Amidst the greatest biodiversity & beauty in the world you will find everything you want in a vacation….beaches, wildlife, the rainforest, & the freshest food.
Monkeys, Bananas, Chocolate Farms, Every Shade of Azul, Pipa Fria (fresh coconut), Coffee Farms, Sloths, Dragonfruit….the list goes on…
As one of only a handful of “Blue Zones” (places where people live the longest) in the world, it is for me a fierce reason to save our wonderous planet!
So in a country that arguably has everything! What do you do??
Top Things To Do:
- Visit the Rainforest/See Volcanos and Stunning Waterfalls
51% of Costa Rica is rainforest!! There are 6 different types of rainforests. These are the ones I have visited:
- Tenorio Volcano National Park–where you will find the waterfall w/ the most turquoise waters you have ever imagined…Rio Celeste. The only way they will not be blue is if there has been a lot of rain & the water is therefore stirred up. The minerals from the volcano create this color. We stayed at Hideaway Rio Celeste https://riocelestehideaway.com in the rainforest. They have their own trails system along the river. This waterfall is arguably the most beautiful in the world!
- Monteverde Cloud Forest–a cloud forest is a type of rainforest that is at a higher elevation. The precipitation comes directly from the clouds that filter through the trees. There are a lot of great trails here. My personal favorite thing in Monteverde was Cafe Colibri (Hummingbird Cafe) as there were hummingbirds everywhere!! It is a special place!! We did the El Tigre hike which is 5 miles & features 5 large waterfalls (about 10 waterfalls altogether) & 9 hanging bridges!! We also did “canyoning” which is rappeling down waterfalls & what an experience! This tour company is AWESOME: https://www.familiabrenestours.com/es/tour/canyoning-monteverde-costa-rica/
- Arenal Volcano National Park in La Fortuna–this is mentioned in almost every Costa Rica travel guide but it was not my favorite. For one, it is very touristy & for two, the main attraction, the volcano can be elusive…you may not be able to see it through the clouds. The hanging bridges are awesome, but I much preferred Tenorio & Monteverde.
- Rincon de la Vieja–this is a cool one as you can see the different terrains of a rainforest…on Las Pailas Circular Trail you see the transition from dry forest to humid forest, the manifestations of the volcano (mud pots, fumaroles, waterfalls, water pans, fumarolic pools etc) all in 2.4 miles. Not to mention we heard the monkeys and then saw them swinging in the trees!!
- There are multiple other rainforests such as: Manual Antonio National Park, Cahuita National Park, Tortuguero National Park but I have not personally visited.
2. See the Sea Turtles Laying Their Eggs!!
You have to have a guide to do this! You will be entering a protected National Wildlife Zone and have to go super, super early in the morning! I am not a morning person but this was worth getting up for.
You will be going to Ostional Wildlife Refuge to witness an “arribata” or arrival of the sea turtles to lay their eggs. This is something I will never forget!! A true Must-Do!!
3. Visit The Beach
Costa Rica is home to over 600 beaches!! Need I say more? From my experience, one is as beautiful as the next. I have visited Nosara (remote beachtown for surfers), Playa Langosta (very close to the busy town of Tamarindo giving you the perfect spot for R&R and nightlife), & Playa Tamarindo.
4. Eat at a Soda for traditional Costa Rican Food
A “soda” carries traditional Costa Rican food and is typically a mom & pop shop. Traditional food is usually a “casado” which consists of white rice, black or red beans, cooked veggies, a salad and a protein (chicken, fish, beef, eggs) with a side of fried plantains.
The food in Costa Rica is FRESH, FRESH, FRESH….
Here is where I have eaten that I recommend by area:
Nosara: Restaurant La Luna (delicious, beautiful sunset views on the beach), Luv Burger (vegan), 10 Pies, Fish Bar (fresh seafood)
Bijahua/Rio Celeste Area: restaurant at Hideaway Rio Celeste (reservation required), El Sabor de Dona Carmen (traditional soda w/ a butterfly exhibit), Restaurante y Pizzeria Terraza Bijagua (good variety of pizzas, sandwiches, etc)
Playa Langosta: Fish & Cheeses (very! good to eat-in or take away)
Tamarindo: El Chiringuito (casual on the beach–great to watch sunset), Pico Bistro (beachfront breakfast), Falafel Bar (great mediterranean), Green Papaya (tacos, cash only)
Monteverde: Taco Taco
5. Try a New Fruit
The biodiversity of Costa Rica is unsurpassed and you see this in the fresh fruits! STOP at one of the fruit stands on the roads….the Pipa Fria (fresh cold coconut) is nature’s sports drink and the country is humid so you’ll need it!
Some of the multiple fruits to try: Dragonfruit, Guanabana, Jocote…the list goes on….
6. Tour a Chocolate and Coffee Farm
You will pass many chocolate and coffee farms in the forest/national park areas. I’m not much for tours but you learn so much from these tours and get to sample fresh organic chocolate and coffee….SOLD! Did you know the mosquito is needed to make chocolate?? They fertilize/pollinate the flower that becomes the cacao pod that houses the cacao beans. Who knew there is a use for mosquitoes after all! Which reminds me…don’t forget your bug spray. I don’t like putting that stuff on my body so highly recommend these organic bracelets or anklets. https://amazon.com/dp/B017G1051Y?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
7. Do a Sloth Tour
There are lots of these in the national forests so if you do any of the national forests listed above you will inevitably pass the sloth tours & you will see much more than sloths AND learn about the wildlife of Costa Rica. Yet, this is not even the BEST part! Their wildlife is not in zoos like ours….you will be out in nature experiencing….I am NOT one for tours & this is one to do!!
What’s your favorite thing to do in Costa Rica?
For more on Costa Rica visit: https://lifesapothecary.blog/2024/04/04/discovering-pura-vida-my-one-week-adventure-in-costa-rica/
For more like this subscribe below:
Leave a Reply