Picture stepping off a plane in Liberia, greeted by a driver already smiling, luggage handled before anyone thinks to ask. No convincing required, no itinerary compromises, no waiting on anyone else’s pace. This is what solo travel actually feels like, and it is available to absolutely anyone ready to claim it.
Circling the idea of going alone, wondering whether that kind of confidence is even possible? Consider this the answer.
The Volcano Calls
In Costa Rica, Rincón de la Vieja means an early alarm and hiking boots laced before breakfast has fully settled. Along the Las Pailas Trail, mud pots gurgle underfoot, fumaroles hiss into the canopy, and howler monkeys call from somewhere overhead, voices carrying farther than seems possible. A white-nosed coati crosses the path without a second glance, unbothered by visitors passing through its forest. The 3.5-kilometre trail winds through dry tropical terrain alive with 300 recorded bird species, every bend offering something worth stopping for. It ends at La Oropéndola Waterfall, turquoise and cold and entirely worth the walk. Whatever remains of the day belongs to no schedule but one’s own: the pool, the property, or simply quiet.
None of it requires prior experience. “We design our itineraries for women of all experience levels, and no previous adventure experience is required,” says Nadine Paulo, Founder and CEO of The Solo Travel Collection. “If you’re reasonably active and comfortable walking for a couple of hours, you’ll fit right in. Our local naturalist hosts are fantastic at making everyone feel confident and supported.”
Hot Springs, Reset Button
Few things rival a mineral-rich pool heated by an active volcano. The Río Negro Hot Springs stretch along the riverbank in ten connected pools, joined by suspension bridges that sway just enough to keep things interesting. Volcanic mud goes on thick, dries in the sun, and rinses away in the cold current before the warmth calls everyone back, part spa treatment and part reset button. Then comes the shift into motion: five kilometres of class two and three rapids on the Río Negro, guided from start to finish with safety equipment provided, splashing and laughing through a stretch of river that proves solo does not mean sedate. Even the hanging bridges built into the itinerary elsewhere are taken at a relaxed pace, well maintained and never rushed.
Slow Down on Purpose
Adventure need not mean constant motion. A gentle yoga session unfolds with nothing but forest sounds for accompaniment, followed by free time to wander at whatever pace feels right. A cooking demonstration rounds out the day, built around ingredients pulled straight from the hacienda’s own farm.
“One of the things I love most about staying at Hacienda Guachipelín is how connected the food is to the land,” Nadine says. “Many of the meals feature fresh herbs, vegetables, and tropical fruit grown right on the hacienda, alongside ingredients sourced from the surrounding Guanacaste region. Guests can actually see the gardens, greenhouse, fruit trees, and farmland where much of this produce is grown, which makes every meal feel incredibly fresh and authentic.” It is, as she puts it, a reminder that some of the best travel experiences begin with what is grown just steps from the table.
Chasing Arenal North
The road to La Fortuna is worth the anticipation. Hanging bridges lift travellers above the canopy, where a sloth moves without hurry and a capuchin monkey studies the group with open curiosity before vanishing into the leaves. Toucans lift off in flashes of yellow and black, calling out over a steady hum of insects below. Evening settles into a private casita beneath Arenal Volcano, dinner served with rainforest sounds as the only soundtrack. Morning pushes deeper still, with a boat excursion on the Caño Negro River where caimans slip silently off muddy banks and birds skim low across the water. Whatever remains of the afternoon stays loose and unhurried.
One packing note follows every guest north to Arenal. “A lightweight, packable rain jacket. It’s the one thing I never travel to Costa Rica without,” Nadine says. “It works as a light layer during cooler mornings and evenings around Arenal, keeps you comfortable during unexpected rainforest showers, and is easy to throw into your daypack while exploring Guanacaste.”
Coffee, Chocolate, Departure
Coffee and chocolate trace their way from farm to table on the final full day, at a family-owned and operated farm where production is kept intentionally small. “The focus is always on quality rather than quantity,” Nadine explains. “Guests leave with a deeper appreciation for the care, tradition, and craftsmanship that goes into every batch of coffee and chocolate. Meeting the family, hearing their story, and experiencing the process firsthand creates a genuine connection that you simply don’t get from larger commercial operations.” A lunch that tastes like the region itself follows, and a farewell dinner beneath volcanic views that, by this point, feel familiar. Departure morning brings less a bag of souvenirs than something harder to pack: proof that stepping outside the familiar was worth every bit of the leap.
The Invitation Stands
This eight-day Costa Rica adventure, from the volcanic trails of Rincón de la Vieja to the rainforest calm of Arenal, marks the second chapter in Folio YVR’s series with The Solo Travel Collection. Nadine Paulo has spent her career building journeys exactly like this one for women ready to stop waiting for the right companion and start being their own, and the group itself is part of the design. “Smaller groups create a level of intimacy that’s hard to achieve with larger tours,” she says. “You have the chance to genuinely get to know one another, share experiences, and it also allows us to travel more responsibly. By keeping our footprint small, we minimize our impact on the communities and natural environments we visit, helping to preserve these incredible places so they remain as beautiful as they were when we first experienced them.” Departures are set for January, March, and May 2027, with three more chances to say yes.
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury and luxury lifestyle niches. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read business magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and is an EIC for Hire. Connect with her here: [email protected].
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