Right here's the report and highlights of our journey to Costa Rica.

Me (2nd time) and my
girlfriend (1st time) arrived at SJO late on the thirtieth of April, and stayed close to
the airport. We’re from Portugal and did a stopover in Canada on the best way to
Costa Rica.

Automobile pickup
We lease a automotive with Vamos Lease a Automobile and had
no points.
$1320 for 15 days with Primary CDW
Suzuki Jimny did nicely in all eventualities, however
we didn't push laborious on it.

1st day – 1st Might
We drove from San Jose (left at 7am) to
Sierpe to catch the 4pm boat (the final one of many day) to Drake Bay and we
"solely" arrived 30mins earlier than the time. Because it was lengthy weekend in
Costa Rica, we had a loopy quantity of site visitors leaving the town and till we
handed the Tarcoles Bridge.
Since we completely needed to be in Drake Bay
at 6am of the 2nd of Might, this was a bit dangerous – lesson realized, by no means e-book
one thing necessary, costly and non-refundable in a distant place in case you are
nonetheless a good distance out the day earlier than.

Boat journey from Sierpe to
Drake Bay, wasn't nice in any respect. It was pouring rain, hitting on our faces so
laborious we couldn't even raise our head to understand the view.

2nd, third and 4th days –
Corcovado Nationwide Park 2 night time at Sirena Ranger Station
The spotlight of the journey was completely the
3 days and a pair of nights we spent on Corcovado Nationwide Park. We booked the keep
with OSA Wild and it was a unforgettable expertise.

Upon arrival at Sirena
Ranger Station, we had Josue Baires ready for us who information us for the subsequent 3
days. He was nice as a information, his english was good and he demonstrated a
deep data of the species of each animals and vegetation. We loved
his scientific
strategy and explanations in regards to the animals, their significance and affect. However
most significantly, we beloved how he revered Nature, not happening shortcuts simply
to indicate us the animals.

We noticed 2 tapirs resting
on the seaside, a big crocodile controlling the river, a pair extra small
crocodiles, caiman, dozens of birds together with woodpeckers, tucan, parrots, 2
totally different sorts of snakes, 2 species of untamed pigs, 4 species of monkeys, a number of
spiders, bugs, bats, sloths and doubtless rather more that I can’t bear in mind
now.
Crucial for us was really
seeing them of their pure atmosphere and never behind a fence in some self
proclaimed sanctuary.

The keep on the station
was as anticipated, no scorching water which wasn't an issue whenever you spend the entire
day sweating, the beds within the no-wall dormitory have been okay, not comfy
because it was too scorching even at night time and there's no AC, not even a fan. Probably the most
comfy time of the day was proper after the bathtub.
The meals was really good, we had a
beneficiant breakfast with gallo pinto and low, the lunch and dinner consisted
of rice, rooster or pork, potatoes, greens, salad, fried banana, some fruit
juice.
We had small store within the station, the place you
might purchase some cookies, ice cream, heat espresso, ice espresso and souvenirs.

On first day we began
mountain climbing proper after we arrived, simply had 30mins to depart our stuff within the
station and went for a 2 hours hike, adopted by lunch in a 2 hour break, and
one other 2-3 hour hike till 5:30pm.
The next day we began the primary hike
of the morning at 5am for two hours, then went again for breakfast break for 1h30m
after which once more one other 2 hours hike till lunch.
Within the afternoon we went once more for one more
hike for round 2-3 hours.
On the final day, we once more began at 5am for
2 hours, then breakfast after which one other 2 hour hike till we bought into our boat
again to Drake Bay.
We did a mean of 17km a day on the two,5
days we spent in Corcovado.

