Welcome to my journey through the lush landscapes and vibrant culture of Costa Rica.
From the moment I landed in this tropical paradise, I knew I was in for an adventure unlike any other.
Costa Rica is a land of endless wonders, where pristine beaches meet dense rainforests, and friendly locals greet you with a warm “Pura Vida” at every turn.
Whether it’s thrilling zip-lining through the canopy, relaxing in natural hot springs, or marveling at the diverse wildlife, my adventure in Costa Rica promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Let’s dive into this exciting journey and uncover the magic that makes Costa Rica a true haven for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
Costa Rica Coffee Tour of Doka Estate
Known for producing some of Costa Rica’s finest coffee, Hacienda Doka Estate is rooted deeply in the nation’s coffee heritage.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable coffee experience in the heart of Costa Rica’s coffee country – this is it!
They do a range of tours, but the best one is their signature Costa Rica Coffee Tour of Doka Estate, where you get to explore the journey of coffee from bean to cup, to the backdrop of coffee plantations and rainforests.
This one-day experience takes a deep look into the history and craftsmanship that make Hacienda Doka a top choice whether you’re a coffee lover or want to learn more about the region.
Stay at the Hotel Buena Vista Chic
Located only 10 kilometres from San Jose Airport, Buena Vista Chic Hotel feels like a quiet retreat far from city life.
It’s perched on a hilltop within a coffee plantation which means that the hotel has incredible views of downtown San Jose while being surrounded by gardens and over 100 species of exotic birds!
There are 30 comfortable guest rooms here which are spread across the main building and villas.
With modern tropical decor and friendly staff, Buena Vista is perfect for a relaxing stopover or just a peaceful stay in Costa Rica’s mountains.
Enjoy the natural beauty of Carataras Del Toro waterfall
Tucked away in a private nature reserve, Catarata Del Toro is a towering waterfall that plunges right into an old volcanic crater.
The walls of the crater are covered with greenery, unique rock formations, and hummingbirds flitting around.
The hike down has four lookout points, giving you views of dense forest and the colourful flowers covering the valley below.
Arrive early in the day, and you’ll have the place pretty much to yourself. It’s also close enough for a day trip from San José, it’s an easy drive with no special vehicle needed.
nocturnal animals await on the La Laguna Del Lagarto Night Tour
Located in the heart of a 6,500-hectare rainforest reserve, Laguna del Lagarto Lodge is a must-visit for anyone who loves nature.
The lodge is home to an incredible mix of wildlife, including over 350 bird species like the green macaw and quetzal.
But the real adventure begins after dark on the La Laguna Del Lagarto Night Tour.
On the night tour, expert guides take you into the rainforest with spotlights to look for nocturnal animals like caimans, tree frogs, and reptiles.
If you’re lucky you might even spot an ocelot or kinkajou wondering around at night.
Cruise on the San Carlos River Boat Tour
Another great way to experience Costa Rica’s wildlife up close is on the San Carlos River Boat Tour.
On the tour, you’ll be joined by a naturalist guide.
As you cruise along the river near the Nicaragua border, you’ll spot animals like crocodiles, tortoises, bats, and colourful birds like herons, kingfishers and even the impressive king vulture.
There’s also a stop in Boca San Carlos, a small town where you can meet locals and get a feel for village life.
Stay at the incredible Maquenque Ecolodge
To reach the remote Maquenque Ecolodge, you start with a boat ride to a secluded island within the Maquenque National Wildlife Refuge.
The lodge is located within 68 acres of rainforest with over 592 bird species recorded here!
Accommodation options here are special: opt for either one of their private tree houses that let you live at treetop level or a bungalow with decks overlooking the lagoons – the perfect spot for a morning coffee.
At breakfast, toucans often gather around the bird feeders, which gives you the chance to have a close look at these colourful birds.
