"The Springs Resort & Spa The 165-acre Springs Resort & Spa sits 1,000 feet above the Arenal Valley, higher than any other resort in the area and affording each one of its 47 polished-wood guest rooms commanding views of the Arenal Volcano and surrounding countryside. Impressive as those vistas are, the luxury resort’s biggest draw is its 28 mineral thermal pools, which wind through four lush acres. The setting is undeniably romantic—the resort was featured in an episode of The Bachelor —but families are welcome, with activities for kids of all ages. Club Rio, on the resort’s half-mile of river frontage, offers tubing, kayaking, mountain biking, and horseback riding; there’s also a wildlife preserve for rescued native animals, including monkeys, ocelots, jaguarundis, sloths, and a puma. Five restaurants (and five bars) mean there are plenty of options, from casual poolside dining to tasting-menu elegance."

"Weeee!!!! One of the more popular activities near the Arenal Volcano in central Costa Rica is the Sky Trek zipline and for good reason. Your adventure is a series of 8 ziplines with the highest being 700' above the ground and the longest ride being nearly 1/2 a mile long. You get over your initial fear after the first 5 seconds when pure exhilaration takes over as you view the mighty Arenal volcano on one side the beautiful Lake Arenal on the other. I can't imagine there is a more stunning place to zipline in the world."

"Venado Caves Get down and dirty on an unforgettable spelunking experience at the Venado Caves, 45 minutes from La Fortuna. The caves were formed some 15 to 20 million years ago by tectonic shifting and erosion from underground streams. In them, you’ll see stalagmites and stalactites galore, and get the chance to check out colorful frogs and fascinating marine fossils and learn about the bat communities hanging right over your head. The experience is real (and really humid)—so wise adventurers bring insect repellent, knee pads, and an extra change of clothes. Waterproof your camera, too. By Travesías"

"Nayara Springs Spa Tucked within a green corner next to Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park, Nayara Springs is a haven for wellness seekers in the middle of the rainforest, with natural hot springs baths in each villa and healthy, farm-to-table-inspired menus in its restaurants. And if you want to take your wellness journey up a notch, be sure to spend some time at the idyllic spa, where open-air treatment rooms face the surrounding tree canopy inhabited by everything from toucans to howler monkeys. They’ll be the soundtrack to your experience, whether you’re getting a hot stone massage or a wrap treatment sourced from local ingredients, including volcanic mud, organic coffee, or chocolate."