The perfect Costa Rica Travelguide

Costa Rica  

 

Writing this article almost feels a bit like revealing the locations of some of my most wonderful experiences, like peeking through the keyhole of my private living room. Costa Rica has become – when I first traveled there alone at 18 and felt incredibly free, invincible, ready for anything, until this year when I’ve grown up, taken on responsibilities, led a team, and managed a hostel – my second home, my “home away from home” over the years.

So this spot on earth has a very special meaning for me.

But now to the reason why you are really here: the best spots in Costa Rica. I have divided this blog into four different topics. Enjoy! 

 

Overview

The best surf spots in Costa Rica

The best national parks – and where to see the most animals

Good Vibes – My Favorite Places

For foodies – what you need to try

 

The best surf spots in Costa Rica

 

For beginners and more advanced: Santa Teresa and Malpaís. 

For those who want to try or learn surfing, the Pacific coast is a good choice, especially the Nicoya Peninsula. Here there are many beaches that offer perfect surfing conditions for beginners.

Popular beaches for surfing here are for example Playa Hermosa, Playa Carmen as well as Banana Beach – all in the area of Santa Teresa and Malpaís. 

There are also some surf schools further south in Uvita – here the beach is also very flat, giving you plenty of time to get up on the board. Also, Uvita is one of my favorite beaches in Costa Rica – a sandy beach that stretches to the horizon and is right next to the rainforest.

If you want to visit a special hostel, I can recommend Flutterby – here you can stay in very creative tree houses and rent surfboards.

 

 

For advanced and professionals: Salsa Brava

The famous “Salsa Brava” – in English “spicy sauce” is well known far beyond the borders of Costa Rica. One or the other has broken a (few) board(s) – even surf instructors here. Often the broken boards are used in other ways, for example as tables or colorfully painted signs, which gives the place a unique flair.

The Salsa Brava is the biggest surf break in Costa Rica and is located in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a Caribbean beach town on the Atlantic coast.

Puerto Viejo is definitely worth a visit – good vibes, reggae, great food (I’ll come back to that later!), and a very diverse population from different parts of the planet.

If you want to surf there as a beginner, you can simply walk to Playa Negra, a black sand beach just a few hundred meters north in Puerto Viejo – or ride a bike, the main form of transportation here. Here and in Cocles you will also find surf instructors and board rentals on the beach. 

Be careful at Playa Negra with cell phones and other electronic devices! The dark sand is magnetic and sticks to the cell phone – especially in the openings of your phone. 

 

Would you like to learn how to surf? And as soon as possible in the new year? Join Yara on her surf trip to Portugal’s Algarve! 

Or create your own surf trip to Costa Rica with JoinMyTrip! 

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The best national parks – and where to see the most animals

 

 

Manuel Antonio

With seven square kilometers, Manuel Antonio National Park is the smallest national park in Costa Rica, but also one of the most visited. It includes both the palm forests on the Pacific Ocean and twelve small islands off the coast.

It scores with beautiful beaches and almost a guarantee to see different monkeys and raccoons, which are used to people and therefore also come very close. Beware if you bring cookies with you! The raccoons are very clever and can open backpacks.

 

Unfortunately, Manuel Antonio is now very touristy and it is not uncommon to see a typical tourist group walking by with telescopes, wearing white socks and sandals, and a fanny pack around their waist. Therefore, I would rather visit the Cahuita National Park.

 

Cahuita National Park 

Those who love long walks on the beach will find their paradise here: beautiful sandy beaches and jungle trails through the rainforest stretch for 8 kilometers throughout the park. Here you are also very likely to sight – or at least hear – capuchin monkeys or howler monkeys. Alligators and raccoons are also among the park inhabitants. 

You have to be careful with the tides: if you are in the park just before high tide, the rangers will ask you to go back. Therefore: leave at an early time!

 

Monteverde, Cloudforest

 

The mountain where you can touch the clouds! The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve was established in 1972 by a coalition of the Tropical Science Center (TSC) scientists and Quakers from the local community to protect one of the last areas of untouched cloud forest in Central America.

It is a pioneering model for conservation and ecotourism based on biodiversity research and education.

 

The Cloudforest has something magical about it; you will feel like you are walking through an enchanted foggy forest. There is a very special atmosphere there. Along the jungle paths and over several impressive hanging bridges you can admire the jungle giants covered with moss and lianas. Hummingbirds are also easy to spot here.

 

 

Corcovado 

The Corcovado National Park is the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national park system. Located on the remote Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica, Corcovado protects the largest remaining area of primary rainforest on the Pacific coast of Central America. 

The area is home to 140 species of mammals, 370 species of birds, and over 10,000 species of insects. National Geographic once called it “the most biologically intense place on earth.”

The park can only be entered with a guide, the best starting point is the Sirena Ranger Station. However, there are other entry points where you can even hike a bit through the park without a guide. More about it here: my favorite places.

One of our TripLeader Kathi’s favorite places? Dubai! If you want to visit the city of superlatives, join her on her next trip!

For foodies – what you need to try

Gallo Pinto is THE national dish of Costa Rica and I highly recommend you try it! There are different variations, but a few components always remain the same: tasty seasoned rice with beans, plus salad and plantains. Most of the time there are two options you can choose: Chicken meat and fish. The dish is also often served as breakfast. 

Other traditional dishes include stuffed and fried dumplings called empanadas, which you can buy on any street corner (filled with meat or potatoes), and pico de gallo, a refreshing tomato salad. Grilled meat skewers are also popular, also offered at small stalls and often eaten after a long night of partying, and are often the only stalls that also offer their food late into the night.

What I love to do in other countries is just buy different fruits and vegetables that I don’t know and try everything. I particularly like biriba, mangosteen and rambutan (picture below). However, with some vegetables, you have to be careful if they belong to those that are only edible when cooked.

Of course, these exotic fruits are not only native to Costa Rica – but they can also be found in other tropical countries, such as parts of South America. Interested? Then take a look at Paulina’s trip!