|
 Pura
Vida means “Pure Life”, and the Costa Ricans
should know. This phrase is how they greet each
other as well as how they express happiness
in conversation. This itinerary is designed
to take you away from civilization and into
the pure life, incorporating the beach,
the rainforests and the valleys of this pristine
country.
 You’ll
arrive in Costa Rica through its capital San
Jose, and take a connecting flight to the Nicoya
Peninsula. From there, it’s another 45 minutes
by 4x4, but your arrival point, Flor Blanca,
is worth every bump in the road. Arguably Costa
Rica’s nicest boutique hotel, Flor Blanca is
secluded, relaxing, and truly lovely. Your one-bedroom
villa is expansive and private, and while it’s
tempting not to leave, the beach, the pool,
the spa and the hotel’s fantastic restaurant
beckon. This is a perfect place to ease into
your honeymoon, where you can do nothing but
enjoy each others’ company. Or, if you feel
like some activity, go horseback riding, take
a surfing lesson, or ride bikes to the small
town of Santa Theresa for great seafood. No
matter what, be sure to schedule one of Flor
Blanca's romantic dinners – you can choose to
be seated in the stunning palapa overlooking
the pool, or on the beach, by yourselves, as
the tide comes in. Either will be completely
memorable!
After a few days on the coast, you’ll fly back
to San Jose for a brief stopover, staying at the
well-regarded Hotel Grano de Oro. An early
evening with a terrific dinner in their
restaurant is in order, because you’ll be picked
up at 6:30 am the next day to begin your rafting
and eco adventure on the Pacuare River.
 The
Pacuare offers a thrilling and beautiful river
experience. Along with the excitement of white
water rafting, you’ll have a chance to spend
two nights at the rustic but enchanting Pacuare
Lodge, where you’ll raft in and raft out, and
in between be treated to beautiful Costa Rican
jungle, waterfalls and wildlife.
If you’ve never rafted, don’t worry – beginners
can do this trip with no trouble. Your knowledgeable
river guide will teach you the moves and then
you are off to the first stretch of river –
a scenic and curving route with intermittent
stretches of Class III rapids. It offers the
perfect opportunity to learn the ropes, and
before long, you'll find yourselves at Pacuare
Lodge, in time for a delicious lunch.
 The
lodge consists of several bungalows, and yours
is the best of the bunch – the honeymoon bungalow.
It’s located up a path and through the woods
from the rest of the lodge, but at the top of
the ascent you realize you are in for a treat!
The bungalow sits up high, overlooking the canopy,
and even has its own suspended bridge from which
you can look down on the river, the treetops
and the main lodge. How cool is that?! Pacuare
Lodge is a true eco-lodge, so as a result there
is no electricity (candles light the way). The
honeymoon bungalow, however, does have a solar
water heater, so there is hot water for showers.
 Now
at the lodge you’ll enjoy exploration of the
jungle – there is a fantastic canopy tour at
your disposal, with no crowds like some of the
more popular courses in Costa Rica. You can
also do moderate to difficult hikes through
the area with a guide who can point out the
small tree frog, unique bird, or fascinating
insect life. Horseback riding is also available,
as is simply relaxing amidst the abundant greenery.
As far as dining goes, Michael and Coqui serve
some of the best meals in Costa Rica, and dinners
with wine and candlelight are sure to be captivating
and romantic.
Believe it or not, you’ll want more time here,
but after two nights, it’s time to head back
to the Rio Pacuare, for your second and most
exciting day on the river. Today, you’ll use
your skills from day one to navigate Class III
and Class IV rapids. The river twists and turns,
and you’ll get soaked for sure, but each stretch
of rapids brings a smile to your faces and a
sense of accomplishment. You’ll stop en route
for a picnic lunch, do some swimming, and admire
the gorgeous scenery. You’ll finish up at about
3 PM, change into dry clothes, and head back
to San Jose.
 Ah,
you are happily exhausted by now, and perhaps
nothing could be more enticing than your next
stop, Xandari, in Costa Rica’s Central Valley.
Only 15 minutes from the San Jose Airport, with
a feel worlds away, you're first struck by the
abundance of art around the property. Colorful,
modern, whimsical, Xandari almost feels as though
it belongs in Napa Valley, but your setting
is pure Costa Rica! The property has hiking
trails, a 70 ft. waterfall, an orange grove,
a lovely spa, a great restaurant with amazing
views and two small swimming pools. It’s a perfect
retreat in which to spend the final nights on
your honeymoon, yet it is close to volcanoes,
excellent horseback riding, and coffee plantations.
You’ll wind down in colorful style, recover
from your adventures, and enjoy a bit of fine
living before heading home.
And when it is time to go, you’ll linger as long
as possible over coffee on your verandah before
saying goodbye to your new favorite vacation
destination. Pura Vida!
Who
will enjoy this trip
Couples wishing quiet and seclusion, away from
other tourists (and humans in general). If you
value accommodations with special character, and
don’t mind making some tradeoffs to obtain that
character. Those with a taste for adventure in
the great outdoors, but also want to mix in some
pampering. Lovers of good food.
Who
should avoid this trip
Those who prefer to be near civilization or
some type of town. Those who can’t imagine going
with out electricity for a couple days. If you
prefer not to move around, this itinerary may
seem a bit too busy.
|
Palapa
at Flor Blanca