Experiencing Costa Rica Highlights on the Fly

Costa Rica’s borders are opening to travelers from some U. S. States. As of September 1^st, residents of Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Vermont, Virginia and Washington D. C. will be permitted to enter the country. Two weeks later, on Sept. 15, residents of Colorado, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania will be permitted to enter. Visit the embassy website for the latest updates and documentation requirements.

 

Chances are you know someone who’s been to Costa Rica and you’ve heard good things about it; the locals are friendly, it’s easy to explore and it’s fairly inexpensive. It was on my bucket list but I didn’t know exactly where to go and how to put it all together. Many tourists choose to book a tour. For those of us who prefer flexibility, doing it on the fly lends a sense of adventure to the experience as you explore Costa Rica’s highlights.

Discovering Costa Rica Highlights

Despite being a small country, Costa Rica offers plenty to see and do.  Hikers, bird-watchers, and beach-goers flock to the island country taking advantage of its bounty of nature. Sure, there are big cities, but I was more interested in going off the beaten path. A Google search “tour routes in Costa Rica” yielded a surprising number of “must-see” attractions.  My trip began in the capital city of San Jose. From there I headed towards Arenal, a well-known national park that’s home to a famous volcano that last erupted in the 1960s torching the surrounding villages. Today, a leisurely walk towards the base reveals its monstrous outline, especially on clear days. I recommend hiring a guide who can point out the abundant wildlife like sloths hanging in the trees and unique vegetation.

Consider staying in La Fortuna. Situated amid the natural beauty of the landscape, the town’s main street boasts several restaurants, markets, numerous shops and some cool hotels. Indulge in a spa day at the Baldi Hot Springs Resort where you can enjoy an assortment of naturally heated pools of varying temperatures. There are even steam caves. If you get too hot, don’t worry; you can chill out in a cool pool. Brightly colored plants and beautiful trees dot the landscape and there are play areas for kids filled with climbing structures, water sprays, and even a few giant water slides. I said it was designed for kids, but I screamed my head off going down the slide!

Adventure Tours in Arenal

Arenal is a great place to book an adventure tour to take in more Costa Rica highlights. You can book through your hotel, a concierge service like Anywhere Costa Rica, or directly from the tour company.  I spent the morning rappelling down a waterfall—what a rush! The guides hook jumpers up to a series of straps and harnesses. You cling to a rope as you descend slowly downward under a waterfall. The first step is definitely the scariest, but once you get going it doesn’t take too much strength and you can control your speed by swinging into the water. This is a thrill for all ages: there were kids in front of me and a woman in her 60s behind me.

In the afternoon, the adventure switched to whitewater rafting. As a solo traveler, I was partnered with an English-speaking family of three.  Our tour guide taught us commands and successfully got us all the way down the river, keeping us inside the boat. By the end, we had become good friends. It’s not a very strenuous activity but it does require teamwork. Naturally, I was in the front where you get splashed the most. The water was on the cool side, but refreshing. If you decide to go, beware: some guides purposely flip the boat! Midway down the river, we stopped along the bank to enjoy a snack of fresh fruit. There a few brave souls were jumping off a small cliff to cool off in the water.

More Adventure in Monteverde

After three days in Arenal, I escaped the humidity and cooled down myself in Monteverde, a charming mountain town. The triangle-shaped main drag, Santa Elena, takes less than ten minutes to sightsee with plenty of eateries and places to stay. Just outside of the town center, the Ecological Sanctuary showcases lush greenery and beautiful flowering plants, breathtaking overlooks, and even some unusual animals.  If you want a guided tour of nature, check out one of the night walks that depart from most hotels.

If you’re a thrill-seeker, you can’t miss zip lining in Costa Rica. I went with Adventura, which boasts the longest ride in Latin America. For the first few courses, you sit in a harness and hold onto the rope as you glide across the jungle. Next, you fly with your arms and feet out like superman. It doesn’t turn your stomach like the drop on a roller-coaster, but you definitely have no control.  I caught myself holding my breath a few times and released the tension with a scream.  Feeling the wind in my face as I soared above the valley was a very freeing sensation…once I relaxed.

