Pura Costa Rica
Costa Rica is lush greenery, tropical climate, and lovely people.
Day 1: I traveled to San Jose on a 5 hour flight from LAX and thought it would be useful to be a SIM card. I bought a 4G Kolbi card for $10 that lasted me throughout my week trip. You can buy one at SJO, the same place where you pick up your baggage. I booked my airport transfer in advanced and arrived at Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas. If you wanted to get a taxi, it would be about $25. The hotel here is about 25 minutes from SJO and is centrally located where there is a supermarket and shopping mall by 5-8 minute walk. The staff here is very friendly and offered to store my luggage because I arrive way before their 2pm check-in.
Days 2-3: I traveled from San Jose to La Fortuna on a 3 hour private bus for $7. You can also take the public bus to get to La Fortuna from San Jose. Though you would be burning about 7 hours of precious vacation time instead. La Fortuna was my favorite travel destination throughout my one-week trip. La Fortuna is the town near the foot of Arenal Volcano and is an excellent base for adventure. I stayed at Selina La Fortuna Hostel and highly recommend this one. The atmosphere here is relaxing and its design is cute and inclusive. You can opt for many adventurous activities in the area because there are many tour companies in the town. They can include whitewater rafting, ziplining, canyoneering (rappelling), hanging bridges, tubing, waterfall swim, stand up paddleboarding, mountain biking, caving, and horseback riding. I met an awesome group of solo travelers in Costa Rica and we went tubing for $30. Be sure that the adventure company reviews safety instructions with you. Try to wear strap sandals/water shoes when you do water sports/activities rather than barefoot or flip flops. I've never gone tubing before but I definitely recommend it
Highlights: Arenal Volcano Hike, La Fortuna Waterfall, Tubing, Montana de Fuego Resort and Spa
Days 4-6: I traveled from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa by bus and ferry. Upon leaving my bags at Selina Santa Teresa North Hostel, I opted to get a massage to decompress and relax after a morning of traveling. I loved that Selina Santa Teresa had a board of everyday activities from wake up yoga, pilates, stand up paddle boarding, surfing lessons, to sunset yoga. One of the perks about Selina Santa Teresa is that it's right along the beach. So you can walk to the beach within 2 minutes and opt for boogie boarding. One afternoon, I rented a bike from Conga Adventures for $5/day and biked to Playa Malpais. If you happen to stumble upon Playa Suecos, you can explore some greenery and find a family of monkeys just hanging in the trees. Along the way, there are many eateries and shops you can stop by. I recommend Zwart Cafe and start your day off eating a healthy fruity breakfast. Along the way to the beach, I cooled off by getting a fruit smoothie and ceviche at Arenas Blancas Ice Cream and Juice Bar. I also tried the Bakery that has fresh empanadas with potato and cheese.
Highlights: Biking, Playa de Mal Pais, Playa de Santa Teresa, Boogie boarding, Yoga on the beach
Days 7-8: I traveled from Santa Teresa to San Jose which took about 8 hours total travel time by local bus, ferry, bus, and taxi. I ended up checking back in at Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas for one night before my early flight to LAX in the morning.
Costa Rica in early May is humid and rainy. It's relatively cheaper to travel to Costa Rica during this time than during its dry peak season. But I never once thought the weather deterred me from doing what I wanted to do in Costa Rica. The tropical weather is year round. Casado is the local "typical plate" you can get pretty much at any restaurant for any meal. It's a dish with rice and beans but you can eat it with a side of chicken, beef, fish, or vegetables. Costa Rica is a bit more touristy, more expensive, and safer than other Central American countries. So if you're looking for solo travel, it's definitely do-able in Costa Rica.
Cheers,
kimberly
"Pura vida means simple life or pure life. But here in Costa Rica, it's more than just a saying - it's a way of life"
Days 2-3: I traveled from San Jose to La Fortuna on a 3 hour private bus for $7. You can also take the public bus to get to La Fortuna from San Jose. Though you would be burning about 7 hours of precious vacation time instead. La Fortuna was my favorite travel destination throughout my one-week trip. La Fortuna is the town near the foot of Arenal Volcano and is an excellent base for adventure. I stayed at Selina La Fortuna Hostel and highly recommend this one. The atmosphere here is relaxing and its design is cute and inclusive. You can opt for many adventurous activities in the area because there are many tour companies in the town. They can include whitewater rafting, ziplining, canyoneering (rappelling), hanging bridges, tubing, waterfall swim, stand up paddleboarding, mountain biking, caving, and horseback riding. I met an awesome group of solo travelers in Costa Rica and we went tubing for $30. Be sure that the adventure company reviews safety instructions with you. Try to wear strap sandals/water shoes when you do water sports/activities rather than barefoot or flip flops. I've never gone tubing before but I definitely recommend it
Highlights: Arenal Volcano Hike, La Fortuna Waterfall, Tubing, Montana de Fuego Resort and Spa
Days 4-6: I traveled from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa by bus and ferry. Upon leaving my bags at Selina Santa Teresa North Hostel, I opted to get a massage to decompress and relax after a morning of traveling. I loved that Selina Santa Teresa had a board of everyday activities from wake up yoga, pilates, stand up paddle boarding, surfing lessons, to sunset yoga. One of the perks about Selina Santa Teresa is that it's right along the beach. So you can walk to the beach within 2 minutes and opt for boogie boarding. One afternoon, I rented a bike from Conga Adventures for $5/day and biked to Playa Malpais. If you happen to stumble upon Playa Suecos, you can explore some greenery and find a family of monkeys just hanging in the trees. Along the way, there are many eateries and shops you can stop by. I recommend Zwart Cafe and start your day off eating a healthy fruity breakfast. Along the way to the beach, I cooled off by getting a fruit smoothie and ceviche at Arenas Blancas Ice Cream and Juice Bar. I also tried the Bakery that has fresh empanadas with potato and cheese.
Highlights: Biking, Playa de Mal Pais, Playa de Santa Teresa, Boogie boarding, Yoga on the beach
Days 7-8: I traveled from Santa Teresa to San Jose which took about 8 hours total travel time by local bus, ferry, bus, and taxi. I ended up checking back in at Boutique Hotel Casa Las Orquideas for one night before my early flight to LAX in the morning.
Costa Rica in early May is humid and rainy. It's relatively cheaper to travel to Costa Rica during this time than during its dry peak season. But I never once thought the weather deterred me from doing what I wanted to do in Costa Rica. The tropical weather is year round. Casado is the local "typical plate" you can get pretty much at any restaurant for any meal. It's a dish with rice and beans but you can eat it with a side of chicken, beef, fish, or vegetables. Costa Rica is a bit more touristy, more expensive, and safer than other Central American countries. So if you're looking for solo travel, it's definitely do-able in Costa Rica.
Cheers,
kimberly
"Pura vida means simple life or pure life. But here in Costa Rica, it's more than just a saying - it's a way of life"
I miss traveling so much...you’re story is just enough to keep me going through the pandemic haha
ReplyDeleteI miss traveling so much...you’re story is just enough to keep me going through the pandemic haha
ReplyDeleteI miss traveling so much...you’re story is just enough to keep me going through the pandemic haha
ReplyDelete