The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/897892
I began my trek up the coast by car to JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa. Along the way, there's plenty to see and do. One of the more popular attractions, especially for ecotourism, is a guided tour through Monteverde's Cloud Forest Reserve. Getting its name for how low the clouds rest on the canopy, the forest has very high biodiversity, housing 2,500 plant species, 400 bird species and roughly 120 amphibian and reptile species. Not far from the reserve, you can also explore Arenal, a 5,480-foot high active volcano. Making your way up north to JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, things tend to get even more serene. From the region's laidback beaches and close- knit farm communities, Guanacaste is the most sparsely populated province in Costa Rica. You'll see plenty of agricultural homesteads on the way in but it all comes to a (relaxing) climax once you pass through the resort's colonial archways for the first time. Whether you spend time walking down to the beach or reminiscing in its peaceful courtyards, you'll soon find yourself at center. The 316-room resort located in Hacienda Pinilla, features the largest pool in Central America and is complete with a spa, meeting rooms and a multitude of dining options. Nearby nature attractions in Herradura are defined by being active. Hiking, horseback riding and rainforest activities are among the most popular. My first morning in Costa Rica, I spent time with Vista Los Sueños Rainforest Tours. Just minutes from the resort, they offer everything from ATVing, zip-lining and buggy tours, among other things. Activities like zip-lining through the canopy literally surrounded by green on every side are a huge part of that worry- free package I was searching for. Not to mention that anything that improves the upkeep of the rainforest is a really great alternative to deforestation. Before I hit the road to Guanacaste, I had the pleasure of planting my own tree, which was an especially meaningful experience. It's part of the lengths which Los Sueños Marriott goes to help reforest and give back to the natural environment in which it sits. HACIENDA PINILLA & TAMARINDO JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa VUE ON TRAVEL V U E N J . C O M 113