Costa Rica and New Travel Pals

Finding a good travel partner can be challenging, so finding another couple to travel with is especially rewarding. You aren’t just looking for one good connection, but four good connections. People we can talk with for hours at dinner may not translate into a similar vibe of pace, interests, and planning. The only way to find out is to jump in with both feet.

Our trip to Costa Rica was shared with a couple we have known for 17 years, but had never traveled with before. Since I was the one who did most of the research before the trip, I was a bit nervous. Would we travel well together? Would the tours I booked live up to the research? Would they have a blast or be disappointed? I get that I put too much pressure on myself, but I really wanted it to be blast! And it was! The joy of exploring a new country paired with exploring new facets of a relationship is so rewarding. Not only did I see a new country through my own lens and my husband’s lens, but I saw it through two new lenses. Adventure isn’t just about new locations, but also about expanding personal boundaries.

Having said that, the location was fantastic! Costa Rica spent years on my Pinterest board before becoming a plan. The country has so much to offer that I became overwhelmed every time I tried to plan a trip. Through my research I learned to divide the country into fourths, which is sage advice. It is so much better to spend time exploring than it is driving from place to place.

I have to admit that my decision to anchor in the Manuel Antonio National Park area had a lot to do with sloths and monkeys. Seriously, sloths and monkeys! We had twenty plus monkeys wander through the property where we were staying and then saw many more at Manuel Antonio National Park. The rest of the wildlife was much appreciated icing on the cake!

Getting there and setting-up

We flew into Costa Rica on a Friday and hired transportation from the San Juan airport to Quepos. Driving in a new country after traveling all day just doesn’t seem like a wise idea. Our driver stopped at a restaurant so that we could have a late lunch, and also at a grocery store so we grab a few items for the morning. The car rental company brought us our car Saturday morning, which was very convenient. We stayed at Manuel Antonio Estates in Macaw Villa where the concierge coordinated transportation and had helpful suggestions that made arriving and departing go very smoothly.

Trip Highlights

The Central Pacific region of Costa Rica offers more than we could take in during our weeklong trip. Here are some highlights and why we chose them.

Quepos Feria ~ We arrived in Costa Rica on Friday so that we could start our week out at the Feria (Farmer’s Market) and stock up on produce for the week. The pineapple had a fantastic coconut flavor, and all the produce made me wish I could take some home with me. A blend of cooking and dining out introduces more flavors of a country. Yeah, that was a bit cheesy.

Zip-lining ~ I waited a while to zip-line because I really wanted to have the experience of a lush canopy. Costa Rica was the perfect place to try it out. It was a great blend of scenery and adrenaline. The guides were very safety-minded and encouraging to people who were nervous about zipping. I highly recommend El Santurio Canopy Adventure Tour!

Snorkeling at Caño Island

I had the most amazing moment with a sea turtle first thing I jumped in the water. We came fact to face (only a couple feet away) and we just gazed at each other for a minute before the turtle headed for the ocean floor. It was a mesmerizing start to a trip that included seeing white tip reef sharks, rays, more turtles, colorful fish, tropical dolphins, and a humpback whale family that put on a great show as they played around the boat. Bahia Aventuras is an environmentally responsible company that provides smaller tours. The guides were enthusiastic and seemed to enjoy each sighting as much as we did. We invested in a better underwater camera and are excited to bring it on our next adventure.

Villa Vanilla

Villa Vanilla is a sustainable, organic, beautiful farm that offers a tasting tour. After learning about biodynamic agriculture and meandering through the farm, we were treated to both superb views and lovely desserts. Hot chocolate, vanilla cheesecake, and cinnamon iced tea were served the day of our tour. Bring along cash so you can take home a gigantic vanilla bean.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is simply stunning! Our first day at Manuel Antonio was with Mike’s Nature Tours. We had Mike as our guide and were really impressed with his knowledge, passion, and thoughtfulness. He is an expert at finding wildlife and has a scope that allows for close-up viewing. Since most people on the tour had iPhones, he took one picture or video and then air-dropped them to our phones which allowed for closer photos than my DSLR would have taken. Sloths and monkeys were the highlight for me, and it was fascinating to learn about the park and all of the wildlife.

Another day we arrived as the park opened and spent several hours enjoying the beach. The water is warm and calm and perfect for floating in the sea. Bring along a book, water, and some fresh fruit for a perfect beach day. Keep an eye out for the devious monkeys who will investigate your bag even when you are close by it.

We loved Costa Rica so much that we have started talking about retiring there. The country is beautiful, and it is also a welcoming place that is forward-thinking. We look forward to returning and exploring more of the country.