A common question I hear is: What should I do while in Costa Rica?
It can be both the simplest question to ask and the most difficult to answer. My favorite vacation idea for Costa Rica is the poly-amorous marrying of sun, slopes, and the city.
The Sun
Costa Rica doesn’t lack for sunshine. The country has over 900 miles of coastline so finding a place to tan your cheeks shouldn’t be difficult. The port city of Puntarenas is located just over an hour drive from the capital of San Jose but it’s about the worst beach town to visit so it’s worth it to keep going. A little farther and you can find the popular towns of Quepos and Manuel Antonio. This is where I chose to go for my last beach vacation. The area offers the beach, zip lining, and Manuel Antonio Park where there are private beaches and white faced and howler monkeys. For that trip I rented a two story 2/2 condo in the Hacienda Pacifica Condo community. At only $125 it was a steal for two couples splitting the cost. When headed to this area, don’t forget to stop along the famed Tarcoles bridge to see giant crocodiles sunning themselves just below. Other sunny spots of Costa Rica include Montezuma, Tamarindo, and Playa del Coco on the Pacific coast and Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo, and Cahuita on the Caribbean side.
The Slopes
For years I have been of the opinion that if it would just snow in Costa Rica the mountain slopes would provide for some great skiing. While there’s no snow, there is still plenty to be enjoyed. The Poas volcano is located a short ride north of San Jose and makes for a great day trip. After a quick walk up the side of the volcano, you’ll be able to peer down at the blue lagoon in the crater below. Keep in mind that the lagoon is not always visible as the area is prone to heavy fog. My favorite volcano to visit is Arenal. On a clear day you can see the perfect cone shaped top as it hovers over the town of La Fortuna. From the porch of my cabina at Erupciones Inn, I had a perfect view. To be fair, I spent very little time looking at the volcano. There is just so much more to do in the area. You can find hanging bridges, hiking tours, horseback riding, kayaking, waterfalls, and hot springs-o-plenty. My last trip to the hanging bridges afforded me a glimpse of an owl and spider monkeys. The Baldi hot springs are a popular place or you can find your way to the free hot spring fed river. If you have time to venture a bit to the north of La Fortuna, head over to Rio Celeste. The brilliant blue water is unforgettable.
The City
The advice most people give about going to San Jose is, don’t. However, I think it’s worth it to spend one or two days there. Malls such as Multiplaza Escazú and Lincoln Plaza are very modern and could rival any mall in the US. (Insider tip: Lincoln Plaza has about two dozen rocking chairs up on the second floor overlooking the first. People watching has never been so comfortable.) San Jose also has a bustling downtown. I am from a large city in the states but the thick mix of people running every direction along Avenida Central and street vendors yelling out offers is quite a sight to see. If you are lucky, the police will show up and you will get to see the unlicensed street vendors pack up and make haste to escape. In San Jose you can also visit the Mercado Central for souvenirs, Plaza de la Cultura for people watching and pigeon feeding, and the museums and theaters found a short walk from the Plaza . Just west of downtown, on the outskirts of Sabana Park, is the Costa Rican Art Museum which is housed in the old La Sabana Airport. Entrance is free. A thirty minute drive to downtown Cartago will allow you to visit Las Ruinas and the Basilica de los Angeles. Both of these locations have a great history.
Has anyone taken a vacation with this combination of activities? Would you like to? Leave a comment to let me know if I’ve missed any important stops.
