Costa Rica will always have a special place in my heart. It was the first trip I had traveling with my cousins and brothers—a total of nine people, one incredible week, and countless unforgettable adventures.
Our journey took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which added an extra layer of complexity and excitement. Navigating through the pandemic required multiple COVID tests, masks, and even face shields for the plane ride.
To make the most of our time and reach the incredible destinations on our itinerary, we opted to rent cars. This gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace—essential for a country like Costa Rica, where 25% of the land is protected as national parks or reserves, and some of the most stunning spots are far from urban centers.
Costa Rica is a small country, but it’s a giant in natural wonders and biodiversity.
Did You Know? Despite occupying only 0.03% of the world’s landmass, it hosts nearly 6% of the planet’s biodiversity. With over 500,000 species, including exotic wildlife like sloths, toucans, and jaguars, every corner of the country feels like a living postcard.
San Jose
Our adventure began in San José, Costa Rica, the capital of this beautiful country. After a five-hour flight from Puerto Rico, we wasted no time diving into the local cuisine. Our first stop was El Patio Food Garden, where we enjoyed local craft beers: Summer Ale Mango Cerveza Artesanal and Tumba Calzones. Paired with delicious pulled pork hamburgers, it was the perfect way to kick off our trip.
Day 1 – Downtown San Jose
The next morning, we started our day with a Costa Rican-style breakfast, a plate of gallo pinto (rice and beans), eggs, sweet plantains, and toast.
Energized and ready to explore, we joined a Free Walking Tour in Spanish through Downtown San José. The experience was fantastic—our Tiko (term used for a native of Costa Rica) guide was amazing and answered all our questions. We learned much about the city’s history and culture by visiting landmarks like the National Theater of Costa Rica, Morazán Park, Plaza de la Cultura, Museo Nacional, Parque Nacional, and Barrio Chino.
One tour highlight was the coffee at the National Theater of Costa Rica—a must-try for any visitor! Another favorite moment was hearing the story behind the phrase “¡Pura Vida!”. Originally from a 1957 Mexican movie of the same name, the phrase was popularized by the film’s protagonist, who repeated it in the face of adversity. Costa Rica later adopted this saying, and it has become a symbol of the country’s positive outlook on life.
“QUE LA CRISIS LA PAGUEN LOS RICOS”; “LET THE RICH PAY FOR THE CRISIS”
We also had the chance to visit significant historical locations, including the birthplace of the feminist movement in Costa Rica.
At Parque Nacional, a plaque titled “Migrantes” caught my attention. Its message emphasizes the importance of a society that is peaceful, prosperous, just, and inclusive—values that Costa Rica continues to embrace.
Day 2 – Volcan de Irazú
On our second day in San José, we set out with excitement to visit Irazú Volcano, eager to see our first volcano up close.
Did you know? The original of the name comes from an Indian village that existed in the volcano called Iztarú, word meaning hill of tremor and thunder.
Unfortunately, we made a rookie mistake—we didn’t check the weather forecast. The tickets were non-refundable, and the day turned out to be incredibly foggy, completely obscuring the volcano. While it was disappointing not to catch a glimpse of the famous crater, we didn’t let it ruin our day.
On the way back to San José, we found a gem: Sueños de Irazú, a charming restaurant in the mountains. The cozy spot, with its wooden structure and zinc ceiling, gave a rustic and peaceful vibe. I was in my happy place as I enjoyed a bowl of their incredible sopa con tortas, paired with a refreshing guanábana juice, all while listening to local music. The flavors felt like they had been prepared by a loving Costa Rican grandma using fresh ingredients from her backyard—simply amazing!
As we made our way back to the city we saw breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The rolling hills and serene mountain vistas gave us a sense of peace —a feeling that would become a recurring theme throughout this trip. If you are looking for a short stop before returning to San Jose, I recommend visiting the City of Cartago, where you can see La Basilica Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles.
Day 3 – Rafting in Rio Pacuare
The third day of our trip was hands down the best—it was the day we conquered Río Pacuare on a white-water rafting tour. Known as one of the most scenic rivers in the world. This Category III to IV river is perfect for those, just like us, looking for adventure!
The day was filled with excitement, laughter, and just the right amount of nerves. We geared up with life jackets and helmets and took a short safety briefing. Divided into groups of six (plus the guide!), we paddled through cascading waterfalls, went down small drops (that felt much bigger than they were!), and navigated fast-moving sections of the river.
