🦜 Costa Rica
Pura Vida • Nature • Adventure
Pura Vida — “pure life” — is more than just a phrase in Costa Rica; it’s a way of living. From lush rainforests and active volcanoes to pristine Pacific beaches and incredible biodiversity, Costa Rica captured our hearts and left us planning our return before we even landed back home.
🌿 What Makes Costa Rica Special
🌳 Biodiversity
Costa Rica is home to 5% of the world’s biodiversity despite covering less than 0.03% of Earth’s surface. We spotted howler monkeys, toucans, sloths, poison dart frogs, and hundreds of bird species — all in the wild!
🏄 Adventure Sports
From zip-lining through cloud forests to white-water rafting on the Pacuare River and surfing the Pacific waves in Tamarindo — Costa Rica is an adrenaline junkie’s paradise. We tried them all!
♻️ Eco-Friendly
Costa Rica runs on nearly 100% renewable energy and has a deep commitment to sustainability. As eco-conscious travelers, we loved supporting lodges and tour companies that actively protect the environment.
📍 Regions We Explored
| Region | Top Attraction | Best For | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌋 Arenal | Arenal Volcano & Hot Springs | Adventure + Relaxation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ☁️ Monteverde | Cloud Forest Reserve | Nature + Zip-lining | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🐊 Tortuguero | Sea Turtle Nesting | Wildlife Watching | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🏖️ Manuel Antonio | National Park Beaches | Beach + Wildlife | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🏄 Tamarindo | Surfing & Beach Life | Surfing + Nightlife | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 🌊 Osa Peninsula | Corcovado National Park | Remote Adventure | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
🎒 Must-Do Activities
🌿 Nature & Wildlife
- 🦥 Sloth sanctuary visit in Cahuita
- 🐢 Sea turtle nesting tour in Tortuguero
- 🐦 Bird watching in the cloud forest
- 🐊 Crocodile boat tour on the Tarcoles River
- 🌿 Night hike in Monteverde
- 🐬 Dolphin watching in the Gulf of Papagayo
🏋️ Adventure Activities
- 🪂 Zip-lining over the cloud forest canopy
- 🚣 White-water rafting on Pacuare River
- 🏄 Surfing lessons in Tamarindo
- 🧗 Arenal Volcano hike at sunset
- 🌊 Canyoning & waterfall rappelling
- ♨️ Natural hot springs after the volcano hike
🍽️ Costa Rican Food We Loved
Costa Rican cuisine is hearty, fresh, and deeply satisfying. The “Casado” (a traditional plate lunch) became our go-to daily meal. Here’s what we ate and loved:
- 🍚 Gallo Pinto — rice and beans with herbs, the national breakfast staple
- 🥩 Casado — rice, beans, salad, plantains, and your choice of protein
- 🍌 Fried Plantains (Patacones) — crispy, salty, and addictive
- ☕ Costa Rican Coffee — some of the best in the world
- 🍹 Agua de Pipa — fresh coconut water served right from the coconut
- 🐟 Ceviche — incredibly fresh on the Pacific coast
✈️ Our Top Travel Tips for Costa Rica
📋 Planning Tips
- ✅ Visit during dry season (Dec–April) for best weather
- ✅ Rent a 4WD vehicle — many roads are unpaved
- ✅ Book eco-lodges and tours well in advance
- ✅ Pack layers — temperatures vary wildly by altitude
- ✅ Get travel insurance with adventure sports coverage
💡 On-the-Ground Tips
- 💡 Learn a few Spanish phrases — locals LOVE it
- 💡 Carry cash (Colones) for smaller vendors & tips
- 💡 Always check road conditions in rainy season
- 💡 Don’t rush — embrace the Pura Vida lifestyle
- 💡 Support local guides for the best wildlife spotting
💰 Save on Your Costa Rica Trip
Costa Rica can be pricey, but there are great ways to save! Check out our Travel Discount Tips page for Costco Travel deals, BJ’s travel packages, Booking.com discounts, and our Mimaru hotel recommendations for budget-friendly stays.
Our Travel Our Way 