Another dare evil experience, the Tarzan Swing begins by literally walking a 30-yard plank and stepping off into nothing. From there it’s a free fall that still gives me butterflies in my stomach when I watch the footage recorded on my GoPro! I tried to scream, but the sound caught in my throat as I fell. Once I swung up, the rush was gone but the natural buzz remained.

On to Manuel Antonio

Next, I headed along a somewhat bumpy drive to Manuel Antonio–a favorite tourist destination along the Pacific Ocean. Cruising down to a beach called Playa Hermosa, I stopped to wiggle my toes in the dark sand, black from the lava deposits in the volcanic region. Then, I gathered fresh coconuts from the trees savoring the barely sweet nectar. By that time it was late afternoon and the sunset was beautiful. The red, orange, pink, and blue painted a picture you might see on a puzzle box.  There are plenty of restaurants and bars overlooking the ocean to soak in the colors during happy hour. Or, if a picnic is more your style, enjoy it on the sand at sea level.

Inside the gates of the National Park, the allure of Manuel Antonio unfolds. Outside the park, numerous certified guides for hire offer their services. But I chose to brave it on my own and still saw some really interesting creatures. A sloth hung above one of the trails close enough to capture with a zoom lens. Deeper inside the park I spotted a monkey. Keep an eye on these cute little creatures, they’ve been known to steal food.

A long tree-lined street leads to the park entrance. Inside the street descends into a breathtaking cove with more trees, light sand, and dark rocks jutting out into the ocean. If you’re up for a swim the water is fairly calm. For those who prefer to stay dry, you can enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean from above. Hiking trails of varying levels and with breathtaking overlooks surround the cove.

Costa Rica Highlights Off the Beaten Path

After about a week I wanted out of the tourist loop. A local suggested I head south about 45 minutes to Dominical, another awesome beach, and a surfer’s paradise. There is a cute little town along an unpaved road with several hostels and lodges and it seemed like every vehicle had a board in it. A friendly hippy vibe permeates the town, but unfortunately, I didn’t have long to explore before the rain started to fall. We were hit by a tropical storm and it rained almost the entire time. On the bright side, it was relaxing. I got a room overlooking the beach and curled up with a good book. It was a great stop to enjoy delicious food and unwind.

With time for one more stop at the end of my journey, I discovered another Costa Rica highlight near Chirripo National Park…Cloudbridge. It is a huge green space in the middle of the country between the Pacific and Caribbean that is perfect for hiking. So I thought—why not? I’m sure glad I checked it out but I admit that the drive there was a little tough. Beware, there are few signs and much of the uphill journey is on unpaved roads. Decades ago the region was stripped for livestock, but the 700 acres now have since been reforested.

Early in the hike, you will find flowers, a meditation garden, and access to waterfalls. The clear water churns, creating a relaxing audio track. You can get in the water to swim, but let me warn you, it’s cold! Be aware this isn’t a “walk in the park.” It’s a hike up a mountain. No need for special shoes or gear, but the terrain is steep and it rains often, making the path slick. It is called a cloud forest for a reason. There is one spot where you can veer off the trail near a water crossing and discover enormous trees that were never cut down. Some are two meters in diameter and reach high into the sky. It is a little tough to get there in the rain, but the trees may be the largest I have ever seen.

This is just one of the many examples of the natural beauty that contributes to the many Costa Rica highlights. The people have done a great job preserving their natural resources and an even better job making it accessible for almost everyone. If you love the outdoors, this is your place.  You can enjoy the sunshine in their summer (December-April). I traveled in July during their rainy season, which was wet, but it also meant more comfortable temperatures.

I LOVED my time in Costa Rica and can’t wait to return. Costa Ricans have a saying that means “Pure Life” so I’ll leave you with that. Enjoy the adventure and “Pura Vida!”

The country code for Costa Rica is 506.