Tabacón unveils ‘sensory luxury’, a nature-led approach to wellness in Costa Rica | News
Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa, a rainforest retreat in the shadow of Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano, has launched a new program around Sensory Luxury. Embracing the restoration of natural balance Sensory Luxury goes back to basics and shows how well-being does not have to be developed and can be activated organically through air, water, sound, texture and taste. The program identifies both active and passive practices, framed by natural environments around the resort, that harness the power of nature to take guests a step beyond relaxation and guide them to tune into the frequencies and rhythms that are recalibrated from within.
Smell: breathing in the atmosphere – The Tabacón reserve has been carefully redeveloped over the past thirty years into a thriving rainforest ecosystem where biodiversity naturally purifies the air. Tropical rainforests release high levels of phytoncides that help reduce stress and improve immune and respiratory health, while providing higher oxygen concentrations. This combined with the gentle steam created by the thermal river creates a soothing natural sauna. The resort’s indoor-outdoor design ensures that guests are continually immersed in these restorative scents and sensations, whether they’re breathing deeply during yoga in the outdoor shala, hiking through the rainforest to see the source of the Tabacón River, or unwinding at night with locally crafted sleep aids.
Vision: Seeing is Believing – Tabacón Gardens provide a vibrant canvas of rainforest greenery, tropical flowers and visible wildlife. Attention Restoration Theory (ART) suggests that visual immersion in natural environments like this encourages gentle fascination, the gentle focus that allows the mind to rest and reset. Simple practices that can intentionally focus visual attention include: Horizon Gazing at the Arenal Volcano to calm the nervous system; Nature Gazing focuses on the movement of the Tabacon River and rainforest leaves to restore mental clarity; Sky Gazing to reduce feelings of overwhelm; and Moon Gazing while floating in the thermal waters.
Audition: The Songs of Silence – The natural soundscape at Tabacón forms an ever-changing soundtrack that combines the rush of the thermal river with the life of the rainforest. This living sound bath at the other end of the grounds encourages mindful pauses rooted in the present moment – from active listening to falling asleep and waking up naturally to the chorus of frogs, birds, monkeys and rainfall. This environment helps reset circadian cycles and promotes deep, restorative rest. These sounds are captured on Tabacon’s proprietary Binaural Beats soundtrack.
Tactile: The Healing Touch – Tabacón is home to the largest collection of naturally flowing thermal and mineral springs in Costa Rica. In 18 pools ranging from 24 to 40° C, guests experience the therapeutic tradition of balneotherapy, known to stimulate circulation, calm the nervous system and support mental clarity. Guests can follow Tabacon’s balneotherapy concierge, who will plan the optimal time in specific pools based on Rapid Flow or Linger Longer circuits, alternating temperatures to naturally regulate circulation and relaxation. Complementary spa treatments include volcanic mud, thermal waters and indigenous wellness traditions, while simple sensory moments – floating in warm pools, walking barefoot through gardens or feeling tropical rain on the skin – help restore the body’s innate sense of balance and connection.
Gustation: Conscious Cuisine – Tabacón’s culinary program, led by Culinary Director Saúl Umaña, celebrates the diverse flavors and traditions of Costa Rica. The menus highlight native superfoods and medicinal plants alongside seasonal tropical ingredients, with dishes that showcase contemporary interpretations of local classics while embracing emerging flavor trends, such as fruit-and-herb combinations in refreshing ceviches and vibrant gazpachos. Herbal infusions and nutrient-rich ingredients such as avocado, pineapple and moringa further complement the thermal wellness experience with recommendations in the Balneotherapy Concierge app.
In an era defined by overstimulation and overoptimization, Sensory Luxury at Tabacon represents a considered approach to luxury hospitality – one rooted in reawakening the senses, aided by the sights and sounds of the 570-acre rainforest reserve.
A three-night package starts from $2,399 per room based on double occupancy and includes accommodation in an Orchid Room, daily breakfast, one lunch at Shangri-La Gardens for adults, one dinner at Ave, a daily wellness drink, a 60-minute private yoga session, a 50-minute spa treatment per person and a curated mini kit with locally made Biosfera organic spa products.
For more information, visit www.tabacon.com
