Costa Rica Guide
Costa Rica is one of the most stunningly beautiful destinations I've ever traveled to. The country is known for its biodiverse wildlife, rainforests, incredible waterfalls, river valleys, and volcanoes, making it an ideal destination for adventurers looking to see and do it all.
I visited a total of five destinations in 2022:
Manual Antonio
Santa Teresa
Nosara
Sámara
La Fortuna
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most accessible Pacific coast attractions. You’ll be able to enjoy much of CR’s renowned landscape in a single day, as well as spot unique wildlife on a network of hiking trails.
There are two light sand beaches: Espadilla Sur Beach and Manuel Antonio Beach. Tourists tend to congregate at Manuel Antonio Beach because it is closer to the entrance, however if you want to avoid the crowds, stroll farther down to Playa Espadilla Sur to relax and take in the scenery.
Explore the mangrove woodlands of Isla Damas by boat or kayak. The island has its unique ecosystem, where you can easily spot wildlife like as monkeys, snakes, sloths, and other species in their natural environment.
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is located on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, and I arrived by taxi boat from Jaco. Zuma Tours Taxi Boat & Shuttle Services provides direct hotel-to-hotel transportation and the company goes out of their way to take care of you.
The majority of people travel along Santa Teresa's rough main road on ATVs and motorbikes. However, most shops and restaurants are centered along the main strip of Playa Carmen and Playa Santa Teresa, making the town very walkable.
I also booked a Bioluminescence Boat Tour, where we took a boat out to Isla Cedros to watch the sunset and the plankton glimmer under the water at night.
Nosara
Tourists from all over the world visit the Nicoya Peninsula in search of wellness and healing, and I thought Nosara was great for recalibrating, relaxing by the beach, and deepening my yoga practice.
The beach I visited the most during my time in the area was Playa Guiones, a mile-long, scenic beachfront where surfers come to ride the quiet waves, but the restaurants along the beach are also worth checking out.
Looking to practice? Bhodi Tree Resort is a fantastic choice for those wanting to practice with some of the top guides in the world. The tranquil resort offers group retreats, vacation stays, and public yoga lessons, and the sound baths are unlike anything else.
Sámara
I fell in love with Sámara despite only spending one day there. Samara is a hidden gem that is a bit more tranquil than Santa Teresa and Nosara, making it a great destination for anyone looking for peace and quiet on their vacation.
Someone say food? Falafel Cafe is a hole in the wall restaurant that serves wonderful, fresh Middle Eastern cuisine and has a quiet seating area outside.
Gringos Artisan Brewing is a great brewery to stop by - the huge selection of beers to sample (hoppy, pilsners, sours, and so on) will not disappoint.
La Fortuna
My final stop in Costa Rica was La Fortuna, or "The Fortune," and it was possibly the most incredible and diverse in terms of activities.
The free hot springs near the Tabacon resort are fantastic for drinking beer and stargazing, but there are a few resorts in the area that sell day passes to enjoy their pools and lunch & dinner (Tabacon, Baldi Hot Springs, and EcoTermales Resort, to name a few).
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is one of La Fortuna's most popular attractions. It has four different trail options, and is famous for its several long suspension bridges that dangle over the rainforest, allowing visitors to see the most beautiful views.
Arenal Volcano will serve as the backdrop for your entire stay in La Fortuna; however, for a better view and experience, take a hike through Arenal Volcano National Park.
La Fortuna Waterfall is a 200-foot waterfall that cascades from the dense jungle into a pool of emerald water and is a site worth visiting.
Final thoughts
After two and a half months in Costa Rica, I flew to Brazil to continue my journey through Latin America but I'll never forget my time there (and it won't be my last time visiting this beautiful country). Traveling CR inspired me to keep working to become a proficient Spanish speaker and to truly embody the Pura Vida way of life. Thank you for all the adventures - until next time. Hasta luego!
Author: Leslie Lung 