South and Central America have been on our travel bucket lists for a long time. When we had the chance to take time off from work, we took it. Craig and Amrita flew to the Costa Rica Pacific Coast to unwind from life in Vancouver, Canada. We wanted an adventure.
Before the trip, we looked up financial tips. We wanted to stay on budget and be ready for culture shock. Traveling the Costa Rica Pacific Coast taught us about nature, simple living, and how to adapt.
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Check out some of the coolest and cheapest tours you could do in Vancouver.
La Fortuna and Arenal Park
We landed in San Jose International Airport and went straight to La Fortuna. This was the beginning of our 3-week trip along the Costa Rica Pacific Coast.
Arenal Volcano is big for local tourism and farming. We also had the best avocados ever. We carried a refillable water bottle everywhere. We saw a man selling mangoes from his truck in the town center. They were fresh and sweet.
Arenal Park had lots of wildlife. We saw an Eyelash Viper eating a small lizard. The lizard’s tail was still hanging out of the snake’s mouth.
We found a lookout point with a view of Arenal Lake. The sunsets were stunning. The landscape in this region is perfect for photos. Bring a tripod!
Our river guide near La Fortuna knew a lot about birds. The lizards stayed still. Birds flew away, so they were harder to photograph. We saw many howler monkeys in the trees. They were loud but exciting to watch.
Check out some of the cool and cheap tours you could do in La Fortuna.
Montezuma
Next, we went to Montezuma. It’s a quiet beach town about four hours by bus from La Fortuna. We swam and watched sunsets every day.
On Thursday nights, fire performers and drummers came to the town center. They gave free shows. The vibe was slow and peaceful.
We met tourists who were traveling from Guanacaste and Tamarindo. They recommended visiting Santa Teresa and Samara next time. Both are great for surfing.
I’m so glad I brought my good swimwear and rash guard. It’s one of the lesser-known destinations, but very peaceful.
Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park
After Montezuma, we took a one-hour water taxi to Jacò. Then we went to Manuel Antonio. We met Kach and Jon there. They led us to a hidden beach where we saw the sunset. Kach caught a tiny crab.
At the same time, someone from our hostel used wet sand to scrub their skin in the sea.
We visited Manuel Antonio National Park early in the day. Animals hide when it gets hot. Squirrel Monkeys came close to us. We also saw a sloth sleeping in a tree. Sloths are a favorite among visitors.
Later that evening, a sloth crawled across the power lines near our hostel. We were lucky to see it.
Uvita and Marino Ballena National Park
We went farther south toward the Osa Peninsula. On the way, we stopped in Uvita. We got to our hostel just before a six-hour rainstorm.
It rained a lot while we were there. Even though we’re from Vancouver, we were surprised by how heavy the rain was. Now we know why it’s called a rainforest!
Craig woke up early to hike to Whale’s Tail beach. He wanted to see it before the tide came in. Later that day, we did yoga and went to a nearby waterfall.
At night, frogs made noise everywhere. Some even got into our room. We also heard howler monkeys.
This area is a top spot on the central Pacific Coast for spotting sea turtles and humpback whales, especially from November to December.
Sierpe, Drake Bay, and Corcovado National Park
From Uvita, we traveled to Sierpe. There we took a boat down the river and into the sea. We landed at Drake Bay. Scarlet Macaws screamed overhead.
To reach Corcovado Park, we took a one-hour boat ride. This park has some of the thickest jungle in Costa Rica. Our guide led us into the forest on small paths. We also went snorkeling and diving. We saw beautiful sea life, but we didn’t have a waterproof camera.
One great moment was seeing a sleeping tapir in the bushes. We also saw Spider Monkeys and a hidden owl. Our guide even hung a lizard from someone’s ear as a joke.
We also spotted a dolphin near the boat. It swam beside us for a while.
The wildlife was amazing. Some animals stood out. Others were hard to see. It felt like being in a nature show. Corcovado is home to a large share of the world’s biodiversity.
Check out some of the cool and cheap tours you could do in Corcovado.
Monteverde and Liberia
Though we didn’t make it to Monteverde or Liberia on this trip, they’re excellent destinations. Monteverde is great for cloud forest trails and wildlife. Liberia is a travel hub with another international airport.
Both places are worth adding to your future itinerary.
Our journey along the Costa Rica Pacific Coast ended with one last sunset. We flew from Drake Bay to San Jose in a small Cessna. The flight was just 45 minutes. We saw Whale’s Tail beach again from the sky. A lightning storm flashed in the distance.
The Costa Rica Pacific Coast is a perfect mix of peace, nature, and adventure. Arenal, Montezuma, Manuel Antonio, Uvita, and Corcovado each gave us something special. Beaches, wildlife, jungle – this place has it all. It’s also one of the best places for surfing, diving, and wildlife watching.
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FAQ
Yes, the Pacific side of Costa Rica is beautiful. It offers stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and lots of wildlife. Visitors love the sunsets, the surfing, and the laid-back beach towns.
Many travelers say the Pacific Coast has better beaches. You’ll find long sandy stretches perfect for surfing, swimming, and relaxing. Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, and Samara are just a few popular spots.
Yes, the Caribbean coast is generally safe for tourists. As with any destination, use common sense. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night, and keep your valuables secure.