The spirit of Costa Rica is captured in the expression Pura Vida! – which means that everything is going very well. The country is a wonderful place to connect with nature and wildlife. On my first visit to Costa Rica, a large male howler monkey woke me up with his howling every morning at sunrise. I assumed he was issuing orders to the women who were within shouting distance.
Most mornings at breakfast, a three-foot-long iguana would be sunning itself on the edge of the outside dining room floor. And one night, while driving to a restaurant for dinner, we passed a family of monkeys hanging out in a large tree. Costa Rica also has beautiful and distinctive birds and varieties of insects, both flying and crawling, that are too numerous to describe.
The country’s lush rainforests, smoldering volcanoes, numerous beaches, and friendly people help make it an unforgettable destination. The most exciting thing I did on my trip was take one of the popular zipline tours over the top of the rainforest, an experience that can include a 25-foot drop into the jungle. The most relaxing thing I did was soak in the warm waters of a healing pool in one of the nature parks.
Accommodations in Costa Rica range from camping in the rainforests to small Bed and Breakfast Inns and luxurious resorts. These resorts are usually located along the Pacific or Atlantic coast and offer breathtaking views, impressive golf courses, and activities both on the beach and on the boat.
There are many coffee plantations in Costa Rica and several offer tours. Coffee is an important export product and one of the country’s economic strongholds. You can learn about the history of coffee production by taking one of the tours offered at various coffee plantations.
Another great place to visit is the Lancaster Botanic Gardens. Be sure to check out the amazing array of orchid varieties in the greenhouse. Listen to the sounds of nature as you follow one of the garden’s trails through the rainforest.
During our stay we took taxis everywhere we went. They were affordable and worked out cheaper than renting a car. Usually when I’m in a taxi-like city, I make friends with one of the taxi drivers. That way I can always call him when I need him or set preset times for him to be picked up. A friendly and knowledgeable taxi driver can often give you a great personalized tour of the city for the price of the fare.
San José’s town square has several charming shops and many feature beautiful and unique art from local Costa Rican artists. Put Costa Rica on your list of essential destinations. I promise you a visit and you will find much to love about the country and your own reasons to shout: Pura Vida!