We now understand why people love visiting this country so much.  Over and over we have heard about the great Costa Rican escape and now, having experienced it, we can say that it truly is Pura Vida which translates to “Pure Life”. Naturally, this saying has a much deeper cultural meaning for locals. Essentially, life is too short, so live it with what you’ve been given no matter how little or how much and do so together in Pura Vida style! The people we met in both San Jose and Guanacaste were a true representation of this mantra with their friendly approach and adventurous heart. As if small talk were not enough, Enoc was able to connect with locals on a different level sharing similar Costa Rican passions: coffee and soccer.

Whether it’s the coffee, adventure, relaxation or wildlife, Costa Rica has it! On top of that, your surroundings look like a Jurassic Park movie for crying out loud. And it wasn’t until this trip, that we saw volcanoes that actually looked like volcanoes. This is one of the many reasons  Costa Rica has become a popular destination for travelers, honeymooners and retirees all over the world. Although your dollar will mean more colón (local currency), this destination can become quite pricey and in fact, too expensive if you are looking to explore and take on the many adventures and activities available.

Transportation alone is a big deal in Costa Rica and the infrastructure is not what you might be accustomed to. Well, not unless you’re used to riding along the edge of cliffs on unpaved roads for hours and that sort of thing. The anxiety can be overwhelming for some of us. As a result, we were proactive to wear a dramamine patch (for motion sickness) every three days and made sure we were always in good hands. Of course, there was absolutely nothing we could do about the internal flight from San Jose to Liberia (Guanacaste region) on a 10 passenger plane that did not feel safe whatsoever. So, when we were not in tiny planes, we felt very safe throughout the country.

Tip: Although some spots in Costa Rica have become dependent on tourism and English is commonly spoken, learning a bit of Spanish before you visit may prove to be helpful.

During our three week stay in Costa Rica, we spent the first half on an adventurous tour (2 for 1 on Groupon-Monkey Tours) and the other half relaxing in the sun. Besides the first two days in the capital of San Jose, all of our time was spent in the beautiful region of Guanacaste.

We were even spoiled on the relaxation part of this trip and stayed at a gorgeous waterfront resort with my mother-in-law’s associate rate hotel discount (gotta love the perks). Can you believe this was cheaper than airbnb? Well, it was and it was paradise!

Trip Highlights: La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, Rincón de la Vieja, Hot Springs with Thermal Waters, Coffee and Sugar Cane Plantation, Whitewater Rafting, Zip-Lining, Horseback Riding, Nicaragua, Samara Beach, Tamarindo Beach, Wildlife (I am not too “wild” about this one, but the Monkeys and Toucans were beautiful) and not one mosquito bite! Granted it wasn’t rainy season, but our repellent is pretty good too.

El Casado: Traditional Costa Rican Dish: Rice, Beans, Plantains, Salad, and your choice of chicken, beef, pork, or fish.

We had a fantastic time in Costa Rica and plan to visit again very soon as there is still so much to see and do. Until then, Pura Vida!

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