Since we started traveling, we’ve always been on the lookout for lush jungles, eco-lodges, beautiful beaches, pristine coral reefs, friendly people, and delicious food. From what we’ve heard, Costa Rica has all of these in abundance! However, we’ve also encountered mixed reviews about this green paradise in Latin America, so while we’re excited, we also have a few reservations.
A good friend of ours recently visited Costa Rica and, although he went through it quite quickly, he mentioned that it was very expensive and the people weren’t as warm as he’d hoped. We’ve humorously dubbed it “Costly Rica” due to anticipated travel expenses, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for better interactions than our friend experienced.
Despite the mixed reviews, our excitement to visit Costa Rica remains strong! Here are the five reasons we’re thrilled about our upcoming trip:
1. You can’t visit Costa Rica without exploring the tropical rainforests. We love jungle hikes, and Costa Rica’s diverse flora and fauna make its jungles uniquely appealing.
2. Our friends Dan and Casey from ACruisingCouple.com raved about the Cristalino Lodge in the Amazon Jungle. Described as the perfect blend of eco and luxury, this lodge offers tower lookouts, jungle treks, and nighttime campfires. We’re looking forward to experiencing Costa Rica’s eco-lodges firsthand.
3. It’s been since 2009, during our travels in Indonesia, that we’ve climbed a geothermal mountain. Seeing live lava is still on our bucket list, and the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica is known for its occasional glowing lava displays. Climbing Arenal and witnessing its molten core is something we both eagerly anticipate.
4. Who doesn’t love a beautiful beach? According to CNN, Costa Rica’s Dominical Beach is among the top 100 nicest beaches in the world. Beyond swimming, we are excited to try surfing at Playa Cocles, a fantastic spot for beginners. Our first surfing attempt was in Lombok, Indonesia, and we’ve been itching to get back on the board ever since.
5. As a scuba diving enthusiast, I’m thrilled to explore the reefs of Costa Rica. Despite being a relatively new dive destination, places like the Osa Peninsula and Caño Island have some fantastic sites. So far, I’ve dived in Tulum, Mexico, Isla Mujeres, Mexico, and Ambergris Caye, Belize, but the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica will be a new adventure for me.
We haven’t decided exactly when we’ll be visiting Costa Rica, but it will likely be within the next five months. My friend Jeff from Middle Class Dad has recommended some excellent spots in Guanacaste that I plan to check out.
Currently, we’re slowly making our way south through Mexico and into Guatemala. We aim to be in Costa Rica by July, but as with all our travels, plans can change. One thing is certain: we’ll spend about a month in the country, taking our time to fully absorb all that Costa Rica has to offer.