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Argentina at a Gallop

When Costa Rica became known internationally as a top ecotourism destination, one of the activities most commonly promoted in advertisements was whitewater rafting. That’s because the country has many rivers that thread across varied landscapes, including jungles and rain forests. In Guanacaste, there are several options for whitewater rafting excursions, including at least one for intermediate rafters. A 2.5-hour trip on the Rio Tenorio takes rafters on a wild ride that includes a 12-foot drop through Class V waters.

Rincon de Filo, in the seaside village of Veracruz, is worth the short trip (about 6 kilometers, or 3.5 miles) southwest from Playa Bonita. Classic Panamanian seafood, such as paella, is the specialty. The nautical decor is refined yet comfortable. And there is a funky blue playhouse and swing on the tree-shaded grounds for the kids. The website has a video map to help get you there.

From the soaring copper tower of the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum to the pillars of the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco celebrates the artistic and architectural. Public sculptures line the waterfront and spike out of parks. Contemporary art museums like Yerba Buena Center for the Arts host avant-garde installations, while the alleys in the Mission District tell social tales across building facades. (SFMOMA, closed for renovation through early 2016, sent its collection “on the go,” appearing throughout the city.) The Contemporary Jewish Museum, housed in a Daniel Libeskind building, hosts Judaic art installations and workshops while the Museum of African Diaspora shares how African art has influenced world art.

The thermal hot springs in Rincón de La Vieja at Rio Negro (Black River) may not be as well known as those in the Arenal area, but we had the pools and surrounding forest to ourselves. From where we stayed at the Hacienda Guachipelin Rincón de La Vieja, the springs were accessible by horseback or vehicle, followed by a short hike and crossing a rather dubious hanging bridge. The pools are heated by the Rincón de La Vieja Volcano, so you definitely want to test the steaming water. There are seven pools to sample of different shapes, sizes and temperatures. The first pool was too hot to plunge more than our toes into. And the pool that was “just right” was the last one, which happened to be ideally situated next to the churning river. After two days of horseback riding, hiking, canyon ziplining and rappelling, it was great to unwind at this private oasis. If a rainforest/volcano adventure beckons you, I recommend staying at Hacienda Guachipelin Rincón de La Vieja and getting an adventure pass from Adventure Tours--both are at Rincón de La Vieja National Park.

Many beaches have restaurants serving the best of island comfort food. In Cabo Rojo, scarf down sorrullitos (corn sticks), empanadillas (turnovers filled with seafood), or rice, beans, and fish at Ann’s Place on El Combate. Crashboat in Aguadillla has stands selling bacalaítos and pinchos (skewers with grilled meat, bread, and barbecue sauce). If it’s liquid sustenance you are after, Tamboo Tavern—a few steps from Sandy Beach in Rincón—attracts its loyal clientele with mojitos that you can sip on the deck or while strolling down the beach. You can also come for the live merengue and salsa.

This majestic volcano’s splendor on its own will delight photographers and nature lovers, but it’s in fact one of a contiguous chain of active volcanoes surrounded by tropical forests where jaguars, pumas, armadillos, black spiny-tailed iguanas, and tapirs dwell. A major draw to the region are the private spas that take advantage of the natural hot springs, volcanic mud sources, and calm streams. Rincón de la Vieja lies at the center of attractions like hiking trails, waterfall outlooks, zip lines, and rafting tours.

This is a great place to spend a free day in Puerto Rico. There are many interpretative trails in this park, and all are free and open to the public. Some lead to caves, others lead to beautiful views.

There are also many covered areas for picnics. The trails are mostly leveled off and easy hikes, although some can be a bit more challenging. Be sure to bring lots of water, as it can be humid. Also, bug spray will be your friend! If you plan to take a trail that leads to a cave, be sure to have a flashlight with you as well.

