The horseback section alone would have made this day exceptional. The mountain trails above Borinque look out over the entire North Pacific coast of Guanacaste — a view that puts every beach day in context. The horses were calm and well-handled. When we descended into the forest for the Misterio Waterfall hike the landscape changed completely. Then the zip line. Then the hot springs and mud — which sounds contrived but is in practice deeply restorative. Four genuinely different experiences in one private day. Exceptional value and exceptional organisation throughout.

Neither my wife nor I had been on horseback since childhood. Our guide put us completely at ease, matched us to horses that suited our confidence levels, and stayed alongside throughout the entire mountain trail. The views from up there are something you do not get from any resort beach or tour bus. The rest of the day — waterfall, zip line, hot springs — unfolded with the same quality of guidance. The volcanic mud and sauna were the perfect close to a day that had been physically active and required a reward. Borinque is the full experience.

Our honeymoon needed one day that was genuinely extraordinary rather than comfortable. Borinque 4 Senses was that day. The horses at sunrise overlooking the Pacific coast. The waterfall we had entirely to ourselves. A zip line where the only sound above the wind was the forest. And then the hot springs and mud — which we found romantic in a way that required no further explanation to anyone who has tried it. Our guide was discreet, expert and exactly what a private experience should have. The best day of the trip by a considerable margin.