The tour with Osa Wild
included:
2 night time at Sirena Station
Entries within the park for all days
Boat from/to Drake Bay to Sirena
3 meals a day in Sirena Station
Unique information for us

Proper after we arrived at
Drake Bay from Sirena, we went on one other boat again to Sierpe, the place we left
out automotive parked and drove straight to Nauyaca Waterfalls the place we lastly slept
once more with some consolation.

fifth, sixth, seventh days –
Nauyaca Waterfalls and Manuel Antonio
Since we slept fairly near the waterfall,
we have been among the first ones to reach and have been in a position to take some good
photos of the waterfalls with out having to ask to ChatGPT to take away individuals
from the photographs. The waterfall is spectacular, not like Iceland waterfalls
spectacular, however at the least we are able to get in and don't freeze to dying.
We did the hike from the parking zone, it was
a bit hilly and a bit scorching as nicely nevertheless it was straightforward. Its good to have showers in
the parking zone, so we felt refreshed after the hike.

We spent 2 days in Manuel
Antonio, largely to go to the park. It was a bit surprising see that quantity of
individuals within the park, specifically after Corcovado the place we might actually fell
immersive into the wild. Manuel Antonio park is very nice, however feels
like a park
in a metropolis sort of vibe, and I ponder what number of animals are hiding away from the
crowds.

Don't get me improper, I
know we additionally contribute to the crowds, however most individuals don't know find out how to behave
in a pure park. If I'm in a spot to see wildlife, I received't be cheering,
laughing or talking loud. So I questioned if most of these persons are really
there to see any wildlife.

Manuel Antonio seaside is
very nice and price spending 1-2 hours there.

eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh
days – Monteverde and Rio Celeste
Climate in Monteverde was a bit surprising,
because it was largely clear skies, very windy and no cloud forest feeling.
We did the hanging bridges, an evening tour
with our lodge and visited CuriCancha pure reserve however none of those
experiences have been unforgettable.
We additionally did a espresso and chocolate tour with
Don Juan which was really nice. We have been the one ones within the tour – perks of
travelling within the off-season.

Rio Celeste was an
wonderful place, inserted in Tenorio volcano Nationwide Park the place we get some
wonderful sighs. The colour of the water is spectacular and also you get to see the two
rivers encounter, and create this phenomenon.
Nevertheless this space is actually small, not many
eating places out there, so a day journey could be sufficient generally.
We stayed an evening since we have been travelling
between Monteverde and La Fortuna and Rio Celeste was in the best way.

twelfth, thirteenth, 14th and
fifteenth days – La Fortuna
We spent the previous few days in the identical lodge
in La Fortuna, with an excellent view to Arenal volcano. The view may very well be higher if
the clouds collaborate, however we weren't very fortunate.

We didn't do a lot right here,
did the hanging bridges once more in Mistico Arenal, did the 1968 path which was
fairly good with wonderful views of the volcano, did hot-spring in Ecotermales
with dinner included and within the final day we went for a spa therapy at Amor
Arenal, some of the wonderful locations we ever been.

There are a great deal of
eating places choices in La Fortuna, and many of the ones we tried have been good.

Actions & Excursions
evaluate:

Sirena Deep Exploration
(3 days, 2 night time) with Osa Wild – Corcovado
★★★★★
Very costly, however fully worthwhile
the cash. It felt like an actual journey, as we have been surrounded by Nature the
entire time with little indicators of civilisation. Sleeping in a dorm in open air
was an expertise by itself, listening to howler monkeys and so many different animais
simply 50 meters away out of your mattress was intense.

Value: $655 per individual,
minimal 2 individuals with personal information

Nauyaca Waterfall
★★★★
Spectacular waterfall, nevertheless just isn’t
potential now to get to the point of view of the higher waterfall so we might solely
see it from the underside.
Nonetheless ok for some photographs, as we
arrived early we have been in a position to standing proper under the principle waterfalls
fully by ourselves for a couple of minutes.

You don't want a information
for this hike, don't suppose it’s price it right here.

Value: $10 per individual,
mountain climbing

Manuel Antonio Nationwide
Park
★★★★
A bit crowded park however with a number of animals
to see, specifically sloths. Even and not using a information we have been in a position to see 3 sloths
simply by wanting the place everyone else was wanting.
After Corcovado, we felt very totally different in
this park with plenty of human noise, paths fully full of cheering and
laughing.
The seaside nevertheless is very nice and
fully well worth the entry.
We didn't have a information and since there's so
many individuals with guides right here, you’ll be able to simply stroll round and verify what the
others are taking a look at without cost.

