Nature and comfort - one of our round trips
- Author: Carlos García
- Category: round trips
- 23/09/2025
Arrival in San José
After a long night on the plane, we landed early in the morning in San José. Still a bit tired but full of anticipation, we plunged straight into the bustle of the Mercado Central. The aroma of fresh coffee, spices, and tropical fruit drifted toward us. We wandered through the narrow aisles, sampling small snacks and marveling at the colorful array of goods. Even then, we knew: we had to come back here at the end of our trip to buy souvenirs.
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Off to Tortuguero
The next day, we took the bus to Guápiles. Breakfast naturally featured Gallo Pinto—beans and rice, a Costa Rican classic. Then came the boat ride to Tortuguero. The farther we went, the denser the jungle became. When we arrived in the village of Tortuguero, we immediately fell in love with this sleepy little place, its colorful houses, and friendly people.
Day three was dedicated entirely to the Tortuguero canals. In a small boat we glided over the still water as the silhouettes of palms and mangroves appeared in the morning mist. We saw countless birds—herons, toucans, perhaps even a kingfisher—and listened to the sounds of the rainforest. It was one of those tours where you sit in silent awe.
After our days in the jungle, we headed back to Guápiles. Lunch was a Casado—rice, beans, meat, plantains, and salad—by now almost our favorite dish. Then we picked up our rental car and drove to La Fortuna. In the afternoon, we explored the charming village and found a small family-run café. The coffee was so good that we stayed longer than planned, chatting with the owners.
Next stop: Arenal volcano
The next day, we hiked around the Arenal Volcano, more precisely along the El Silencio Trail. The path wound through lush vegetation and offered repeated views of the imposing volcano. The scent of damp earth and tropical plants accompanied us, and we felt as if we were right inside a nature documentary.
High up in Monteverde
The drive to Monteverde was surprisingly relaxed thanks to Bella Aventura’s tips. In Monteverde, we visited CASEM, a women’s cooperative. We bought some handmade souvenirs and were touched by the women’s stories—each had found her own way to support her family and preserve traditions. Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant rounded off the day perfectly.
The following day, we floated through the treetops on the TreeTram and then walked across hanging bridges. Seeing the world from this perspective—birds below us, mist drifting between the treetops—was simply breathtaking.
Relaxing in Manuel Antonio
Then we continued to Manuel Antonio, looking forward to the beach and warmer climate. We hiked through the national park with a guide. Since we’re not the best animal spotters ourselves, the guide was worth his weight in gold: thanks to him, we saw two sloths, many birds, and several monkeys.
Deep in the jungle in Corcovado National Park
Our next stop took us toward Corcovado National Park—our personal highlight. We returned our rental car and took a boat to Drake Bay. Even the boat ride was stunning: the sea, the coastline, and the small islands on the horizon.
The next day we took another boat to the ranger station. We had hoped to see whales, but this time we weren’t so lucky. Still, the day was unforgettable: hiking through Corcovado National Park felt like stepping into Jurassic Park. We found jaguar tracks in the mud—a slightly eerie thought that one might be nearby. We also saw countless birds and even a family of tapirs strolling calmly through the forest.
The snorkeling tour to Isla Caño on our last day in Drake Bay was the cherry on top: crystal-clear water, colorful fish, coral—simply “wow.”
Goodbye, Costa Rica!
Then it was back to San José. During the flight, we looked out the window, a little wistful that our journey was almost over. We had one more night in San José before it was time to say goodbye. Beforehand, we fulfilled our promise from the first day and strolled one last time through the Mercado Central. Surrounded by spices, bright fabrics, and handmade souvenirs, we picked gifts for family and friends and soaked up the lively atmosphere once more. Two weeks of nature, adventure, encounters, and delicious food came to an end—and we agreed: this would not be our last visit to this wonderful country.
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Highlights for beginners
- Nature
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Experience Costa Rica’s classics on a comfortable round trip with organised transfers: from the fascinating Tortuguero canals to the imposing Arenal volcano and the dream beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. A perfect blend of natural wonders and cultural impressions – ideal for anyone who wants to discover the country in all its diversity.
