Come to Costa Rica to discover magnificent landscapes, endless outdoor activities and creatures great and small. This smallish Central American country offers a world of adventure, from water sports to mountain hikes, from rainforest wildlife watching to cloud-forest birding. And when you’re…
Miravalles Volcano
Miravalles, Costa Rica – We are hunkered down at Colinas del Miravalles Hotel, on the flanks of the steaming Miravalles Volcano. We are sucking down batidos and soaking in thermal pools. We are happy. This picture of contentment belies the…
Río Celeste
Río Celeste, Costa Rica – We spent the first half of our week in the Río Celeste region, tucked into a valley between the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes. The region is famous for its namesake river – another true blue…
Curubandé de Liberia
Curubandé de Liberia, Costa Rica – Many travelers pass through but few stop in Curubandé de Liberia, a little village in northwestern Costa Rica. This is the gateway to Rincón de la Vieja national park. Most visitors barrel right through, on…
Welcome to My Treehouse
Boca Tapada, Costa Rica – I’ve been coming to Costa Rica for years, visiting and reviewing hotels that offer treehouse lodging, but this is the first time I had the opportunity to actually sleep in a tree. I don’t know…
Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat
Chilamate, Costa Rica – I am moving quickly on this trip! I spent a few days at one of my favorite places – the Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat. In the past, we have stayed here en famille (although it’s been…
La Vida Rural
San Miguel de Sarapiquí, Costa Rica – What a thrill to be back in Costa Rica for a Lonely Planet guidebook update! This whole thing came about rather unexpectedly, so I am traveling solo (for now), during the rainy season,…
The First City
Ketchikan, Alaska – After its founding in 1900, Ketchikan became the first port of call for ships traveling to Alaska from the south, thus earning its nickname, The First City. Nowadays, it’s no different, as cruise ships stop here first…
Breathe Deep
A St. Lucia resort turns the Caribbean Sea into a yoga studio with its Underwater Breathwork Program. Yoga and scuba diving wouldn’t seem to have much in common, but the two pursuits do share one critical element: controlled breathing. Taking…