Costa Rica has been a hot travel spot for some time now. A country that had a peaceful growth while the rest of Latin America was at war, the country boasts with the most intense nature, fantastic adventures and excellent infrastructure, all created by people that values peace above all other treasures.
A country that seems to have something for everyone, from solo women to high-end families, is one of the broadest destinations to have a vacation. In its small size, Costa Rica is a condensed giant with iridescent colors that change by the minute.
You can see the sunrise on the Caribbean and the sunset on the Pacific in one day, having seen at least eight different ecosystems in the six hours drive that will take you from coast to coast. The intensity of this country is as magical as it is fierce.
Costa Rica intense nature can be counted in species and life systems. The numbers are impressive. However, they hardly describe the breathtaking beauty of the rainforests that cradle this biodiversity.
But even beyond its beauty, what probably strikes the most on this nature lover’s paradise is how easy is, in such a small country, to go from one sort of forest to another, and how many different climates you pass from one location to the next.
There are rainforests, low humid forests, cloud forests, highland oak forests, swamps, moist lands, mangroves, tropical dry forests, more than a hundred volcanoes, fabulous black, white and gray sanded beaches and a myriad of animal and exotic birds sightseeings (Even on the roads! Finding sloths or monkeys is not a hard task) .
And then, you can see this astonishing green dimension from great paved trails, hanging bridges, observation towers, floating gondolas or ziplines.
Nature is the star of Costa Rica and something indeed to behold! If you are a nature lover, Costa Rica is your place!
Costa Rican culture can be enjoyed in several different ways. If you are in the city find the cultural agenda and check in one of the numerous activities is on. There are free museum nights, art and music festivals, a captivating number of museums with great pre-Columbian collections, live music and theater productions on the plazas and parks and not an uncommon sight.
When you are out of San Jose, the culture does not stop, but changes slightly, and you will find, that diversity can be as intense in the human side as it is in nature in this magical country. If you are on the Caribbean the food is spicy and cooked in coconut milk; the music is calypso and reggae, and vivid colors adorn the people and houses.
On the North Pacific, the culture of the Costa Rican sabanero (Cowboys) it’s on. The horses, the cattle, the long stone fences, the bullfights (Costa Rican style), the rodeos.
In the South, you will see more indigenous traditions, some of them going back to the pre-hispanic days.
And so, it goes, from one region to the next. Costa Rica is a country that is compromised with the unique culture of its people and is, through the travel industry, trying to keep it and make it grow.
And if you spice it with a country that knows no military whatsoever, that has one of the highest literacy rates in the World and is famed to be “The happiest” (Happy Planet Index, Costa Rica).
Cooking and dancing lessons, new fruits, different rhythms, let the Costa Rican culture run in your veins and fall in love with it!
So! If you are into cultural experiences abroad, Costa Rica is your country!
Costa Rica’s marine area is much bigger than its land territory. Because of the distant and precious Coco’s Island, Costa Rica is six times bigger in the sea than in land.
However, closer to the hotels and the reachable regions there are over twelve marine reserves and parks, plus those that are included as part of the national parks and reserves system. It is thought that Costa Rica is base to about 25 distinct species of dolphins and whales, a numerous sort of rays species, hundreds of varieties of tropical fish, and a great collection of species of mollusks, sharks, and coral.
And all of this is at your reach, depending on what you like, from the serious diving with PADI license to light snorkeling as a part of a dolphins and whales quest on a comfortable catamaran, you can delight in the warm Costa Rican waters and bring the memories of this mysterious underwater realm back home.
And then you know, if you are a water lover, this is your destination!
Probably the first thing that strikes visitors to their first-morning breakfast is the flavor of fruits and vegetables. Because of the incredible volcanic soils and the fact that the fruits are not frozen to be on your table, mangoes, pineapples, melons, cantaloupes, and bananas are a banquet to all tastes.
A cocktail of flavors and aromas will shake any visitor’s senses.
And then, a different taste on fried rice and beans, sweet plantains, corn tortillas stuffed with the most amazing ingredients, cooked in surprising ways will gather appetites to things that you didn’t even know exist prior your vacation in this privileged area of the world.
Visit the top-notch international cuisine restaurants, yes. But don’t miss the family home styled meals. That is where your senses will experience the real Costa Rican smiles.
