Costa Rica
“Pura Vida” (pure life) is heard throughout Costa Rica. Its meaning is somewhere between “aloha,” “shalom,” and “hakuna matata.” Pura Vida is a greeting, a thanks or an all-purpose phrase to take life as it comes and not sweat the small stuff. With this laid-back worldview, I embraced Pura Vida and leaned into the adrenaline adventures and diverse wildlife of Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is blessed with various geographical regions, from the beachy jungle vibes of Manuel Antonio to the alpine cloud forest of Monteverde to the lush area full of hot springs around the Arenal volcano. Each area offers its unique adventures, wildlife, flora and fauna. Let’s jump in!
Manuel Antonio - Where the Jungle Meets the Sea
Manuel Antonio National Park is a tropical paradise where verdant rainforests spill onto white-sand beaches. The moment I stepped onto the park’s trails, I was surrounded by chirping birds, rustling leaves, and the distant calls of howler monkeys. Sloths lazily hung from trees, while capuchin monkeys curiously observed passing visitors. Expert guides brought high-powered binoculars on tripods that they positioned just right to see frogs, birds, crabs, monkeys and spiders that were all but invisible to the naked eye. Here are some wildlife photos - some shots taken through the lens of the binoculars to see the wildlife up close.
Beyond its thriving wildlife, Manuel Antonio boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. I spent the afternoon lounging on Playa Manuel Antonio, where turquoise waters and soft sand made the perfect escape. In the evening, I went on a snorkeling excursion and day sail to see some colorful fish and the beautiful coastline. As the sun set over the Pacific, I had a tropical cocktail to toast the end of an amazing day.
In addition to hiking, swimming and sailing, I got the chance to ATV through palm tree forests and ride through shallow rivers in search of high speed thrills. And because you get hot and dusty along the trails, the best way to end the tour is jumping into a waterfall fed pool. This was incredibly fun and I highly recommend this excursion!
Monteverde - The Cloud Forest
From the sunny shores of Manuel Antonio, I ventured into the mystical highlands of Monteverde. Known for its world-famous cloud forests, this region offers an entirely different but equally mesmerizing experience. Walking through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, I found myself enveloped in misty greenery, surrounded by towering trees draped in moss and epiphytes. Home to 2,500 species of plants, over 400 bird varieties and 100s of mammals, this region is one of the most biodiverse on the planet. And because adrenline sports are always nearby in Costa Rica, I went to the appropriately named Extremo Park for some of the highest and longest zip lines in the world. At around 5,000 feet, I could see the top of the arc a rainbow on one peak before zipping one mile, across the canyon floor, to another peak. Truly exhilarating!
Hotel Belmar
At the end of a long day of adventure travel, it is nice to come home to a really exceptional hotel. Hotel Belmar - perched above the cloud forest - was a great stay. Built of wood and resembling an alpine lodge, the hotel boasts some of the best sunset views, fine dining with locally sourced products from their on-site gardens, and a very cute craft beer shed overlooking their private lake. A wellness pavilion had morning yoga and their enclosed hot tub was a great way to unwind at the end of the day. Ranked #3 hotel in Central America by Travel & Leisure, thoroughly enjoyed my stay…check out the views, the food and my room!
Arenal Volcano - Adventure in the Shadow of a Giant
No trip to Costa Rica is complete without a visit to the majestic Arenal Volcano. As I approached La Fortuna, the volcano’s perfectly conical peak dominated the skyline, standing as a powerful reminder of the country’s geothermal activity. Hiking through Mistico Park - with its famous hanging bridges - Arenal Volcano National Park, I traversed old lava fields and lush tropical landscapes, all while enjoying spectacular views of the volcano.
Arenal is also famous for its natural hot springs, and after a day of hiking, I indulged in a relaxing soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters. The soothing experience, surrounded by jungle sounds and soft steam rising into the night sky, was the perfect way to unwind.
As always, there were many options for adrenalin-pumping activities in La Fortuna, including a hike through Mistico Park and Canyoneering - basically rappelling off 175-foot waterfalls with only some ropes and a harness.
Paradise Hot Springs was another great stay in Costa Rica. This hotel had multiple hot spring baths - some as large as any community pool - with spring-fed water pumped each morning with temperatures ranging from 96-degree pools to 126-degree hot tubs. A mineral soak at the end of the day was just amazing. One highlight of this hotel was the VIP pool deck and bar with views directly up to the Arenal Volcano. Often shrouded in clouds, I waited for the volcano to peek out from behind the cloud cover. A frozen drink made the wait even better…and that was my Pura Vida.
