What Is The Perfect Destination For You Next: Costa Rica

Costa Rica Chronicles: Unveiling the Journey of Discovery and Delight with Transformative Journeys

The Adventure Begins

Rita and I both have extensive travel histories separately, but our Costa Rica trip marked the first journey we would take together as the Transformative Journeys team. Discover the full story of our Costa Rica adventure in the upcoming blogs, where we’ll share our travel insights and experiences in vivid detail.

Part of our ethos at Transformative Journeys is to create journeys that go beyond a typical vacation. We pride ourselves on knowing the destinations that we offer to our clients through personal experience. We want to know the ins and outs of a destination and share our first-hand accounts with you. We choose the correct destination for who you are and how you like to travel.

We primarily work with small independent properties that deliver exceptional service to our clients. We prefer owner-run and operated properties where we can where you feel welcomed into the family and addressed by name, not room number. In addition to this, we prioritize suppliers who have strong ethics and operate responsible businesses, employing primarily from local communities and having traceable environmental plans in play.
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An Early Morning Wake-Up Call and Airport Adventures

Our Costa Rican adventure began with the jarring buzz of an alarm clock in the wee hours of the morning. Groggy but excited, we packed our last-minute essentials and headed to the airport. Our excitement was palpable, mixed with the usual airport chaos – long lines, the scent of coffee, and the muffled announcements over the intercom.

Delay in Panama City: A Twist of Weather and Destiny

Our journey, which was supposed to be two short flights and had us landing in San Jose airport by Noon, took an unexpected turn in Panama City, where a dramatic weather twist greeted us. A massive storm was approaching, and all flights had been grounded. As we waited patiently, we watched the storm lash against the windows.

We settled in after securing some comfortable seats, snacks, and beverages. We quickly realized the timing of our unplanned, extended layover timed up perfectly with the legendary Rugby World Cup final match between the Springboks of South Africa and the All Blacks of New Zealand. As the partners of two diehard Springbok fans, we watched with bated breath as the Springboks won in the last minutes of the match. The 90-minute match and victory provided a much-needed diversion as we watched the departure time being pushed back further and further. It seemed like destiny was playing its part in our adventure, reminding us that sometimes, the best stories come from unplanned events.

Once we finally got word of our departure, hopped on the flight and waved goodbye to Panama City Airport.

The second flight from Panama City to San Jose was supposed to be quick, just over an hour, and was uneventful for the most part. However, as we got closer to San Jose we saw a giant thunderstorm on the east side of the plane as we approached our landing. I love a good light show, and this one was worthy of me trying to film it from the plane window. However, as we planned to land it was cloudy and turbulent. The lightning was still happening beside us. I left the plane starting to descend, and then I realized we were suddenly ascending again, trying to get back above the clouds. We had an aborted landing.

Drive to La Fortuna and Late Arrival to Tabacon

Our first night had us staying at the enchanting Tabacon Thermal Spring Resort, a Small Luxury Hotels of the World member. The resort has just over 70 rooms and is nestled in the heart of a lush Rainforest.

After an unexpected 18-hour travel day, it was the perfect first stop for our journey. After settling in, we fell asleep to the symphony of the tropical night – a perfect end to an eventful day and it provided us a much-needed rest for the rest of our adventure. Following a rejuvenating night’s sleep, we eagerly explored the wonders of Tabacon Thermal Spring Resort & Spa, nestled amidst the lush rainforest. Here, we immersed ourselves in the soothing embrace of natural hot springs, each pool offering its own unique blend of

mineral-rich waters that promised to melt away our travel fatigue. As we indulged in luxurious spa treatments, from volcanic mud wraps to aromatic massages, we felt the stresses of our journey melt away, replaced by a profound sense of relaxation and renewal. Tabacon’s commitment to holistic wellness and environmental sustainability resonated with us, making it the ideal sanctuary to begin our transformative journey through Costa Rica’s natural wonders.

Exploring Monteverde’s Enchanted Forest

In Monteverde’s forest, tall ferns and green plants cover everything like a cozy blanket. The trees are really tall, reaching up high into the sky, and the sunlight peeks through the leaves, making everything look magical. Birds sing, and you can hear animals moving around in the bushes. Walking through this forest feels like stepping into a fairy tale, where nature’s beauty surrounds you at every turn.

Embarking on the largest zip lining tour in Costa Rica, Rita and I found ourselves soaring high above the lush rainforest canopy, propelled by adrenaline and awe. From platform to platform, we zipped through a verdant landscape, catching glimpses of rivers, valleys, and towering trees below. Each exhilarating zip filled us with a sense of adventure and appreciation for Costa Rica’s natural beauty, leaving us breathless and eager for more as we flew through the skies, creating memories that would last a lifetime.