Hacienda Guachipelin

Centred round the inviting wooden hacienda, the ranch has beautiful, sunny gardens with a freeform pool, yoga deck and and firepits for evenings under the stars. The restaurant is simply decorated and serves authentic meals prepared by Costa Rican chefs over a wood fire - the flavours are distinctive and delicious. Visit the Canopy Bar for a cocktail accompanied by melodic marimba tunes from the in-house legend, Don Justo, who has been playing for over 50 years! On the banks of the Colorado River, the Simbiosis Spa offers all natural treatments.

Hacienda Guachipelin has a range of rooms and suites, the former are the closest to the restaurant and pool, while the latter have a more private spot in the gardens. Wood-panelled walls, hand-crafted furnishings and earthy tones create a cosy feel, and the photos and artwork evoke ranch life. The rooms have a shared terrace but the suites boast two private verandas (some with views of the volcano). The most spacious are El Canizaro and El Cedro, named after two ancient trees in the garden.

Take your pick from the myriad adventures on offer, from ziplining through the trees, canyoning down rockfaces, horseback rides to cloistered waterfalls, and hikes beside volcanic fumaroles and bubbling mud pits. Along the way, look out for the 300 species of birdlife, armadillos, rambunctious monkeys and coatis. Take it easy with a birdwatching walk through the gardens or learn to be a cowboy for the day, herding cattle, saddling horses and taking a ride with genuine Guanacastean Sabaneros.