Every turn brought a new wave of emotions I had not experienced before. I couldn’t stop thinking of the phrase “Pura Vida” because that is what I was feeling – pure gratitude for life. As I paddled, I thanked the universe for placing me right there, sharing such an incredible experience with the people I loved and surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Did you know? Río Pacuare river is a designated Protected Zone that spans about 108 kilometers (67 miles) and it’s considered one of Costa Rica’s crown jewels for eco-tourism. For those planning a visit, Río Pacuare is ranked among the top five rivers for rafting worldwide and offers rapids ranging from Category III to IV.
Poas
Day 4 – Poas National Park and Doka Coffee Tours
On the fourth day of our trip, we made our second attempt to see a volcano—this time at Poás Volcano National Park. Unlike our first foggy volcano attempt, this time we were victorious. El Volcán Poás, which last erupted in 2017, welcomed us with its impressive crater, which I thought looked like a heart.
Did You Know? Costa Rica is home to six active volcanoes, and around 12% of the country’s energy comes from geothermal sources!
After enjoying the beauty of Poás, we headed to the Doka Coffee Tour, where we got a behind-the-scenes look at the coffee production process. The tour walked us through how coffee is harvested, roasted, and ground to perfection.
One highlight was learning about their method of roasting coffee using only the sun. Of course, we couldn’t leave without picking up plenty of coffee bags to bring back to our family in Puerto Rico—safe to say, they loved them!
Did You Know? Costa Rica is renowned for producing some of the highest-quality Arabica coffee beans in the world
After enjoying our coffee experience we headed over to La Fortuna. After our drive from Poás to La Fortuna, we finally arrived at Hotel Lavas Tacotal, our cozy home for the night.
A word of advice: I wouldn’t recommend taking this route at night unless you’re experienced with driving on roads with curves and dense fog—even for us it was quite the challenge!
La Fortuna
Day 5 – Mistico Park
Since we arrived after dark the night before, we didn’t get a chance to see much of the hotel or its surroundings. But the next morning, we woke up to the most breathtaking view: El Volcán Arenal right outside.
Once again, we enjoyed a classic Costa Rican spread of gallo pinto, eggs, sweet plantains, and fresh fruit— perfect for the adventure ahead.
With full bellies, we headed to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, a trail through the rainforest featuring multiple suspension bridges. The experience was nothing short of magical. As we walked, we spotted wildlife along the way.
One of the highlights was seeing vibrant frogs, some of which were venomous—a fact we learned from one of my cousins, who loves and studies reptiles.
Did You Know? If a frog is brightly colored, such as one of Costa Rica’s most colorful amphibians “Blue Jeans Poison Dart Frogs“, it’s likely venomous, so admire it from a distance!
We crossed suspension bridges with incredible views of the rainforest, and along the trail, we encountered beautiful waterfalls. If you’re planning to visit Mistico, one tip: bring a raincoat! The rainforest is as wet as you’d expect, and being prepared ensures you can fully enjoy the adventure.
In the evening, we decided to visit some of the local hot springs in La Fortuna, a must-do experience in this area known for its geothermal activity. The temperature of the hot springs ranges from 85°F to 104°F offering the perfect way to relax after a day of adventure.
Story Time! That night we visited a hot spring, it’s important to note that the area lacked lighting. At one point, one of my cousins decided to take a photo with a flash. As the camera lit up, we suddenly saw it—there on a small plant right behind us was the biggest frog I’ve ever seen in my life. I swear it was about the size of my face! We were both amazed and a little freaked out, which quickly turned into even more laughter. After that encounter, we decided it was time to call it a night.
Day 6 – Coffee, Sloths, and a 4-Wheel Adventure in La Fortuna
The next morning in La Fortuna, we started the day with an incredible cup of coffee at a local coffee shop. Honestly, Costa Rica has some of the best coffee I’ve ever had, and every place we tried was amazing.
After fueling up, we went on a sloth tour, where we had the chance to walk through a protected environment and observe sloths in their natural habitat. During the tour, we learned that sloths are incredibly slow to conserve energy due to their low-calorie diet of leaves.
Did You Know? Costa Rica is home to around 5 million sloths, which is about the same as the human population of the country!
On the tour, we also came across bullet ants (about the size of a quarter). These ants can deliver a painful bite, and the effects can last for up to 24 hours—something we were happy to learn without experiencing firsthand!
In the afternoon, we went on a 4-wheel adventure around the surroundings of El Volcán Arenal. The ride took us through unsteady terrain, stopping at beautiful waterfalls and places showcasing local indigenous art. The art told fascinating stories of the region’s indigenous roots.
Not everything went smoothly, though—a not-so-fun moment occurred when my cousins fell off their 4-wheeler on some rough terrain. Thankfully, they were unharmed, but the 4-wheeler suffered some damage.
