April 2024 markedAnaïs andEsteban’s first fact-finding trip to Costa Rica on behalf of our travel agency, Terra Caribea.
From the Pacific Coast to Arenal Volcano, via the Monteverde Cloud Forest, we’ll share with you—through the eyes of a Frenchwoman and a Tico (see “Speak Like a ‘Tico’”)—the hidden gems they discovered during this trip!
Then, as you’ve come to expect, to accompany thistravelogue, we invite you to check out anitinerarydirectlyinspired by their journey—one that lets you discover thesenew hidden gems while enjoying acomplete vacation in Costa Rica:
Costa Rica's Pacific Coast: From Ojochal to Tarcoles
Ojochal: Costa Rica’s “gastronomic capital”
First Stop: Ojochal
Ojochal, Costa Rica, is best known for its remarkable culinary scene, featuring a variety of restaurants offering high-quality international and local cuisine. In addition, the region is prized for its proximity to secluded and picturesque beaches on the Pacific coast, as well as its lush jungle inland, offering opportunities to observe wildlife and flora.
Ojochal is also famous for its relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, attracting visitors looking to get away from Costa Rica’s more crowded tourist destinations, such as the beach resort of Uvita, for example.
You’ll see that our itinerary includes several nights in Ojochal so you can enjoy the many experiences this off-the-beaten-path destination has to offer , such as an excursion through the Sierpe mangroves or an encounter with the Boruca people.
So why not combine tranquility, authenticity, and culinary delights at Tangara Azul?
Uvita: Marino Ballena National Park
Second Stop: Uvita
We then continued our journey to Uvita, a destination known for its Marino Ballena National Park , which is home to a magnificent marine and terrestrial reserve .
During the right season (July–October and January–March), you can spot humpback whales in the marine section of the national park, while the land section is famous for its pristine beaches, diverse wildlife, and unique rock formation that resembles a whale’s tail at low tide ( hence the park’s name).
During your visit to Uvita, we recommend spending a night at Cusinga Lodge. This lodge is nestled within a 260-hectare private reserve consisting of primary rainforest , offering spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and exclusive access to one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches ( see Playa Arco).
We particularly love this lodge for its commitment to sustainable development and environmental conservation. They use eco-friendly practices such assolar energy and waste recycling, while the restaurant followsa “farm-to-table” approach—all values that are essential to Terra Caribea.
Dominical: The Perfect Combination of Surfing and Unspoiled Nature
Third Stop: Dominical
We continued our journey to Dominical, a small coastal town in the province of Puntarenas.
It’s a great destination for surfers—whether beginners or experienced—as well as for nature lovers, especially birdwatchers.
We stayed at Hacienda Baru, a small, simple place —perfect for completely unplugging—where we also visited the nature reserve of the same name: Baru Reserve.
The reserve features several trails that you can explore on your own or with a nature guide (which we recommend to get the most out of the experience).
Highlights include birds, sloths, small wild boars, coatis, a family of monkeys, and —for the lucky ones— a puma… A beautiful place to discover Costa Rican flora and fauna.
Check out this video of a family of monkeys in the heart of the Baru Reserve, filmed by our colleague Cristo in May 2024:
Manuel Antonio: A Must-See Destination on the South Pacific Coast
Fourth Stop: Manuel Antonio
We then headed to Manuel Antonio, a destination obviously known for its famous national park—one of the most renowned in the country—but which has many other experiences to offer.
For example, we were lucky enough to take a surfing lesson (we were both beginners). After practicing in a pool, we took the plunge (and that’s an understatement!).
It’s an excellent place to try your hand at surfing, with spots suitable for both beginners and more experienced surfers . In the Manuel Antonio area, you’re sure to find the perfect beach to take on the waves!
After this wonderful experience, we stayed at the Naoz Hotel, which stands out for its contemporary design that blends harmoniously with the surrounding nature. Like us, you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious meal at the hotel’s restaurant, which showcases local cuisine.
Tarcoles: A Paradise for Bird Lovers
Fifth Stop: Tarcoles
After Manuel Antonio, we spent a night near Tarcoles, the perfect stop for birdwatchers.
We were incredibly lucky to stay at the Macaw Eco Lodge, a trulyauthentic place . This lodge is a paradise for birds of all kinds, including macaws, the region’s iconic birds. And if you love chocolate, we highly recommend taking the cacao tour organized by the eco-lodge!
From the Pacific Coast to the Monteverde Cloud Forest and on to the Arenal Volcano
Monteverde and its so-called “cloud forest” ecosystem
Sixth Stop: Monteverde
A change of scenery awaits us at our next stop: we’ve left the Pacific coast to head to Monteverde, a place known for its unique climate — humid and cool, which gives the particularly dense cloud forest ( see Bosque nuboso) its distinctive characteristics—a place where numerous species of plants, mammals,birds, and insects thrive.
We went on a night tour with Jairo from Finca Lantana, a Costa Rican naturalist guide who speaks French very well. Thanks to his expertise, we saw many birds, different types of frogs, and an armadillo, while Jairo provided us with detailed explanations about the plants and the climate. It was a very enjoyable and enriching experience!
We then visited a new hotel, Valle Escondido.
We fell in love with this property because of its location, its tranquility, and its strong commitment toecotourism. In fact, Valle Escondido has a permaculture system and a farm that allows them to operateon a “farm-to-table” basis. Their values align perfectly with what Terra Caribea aims to promote.
It was a wonderful discovery during our reconnaissance trip.
Finally, before moving on to the next stop, we set out to explore“El Tigre Waterfall,” which turned out to be a wonderful surprise!
You’ll need good hiking shoes and a well-filled water bottle because it’s quite a workout, but the views are definitely worth it! We crossed suspension bridges and admired magnificent waterfalls, then finished the trail in a 4×4 before heading to a small restaurant where we enjoyed a nice, cold juice!
Arenal: Volcano, Hot Springs, and Animal Rescue Center
Seventh and final stop: Arenal
We wrapped up our exploratory trip to the country in La Fortuna, home to Costa Rica’smost famous volcano: Arenal.
We went on a fantastic horseback ride at Rancho Margot.
You don’t need to be an experienced rider—they’ll adapt to your skill level so you can have a great time in the saddle! The ride offered us a magnificent view of Lake Arenal, and we left with beautiful memories!
Next, we went to relax in the thermal waters of Ecotermales, natural hot springs heated by geothermal water from the Arenal Volcano. A guaranteed chance to unwind after all the kilometers we’d covered over the past few days! Then we had dinner at the Ecotermales restaurant, a fantastic buffet where we really indulged ourselves! There’s truly something for everyone!
We visited Arenal Glamping, a combination of camping and glamour offering a comfortable and rather “luxurious” camping experience. We absolutely loved it ! The tents are absolutely charming, spacious, and comfortable, witha magnificent outdoor shower overlooking the lush natural surroundings.
Anaïs especially loved the special honeymoon tent with the outdoor jacuzzi!
Finally, before heading back to San José, we stopped at Proyecto Asis, a sanctuary dedicated to rescuing and caring for animals such as sloths, birds, monkeys, and more.
Adriana gave us a tour and told us the stories behind the animals there.
You can even help prepare food for the animals alongside the volunteers. It’s a fun experience for people of all ages!
We then made our way to the capital, San José,in the Central Valley, after 10 days of an intense trip filled with memories!
Anaïs and Esteban, travel agents at Terra Caribea
