1. Visiting Arenal, the Land of the Volcano: Until 2010, the Arenal Volcano was Costa Rica’s most active volcano with its last infamous eruption in 1968. Much to the enjoyment of its visitors, Arenal spewed enormous amounts of lava, gas, and ash on a regular basis. After a day of touring the volcano and exploring the bountiful sights, wildlife, and traces of lava, retreat to Costa Rica’s romantic five star resort, and the location of ABC’s The Bachelor, The Springs Resort and Spa. The Springs is a compound, surrounded by exquisite tropical gardens and waterfalls, four unique dining experiences, with three separate hot springs areas, and breathtaking architecture - a lushly gardened main building with sweeping windows and slanted ceilings. Enjoy views of Arenal from your private balcony equipped with hammocks and rocking chairs or relax in your private Jacuzzi bathtub. On the property is the adventurous land of Club Rio, where guests can enjoy river kayaking, tubing, horseback riding, hiking trails, or the Wildlife Preserve, where the Springs cares for exotic animals that were saved such as puma, monkeys, sloths, and wild turkeys. Experience supreme relaxation or join in the adventure of Club Rio at www.thespringscostarica.com (day passes are also available).
2. Relaxing in Natural Hot Springs: Located at the foot of the grandiose Arenal Volcano, lies the tropical paradise of nature, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort, a member of The Leading Hotels and The Leading Spas of the World. Geologically, Tabacón’s hot springs, which are a series of waterfalls hiding amongst lush landscaping, are 97% rain-based and 3% magma-based. In spring break terms means 100% relaxation. While there are many hot springs destinations around the world, few offer this special balance set in a gorgeous natural paradise, truly a water park for adults. Tabacón offer a variety of day visit packages, which allow you to spend time relaxing in the thermo-mineral springs, experiencing Costa Rica’s top spa, or enjoying a cocktail in one of the world’s only 98ºF wet bar. Enjoy a yoga class amongst the mystic surrounding rainforest, or indulge in a detoxifying volcano body wrap or experience a purification ritual for the body and soul called Temazcal at the Tabacon Grand Spa. Let your daily stresses float away at www.tabacon.com.
3. Canopy Tour in the Rainforest: For the more adventurous traveler, strap on a harness and glide through the rainforest with Arenal Canopy, where you can sail through the treetops from tree and platform using pulleys and harnesses on horizontal traverse cables. The tour starts with either an exciting adventure with a horse-back or ATV ride of about 40 minutes through a farming and pasture area. The journey then continues with a short hike through a tropical rain forest, where you may encounter various species of wildlife such as white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, agoutis, a variety of snakes, and great diversity of birds and plants. The zip-lines for the canopy tour features 7 platforms connected with 5 traverse cables with various lengths ranging from 60-170 meters. Zip over to www.canopy.co.cr.
4. Canyoning Waterfall Rappelling: For an adventure scarier that a 1L contracts class, experience waterfall rappelling with Pure Trek Adventures. With Pure Trek you can journey through the forest on magical trials that lead to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica – which you proceed to jump off!! This exhilarating adventure includes rappelling down from the top of the waterfall into the picturesque canyon below, which is reminiscent of a scene from the movie Lord of the Rings. The adventure includes four rappels, three of which are along waterfalls, and one dry rock face. Along your path through the rain forest, see tropical birds, monkeys and thousands of different kinds of plants and flowers. Strap on your harness and get ready for an unforgettable adventure at www.puretrekcostarica.com.
5. Surfing in Jaco Beach: Instead of learning how to ‘draft memos’, learn how to ‘hang ten’ with Jaco Surf School. Learn to surf in the beautiful Jaco Beach, with qualified and expert instructors. Learn basic ocean knowledge, including how to read the waves, the tide, the swell and the wind. The expert surfers will teach you fundamentals like paddling methods, how to “duck dive”, and how to get to your feet. For beginners, there are numerous spots in the area conducive to surfing. The staff, of which all are some of the best surfers in Costa Rica, will have you surfing in no time. Hang ten at www.jacosurfschool.com. A laidback bustling town, Jaco is one of the most popular Costa Rican beaches. One of the town’s major attractions is the fantastic surfing, as the waves are consistently big and the breaks are ‘tubular’. A yearly international surf contest is also hosted in the nearby beach, Playa Hermosa that attracts many surfers from around the world.
6. White Water Rafting: Ride down the Naranjo or Savegre River with Iguana Tours’s white water rafting excursion. “Welcome to our office” the rafting guides exclaim as you float down the sparkling pristine river. But do not get too relaxed, because Level II, III, and IV white water rapids eagerly await you. All trips are geared towards ecology, safety, education, and adventure, offering two unforgettable river adventures with internationally trained, bilingual guides and safety kayakers. Ride the waves at www.iguanatours.com.