Why we love it: An all-American dude ranch where guests can play cowboy in luxury

Highlights:
- A superb riding program that brings over 150 horses to the mesquite corral each morning
- Luxury amenities like an outdoor pool and spa to balance out the adventure
- Regular dining events like private-chef dinners and barbecues

The Review:
Founded in 1868, this Tucson guest ranch sits below the Rincon Mountains, overlooking the rolling foothills of Saguaro National Park. It’s often ranked among America’s top resorts and wedding destinations—and for good reason. Not only does it deliver Southwestern charm in the form of pink adobe architecture, but it runs one of the nation’s top horseback-riding programs, with everything from team penning and mountain adventure rides to the signature “Harmony with Horses,” which teaches interspecies communication. The ranch also offers a host of other activities, including yoga, hikes, mountain biking, photography courses, and naturalist-led walks to explore the desert’s edible and medicinal plants. There’s even a kids’ day camp for ages four to 12 with tennis, arts and crafts, swimming, and more.

Rooms here feature exposed beams and brick, punctuated with dark wood furniture and pops of Southwestern fabrics. Each has a desk, coffeemaker, and small refrigerator, while the biggest suite also includes a fireplace and sleeps up to six. When guests start feeling saddle sore, they can rejuvenate with a full-body massage in the spa, or grab a prickly pear margarita at the Dog House Saloon. For a full meal, head to the on-site restaurant, which serves Southwestern cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or attend one of the specialty dining events held each week, including private-chef dinners and cowboy cookouts.

Nowhere in Puerto Rico is surfing more popular than Rincón. It’s so popular, in fact, that the town plays host to annual international surfing competitions. There are plenty of shops where you can get the surf report or sign up for lessons if you’re a beginner (or want to take your skills to the next level). Some of Rincón’s beaches are postcard photogenic, especially Crashboat Beach, where a line of colorful wooden boats sit on the sand.

The farmers’ market of Rincon offers a dozen varieties of foods, local produce, and drinks. I love to visit the market to get my fix of Mediterranean food, which we don’t have daily in Rincon. The market is every Sunday during the season, and the first and third Sundays during the off season. The times are generally 7am to 2pm, but some stalls will close early if they run out of food. To get the Mediterranean, be sure to get there before 12!

On the Dominican Republic’s northern coast, near the tip of the Samaná Peninsula, this unpopulated Atlantic beach stretches three miles from Cape Samaná to the cliffs of Cape Cabrón. To get here, you’ll need to take a four-wheel-drive vehicle or a boat charter from the small fishing village of Las Galeras, but once you arrive, you’ll find a nearly empty stretch of sand. The west end of the beach features calm waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling, while the east end has great waves for surfing. You’ll also find spots to rent kayaks, snorkeling gear, chairs, and umbrellas, as well as a few food vendors serving rice, beans, and seafood cooked over an open-hearth fire. This is the place to go when you want to get away from the crowds.

Rincon is the surfing capital of Puerto Rico, and during swell season, it’s easy to see why. We have gorgeous beaches with several breaks, there’s room for everyone, and each wave attracts its own crowd. But the best part about surfing in Rincon is that there is something for everyone. Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, you can have a good time. If you’d like to learn to surf in Rincon, there are many private surf instructors and surf schools that cater to both group sessions and private sessions. I’d suggest Collin Gibbs, of CollinsWave.com, who can teach either of these. Get out and ride!

One of the most popular places last season was the newest food truck installment to Rincon known as Kabanas. Cooking up fresh fish and fresh salads with falafel and veggie tacos, you will have plenty of great healthy lunch options and delicious quick dinner bites from this place. It’s all outdoors, but under a canopy. When it rains, it pours, so check ahead and make sure they’re open before heading down there.

Looking for something really unique to bring back from your time spent in Puerto Rico? Grab a t-shirt from Uncharted Studio (or a trucker hat, a bag, some stickers...). Established in 2005, this place put custom silk screening shirts on the map for Rincon. They use 100% ringspun cotton tees for a nicer quality and feel. and their printing solvents are non-chemical, soy and citrus based. Talk about eco-minded! This is something you want to support! Your trip to Rincon is not complete without stopping here for a t-shirt!