Want to have a perfect trip to Costa Rica? Well then, we have the fool-proof recipe: four "ingredients" necessary for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
The good news: They're nothing you pack in a suitcase. They're all free. And every, single one is not just attainable, but easily "brought." Here we go!
We know, we know – vacation is never "long enough." That said, the more time you can carve out for your trip to Costa Rica, the better. Why? Well, to start: Costa Rica may be small on the map, but it's a vast wonderland of things to see and experience. At the very least, you'll want a week – 10 days preferred! – to explore Pacific beaches (ahem, Tamarindo), volcanoes (ex. Arenal or Rincón de la Vieja), cloud forests (ex. Monteverde), and rainforest (ex. Manuel Antonio). Make it two weeks, if you can!
Depending on who and what you're reading, you may hear "pura vida" described as everything from Costa Rica's version of hakuna matata (no worries, no problems), to the national propensity to shrug off bumps in the road (both literal and figurative). We like both definitions because, honestly? You'll probably need both. Life never goes to plan, especially in a country as tropical, wild, and wonderful as Costa Rica. Cows, sloths, and coatimundi regularly cause slowed traffic. Afternoon rain showers push back plans. Even when you're on vacation, things happen. A little pura vida doesn't hurt.
Much of the world is expertly sterilized – homes, offices, and other spaces sealed off from the elements. Costa Rica is almost the exact opposite. This is a country seemingly without walls. From almost everywhere, you can hear the crash of waves, the call of scarlet macaws, the hoot of howler monkeys. The boundary between indoor life and the natural world – blurred, if not erased entirely. And we love it. Take off your shoes and dig your toes into the sand. Smell the orchids. Breathe in that ocean air. Embrace the great outdoors. Say yes. Do all those things you wouldn't normally do. Fly on ziplines. Kayak by caimans. Rappel down waterfalls. Scale active volcanoes. Hike through tropical forests. And be sure to pack plenty of bug spray, while you're at it!
Whether you're willing to put in the hours and research to become a local expert, or you're more inclined to reach out to established experts, the best trips always include local expertise. You know what we're talking about – all those details that take a trip from merely fun to vacation-of-a-lifetime. Expertise is the difference between a meh canopy tour and high-flying exhilaration. It's the difference between a six-hour drive and a four-hour rafting experience + short two-hour drive tacked on. It's the difference between a boat tour that gives you snorkeling gear and a snorkeling tour that takes you to the very, very best spot in the area.
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Time
We know, we know – vacation is never "long enough." That said, the more time you can carve out for your trip to Costa Rica, the better. Why? Well, to start: Costa Rica may be small on the map, but it's a vast wonderland of things to see and experience. At the very least, you'll want a week – 10 days preferred! – to explore Pacific beaches (ahem, Tamarindo), volcanoes (ex. Arenal or Rincón de la Vieja), cloud forests (ex. Monteverde), and rainforest (ex. Manuel Antonio). Make it two weeks, if you can!
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Pura Vida
Depending on who and what you're reading, you may hear "pura vida" described as everything from Costa Rica's version of hakuna matata (no worries, no problems), to the national propensity to shrug off bumps in the road (both literal and figurative). We like both definitions because, honestly? You'll probably need both. Life never goes to plan, especially in a country as tropical, wild, and wonderful as Costa Rica. Cows, sloths, and coatimundi regularly cause slowed traffic. Afternoon rain showers push back plans. Even when you're on vacation, things happen. A little pura vida doesn't hurt.
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A "Yes Mentality"
Much of the world is expertly sterilized – homes, offices, and other spaces sealed off from the elements. Costa Rica is almost the exact opposite. This is a country seemingly without walls. From almost everywhere, you can hear the crash of waves, the call of scarlet macaws, the hoot of howler monkeys. The boundary between indoor life and the natural world – blurred, if not erased entirely. And we love it. Take off your shoes and dig your toes into the sand. Smell the orchids. Breathe in that ocean air. Embrace the great outdoors. Say yes. Do all those things you wouldn't normally do. Fly on ziplines. Kayak by caimans. Rappel down waterfalls. Scale active volcanoes. Hike through tropical forests. And be sure to pack plenty of bug spray, while you're at it!
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Expertise
Whether you're willing to put in the hours and research to become a local expert, or you're more inclined to reach out to established experts, the best trips always include local expertise. You know what we're talking about – all those details that take a trip from merely fun to vacation-of-a-lifetime. Expertise is the difference between a meh canopy tour and high-flying exhilaration. It's the difference between a six-hour drive and a four-hour rafting experience + short two-hour drive tacked on. It's the difference between a boat tour that gives you snorkeling gear and a snorkeling tour that takes you to the very, very best spot in the area.