Arenal volcano hike and waterfall canyoning

​After another satiating breakfast at Tabacon, we were picked up by our guide Jacob for the private Arenal volcano 🌋 hike. It was more of a nature walk through the rain forest trail 1968 with multiple stops as Jacob narrated fascinating facts around the volcano. Until it first erupted in July 1968, nobody knew it was a volcano and mistook it for a mountain catching people off-guard and destroying the towns around it with a death toll of 80 humans and several more cows due to the toxic gases from the eruption. The weather Gods had been kind enough for us all throughout the trip so far despite this being the wet season in Costa Rica. While we were not even once able to sight the Arenal volcano on our 2012 visit, we had our fair share of sighting ranging from the crater covered by the cloud to an almost unobstructed view of this 5000 ft towering glory. The fresh pineapple 🍍 at the end of the hike was a refreshing treat. 



Constantly changing landscape + weather






We were dropped off at the Pure Trek Canyoning office where we had another typical Costa Rican lunch of rice and beans and salad. A bus ride followed by the 4 WD brought us to the rappelling place. Butterflies were already building up in my stomach in anticipation of this never before experienced adventure. We were geared up with helmets, harnesses and safety briefings about the 5 rappels with the description of each one. A reassuring saving grace was when we were told the guides will control our falls! 


Lunch sightings

That's how they "coffee"!



The first fall was the highest with a 165 ft drop, the anxiety kept building just waiting for our turn. Kahan, Kairav and Parishi were the daredevils and super excited. Listening to theory is one thing and putting it into practice is a whole different ball game especially when you drop down the cliff and keep swirling around on the rope, hitting the rocks and holding on tight for dear life when you are supposed to release the rope between your fingers to keep going down! Mind you, it doesn’t get easier with the subsequent ones! The thrill factor was definitely not diminished by the few bruises on the shin and elbow from hitting the rocks. It was definitely one of a kind experience for each of us, and we were proud of little Reeva who also participated in this adventure although terrified in the beginning and asked everyone including the guide to let her go “slowly”. That slogan came in handy for the scaredy-cat yours truly as well, “slow for me as well por favor” at every junction did the trick! 








A soak at the Tabacon Hot Springs Shangrila felt invigorating after a day of subjecting the body to unprecedented adventures. We cabbed to the La Fortuna town to a family-owned restaurant called La Street. Our 8-year-old host, Roberto stole our hearts with his politeness and service. The Mexican food pleasantly surprised us-  a 10/10 in flavor and presentation. 

A well-deserved soak in the springs





Walking down the memory lane through the streets and the public garden we had hung out at 9 years ago, Chinmay brought us to the Chocolate Fusion store where we went all out buying a variety of dark chocolates, decadent mocha cake while the kids enjoyed their ice creams. 



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