The lodge also runs a unique Chocolate & Farm Tour, where you can sample local coffee, their rich chocolate, and fresh sugar cane juice while learning about organic farming practices.
Go Zip-lining at the Arenal Mundo Aventura
Arenal Mundo Aventura is an eco-park in La Fortuna and was founded by four Costa Ricans in 2005 and is dedicated to preserving Costa Rica’s rainforest while offering exciting outdoor activities.
Here, you’ll find the only zipline course that zooms past not one but two waterfalls – Pino Blanco and La Fortuna.
Depending on how much of a challenge you want, you can opt to take the six or twelve-zipline course – you’ll get incredible scenic views over the canopy whichever route you choose.
After the adrenaline rush, you can take the picturesque hike down to the famous La Fortuna Waterfall, where you can take a refreshing swim.
Stay at the Arenal Glamping location
Arenal Glamping is a family-run boutique hotel that lets you experience camping with extra comfort, right near the Arenal Volcano.
The hotel is committed to sustainability, so you can enjoy your glamping experience knowing it’s eco-friendly.
Each of their luxury tents is equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay including a queen-sized bed, an en-suite bathroom, and a private deck where you can take in the incredible views.
Beyond the tents, there’s a pool area, an onsite spa for massages and treatments, and a rooftop garden with gorgeous views.
In the evenings, you can sit around the fire pit with mashmellows under the stars.
Relax at the Ecotermales Fortuna Hot Springs
The family-owned Ecotermales Fortuna Hot Springs is the smallest hot spring resort in the Arenal area, allowing only 100 visitors at a time, so it feels private and peaceful.
Here, you’ll find four geothermal pools with temperatures ranging from 32º C (91º F ) to 41º C (105º F), and one of them even has a refreshing waterfall you can stand under.
Winding paths of volcanic silt connect the pools, changing rooms, and an onsite restaurant which serves up delicious, traditional Costa Rican meals.
Wild Sloth Watching with Callidryas tours
Callidryas Tours is the original company for wild sloth watching in Costa Rica, led by certified naturalist guides who are experts in spotting wildlife.
One of the best things about this tour is that you’re guaranteed to see sloths and they work with local farmers to gain access to the farming land where Sloths live in there natural habitat.
You’ll search for both species of Costa Rican sloths the three toe and the two toe if you’re lucky. Along the way, you might also spot toucans, poison dart frogs, hummingbirds, iguanas, and even monkeys.
Hike along the ARENAL 1968 trail
For a unique chance to explore the landscape around Costa Rica’s active volcano, Arenal 1968 is the place to go.
This loop trek takes you along trails formed by the 1968 eruption, where you’ll see volcanic rocks and landscapes shaped by the eruption’s force.
There are two hiking trails, including a medium-difficulty path that leads to Los Patos Lagoon and has panoramic views of Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake.
Since Arenal is an active volcano, these treks bring you as close as possible to it.
The trails include 360° viewpoints where you’ll get decent views of the volcano from a safe distance.
As Arenal is an active volcano this loop trek is the closest you can get to the viewing platform of the volcano.
See the aftermath of the eruption from 1968 along the trail such as the volcanic rocks.
Walk around the Mistico Park and Arenal Hanging Bridges
A fantastic way to explore Costa Rica’s rainforest is to head to Mistico Park, where you’ll find the famous hanging bridges that let you experience the forest canopy up close.
Set within a beautiful tropical forest, the park has natural trails where you can spot amazing bird life and other wildlife.
You can do a self-guided tour across the hanging bridges, but to really get the most out of your visit, it’s better to go with a naturalist guide who will be able to spot animals and plants you’d probably miss on your own.
Thank you for reading my blog post about Costa Rica
Thank you for passing by and reading my blog post about Costa Rica.
I hope you’ve found all the information within this blog post useful towards your trip planning to Costa Rica.
If you have any questions about my trip, please feel free to contact me. Happy to help.
All the best and have an amazing time exploring Costa Rica.