Highlights of the Day
For my first zipline adventure, I went big with Sky Adventure. After a short practice run, I soared across Costa Rica’s highest zipline, balancing nerves and excitement. By the third line, I was fully immersed in the breathtaking views of Arenal Volcano and Lake. The longest and fastest line, over 700 meters, felt like a time-travel tunnel through the forest. Later, we relaxed at Baldi Hot Springs, a vibrant, resort-style retreat with waterfalls and swim-up bars. Wrapping up the day, I enjoyed another serving of fresh ceviche at the hotel, already looking forward to tomorrow’s adventures.
Logistics
Accommodation: Hotel Magic Mountain Spa & Conference Center
Transportation: Rental Car
For my first Zipline experience, I went straight for the big one. Sky Adventure has a total of seven lines, with the first one being the shortest for practice. The second line is the highest in Costa Rica, which I spent filled with both nervousness and curiosity. By the third line, I had gained enough confidence to take in my surroundings. Blue skies, white clouds, the Arenal Volcano, and Arenal Lake—all spread out before me. On the fifth line, I was called to ride with a staff member, as it’s the slowest one, and I’m too light, so I needed extra weight. 😄The sixth line is the longest and fastest, over 700 meters long, and passes through a forest tunnel, making it feel like traveling through time.
Arenal Volcano is one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world. It erupted continuously from 1968 to 2010, before entering a dormant state. Today, the weather was clear, and I could see the towering volcano clearly from the hotel balcony. So, we decided to skip the volcano park activities.
Given the volcano, the area is home to many hot springs. Tabacon and Baldi are the most famous ones. However, the first one requires reservations, and the hotel staff recommended the second one, so we chose Baldi. They have 25 hot springs, so it’s impossible to visit them all, so we picked a few. The experience here is completely different from the hot springs in Hakone, Japan. Hakone is all about enjoying quiet, solitary relaxation, while here, everything is grand and extravagant—there are man-made rock formations, waterfalls, and even water bars, creating a dizzying spectacle. The only downside is that the showers only have cold water, which I can’t quite understand, but at least my hotel is just a 4-minute drive away, so it’s bearable.
The hotel restaurant is also great, and I’ve become a fan of their ceviche, a marinated fish dish. I’ve ordered it for two nights in a row!
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