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It is an extremely long trip, but the journey to Costa Rica is worth every single minute you spend strapped into an airplane seat, watching cartoons. Words can hardly describe just how beautiful this country is and how rich its cultural and natural resources, a third of which are protected in national parks.
Naturally the exotic countryside has an enormous appeal to the western world, yet mass tourism is something you won’t find in Costa Rica. Visitors tend to travel individually and are accommodated in private guest houses, ensuring a close touch with the Ticos, Costa Rica’s indigenous population, famous for phenomenal hospitality.
A journey of this kind requires a tremendous amount of mobility, but in your car hire you will have no troubles exploring the country, as the road network is extensive and in good condition.
Though it is not necessary your trip to Costa Rica can be physically quite demanding. There are mountains to be climbed, national parks to be crossed on bikes, waves to be hit, and salsa to be danced. Your exploration is not even limited to the lands of Costa Rica: the marine world off shore is stunning. Scuba divers and snorkelers especially gather in Manzanillo, about 8 miles (11 km) from Puerto Viejo where you will also find some of the most gorgeous beaches in the country.
Quieter beaches are located along the Nicoya peninsula, wild and romantic, the perfect scenery for a sunset picnic or a post-lunch nap in a hammock.
While planning your trip you might be worried about the miles that you have to cover when exploring the country, but Costa Rica has exceptionally good infrastructure, and the nightmarish South American dirt roads are sparse.
Therefore no tourist to Costa Rica should shy away from visiting Arenal, a rumbling volcano popular among travellers and geologists alike which drools bubbles of lava every day, which is the most exciting phenomenon to observe. If you can set aside the time, go at night, when you can see the gloopy glow from far away.
The area around Arenal is absolutely gorgeous, and if you set aside a few days to explore it you won’t regret it! The Catarata de Fortuna, a waterfall just a short way from the volcano, splashes into a turquoise lagoon at the base of a canyon where you can take a bath along monkeys and surrounded by thousands of butterflies swirling through the air. 
We do not want to finish without mentioning San José, Costa Rica’s capital. Your trip will most likely begin here, as it has the biggest international airport in the country, but do not simply see it as the jump-off point. San José, though small it might be, is an atmospheric city with excellent museums, great shops, and a friendly buzz which is best experienced on a night out, indulging in salsa music and drinks. |