Value: $18 per individual

Valle Escondido Nature
Reserve Night time Tour – Monteverde
★★★
As we stayed at this lodge, we select to do
the night time tour with them, nevertheless we weren’t impressed. Sure we noticed some
scorpions, a very large tarantula and an armadillo however for $40 it wasn't price
it.

Value: $40 per individual

Don Juan Espresso,
Chocolate and Sugar Cane Tour – Monteverde
★★★★★
We actually loved this tour, very
informative and enjoyable as we walked by way of the method of manufacturing of those
beloved merchandise. We have been the one 2 individuals doing this tour at the moment, so it
felt like a personal tour. Received the possibility to style pure cacao, get a contemporary
espresso made on the spot and drink the sugar straight from the cane.

Value: $42 per individual

Selvatura Park Hanging
Bridges – Monteverde
★★★★
The park is actually stunning and nicely
maintained, we didn't see many animals however the views have been spectacular. It's a
bit costly however if you find yourself standing in a bridge 40 meters excessive above the
cover, we have to really feel the cash you paid goes to keep up that construction.

Value: round $55 per
individual

CuriCancha Nature
Reserve – Monteverde
★★★★
Giving it 4 stars as a result of it was low cost, however
we really weren't impressed by the reserve as we didn't see a lot animals,
regardless of we arrived early. Possibly with a information it will be rather more fascinating,
in order that's on us.

Value: $25 per individual

Volcano Tenorio
Nationwide Park – Rio Celeste
★★★★★
This place is wonderful, the waterfall and
river colors are out of this world and we have been in a position to see a lovely inexperienced
viper. If you happen to do the entire hike, you’ll be able to see the river effervescent from
the volcanic exercise and probably the most wonderful half, you’ll be able to see how the precise
blue color is created when the two rivers merge.

Value: $12 per individual

Eco Termales Scorching Spring
with dinner – La Fortuna
★★★★★
Very nice scorching springs, with 6 or 7
totally different swimming pools with totally different water temperatures. You’re surrounded by
Nature, and on the identical time you could have a bar actually near the swimming pools and
barman at all times making an attempt to promote you drinks, however other than that it was wonderful.
We have been there at night time, from 5pm and bought the
dinner included and it was price it. The meals was meals, loads of decisions in
the buffet and for additional $32 you wouldn't eat higher in nearly anyplace in La
Fortuna.

Value: $81 per individual

Mistico Arenal Hanging
Bridges – La Fortuna
★★★
Similar to hanging bridges in
Monteverde, a bit cheaper however with much less bridges (plus one which was closed due
to upkeep).
Would skip it subsequent time.

Value: $32 per individual

Volcanic Climbing Trails
at Arenal 1968 Pure Park
★★★★
We did the lengthy path of 5kms and had some
nice views of the Arenal volcano, regardless of the clouds. Didn't see a lot wildlife
right here, just a few birds alongside the best way.
It was actually scorching, and never the entire hike
are lined by timber, so it's advisable to deliver a hat and photo voltaic safety.

Value: $28 per individual

Amor Arenal Therapeutic massage for
couple – La Fortuna
★★★★★
Sadly we didn't keep on this lodge,
however went there for a therapeutic massage.
This should be probably the most stunning lodge I even
seen, proper in the course of the jungle, the property is large and it’s a must to
drive for 1km after you enter the principle gate to succeed in the reception.
We tried different locations to get a therapeutic massage, like
Tabacon or Baldi however they require us to remain there or purchase the each day go, plus
the worth for the therapeutic massage.
At Amor Arenal, they didn't required any of
this, and it was straightforward to e-book even on the identical day. They deal with us like king and
queen, the place the place the therapeutic massage is taken is a open air wooden cabin in
Japanese model, dealing with the jungle.

Value: $285 per individual