If you are into different tastes, aromas, and textures, the tropics is a World region where you will find a new World you never knew, existed.
And if you want to combine this with breathtaking surroundings, thrilling adventures and relaxing hours, Costa Rica is a delicatessen you don’t want to miss!
Encompassed in this amazing nature, you will find a variety of choices that will make you feel as if you had arrived in Indiana Jones land!
Rappelling waterfalls surrounded by noisy jungles, flying through the top branches of ancient trees, walking on swinging hanging bridges, riding horses with the sight of an active volcano on you, or stopping the mountain bike to see monkeys are just some of the experiences you may want to live while in Costa Rica.
However you will also find a great sort of soft and great adventures for children or less adventurous people, fantastic hanging bridges to go on the tops of the forest, aerial trams slowly gliding to see the Costa Rican nature from another perspective or rescue centers where you can help feed the animals.
Either if you are an adrenaline junkie and want to live the heat, or you want your small children to feel the freedom of adventure in perfectly safe settings, here you can find a choice for both!
And then! Here are the white waves! For the real adventurers and the water-maniacs Costa Rica offers not only a lot of water sports but also in the most diverse scenarios!
Let’s start from the coast in, and of course surfing! On both coasts and North and South, you find great surf breaks. From the pro level sort of wave like the one in Pavones (The second largest left in the World), in the South Pacific, to getting surfing lessons for the first time in the popular Manuel Antonio.
And then, of course, the water is so pleasantly warm that you will want to do it all! Snorkeling, scuba, sailing, kayaking, and yes, banana boats! And then, we have white water rafting. Probably the most striking thing for anyone who does rafting in Costa Rica for the first time is the breathtaking beauty surrounding the rivers. And then, of course, how warm the water is.
But just yet, you will start enjoying the paddling, the twirls, the flow, the fun! And you realize why is it that Costa Rica, this small country is mentioned so often in the white water programs and magazines.
Later on, you will smile when you put your check mark “White Water Rafting in Costa Rica”… Check!
You can imagine that with this incredible nature and as politically stable, safe and happy Costa Rica is, the tourism is the among the first industries of the country. And more and more airlines are coming with direct flights to both international airports. And of course, hoteliers stepped in and started investing in some of the most beautiful facilities of the World.
Costa Rican hotels are often mentioned and awarded in prestigious magazines such as Forbes, or Travel & Leisure because of the marvelous settings and most luxurious rooms.
So, either if you are thinking about adventuring and getting yourself soaked in the fantastic rivers or the amazing rainforests, or you are just dreaming of getting sun baths with your favorite music on your ears or that book in your hands, in Costa Rica you will always have the perfect facility to enjoy both!
There is a certain feeling of remoteness that it is getting harder and harder to acquire in the days of social networking and smartphones, but while you are on vacation in Costa Rica, you will want to experience this sensation of being far and away from it all in another realm.
In some places it will be the intense nature, the howler monkeys roaring somewhere close, and the toucans flying elusively on the palm trees. In some others will be an empty sandy beach, with golden waves at sunset, but in all, you will find yourself just enjoying. Forgetting to check the emails, and upload that picture. You will need simply to breathe in the life that vibrates around you.
The neutrality of landscapes without a human trace on them will give you a serenity that will extend beyond your vacation into your daily life.
Either on a solo trip or in a big family reunion, this sensation of calmness will remain if you just let it get into your heart.
The pure life of Costa Rica can get into your soul and make you smile forever.
If you look at any reviews about Costa Rica, you will find thousands of them referring to this or that particular person who created a perfect moment, and in a vast majority, you will see that the highlight of the trip is the people.
Costa Ricans are extremely nice people. They will go out of their way just for the pleasure of helping someone lost. They will remember your name, your preferences at breakfast, ask you about your life and tell you about theirs.
There is a little detail that speaks volumes about the Costa Rican culture of service. In the tourism schools and universities all over the country, people are thought to say “Con gusto” (With pleasure) instead of the usual Spanish “De nada” (It’s nothing) when someone says “Thanks” to them.
For Costa Ricans, it is a priority that their visitors go pleased with them and their country.
