Pura Vida in
Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a way of getting under your skin. The kind of place where the air smells like rain and green, where howler monkeys wake you up before your alarm, and where pura vida is not just a greeting but a whole way of living. This September, I had the chance to experience it firsthand on a famtrip that took me from the capital to the cloud forest, down to the Central Pacific coast, and across to the Nicoya Peninsula.

Over seven days I inspected hotels, tested tours, tasted coffee straight from the farm, sailed on a catamaran, hiked through a nature reserve, and watched sunsets that looked painted. This is the story of that week, and why Costa Rica belongs on your travel list.

San José & Independence Day

We landed in San José right in the middle of Independence Day celebrations. The streets were alive with flags, parades, and music. September 15th is when Costa Rica, along with the rest of Central America, marks its independence, and the capital was showing its pride in full color.

After soaking in the festivities, we headed to Grano de Oro Hotel for lunch and a site inspection. This boutique hotel is a hidden gem in the city, an oasis of tropical gardens and elegant dining tucked behind a quiet facade. It is the kind of place that makes you want to arrive early and leave late.

Into the Cloud Forest

The next morning we climbed into the mountains toward Monteverde, where the air turns cool and the clouds roll right through the trees. Our base was Heliconia Hotel, a comfortable, welcoming property that puts you close to everything the cloud forest has to offer.

Monteverde is unlike anywhere else. The mist hangs in the canopy, moss drapes every branch, and the silence between bird calls feels almost sacred. That evening we settled in at El Establo Mountain Hotel for dinner, surrounded by the sounds of the forest waking up for the night.

Adventure at Treetopia Park

If you want adrenaline in Costa Rica, Treetopia Park delivers. We suited up and headed into the canopy for a tour that had us zipping, climbing, and swinging high above the forest floor. The views from up there are unreal, a sea of green stretching to the horizon.

This is the kind of experience I love recommending to adventurous travelers. It is well run, safe, and genuinely thrilling without feeling gimmicky. By the end, everyone was buzzing.

Don Juan Coffee Tour

You cannot come to Costa Rica without learning about coffee. At Don Juan Coffee Tour we walked through the plantation, saw the cherries ripening on the plants, and learned the entire process from bean to cup. The smell of roasting coffee in the mountain air is something I will not forget.

We also sat in on a presentation from the local Tourism Chamber, which gave us a real sense of how Costa Rica is working to keep tourism sustainable and community driven. After the tasting, I had a new appreciation for every cup I drink.

Night Tour & Dinner

That night we joined a guided night tour at El Enigma de la Semilla. The forest transforms after dark. With flashlights in hand, we spotted creatures that stay hidden during the day, and the sounds of the jungle at night are something everyone should experience at least once.

We finished the evening with dinner at Hotel Poco a Poco, a warm and cozy spot in Monteverde where the food was hearty and the atmosphere felt like gathering with friends.

The Central Pacific

We left the mountains behind and descended to the coast, where the heat and humidity let you know you are in the tropics. Our first stop was a Rainforest Adventure tour that took us through the coastal jungle, a completely different ecosystem from Monteverde.

We checked in at Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, a sprawling property with a stunning pool, ocean views, and everything you could want for a luxury beach stay. The sound of waves was our soundtrack for the evening.

Sailing on a Catamaran

One of the highlights of the whole trip. We boarded a Bay Island Cruises catamaran and set out along the coastline. There is something about being on the water in Costa Rica, the color of the ocean, the green hills rolling down to the shore, the breeze.

We enjoyed lunch onboard, stopped for a swim in the clear water, and took in coastline views you can only get from the sea. If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, a catamaran day is a must.

Tambor & the Nicoya Peninsula

From the marina we crossed over to the Nicoya Peninsula and arrived in Tambor, a quiet bay town with a long, gentle beach and some of the best sunsets I have ever seen. This is the slower, quieter side of Costa Rica, the kind of place where you decompress without even trying.

We settled into our hotel and spent the afternoon walking the beach and watching the sky turn gold and pink over the bay. The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the world's Blue Zones, where people live longer, and you can feel why the moment you arrive.

Cabo Blanco Reserve

Cabo Blanco is Costa Rica's oldest nature reserve, and hiking through it feels like stepping back in time. The trail winds through dense forest down to a pristine beach where the jungle meets the ocean. We spotted wildlife along the way and took in coastal views that feel completely untouched.

This is what conservation looks like when it works. The reserve has been protected since 1963, and the density of life inside it is a testament to what happens when you let nature do its thing.

Nantipa & Tango Mar

We had lunch at Nantipa, a beautiful beachfront hotel in Santa Teresa where the food and the view are equally stunning. If you are looking for a barefoot luxury experience on the peninsula, this is the kind of property I would send you to.

That evening we visited Tango Mar, a resort set on its own private beach with dramatic ocean views. Dinner with the sound of the Pacific crashing nearby was the perfect way to wrap up our time on the coast.

Pura Vida, Costa Rica

We flew out of Tambor on a small plane, watching the coastline and the cloud forests shrink below us as we headed back to San José and home. From above, you really see how much of this country is still green, still wild, still protected.

Costa Rica gave me everything I hoped for and more. Adventure, wildlife, incredible food, warm people, and a pace of life that reminds you to slow down. That is pura vida. And it is exactly what I want to help you experience.

Moments from Costa Rica

Scroll through all the photos from our trip

Until We Meet Again

A trip like this is only as good as the people who share it with you. We were lucky to have the best.

Need help? Call or text me at (972) 836-6252