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Costa Rica - Buried in the rainforest just north of San José, past expansive coffee plantations and open fields; Here, in the shadow of Volcan Arenal, luxury and nature collide.

Soon to grace the pages of Patricia Shultz’s “1000 Places to See Before You Die”, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort combines the wonders of living at the doorstep of an active volcano with the pleasures of sinking into one of its natural hot springs.

The Five Star resort has been featured in publications around the world, was recognized as Costa Rica’s leading resort by World Travel Awards, received the Stars and Stripes Award and was among the highest ranking resorts in Latin America, according to Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards Readers’ Poll.

But the true treasure of this oasis is not in its titles or awards, but in its location -- tucked in an alcove of a volcano and steps from a web of natural hot springs.

My husband and I found ourselves here on a pseudo-second honeymoon. We had just moved to San José, Costa Rica with the plans of riding out the recession under a palm tree. It wasn’t long before the suffocating sensation of living in this lively, smog-filled Central American city got to us and we were desperate to find a more rural retreat.

I had heard of Tabacón from a past editor of mine, who said she was up all night watching the lava cascade down the steep slopes of the volcano from her hotel room. She scratched the name of the resort on a scrap paper and handed it over to me, telling me it was a ‘must see.’ I stuffed it into my pocket, knowing that I would pull it out as soon as I needed an escape.

Well, this was that weekend.

We reached a dilemma when we first arrived, crossing over the threshold of our Honeymoon Suite ($450 a night). The spacious room, dressed in dark furniture and white linens, was so inviting, we weren’t sure we wanted to leave. It took some convincing to get us out of the room and into the springs, which was what brought us here in the first place.

Grabbing a towel, we wandered down to the pools ($60 for day visitors, but free for resort guests) and within minutes we were lost among a labyrinth of trails, dunking under waterfalls and hopping from one pool to the next. Even on Saturdays – the resort’s busiest days – we had many of the pools to ourselves. We spent much of the afternoon getting lost on the trails, walking along pathways lined by gardens of baby palms, heliconias and ferns.

Nature had a way of creeping into the grounds and it wasn’t unusual to see iguanas, toucans and wide-winged butterflies, which is an integral part of the experience, said Uwe Wagner, general director.

“If you take out nature, you take out the meaning,” said Wagner, who said the water is not treated or temperature controlled, but stays at 102.2 degrees. He added that the water is so clean it is certified as drinkable and provides a long list of health benefits to the body.

“Everyone has a nice hotel, it’s really the spas that set us apart,” Wagner said. “This is one of the most unique properties in the world.”

Recognizing the resort’s position at the intersection of tourism and the natural environment, the resort has taken responsibility as a steward of its surroundings by investing in charity efforts and implementing green practices.

But Wagner acknowledged the limitations of going green in a country still learning how to recycle.

“The infrastructure is still not there in Costa Rica,” he said. “But we have taken measures (in going green) that sets us apart not just in Costa Rica, but worldwide.”

Tabacón has cut electricity usage by 35 percent in two years , initiated a tree re-planting program to offset the carbon generated by guests’ transportation to the resort and has measured and monitors its carbon footprint in the effort to reduce it. At the dinner table at night, we sat among newly-weds, who swapped plates halfway through the meal and interlocked fingers when the tables were cleared.

Tabacón certainly caters to the honeymoon crowd with couple massages (beginning at $90) and a secluded bungalow dinner flushed with rose pedals and candles, complimented by fine dining and complete with a private chef and waiter ($375 with taxes included).

But families weren’t absent from the 114-room resort. The Forest Rooms ($245 off-peak and $300 peak) can sleep two adults and two children and provide an affordable option for those on a budget. The rooms come with unlimited access to the Hot Springs, which is a $320 value for a family of four visiting two days.

Wagner said 70 percent of the people who visit Costa Rica come through Tabacón at the beginning or final days of their trip. Staying an average of 2.7 nights, many take advantage of hanging bridge tours ($55), waterfall rappelling ($90), rafting ($85) and guided hiking tours ($40) in addition to the spas.

For more information about Tabacón or to book your stay, visit www.Tabacón.com or call 1-877-277-8291. Flights to San José begin at $300 on Continental or Delta and transportation to and from the volcano can be arranged by the resort at $140 for private transportation or $40 for shuttle services (two each day.)

By Chrissie Long