Costa Rica

My brother and sister-in-law got married in 2005, and honeymooned in Costa Rica.  They fell in love with the country during that trip, and decided to return with their family in July 2015 to celebrate their ten year anniversary and renew their vows. It was a gift to accompany them on this journey.

Practical Matters

Costa Rica, a spanish-speaking country, is located in Central America. Many people speak English, but it is definitely helpful if you know a bit of Spanish. The climate is tropical with a diverse topography that include beautiful beaches, volcanoes, lush jungles, and an abundance of waterfalls.  Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination, so there are a variety of tours and excursions to partake in if you’re the adventurous sort.  Or you can just hang out on the beach and do nothing.  We did a lot of both, spending three weeks exploring this gorgeous country and acquainting ourselves with the concept of Pura Vida.

Pura Vida, means “pure life” or “simple life,” and it’s a blissful mode of existence. Though not technically an island, a chill island vibe can be found everywhere you go. Folks are easygoing and peaceful, and before long you’ll find yourself synced up with the relaxed pace, your worries melting away with each day that passes.

Driving – If you’re the adventurous sort, I highly recommend renting a car and doing your own driving.  I loved having the freedom to explore at my leisure, and check out remote locales. Though driving in the city gave me serious anxiety (if there are traffic laws in Costa Rica, no one appears to obey them), once you get out into the country, driving is quite lovely. The most challenging part of driving in the country is staying alert enough to avoid all the chickens in the road and dogs chasing your car.  GPS is essential though, as street signs are pretty much nonexistent.

I highly recommend this article for more information about driving in Costa Rica.  IMPORTANT: If you rent a car in Costa Rica, there are mandatory insurance requirements, and often a pretty hefty deposit required. You may think your insurance or credit card at home will cover the insurance requirements, but double check to make sure Costa Rica isn’t excluded.  Research this before you book a car so you don’t end up with an unpleasant surprise at the rental counter.  I found this article really useful.

Mosquitos – Because of the tropical climate, there are mosquitos everywhere, even at the beach.  If you are a mosquito magnet like me, you’ll want to bring plenty of repellant and mosquito deterrent.  Personally, I travel with my own mosquito net (in case a hotel doesn’t have them — most do), and even have a pair of mosquito pants which, while not the most fashionable attire, really work!

 I should also mention, my brother brought his three kids (ages 8, 6 and 4) to Costa Rica, and they had a blast. I consider Costa Rica a very family-friendly vacation destination.

My brother made a beautiful video of our trip, which will give you a glimpse into the Pura Vida magic of Costa Rica. Please see the articles below for more on the various cities we visited!

Arenal Volcano                          Rio Celeste                       Guanacaste                   Manuel Antonio

Montezuma                     La Paz Waterfall Gardens                    Photo Album