We decided to extend our stay in La Fortuna for one more day to visit the iconic La Fortuna Waterfall the next morning. That night stayed at an amazing Airbnb The Sloth House.
Did you know? Guaro, often referred to as the “water of life” in Costa Rica, is a clear sugarcane liquor that’s so beloved in the country, the government even produces its own official brand, Cacique Guaro.
Story Time! One of the core memories I have from the trip is visiting a local restaurant, where my cousins and brother who are what I like to call “Golden Retrievers in nature” (friendly and outgoing), became besties with the bartender. Turns out, it was his birthday that day, and he was celebrating with some homemade Guaro. Of course, he shared it with us, and let me tell you—three shots in, my brother was done. We all had a good laugh about it, though!
Day 7 – Ecological Reserve Fortuna Waterfall
The next day we headed to La Fortuna Waterfall, which is a must-see! To reach it, we had to descend 530 steps (and yes, climb the same 530 steps back up afterward). While it sounds like a workout, the view at the bottom makes every step worth it.
“No escales la montaña, para que todo mundo pueda verte, sino para que tu puedas ver al mundo”
El guru perezoso
The waterfall, standing at an impressive 246 feet (75 meters) in height, is truly beautiful. You can feel the immense power of the cascading water from a distance—it’s so strong that it’s not safe to swim too close to where it hits below.
We spent our time admiring its beauty, soaking in the moment, and letting the cool water refresh us. The experience brought back memories of our grandparents taking us to Tres Chorros in Puerto Rico, where we would spend entire days playing in the river until our hands were wrinkled.
The water was crystal clear and incredibly refreshing, especially after the many adventures of the past few days. I would recommend visiting La Fortuna Waterfall to anyone traveling to the area—it’s an experience you won’t forget. And as for those 530 steps back up? Every 100 steps, there’s a funny or motivational message – by El Guru Perezoso – to keep you going, which adds a bit of humor to the climb. It’s a small touch that makes the journey back up a little easier and leaves you smiling all the way to the top.
“El secreto no es correr detras de las mariposas… es cuidar el jardin para que ellas vengas hacia ti”
El guru perezoso
After visiting the La Fortuna Waterfall, we made our way to Monte Verde. Along the way, we stopped at a local restaurant where I tried ceviche for the very first time—and let me tell you, it was AMAZING! Growing up as a picky eater, the idea of eating raw fish would have been unthinkable, but this was a game-changer for me. The flavors were fresh, vibrant, and delicious. A solid 10/10—I can’t wait to have it again!
Once we arrived in Monte Verde we stayed at Camino Verde Bed & Breakfast. It was cozy and beautiful, I highly recommend staying here!
Monte Verde
Day 8 – An Epic Final Day: Ziplining in Monteverde
Did you know? Costa Rica is considered the birthplace of modern ziplining. The first canopy tour was created in the 1970s by biologists Donald Perry and John Williams, who developed it as a way to study the rainforest canopy without disturbing the ecosystem. Over time, this innovative idea evolved into the thrilling eco-tourism activity we know today. Costa Rica is now home to hundreds of zip lines, making it a top destination for adventure-seekers from around the world.
Our last day in Costa Rica was EPIC! We spent the day at 100% Aventura in Monteverde, an adventure park known for its canopy tours, zip lines, and the bungee jump (which I bravely skipped!). One of the main attractions is the longest zip line in Costa Rica, stretching an incredible 5,220 feet (nearly a mile long)—and yes, I did that!
We started with smaller zip lines to get used to the experience, but soon enough, the real adventure began. When it came time for the longest zip lines, my heart was racing. With my cousins, brother, friends, and partner cheering me on, I found the courage to give it a shot. It was also my first time ziplining, and I’ll admit—I’m afraid of heights. But there was no turning back; the only way forward was through the zip lines, including the ultimate “Superman-style” zip line.
In a moment of hesitation, I opted to ride it sitting instead of the Superman position. What I didn’t know was that sitting doesn’t give you enough momentum to reach the end! So there I was, dangling mid-air, having to push myself along the line (without looking down!) until I made it to the platform. Terrifying? Yes. But when I finally reached the end, I was so incredibly proud of myself. The view was breathtaking, the adrenaline was electrifying, and the feeling of conquering my fear was unforgettable.
Meanwhile, the guys decided to take on the Tarzan Swing, a massive bungee-style freefall that’s exactly what it sounds like. They loved every second of it—I nearly had a heart attack just watching—but their excitement was contagious. If you’re visiting Monteverde, I highly recommend pushing yourself to try these adventures—you won’t regret it!
“Pura Vida”
– everyone in Costa Rica
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