7. Animal Sightseeing at Manuel Antonio National Park: Take a leisurely hike with a professionally trained, well-educated Costa Rican naturalist guide through the exotic, bio-diverse tropical rain forest, Manuel Antonio National Park. No matter which directly you look, you are surrounded by amazing wildlife such as sloths, numerous species of monkeys, silky anteaters, and iguanas just resting in the tropical rain forest. While strolling through the park, enjoy the songs of the various birds as they glide above you. And if you are lucky, you might spot one of the only 1,000 remaining endangered Mono Titi or squirrel monkey, who are only located at Manuel Antonio. After a long walk in the park, sip a freshly cracked coconut while sitting on the white sand beach. Learn more about this haven for wildlife and beauty at www.manuelantoniopark.com.
8. Specifics: Currency in Costa Rica: Costa Rican colon (CRC). Roughly 1 US Dollar = 502.45 CRC. The official language is Spanish. Roads in Costa Rica tend to have many potholes and also are full of twists and turns – so do not forget to bring your Dramamine.
From studying for exams to finding the perfect summer job, University of Miami law students have enough to think about. As the warmhearted Costa Ricans jubilantly say ‘¡Pura Vida!’ which is the motto to live by during spring break. You will not find the definition in Black’s Law Dictionary. Pura Vida, meaning “pure life” really explains how Costa Ricans happily live each day to it’s fullest, as should you on your spring break “adjournment” as we say in the legal world.
Marla Neufeld, Esq.
The Lifestyle Lawyer
4. Canyoning Waterfall Rappelling: For an adventure scarier that a 1L contracts class, experience waterfall rappelling with Pure Trek Adventures. With Pure Trek you can journey through the forest on magical trials that lead to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica – which you proceed to jump off!! This exhilarating adventure includes rappelling down from the top of the waterfall into the picturesque canyon below, which is reminiscent of a scene from the movie Lord of the Rings. The adventure includes four rappels, three of which are along waterfalls, and one dry rock face. Along your path through the rain forest, see tropical birds, monkeys and thousands of different kinds of plants and flowers. Strap on your harness and get ready for an unforgettable adventure at www.puretrekcostarica.com.
5. Surfing in Jaco Beach: Instead of learning how to ‘draft memos’, learn how to ‘hang ten’ with Jaco Surf School. Learn to surf in the beautiful Jaco Beach, with qualified and expert instructors. Learn basic ocean knowledge, including how to read the waves, the tide, the swell and the wind. The expert surfers will teach you fundamentals like paddling methods, how to “duck dive”, and how to get to your feet. For beginners, there are numerous spots in the area conducive to surfing. The staff, of which all are some of the best surfers in Costa Rica, will have you surfing in no time. Hang ten at www.jacosurfschool.com. A laidback bustling town, Jaco is one of the most popular Costa Rican beaches. One of the town’s major attractions is the fantastic surfing, as the waves are consistently big and the breaks are ‘tubular’. A yearly international surf contest is also hosted in the nearby beach, Playa Hermosa that attracts many surfers from around the world.
6. White Water Rafting: Ride down the Naranjo or Savegre River with Iguana Tours’s white water rafting excursion. “Welcome to our office” the rafting guides exclaim as you float down the sparkling pristine river. But do not get too relaxed, because Level II, III, and IV white water rapids eagerly await you. All trips are geared towards ecology, safety, education, and adventure, offering two unforgettable river adventures with internationally trained, bilingual guides and safety kayakers. Ride the waves at www.iguanatours.com.
7. Animal Sightseeing at Manuel Antonio National Park: Take a leisurely hike with a professionally trained, well-educated Costa Rican naturalist guide through the exotic, bio-diverse tropical rain forest, Manuel Antonio National Park. No matter which directly you look, you are surrounded by amazing wildlife such as sloths, numerous species of monkeys, silky anteaters, and iguanas just resting in the tropical rain forest. While strolling through the park, enjoy the songs of the various birds as they glide above you. And if you are lucky, you might spot one of the only 1,000 remaining endangered Mono Titi or squirrel monkey, who are only located at Manuel Antonio. After a long walk in the park, sip a freshly cracked coconut while sitting on the white sand beach. Learn more about this haven for wildlife and beauty at www.manuelantoniopark.com.
8. Specifics: Currency in Costa Rica: Costa Rican colon (CRC). Roughly 1 US Dollar = 502.45 CRC. The official language is Spanish. Roads in Costa Rica tend to have many potholes and also are full of twists and turns – so do not forget to bring your Dramamine.
From studying for exams to finding the perfect summer job, University of Miami law students have enough to think about. As the warmhearted Costa Ricans jubilantly say ‘¡Pura Vida!’ which is the motto to live by during spring break. You will not find the definition in Black’s Law Dictionary. Pura Vida, meaning “pure life” really explains how Costa Ricans happily live each day to it’s fullest, as should you on your spring break “adjournment” as we say in the legal world.
Marla Neufeld, Esq.
The Lifestyle Lawyer
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