Costa Rica: The Perfect Blend of Adventure & Relaxation
If you’re planning your next get away, have you considered Costa Rica? Whether you’re craving a relaxing beach vacation, an adrenaline-filled adventure, or a foodie escape, Costa Rica truly has it all!
We opted for a bit of everything, starting with adventures on the way to and around La Fortuna, where we stayed for four nights. We then made our way to Quepos for some much-needed downtime, spending three nights soaking in the coastal vibes.
Foodie Finds: Authentic Costa Rican Eats
One of our goals was to enjoy as much authentic food as possible. In Costa Rica, any restaurant labeled “Soda” is a fantastic place to find delicious, well-priced local cuisine. One thing we loved was how each Soda had its own twist - while you could order the same dish, it often tasted slightly different or came with a unique side or salad dressing.
Knowing the portions would be generous, we chose to stay at Airbnbs with kitchens. This allowed us to take half of our meal home and enjoy it for lunch the next day - a budget-friendly and convenient option.
Money Matters: Colones or USD?
If your home currency isn’t USD, it’s worth checking the exchange rate for Costa Rican colones. We brought both USD and colones because we read online USD is best, but in hindsight, it would have been more economical coming from Canada to bring mainly colones. Almost everywhere accepted colones, and we received any change in colones, so we would have saved money by bringing less USD cash.
San José Tips
If you’re arriving late or leaving early from San José Airport, there are plenty of affordable places to stay nearby. Keep in mind that not everyone speaks English, so having Google Translate handy is useful if you don’t speak Spanish. However, in most touristy areas, many people spoke at least a little English.
Driving in Costa Rica: What You Need to Know
For us, renting a car was essential - it gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace. However, we avoided driving at night, especially on unfamiliar roads. Outside the cities, street lighting is limited, making it difficult to see potholes, animals, pedestrians, or where the road changes from paved to dirt.
The rules of the road are a bit different from Canada. Speed limits seem more relaxed - while we stuck close to the limit, most vehicles sped past us. Motorcyclists frequently passed on either side, and it was helpful to look up Costa Rican road signs before our arrival.
Stops on the Way to La Fortuna
Catarata del Toro
This short but scenic walk features many stairs leading down to an impressive 90-meter waterfall that plunges into an ancient volcano crater. There’s also a beautiful garden where you can admire colourful flowers and watch hummingbirds whiz by.
Blue Falls
Just a couple of minutes from Catarata del Toro, Blue Falls Park boasts six stunning waterfalls close together. The park is well laid out, making it easy to explore. Unfortunately, we were short on time and didn’t get to see all six, but we could have easily spent hours here. If you’re up for a swim, don’t miss Las Gemelas and La Turquesa - two waterfalls perfect for a refreshing dip.
⭐ Tip: You can easily combine these two parks in one day to see seven waterfalls.
La Fortuna: Adventure Awaits
Food: Soda Monkey’s Place
My favourite meal of the entire trip came from Soda Monkey’s Place, located on the main road into La Fortuna. Their food is absolutely delicious! I highly recommend the chicken with rice (Arroz con Pollo) - it was flavourful and perfectly cooked.
La Fortuna Waterfall
A must-see and swim location, La Fortuna Waterfall is a popular spot. It can get busy by midday, so purchasing tickets in advance is a food idea. To avoid the crowds, I recommend arriving early. For safety reasons, worker monitor the area to ensure people don’t get too close to the waterfall itself.
Volcano Hike 1968
For uninterrupted views of Arenal Volcano, this is the spot to be. With three different trails - easy, medium, and hard - you can choose your preferred difficulty and walking time. The paths are accessible for most people, and if it gets too hot, you can take a shortcut.
⭐ Tip: After your hike, stop by the café for a refreshing drink and enjoy the volcano views.
Mistico Hanging Bridges
We arrived early and were lucky to be among the first visitors in the park. To truly appreciate the experience, take your time - we spent nearly three hours walking the trails, though it could be completed in just over an hour at a faster pace. Moving slowly gave us the change to spot animals, reptiles, and birds we would have otherwise missed.
Rio Celeste
Located in Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio, Rio Celeste is a stunningly blue waterfall that’s well worth the hike. I recommend you purchase your tickets in advance and look for the free parking sign - just past the paid parking area - if it’s full, it’ll cost you $6 USD. After your adventure, stop by the restaurant across from the entrance for some delicious food and an ice-cold beer. While swimming isn’t allowed in the park itself, there’s a spot further down the road when you leave where you can enjoy a cool dip in the water.
Quips: Coastal Charm
Tops Eats in Quespos
1. Jaco Sabor - Their steak was phenomenal - perfectly cooked and full of flavour.
2. Burû Seaside - I had the mixed seafood with rice (Arroz con Moriscos), and it was so good I’d order it again in a heartbeat. If you love margaritas, there are a 10/10!
3. Monarca Café - While a bit pricey, it was a unique experience. You can enjoy coffee while walking among butterflies or sit down for a meal. If you look carefully, you’ll spot caterpillars and even their eggs.
Activities Near Quepos
Nauyaca Falls
For $10 USD, you can hike the 6km out-and-back trails, or opt for a shuttle if you’d rather not walk (this will have an added cost). We Brough water and snacks, and loved that we could swim at the falls. We budgeted around four hours for the experience, which was the perfect amount of time for us.
Biesanz Beach
Parking costs 2,000 colones along the road. The beach features shallow, calm water - great for swimming. Since we heard that monkeys sometimes steal unattended items, we opted not to bring any food with us.
Manuel Antonio National Park
You’ll need to purchase tickets online and in advance, as they are not sold at the gate. Be aware of potential scammers near the entrance offering “guided tours.” The official website warns that these individuals dress like official guides but are not legitimate. If you want a guided tour, prebook it through the park’s website.
Mangrove Tours
There are several companies you can book a tour with, but whichever one you choose you’ll have the opportunity to see monkeys, snakes, bats, birds, and other wildlife - we even saw a raccoon.
Zip Coaster
For $14 USD, you can ride either the fast or slow coaster. If you want to spot wildlife high in the trees, go for the slow track. If you’re craving an adrenaline rush, the fast one is the way to go!
Words of Wisdom
Pedestrian Caution: Unlike in Canada, pedestrians don’t appear to have the right of way. Drivers aren’t aggressive, but prioritize your safety. Always look both ways before crossing, and don’t expect cars to stop for you.
Sun Protection: Pack or purchase SPF 50+ sunscreen. Even if you don’t typically burn, the sun in Costa Rica is intense. Several days had a UV rating of 8 or higher, with one day reaching 15. Reapply frequently to stay protected.
Toilet Paper: Costa Rica is a developing nation. One important detail to know before visiting is that here all used toilet paper goes in the trash can. It may be an unfamiliar thing, but their sewage system is not designed to handle anything other than human waste.
