Costa Rica Travel Agent Specialist

Looking for a taste of Pura Vida? Welcome to Costa Rica! Pura Vida embodies the laid-back charm of the Tico spirit, Tico being the local word for a Costa Rican. On one of many COsta Rican adventures, you can experience the Central Valley, Caribbean coast, and the volcanic north. On this trip, let’s explore the city and Afro-Caribbean vibes. Arrive in San José on a warm afternoon and make your way into the Central Valley. The city is lively in a relaxed way, pura vida after all. In San José, there are museums, architecture, and colorful markets to wander through. There’s the Teatro Nacional (National Theater) on the Plaza de la Cultura which is the heart of arts and culture in San José. Known for ornate architecture, marble, murals, and gold leaf details, the Teatro Nacional is a 19th century European-style theater. Built when coffee exports were booming, the theater was completed in 1897 and serves as a cultural showcase for classical music concerts, ballet and opera, theatrical performances, and cultural festivals and special events. Take a guided tour and learn about how Ticos express themselves and their culture. Some other highlights of the Central Valley include the Irazú and Poás volcanos, the Orosi Valley, and the town of Sarchí. Irazú is a lunar-like volcanic crater from where you can see to both coasts on a clear day. Poás is a massive crater lake with easy access and is a great half-day trip. The Orosi Valley is scenic and known for coffee farms and colonial churches. A visit to Sarchí is highly recommended as you can see artisan crafts and the painted oxcarts and woodwork for which it is known. Enjoy some empanadas and an agua fresca (juice made from tropical fruits you may have never seen or heard of!) or a cold beer in Barrio Amón for an easy first taste of Costa Rica, a great way to ease into the Tico culture before heading into nature-focused days ahead. Heading for Tortuguero the road climbs into mountains, then drops toward the Caribbean side where the air feels thicker, and the vegetation is visibly denser. Arriving at the coast, you switch from land transportation to a boat which follows narrow canals shaded by overhanging trees. After a while you arrive in a small settlement with colorful houses that sits between river and sea. Tortuguero has no cars, only boats and footpaths, adding to the slow rhythm of the place. With a guide, explore the canals to spot wildlife, monkeys hopping between branches, iguanas stretching on logs, and herons stalking the edges of the water. In turtle nesting season (July through October or March through June depending on the species), staying up late allows you to watch green turtles or leatherbacks come ashore to nest. A quiet and respectful experience that feels almost unreal. Tortuguero is perfect for beach walks and talking with locals who work primarily in fishing and tourism. If you don’t speak Spanish, this is a great opportunity to use a translation app on your phone. Down the coast is Puerto Viejo. Reggae and calypso drift from beach bars emphasizing the Caribbean energy in the air. You can stay at a small lodge near Playa Cocles and ride bikes into town for arroz con frijoles (rice and beans cooked in coconut milk). There are also opportunities to join a chocolate tasting experience that explains how cacao is cultivated by indigenous communities. Otherwise head to the beach to swim or surf the gentle waves. In Cahuita National Park the trail hugs the shoreline and wildlife slowly appear. Watch a sloth draped over a branch, small lizards zipping across the sand, and capuchin monkeys eyeing your backpacks with an interest you will not appreciate. On calm days, you can snorkel around the reef. When you return to Puerto Viejo, try homemade ginger beer and enjoy listening to street musicians before dinner. Moving from the coast to the northern interior, the drive to La Fortuna passes banana plantations, patchwork farms, and rolling hills. Arenal Volcano appears ahead, clouded at the top but clearly defined. Check into a lodge with a view and spend the late afternoon soaking in hot springs. Ready for an adventure? Walk the hanging bridges to get a close look at the canopy. Hike down to the La Fortuna waterfall to swim in the cool water beneath the cliff. There are zipline tours, rafting on the Sarapiquí River, and coffee tasting for those who prefer a calmer pace. As the sky changes from gray to pink over the volcano, enjoy a lovely dinner in its shadow. On the return to San José stop at a roadside café for delicious gallo pinto and a last cup of coffee. Costa Rica has so much to offer. The Central Valley, the warmth and music of Afro Caribbean culture, and the volcanic north with its adventure and hot springs – there’s always something surprising around the next corner. While small on the map, Costa Rica offers diversity, relaxation and adventure all in one place.