Costa Rica, quick add it to your road trip bucket list
Take the opportunities where you can
A road trip around Costa Rica for us was a no brainer, Gary was in San Jose on business, so there was our opportunity to add 2 weeks on the end of his trip and go exploring.
Peaceful Tortuguero
Costa Rica has so much to offer from its lush rain and cloud forests to its sunkissed beaches.
As we love driving the open road, there was no other option for us than a self-drive road trip. We organised it within 2 weeks prior to us going, with the help of a local Costa Rican travel company Latitudes.
The destinations we chose to sandwich between San Jose, were Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Arenal and Tortuguero.
Quick Links
To give you a taster of this lovely country Gary and I have chosen our outstanding memories and highlights of this unforgettable trip.
Our Highlights
Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park was amazing, you are only able to access the park by boat & once you are there, you are immediately immersed in the lush vegetation and meandering waterways.
The channels around Tortuguero
We lodged within the park and took up every opportunity to hop in a boat with a guide and explore the incredible scenery and weaving canals.
The wildlife
The wildlife in Costa Rica is remarkable, we were so lucky to witness so many species of reptiles, monkey, birds, bats to name just a few.
The Black Iguana ,up close
The Sloths
My favourite animal from Costa Rica has to be the sloth and I don’t even mind if it has two or three toes.
Our first Sloth in Costa Rica
This loveable looking creature was on my must see list, so I couldn’t believe it when we wondered through the grounds of our hotel in Manuel Antonio & spotted one high amongst the trees. I had only been in the country 2 days.
Seculed bays
Another abiding memory was the secluded bay named Playa Biesanz at Manuel Antonio. The bay was just a short stroll from the hotel down through some woodland.
The secret Beach, Playa Biesanz, Manuel Antonio
It was a tranquil paradise. Most of all it was free from crowds. We saw a handful of others enjoying the bay but we were all rather outnumbered by the wildlife.
The amazing environment
The rainforests and cloud forests in Costa Rica are a must to visit.
The Cloud Forest Reserve, Monteverde
They are alive everywhere you look, not only up above amongst the bows of the trees, but around your feet below. We witnessed an army of ants marching along carrying pieces of leaf that were easy three times their size. It was just like something you would see in a David Attenborough documentary.
Humming birds
Watching hummingbirds flocking to nourish themselves at a feeding station was a wonderful sight.
A hummingbird in flight, Cloud Forest Reserve, Monteverde
These amazingly agile little creatures appear to disobey the laws of physics.
Hanging Bridges
Then there are the hanging bridges suspended amidst the forest canopy within Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park.
Strolling along these enables you to get even closer to the wildlife.
Bridges at the Cloud Forest Reserve, Monteverde
Pleasures
Coffee
Whilst in Monteverde we took the opportunity to visit one of Costa Rica’s Arabica coffee plantations.
We headed off with Don Juan coffee tours to visit their family run coffee farm.
It was really enjoyable and surprising how much time and effort it takes to turn the fruit from the coffee trees into the roasted beans we grind for our daily coffee.
Coffee bean bush at the Don Juan coffee plantation
The Landscape
Although I keep mentioning the wildlife, the scenery in Costa Rica is equally stunning.
Strolling on the beach in a bay in Manuel Antonio
Although I keep mentioning the wildlife, the scenery in Costa Rica is equally stunning.
The Driving
The driving conditions in Costa Rica are generally quite good, they can become a bit rustic in places, particularly driving over old wooden bridges and clearly seeing the rivers flowing below. Or if you try and take a short cut, but largely they are well maintained.
Tortuguero Town
If you are in Tortuguero National Park try and take the opportunity to have a wander through Tortuguero town.
The town is made up of some colourful single storey buildings and huts.
Once again it is only accessible by boat and the mode of transport in the town is either on foot or by push bike.
Gifts available, as the sign says, , Tortuguero
Mojito
Now a guilty pleasure has to be an ice-cold Mojito, and where better to have one than sitting in the late evening sunshine watching the sun go down across the Pacific Ocean.
Tempted To?
Embark on your own Costa Rican road trip you'll be amazed how easy it is to tour around by car with. Like us you can create your own road trip and visit Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Arenal and Tortuguero.
Take a peek at the offers at Rental Cars, they cover all budgets and allow you to pick up and drop off at different destinations.
Treasures
The zip-wire
Now the ‘zip line’, who mentioned there was going to be a zip line.
The cable line back to the Sky Tram base, Arenal
We intended to just take a trip on the Sky Tram through the rainforest, but it wasn’t completing the full tour. So, with a bit of gentle persuasion we pushed ourselves off of the platform and journeyed along 7 zip lines. We were even lucky enough to witness a flock of toucans fly in front of us.
Arenal Volcano
The view of Arenal volcano from the balcony of our room at The Lost Iguana Resort will always stay with me.
Arenal volcano shrouded in cloud
Wadding in the Caribbean
Strolling along the beach at Tortuguero beside the Caribbean Sea, it wasn’t the warmest of days but was unforgettable.
The Caribbean is meant to be warmer than this, Tortuguero
Don't just take our word for it!
If you're tempted by the enchanting rainforests full of incredible wildlife or the golden sandy beaches, take a look at the 'Visit Costa Rica' official website. The local Ticos know what they are talking about.
Our Things to do Differently
- Not too much as it was a great adventure and experience from start to finish.
- Due to our time constraints, we were unable to explore San Jose. Unfortunately, we used San Jose as more of a base for ‘before and after’ our flights.
- Pack lighter, I always take too much.
Our Funny Moment
- I can laugh about it now, but on the way back from the Cloud forest at Monteverde, Gary decided to take a short cut. On this occasion, the road less travelled was not a good idea. The 30-degree narrow ascent with sinkholes, rocks and a 3-foot gully on my side of the road was a detour I could have done without.
Further Reading
If your heading off on your own Costa Rican adventure, than grab a copy of this DK Eyewitness book.
I love planning trips and these guides are so helpful.
I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
Points of Note
- Obviously, a camera but Binoculars are fantastic for wildlife watching.
- I would definitely advise hiring a 4X4 vehicle, it will make some of those undulating roads more bearable.
- Try and hire a Satnav/GPS for your car, it isn’t too tricky to navigate the roads but the extra technology helps.
- Watch your speed and do listen to your vehicle hire company guidance. Ours gave us good advice on some methods the local force may try. See our Sloths & Mojitos road trip post, for a bit more information.
- Tortuguero was very humid in comparison to other parts of the country. If you need to dry anything it may take a while.
- For the Brits amongst us, since 2016 you are now able to fly directly to Costa Rica from the UK.
Closing Note
If you are in two minds whether to venture to Costa Rica, I urge to take the plunge. The wildlife hidden within the magnificent forests are truly amazing.
The Ticos are very fine people too.
Do You?
Have any resounding memories from Costa Rica let us know, we would love to hear about them.
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Comments
Another fabulous post, Janis. Costa Rica has been on our bucket list for a long time now. It seems like the perfect place for nature lovers and fans of sustainable tourism. Kudos to you for being able to laugh about Gary s shortcut ideas and kudos to Gary for his hummingbird picture. That should be in National Geographic!
Thanks very much, Stefan. We were lucky enough to tag this visit on to the end of a business trip that Gary was on.
It is a beautiful country to visit and the locals were so welcoming and friendly. I highly recommend hiring the 4×4 and touring yourselves it was an amazing experience. Not too sure Gary can vouch for the zip-lining, although it was memorable.
Tortuguero is only accessible by boat, we organised this from San Jose, definitely worth it.
I’ll pass on your Hummingbird comment to Gary.