Costa Rica is a country that easily pushes you outside of your comfort zone, but at the same time allows you to feel safe while doing it. It is a country that has everything. Beautiful beaches, fascinating bio-diversity, gorgeous waters, outstanding food (don’t get me started on the fruit!), friendly people and exhilarating adventure. Whether you are looking to relax, have an adventure of a lifetime or just eat your weight in delicious fruit — Costa Rica is the destination.
I only saw a small portion of this gorgeous country but what I saw and did, I would recommend tenfold. Seeing the inside of a volcanic crater peeked my curiosity. Zip-lining through the jungle made my knees wobble with anticipation. Eating fruits that looked more like pretty flowers had my tastebuds singing. Furiously paddling through Class 3 waters while whitewater rafting had me terrified but when we successfully disembarked the raft at the end of the river, the sense of accomplishment and exhilaration I felt was undeniable. I wanted everyone I knew to experience the same.
So here are my picks for the top things to do along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast.
Whitewater rafting in Costa Rica.; Courtesy of Aventuras del Sarapiqui
Thrills
Leaving the resort and actually getting out to experience a new destination is the best part of travel, and Costa Rica easily pushes you outside of your comfort zone and outside of any resort. If you’re looking for Costa Rican thrills that will have your adrenaline pumping try whitewater rafting on the Sarapiqui River or zip-lining across the jungle. The tour group Aventuras del Sarapiqui offers both experiences and I could not recommend them more! The guides are highly experienced, funny, informative and calming to nervous, beginner adventure seekers.
To say I was terrified of the whitewater rafting adventure is an understatement. During the safety instruction on the banks of the river, the guides asked us if someone fell out of the raft and into the rushing water, who was going to rescue that person? The unanimous and logical response to me was, you, expert river paddling guide, you will rescue the person! You, young, athletic tour guide with the nice muscles. You will save me if I fall out of the safe and secure raft and into these terrifying rapids! The tour guide chuckled at everyone’s response and said, no, YOU, you all will save someone if they fall out of the boat. He explained whomever was closest to the person who falls into the water, must be the person who brings them back into the raft. My friend and I looked at each other and thought…we’re going to die!
I knew very well there was no chance in hell I could save her and bring her back into the raft if she fell out. And I also knew she wouldn’t be able to do the same for me. And we’re FRIENDS! Everyone else on this boat is a stranger, and you’re telling me one of these people whom I’ve just met is going to risk their own life to save mine?! We were going to die. Our lives were going to end by drowning on the Sarapiqui River. RIP
The rough river ride was everything I expected it to be — sheer terror. We were smashed in the face repeatedly by actual white water (I now understood the name of the activity), and our handsome tour guide laughed every single time. My arms never worked so hard to try and paddle as best I could and all of my will power was focused on never falling out of the boat. And I prayed with all my might that no one else fell out either, because I wouldn’t have been able to help them, even if I wanted to.
There were also calm waters along the way, TONS of laughter (genuine and nervous laughter), a pit stop to jump off a small cliff and float down a natural lazy river, and also snack on the most amazing pineapple I’ve ever had in my life. This was my most favorite day in Costa Rica. I was pushed to my limits and learned my limits aren’t where I thought I left them. No one fell out of the boat (praise be!) and we all made it safely back to the banks of the river with huge smiles on our faces. If you are not the most adventurous in your every day life, this activity will scare the water shoes right off of you — and I couldn’t recommend it more highly! Everyone needs to experience this terrifying exhilaration in Costa Rica!
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Poas Volcano
Pura Vida
Costa Rica is all about the Pura Vida/Pure Life. It’s a way of life. It’s a vibe. It’s an experience. And to truly experience Pura Vida you have to surround yourself with the nature and atmosphere of this colorful country. Tour the Cloud Forest by horseback or hike before arriving at a waterfall where you can jump into or swim in the natural pools. Hike through Manual Antonio National Park where you will see sloths, monkeys, deer, frogs and tons of other wildlife as you stroll through the park to arrive at a beach that is calling your name. Explore the crater of the Poas Volcano to experience a sight (and smell) like no other. Tourists can only stay for a short amount of time at Poas Volcano because of the strong sulfur scent. It is also an active volcano that has erupted in recent years and often closes to tourists. But to see inside an active volcano crater is undeniably Pura Vida.
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Corso Lecheria Farm; Courtesy of Courtney Elko
Leisure
For a more leisurely Costa Rican experience visit the Corso Lecheria Farm Tour, not far from the Poas Volcano, for a tour of the strawberry crop and dairy cows. Visitors can milk the dairy cows, hop on a hayride through the lush strawberry crop and try the best cheese and strawberries you’ve ever tasted.
The best beaches in Costa Rica are said to be in the northern section of the country called, Guanacaste, also on the Pacific side. I don’t doubt that the beaches there are outstanding but I loved Playa Manuel Antonio. After walking through Manual Antonio National Park shaded by the jungle and wildlife, it opens up to this gorgeous white sand beach with turquoise water. Keep an eye on your belongings though if you go for a swim, the monkeys love going through backpacks. They will steal your bag and run it up onto a tree while they look inside for food and throw anything that they don’t deem valuable (like your camera) back to the ground, breaking it in the process.
While in the country’s capital of San Jose, make sure to explore the Jade Museum or the Museo del Jade Marco Fidel Tristán Castro, and the Children’s Museum or the Museo de los Ninos. The five floors of the Jade Museum are filled with Costa Rican history, culture and artifacts shown through the jade stone, which represents spiritual power in Costa Rican culture. The castle-like Children’s Museum is a huge hands-on museum. Kids can climb inside giant dinosaur eggs, play dress-up and pretend at the fire house or grocery store, or explore space like an astronaut, all while learning along the way.
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