Costa Rica is a beautiful country located in Central America, known for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and friendly people. With its lush rainforests, stunning beaches, and abundant wildlife, Costa Rica is a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, here are five places that you won't want to miss:
1. Manuel Antonio National Park
Located on the Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the country's most popular destinations. The park is home to a beautiful beach, as well as a wide variety of plants and animals, including monkeys, sloths, and over 350 species of birds.
My Experience:
This is the first time in my life I had every seen a sloth in its natural habitat. The best part is we even got to see a BABY SLOTH on its mother back. Following the sloth interaction, we had less pleasant monkey interactions. One monkey kept jumping on my friend, Hayden, trying to take an avocado straight out of his hand. He pushed the monkey off the first time; the monkey persisted and Hayden finally got spooked, let the monkey have the avocado. (I recommend always have your items locked up and on a person). Monkeys here have been known to take whole bags of items while tourist are in the water at the beech.
The beaches are gorgeous, with a moderate amount of traffic during the daytime hours. I found it very peaceful to star gaze on these beaches. With most resorts being some ways off the beach, the light pollution was minuscule. Although we stayed at a retreat, we found the best party be at the Selena Hostel close by.
2. Tortuguero National Park:
Located on the Caribbean coast, Tortuguero National Park is a haven for wildlife. The park is home to a wide variety of animals, including jaguars, monkeys, and over 300 species of birds. It is also a nesting ground for the green sea turtle, which can be seen laying eggs on the beach at night.
3. Monteverde Cloud Forest
Located in the northwest region of the country, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a must-see for nature lovers. The reserve is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including over 100 species of mammals and 400 species of birds.
My Experience:
In visiting Monteverde many times while living in Costa Rica, I did many activities. Some activities I did and highly recommend include: ziplining, hiking, birdwatching, visiting Don Jaun coffee plantation, and yoga retreat.
Throughout those visits one big highlight was walking through beautiful rainforest and finding my FAVORITE TREE OF ALL TIME, The Ficus Tree. This tree's formation allows you to climb inside of the trunk several feet high.
One more thing you can't miss while in Monteverde is a coffee plantation tour at Don Jaun's. Out of all the coffee tours I took, this one at this farm was a my favorite.
4. Arenal Volcano National Park
Located in the northwest region of the country, Arenal Volcano National Park is home to one of Costa Rica's most iconic landmarks: the Arenal volcano. The park offers a range of activities, including hiking, ziplining, horseback riding, volcano spas, birdwatching, and hot springs.
My Experience:
Both times I visited this area, I visited a hot spring. One of the most popular hot springs in Arenal is the Baldi Hot Springs that , which features several pools of varying temperatures, ranging from warm to hot. The pools are surrounded by lush tropical gardens and are complete with waterfalls, slides, and Jacuzzis. There are also more natural hot springs that one can find in the jungle and by talking to local Ticos.
5. San Jose City
Costa Rica's vibrant capital city, San Jose is a great place to experience the country's culture. The city offers a wide range of attractions, including museums, galleries, and historic landmarks. It is also a great place to try traditional Costa Rican cuisine, with many restaurants offering delicious dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.
My Experience:
When living in San Jose, I found myself dipping my toes in several things. Visiting shopping centers and markets throughout the city is always a trill. Central Market has a wide variety of goods on offer. You'll find stalls selling everything from colorful textiles and clothing to locally made pottery and ceramics. There are also plenty of food stalls serving up delicious traditional dishes like gallo pinto (a mix of beans and rice) and casados (a platter of rice, beans, and meat).
The best night clubs I found myself going to weekend after weekend included la concha and several bars on "La Calle" ( the street), which is close to the University.
I would also encourage travelers to getting fully immersed in the Spanish culture. I took dancing class twice a week while living in San Jose. I was able to learn dances like the salsa, merengue, and bachata.
No matter where you go in Costa Rica, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience. With its stunning natural beauty and friendly people, Costa Rica is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the great outdoors.
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