. Costa Rica alone has over 100 volcanos, several active. Arenal is the most active. The volcano spews smoke and ash most of the time, and huge lava flows occurred as late as 1992.
We were part of a tour that includes over 35 other people and several guides. After a 15-minute ride, we set off to hike to the base of the mountain. It was a pretty easy hike and we saw a baby tarantula, a couple of monkeys, a termite mound, and lots of birds. The highlight of the hike was the very last part. We visited the lava flows from 1992 which produced a huge mound of rocks and boulders. We had to climb up a rock staircase, then clamber over a field of rocks. CJ got help from one of the guides in a couple of areas, but he insisted on "doing it himself." CJ takes after Maki in this area. I swear, Maki climbs across a field of boulders like he's crossing a lawn.
From the rock field, we had an amazing view of Arenal above, and the fields and Arenal lake down below. We even saw some boulders falling down the side of the volcano, and some smoke and ash spew from the side of the volcano. We were close enough to admire the volcano, but far enough to be safe.Massage Time
CJ was pooped after two hours of hiking (he was such a trooper and only had to be carried for a short 5-minute stretch on the way back), but he fell fast asleep on the bus. So we let him nap for an hour, then headed back to the thermal springs for some pool time and dinner.
Me, I booked a Swedish massage. The Grand Spa at Tabacon has got to be the nicest spa I have ever visited (not that I have visited many). My massage took place in an outdoor hut with no walls, just a thatched roof, surrounded by tall bamboo groves, lit by candelight, with some new age music piped in. My masseuse did an amazing job, especially on my chronically stiff shoulders and upper back.
We leave for Monteverde in the morning. I'm sorry to be leaving such an amazing place, but I'm sure the next adventure will be just as fabulous. Love Costa Rica so far!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
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.
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.
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