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Seven days in Costa Rica for peace, gratitude and connection [View in browser]( [facebook]( [instagram]( [TikTok]( PICTURE YOURSELF IN… Costa Rica [Arenal Volcano] Arenal Volcano rises from the lush landscape I sat on my horse Osso on a hillside in Costa Rica’s Cordillera de Tilarán breathing in the crisp morning air of the mountains, utterly overwhelmed by the sight of the Arenal Volcano’s sharp, defined rise from the lush, green landscape before me. I felt an incredible peace come over me and, as I looked over at my family, an indescribable gratitude that we were able to share this moment together. I had dreamed of horseback riding through the mountains of [Costa Rica]( – a visual I’d encountered back in February on a casual social media swipe – and suddenly here I was in a moment that felt so meaningful it somehow outsized the anticipation and planning that preceded it. Guillermo from [Elsewhere]( Lonely Planet’s travel planning platform, was the Costa Rica–based guide who helped me think through the itinerary and details of our weeklong trip. The control freak part of me loves the micromanagement of trip planning, so I was nervous about working with a local expert, but the working parent part of me found it freeing to hand over the details to someone else. I caught up with Guille recently to reflect on our trip – and got his tips for anyone planning a trip to Costa Rica. I told him he knew what I wanted for our time in Costa Rica better than I did. Putting himself into the trip was an intentional part of his process, he said. “I’m not making your trip,” he told me, “I’m making our trip. I imagine I’m part of the group that’s traveling and put myself in your shoes.” You could feel his personal touch across our week. And the peace and gratitude of that moment on the hillside has stayed with all of us ever since. Yours truly, [Nitya Chambers] Nitya Chambers   Senior Vice President of Content and Executive Editor         [LP Editors Choice] Best places to visit in Costa Rica [Costa Rica is filled with amazing destinations. Which will you choose?](   Immerse yourself Experience the peace of Costa Rica through its natural wonder, says local expert Guillermo Aguilar – his unmissable picks are below! Connect with nature in Costa Rica Don’t stay in one climate. At minimum, experience the beach, the rainforest and the lush vegetation you’ll see traveling between the two. Drink coffee. Experience the pura vida (pure life) at breakfast time with a morning coffee, a great view and a calm start to the day. Connect with the natural environment. Surfing. Rainforests. Cloud forests. Hanging bridges. Waterfalls. Zip lining. Hiking. National parks. Volcano views. Search for sloths. And toucans, hummingbirds, coatis, armadillos, howler monkeys, spider monkeys and more. Costa Rica’s ecosystems are home to more animals than you can imagine. Observe them living in harmony. Power down and pura vida. You’ve made the effort to take the trip. Unplug, be present and experience life’s beauty. Surf, hike, swim: 7 days in Costa Rica Consider slowing down and experiencing Costa Rica. [zipline in Costa Rica] Zipline above the rainforest Best time to go to Costa Rica is between December and April, but there may be rain. Consider flying in and out of smaller airports that put you closer to your points of interest. Stay in luxe beach and rainforest hotels to be immersed in the island's natural beauty. Hike to the La Fortuna waterfall and take a swim, surf on the Guanacaste coast, [View full itinerary]( Costa Rica's national parks The best national parks in Costa Rica bring you up close to volcanos and offer incredible hiking and wildlife viewing [Check out the parks]( This email was sent to you by: Lonely Planet Publications Ltd. | 1101 Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29707 © 2022 Lonely Planet [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Destinations]( | [Shop New Releases](