From zip lining through the cloud forest and hiking to waterfalls, to seeing some of the most incredible wildlife on the planet, to enjoying the delicious local dishes, Costa Rica is truly a dream destination.
I have such happy memories of my time in Costa Rica! A wonderful destination for families, couples, and solo adventures, Costa Rica will always hold a place deep in my heart. We zip lined, hiked, rode horses across a volcano, drank tasty local coffee, spotted sloths, monkeys, toucans and so much more. The locals are incredibly welcoming and excited to share their little slice of heaven.
Pura Vida is their national phrase and a way of life. Translating literally as the pure life, Costa Ricans know how to deeply enjoy their surroundings, have fun, and embrace all the wonders that life has to offer.
PLAY
Getting Around
Costa Rica is an adventure seekers paradise and I highly recommend renting a 4wd SUV to get you to some of the remote destinations across the county. Renting a vehicle also allows you to enjoy all the wonderful scenery and tiny little villages along the way, stopping to learn about local heritage crafts and talk with the wonderfully friendly locals that you’ll find throughout the Costa Rican countryside.
↑ Arenal Volcano
One of our first stops on our jungle cruise was Arenal Volcano. A looming 5743 ft peak it is truly a sight to behold and absolutely abundant with wildlife. We stayed in La Fortuna, a nearby town which has the volcano as a backdrop. Although we’ve heard that the volcano is no longer flowing, we were able to see the lava making its way down the mountain at night which was a breathtaking experience.
↑ Ziplining
The lush cloud forests in Costa Rica are truly a sight to behold, where low hanging mist and clouds sit on the upper canopy of the jungle forest. Monteverde is an ideal location for ziplining and there are all sorts of ways to explore this nature wonderland – from walking the Sky Walk (crossing six hanging suspension bridges), to taking the sky tram gondolas, to zipping through the jungle at high speeds.
↑ White Water Rafting
Running alongside the Talamanca Mountains, the Pacuare River is one of the most epic places in the world to go white water rafting and there are plenty of companies that offer guided trips. The views here are particularly magical with an abundance of birds, animals, and exotic flowers flourishing along the river banks.
↑ Playa Tamarindo
If you’re looking for some top-notch surfing and water sports, I highly recommend spending some time at Playa Tamarindo. One of the top surfing destinations in Costa Rica, It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an expert – there are waves to fit all skill levels. We signed up at a local surf school and spent two unforgettable days in the ocean. The nightlife is lots of fun with plenty of cool hang out spots where you’ll meet locals and people visiting from around the world.
↑ Playa Escondida
The English translation for Playa Escondida is Hidden Beach. It is not really hidden, but not so easy to get there. If you have access to the gated community you could paddle out to the reef. Otherwise, you have to organize a boat from Playa Herradura or Jaco to get there.
↑ La Fortuna Waterfall
Set just outside the town of La Fortuna, this 200-ft waterfall is a great place to picnic, swim or take photographs. The falls emerge from a thick jungle before plummeting into an emerald green pool below.
EAT
↑ Food at Local Sodas
Some of the most delicious meals in Costa Rica can be found along the road in remote jungles where you can get a classic plate of rice, beans, chicken and fried plantains. Sodas are what Costa Ricans call their local restaurants. Filling and always different depending on the location, was one of my favorite meals to enjoy after a long day of adventuring.
Costa Rica is world famous for chocolate and coffee production. Close to Monteverde is El Trapiche, a family run coffee, sugar cane, and cocoa farm that we thoroughly enjoyed visiting. The farm offers tours of the grounds and plenty of opportunities for tasting all in the heart of deeply beautiful wildlife. In fact, we spotted a few sloths in the trees on the plantation!
STAY
↑ Tabacon Thermal Resort
If you’re looking to pamper yourself, the Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa is truly breathtaking and absolutely worth the money. Located directly on the Tabacon hot springs, this resort provides serenity, delicious food, and lovely guest rooms. The hot springs require at least a day to fully enjoy with seemingly endless streams and caverns of tension melting magical waters.
↑ Margaritaville Beach Resort
We wrapped up our tour of Costa Rica on Flamingo Beach at Margaritaville Beach Resort. Located right across the street from Flamingo Beach, this refined hotel provides modern amenities with all the beauty of the white sand beaches of the Pacific coast. The resort is located about 5 miles away from some incredible turtle viewing at Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas. We spent hours enjoying the prehistoric looking critters that have inhabited this region for hundreds of years.
If you’re in need of some serious adventure, rehabilitation, and connection to nature, Costa Rica is the place to go. This wonderland haven will leave you feeling recharged and filled with life. Costa Rica is all about balance and I look forward to my next trip to this land of enchantment and pura vida.