An eco-resort retreat along the coast of Costa Rica

Playa Cativo Lodge, on the edge of Piedras Blancas National Park, came into view as its 18 guest rooms revealed their dark wood facades through a forest of trees, carefully tended lawns and an array of native flowering plants.

I breathed in a welcomed sense of tranquility despite the obvious concerns of the gathering viral storms raging far away. With only four nights before I was to return home on a scheduled flight, I made peace with my decision to stay and was rewarded immeasurably.

The American owner, Mark Betts, created this eco-lodge five years ago on what used to be a banana plantation.

Sustainability and conservation are its watchwords.

It generates 100 per cent clean electric energy with a hydroelectric generator and solar panels on site; organic waste is treated at its compost center to produce fertiliser and rich soil, which in turn are used in the gardens and organic farm.

On the afternoon of my first day, Nelson Fernandez, a veteran naturalist, guided four guests through a steep and rugged path into the forest.

Giant plants that reduced us to the size of Lilliputians lined the path as our hike led us to a clearing where agoutis, flying wild turkeys and peccaries dazzled us with their acrobatics.

This area is also home to the massive organic farm that produced the tropical fruits, vegetables and medicinal herbs that graced our menus each day.

Kudos to the three chefs who created delicious, healthy and beautifully presented meals.

A knockout dessert that I still am savoring was the warm peanut butter tart with homemade banana ice cream; a close second, the creamy arroz con leche (rice pudding).

Literally drinking in the morning surrounded by flowering trees and a bevy of birds flitting amongst them, while lounging on my huge terrace. The entire casita was spacious and airy, with reclaimed wood, cathedral ceilings and long stretches of screens that created the effect of living in a tree house.

The staff created a sense of calm and comfort, despite the obvious tensions that whirled beyond our shore. Specifically, my sense of well-being was held, literally, in the hands of Berny Naranjo, Lotus Wellness spa supervisor.

You can travel the world several times and only once meet a healer such as Berny: calm, centered, caring and creative.

Having endured an injury in a bizarre encounter with a bamboo branch, I arranged for a massage in my casita. Berny’s massage was a true holistic experience: his massage technique was both restorative and soothing. I slept for eight hours straight, completely without pain when I awakened.

If that wasn’t enough, two days later, without my initiation, Berny did one better.

Just before sunset I was led to an open space near the beach where I found a massive round bed covered in a green fern print festooned with pillows. Wooden poles buoyed a white opaque canopy entwined with hibiscus and red heliconia vines.

A covered wooden plate was filled with avocados, breadfruit, watermelon, nuts, pesto sauce, cheese and chocolate cookies.

A staff member, acting as a personal bartender, concocted herbal drinks at a makeshift bar several feet away.

That was just the beginning. As hues of pink and orange, turquoise and soft grey began to transform the sky, Berny eased me into yoga positions and breathing exercises.

Complete relaxation ensued as I drowsed.

Because of my injury, sadly, I couldn’t go snorkeling or kayaking, or even the night nature walk, but I lucked out with Alejandra Rojas, the resident tropical biologist and nature guide.

On a glistening morning, we boated along the 100km Golfo Dulce to the mangroves.

Along the way, Aly pointed out the giant white corals that have lived in the shallow waters for 4000 years and lamented the fact that they are slowly dying; overhead we spotted frigates and ospreys, and royal terns.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kTLFgHpn0/embed/?cr=1&v=4&wp=1216&rd=https%3A%2F%2Ftimes.localnews.com.au&rp=%2Fstory%2F6717802%2Fa-reminder-of-why-we-travel-in-the-first-place%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A1196.9549999921583%7D When we arrived where seven species of mangroves thrived, blue herons, snowy egrets and kingfishers greeted us.

Of the 400 species of birds in the Osa Peninsula, 71 species of aquatic birds and 43 species of migratory birds made their home among the mangroves.

The excursion was thrilling, educational and tinged with a dollop of sadness. All this teeming life that mankind may destroy at its peril.

Playa Cativo Lodge is at the forefront of conservationists in a country that is a leader in this realm.

When we all rethink how we want our world to be, may these areas of conservation be sustained.

As the “Tico” (native Costa Rican) saying goes: “pura vida,” or pure life.