Travel Month – December
In the winter of 2023, we decided to go to Costa Rica, an exquisite country nestled in Central America. Renowned for its abundant biodiversity, Costa Rica is a favored spot for ecotourism. The country boasts numerous national parks and protected areas, including rainforests, volcanoes, and beaches.
Day 1-3: Tamarindo
We landed in Liberia International airport and our first stop was the idyllic Tamarindo a 2 hour drive to the Pacific Coast. This surfers’ paradise welcomed us with golden beaches and a laid-back atmosphere. Our hotel, conveniently located right by the beach, provided easy access to the coastal paradise. Situated just a 10-minute drive from Tamarindo’s bustling city center, we found ourselves surrounded by lot of dining options. For the next 2 days we me and my son enjoyed the beach here while my husband went for diving.
We took a short drive to Playa Flamingo, a renowned destination in Costa Rica. This exquisite beach boasts white sands, crystal-clear blue waters, picturesque lagoons, and lush mangroves, making it a haven for natural beauty enthusiasts. Here the ocean is calm, a stark contrast to the waves of Tamarindo.
Despite it being December, the weather proved to be scorching, yet the ocean’s temperature remained delightfully refreshing, offering the perfect respite from the heat.
Day 4: Arenal Volcano National Park
After spending couple of days by the ocean, we took the 4 hour drive to Arenal Volcano National Park, an active volcano located in the North West of the country. The scenic drive treated us to breathtaking views as we traversed through verdant landscapes, passing by the enchanting Nicoya Bay, renowned as one of the Blue Zones where longevity is prevalent among its inhabitants.
The dramatic silhouette of Arenal dominated the horizon as we explored the wonders around. Hiking the Arenal Volcano or the Fortuna Falls, are some of the day activities in this place.
Day 5-7 : Monteverde Cloud Forest
We drove from Arenal Volcano National park to Monteverde’s Cloud Forests Reserve with unique biodiversity. The road was winding and in some places unpaved. There were lot of breathtaking views of the valley on our way. We had booked an ecotour for Monte Verde cloud forest through our hotel. However on the day of the tour, there were lot of people and the only option left was to take the afternoon tour. As it gets very hot during the day and as animals can be seen mostly in the early morning or evening, we decided to go to Curi Cancha Reserve instead. We saw some animals and plants typical in tropical rain forest.
Later in the afternoon, we had booked a tour to the Selvatura Park. The Treetop Walkway is a peaceful 1.9-mile trail through the cloud forest combining forest trails interconnected with 8 bridges ranging from 170ft up to an amazing 560ft in length.
The suspension bridges offer the best angle to observe the beauty of the cloud forest. This adventure park also has different types of zipline options.
Day 8-10: Manuel Antonio National Park
Our next destination led us southward, a five-hour drive to Manuel Antonio National Park, renowned for its stunning beaches, diverse wildlife, and lush tropical forests. En route, we encountered the iconic Crocodile Bridge overlooking the Tarcoles River, offering glimpses of the region’s abundant wildlife. Nestled by the beach and a mere ten minutes from the park entrance, our hotel provided the perfect base for exploration. During our early morning tour of the park, we encountered sloths, capuchin monkeys, and vibrant birdlife amidst the tropical foliage. The following days were spent enjoying the sun and surf, with occasional beach strolls and local culinary delights.
On our last day, we experienced a taste of Costa Rica’s rainy season as heavy rains greeted us. Undeterred, we went on a scenic drive to Uvita Beach, renowned for its Whale’s Tail sandbar, even though it was obscured by the rain. Later, we explored a nearby black sand beach near Dominical, savoring the drive, local cuisine, and the region’s natural beauty.
However, our trip hit a minor hiccup when we experienced a flat tire along the way. Forced to pause our journey, we waited for a couple of hours until the tire was fixed, allowing us to continue our adventure without further interruption.
As our adventure in Costa Rica came to an end, we said our farewells and began our journey back from Manuel Antonio to Liberia. The essence of “Pura Vida” – the cherished philosophy of embracing the simple joys of life – infused every moment of our trip, imprinting unforgettable memories on our hearts as we reluctantly left behind this extraordinary Central American paradise.
Some Travel Tips:
- Check if you need a visa to enter the country.
- All wheel drive cars are preferred. Some roads are unapaved.
- Rental car charges are high when you add up the taxes and the insurances.
- Carry some cash, some of the tour guides only take cash.
- Book ahead all your tours. We booked ours through the hotels.
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