Probably the first words that you will easily distinguish as you arrive in Costa Rica. Everyone uses them! More than a simple slang, Pura Vida is the national motto. Meaning pure life, this saying is an attitude and a state of mind.
They use it to say hi, to say bye, to say ok and to say cool.
Grandparents use it as much as small children, all social classes without distinction use it. And all of them proud of it.
Remember we are talking about people who live between two oceans, immersed in fierce nature, and used to the volcano eruptions, the sounds of howler monkeys and the drumming of pouring rains over their roofs.
Nothing in Costa Rica is light! Everything is intense, and Pura Vida is merely a symbol that gathers this in two words that mean the World for Costa Ricans.
Pure life is the inner fire of the Costa Ricans, the loud laughter, the passion for life, the freedom of tenderness, the willingness to battle for what they think is right, the eagerness to dialog over fighting and yes the complicity with nature.
Pura Vida is a tattoo in your heart that will beat throughout your life forever.
Open your senses and let it take you! It is such an amazing trip!
1. Knowledge of destination
Not only we are locals, but also in the country. Our team of experts goes out continuously to inspect and try all products we recommend. Be the fabulous hotels, the thrilling adventures or the relaxing spas… We try them before recommending. And even though it sounds like the job everyone wants, and yes, it is quite enjoyable, we do not miss the reasons to be in the most majestic regions and facilities of Costa Rica. We see all rooms, check the amenities, review the restaurants, service, food, menus. Everything is seen under the quality quizzing glass because we know that regarding top notch vacations, the secret is in the details.
Once an accommodation or a tour is inspected and approved by our experts, then we recommend it.
So, you can feel free to ask all questions. We know the answers when it comes to the best experiences in Costa Rica.
In a country, as small as Costa Rica, reputation is transcending. Suppliers want to work with the few companies that have excellent reliability in their payments. And when other companies cannot get space, it might be easier for us to get it. When other companies, cannot get upgrades, we might be able to.
Our passengers are supplier’s favorite costumers.
And it is not only because we pay on time. It is because we are always in personal contact with them. Either through events or a like in the personal Facebook walls, our suppliers are our friends, they are known to us, and we are known to them.
Thanks to this personal contact with the suppliers we get the first-hand information. We get the WhatsApp’, we see the social networking, and we keep on looking for the fresh news at all times.
Remember Costa Rica is a small country, and contacts are the highway of excellent service.
If you look at our team, you will find is not a large division, and the reason is simple. We believe in very personalized boutique-style service. We are very personal with our passengers; we like to know you and take our time to see your needs, your dreams, your doubts. Our goal is for you to have a vacation that you want to repeat over and over and we take this goal seriously by providing unique experiences that we’ll bring a smile to your face forever.
From the first contact, we have, to much after the holiday ends, we like to talk with our passengers. We believe that the best way to grant you a fascinating vacation is to know, in fact, what does “fascinating” means to you. And make it happen in all possible ways that Costa Rica has to offer.
As we like to have communication with our clients and our suppliers, we do confirm the service the day prior.
Why is this important? Because sometimes it merely happens, the mail went to the spam box, the person in charge changed or just a human mistake, and none picks you up.
So, for us, it’s transcending to reconfirm each service not to let Murphy’s Law take control and spoil the precious vacation time of the people who believed in us.
We have a compromise with you, and we don’t let details loose.
And you can also reach us 24/7 for any emergency that you may have. From the way to Costa Rica to the plane out of Costa Rica, please give us a call if anything happens. Don’t hesitate. That’s what we are here for.
Either because your flight is delayed, or because you are in doubt about a pickup time for your tour tomorrow, we are a support team for you, 24/.
We have a creating team of travel experts designing the most amazing experiences that you can live in Costa Rica. A catered romantic candle dinner on a secluded beach, all alone. A treasure hunt throughout the trip, a prepared proposal set on a platform above the rainforest.
It is hard to describe, as everything in Costa Rica is, you just have to let this fantastic creative talent work for you.
We became experts in Costa Rica because we love traveling and we love this land. It truly amazes us every day! And the travel industry, carrying wisdom and magic throughout time is more than a carrier an honor. The possibility of opening minds, of waking the soul to the awe, the teaching, and learning involved in all travel stories make this industry our real passion.