Travelogue: Assaf Explores Costa Rica’s Must-See Attractions.
From a love of the beach to discovering volcanoes and mountains—who would have thought?
Having recently arrived in Costa Rica, I set out on a reconnaissance trip last May for about ten days to get to know the destination better and share with you the must-see spots in the “Land of Green Gold.” Here’s the story of his journey full of discoveries! Let’s go!
First Stop: Tortuguero, the "Little Amazon"
This little green corner located on the northern part of the country’s Caribbean coast is well known for its national park and its canals, where you can take a boat ride.
Many people think of Tortuguero simply as one of the places in Costa Rica where you can watch sea turtles lay their eggs. And that’s true, but only from June through September.
Above all, Tortuguero is a paradise of biodiversity.
It all starts with an early morning departure from San José on a shared shuttle (a chance to meet fellow travelers from all over the world), heading to the small village of Siquirres, where we stopped for breakfast, then we continued on to the Caño Blanco pier to board a small boat that would take us to the lodge.
During this one-hour crossing, I was able to take in the lush vegetation surrounding the area and, at the same time, discover the various villages and hotels located in this part of the country. Once we arrived at the lodge, we barely had time to drop off our luggage before the local guide took us on a short hike. It was a chance to spot a variety of animals, such as howler monkeys, land crabs, and coatis.
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The next day, we woke up at the crack of dawn and set off on a boat tour of the Tortuguero canals. Birdwatchers will be delighted, as this will give them the chance to spot a wide variety of birds, including the toucan, one of the country’s iconic birds. But this boat tour also offers the chance to travel through Costa Rica’s largest mangrove forest—and, for a few moments, feel like you’re in a remake of *Jumanji*!
In the afternoon, I also got to visit Tortuguero Beach, where sea turtles come to lay their eggs, before strolling through the small, lively, and welcoming village of Tortuguero.
The next day, I returned to Siquirres, where I picked up my rental car, and off I went: on to the next adventure! 🙂
Stage Two: Sarapiquí and Boca Tapada—Authentic Costa Rican Culture
The next stop on my trip was Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, where I went to meet Franciny (see our LinkedIn post on the “banana tour”), with whom I had a very constructive and interesting conversation about the lives of the locals. Then I had the chance to stay at a finca run by a family of Ticos, where I was given a very warm welcome— that’s Costa Rican hospitality for you!
No time to catch my breath—I hit the road again the next day to head a little further north, to the border with Nicaragua, in a town called Boca Tapada. I had the chance to take another boat ride on the Rio San Carlos (I might just end up becoming the pirate king!) all the way to the Nicaraguan border—a trip during which I also got to see a whole bunch of animals, including crocodiles!
Step 3: Arenal Volcano—a must-see stop
Continuing my Costa Rican adventure with a stop—if nottheabsolutemust-seeof Costa Rica— the Arenal Volcano.
Since I’m generally more into beaches and coconut palms than mountains and volcanoes, I was really looking forward to discovering why this stop is a must-see in Costa Rica. And I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
With its suspension bridges, hot springs, and hikes to admire the legendary Arenal Volcano, this destination is sure to charm every traveler with its diverse landscapes and the wide range of activities available. For example, I was lucky enough to go on a beautiful hike in the Arenal Volcano Ecological Park (PEVA) and take a short kayak trip on Tabacon Lagoon.
In short, Arenal is now one of my top three destinations in Costa Rica, and this stop has definitely made me fall in love with the mountains all over again!
Last stop: the Nicoya Peninsula—the beach, at last!
What would my exploratory trip be without a trip to the beach?
As you can imagine, I couldn’t end this trip without seeing Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches. So, I headed to the final stop on my journey: the Nicoya Peninsula and its beaches.
Famous for its long stretches of beach and family-friendly atmosphere, I first stopped in Samara, a small seaside town.
The atmosphere there is warm and very laid-back, perfect for unwinding, surfing, and especially yoga. It’s an ideal spot for families, where you can also enjoy a wide variety of activities.
As for me—and I think our readers are starting to get to know me—I went on a boat tour (yet again), but this time with the goal of spotting dolphins. I was lucky enough to see a large number of them, and I even spotted a few sunfish! Of course, I couldn’t resist taking a dip with my mask and snorkel—it was the perfect opportunity to try out the snorkeling activity that we also offer our travelers.
Finally, I wrapped up my trip in Tamarindo, a town famous for its nightlife and festive atmosphere—but that’s not all. You can also go surfing there (we’ll let you know the best spots in the area to ride the waves like a pro!) or just relax on the long beaches in and around town.
In fact, the most beautiful beaches are just outside Tamarindo, a little further north. There are gorgeous coves with turquoise waters and temperatures over 27 degrees… YES!
I’m returning to San José after a trip full of discoveries and exciting experiences, and I can’t wait to share all these memories and what I’ve learned about the country with our travelers!
Travelogue by Assaf
