Costa Rica

1. Preparation & Arrival

Three weeks in Costa Rica left me feel totally at peace, filled with pure joy, and with a mind wide open. Between long yoga practices, surfing and spotting beautiful animals in the rainforest, I experienced one of the most beautiful countries I've ever visited.

Before I went to Costa Rica, I spent a lot of time researching online, but it was difficult to figure out the best way to get around. I also had a hard time deciding what to do during my three-week trip, as there were so many options. So, in the end, I decided to go with the flow, only planned the first week in advance, and decided to organize the rest of my trip once I was there.

How I got there

I flew into San José with Iberia and a stopover in Madrid. The total travel time was about 14 hours, and I knew I would be tired and jet-lagged when I arrived.

Where I stayed

That’s why I decided to spend my first night at the Hilton Garden Inn San Jose Airport City Mall and I was very happy with this choice. The hotel has a beautiful rooftop pool, a gym, and it's connected to a shopping mall where I had dinner and picked up a few things I needed.

After a good night's sleep, I felt much more relaxed. The room was comfortable, the bed was excellent, and the hotel also offers a free airport shuttle, which made my arrival even more convenient.

2. Places I visited

Osa Peninsula

How I got there

From San José, I flew into Puerto Jiménez with Sansa Airlines, one of the regional airlines that operates small planes throughout Costa Rica. I could have taken a shuttle, but the journey would have taken far too long. Flying was a much more convenient option, and the flight was quick, easy, and offered beautiful views along the way.

Where I stayed

I spent my first night at Cabinas Jimenez, which I really enjoyed. The accomodation is right by the ocean, so you can go for a swim, relax by the pool, and easily walk to several restaurants nearby. I was also happy that most restaurants offered great vegetarian options. One of my favorite local dishes was the traditional casado — a delicious meal of rice, beans, vegetables, salad, and often fried plantains.

From there, I headed to a beautiful retreat center called Todo Amor for a yoga retreat led by Joan Hyman, an incredible international yoga teacher. I spent an entire week practicing yoga, hiking to a waterfall, going on a boat tour, and taking my first surfing lessons.

Why I loved the Osa Peninsula

It's a great place to learn how to surf because the waves are relatively small, making the experience much less intimidating for beginners. The casitas we stayed in were nestled in the jungle, just a short walk from the ocean. Waking up to the sounds of the jungle every morning was truly a unique experience.

I saw so many beautiful animals, but I also had to get used to sharing the environment with bugs, spiders, and snakes. It was a little intimidating at first, but I quickly realized that these animals aren't interested in bothering people. As long as you respect their space and behave responsibly, they leave you completely alone.

The Osa Peninsula might be the most authentic place I've ever visited, and it's one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Unfortunately, I didn't make it to Corcovado National Park, but I've heard it's absolutely worth visiting.

Who will love the Osa Peninsula?

If you love wildlife, untouched nature, and don't mind being far away from civilization, this is paradise.

Santa Teresa

How I got there

After a week off the grid, I was ready for somewhere a little more vibrant, so I decided to head to Santa Teresa. I took two flights,  one from Puerto Jiménez to San José and another from San José to Cóbano, and arrived the same day. Everything went smoothly, and by the afternoon I was already enjoying my new place.

Where I stayed

I stayed at the Believe Yoga and Surf Lodge, and I absolutely loved it. The lodge has its own yoga shala, which I used for my morning practice every day. There was also a swimming pool, and the beach, a great surf break, was only a five-minute walk away.

Why I loved Santa Teresa

What I loved most was the great energy, the famous Pura Vida Vibe. People spent their days practicing yoga, surfing, or working from the co-working space. With so many solo travelers open to connecting, I quickly found a great group of people to spend time with. Everyone in Santa Teresa is so kind, relaxed, and happy to go with the flow. Yogis and surfers are everywhere, creating a laid-back atmosphere that makes it easy to slow down and enjoy life.

The food was another highlight of my stay. There are countless healthy restaurants and cafés, making it easy to maintain a healthy lifestyle while traveling. I especially loved the smoothie bowls, fresh smoothies, and the many amazing breakfast spots. Some of my favorite places were Muchacha, Anis, El Patio Café, and Gula, all located close to my accommodation.

Santa Teresa is also an excellent destination for surfing, whether you're a beginner or already experienced. After a few lessons at the beautiful Playa Hermosa, I was able to catch my own waves and started to feel much more confident in the water.

After a full week there I was genuinely sad to leave this beautiful place. I felt incredibly peaceful there, and the positive energy was something special. But it was time to continue my journey and discover another side of Costa Rica. So I booked a shared shuttle to La Fortuna. Although the drive was long, everything went smoothly, and I was excited for the next adventure.

Who will love Santa Teresa?

If you love surfing, yoga, healthy cafés, and a laid-back atmosphere where it's easy to meet people from all over the world, Santa Teresa is the perfect place for you.

La Fortuna

Where I stayed

I stayed in a beautiful place called Arenal Monara, where I had a big room with a spacious outside area where I could practice yoga. I really enjoyed my slow mornings doing yoga, meditating, and observing all the beautiful birds and animals that came by. When the sky cleared up, I could even see the volcano from my veranda. My accommodation wasn’t the best place to meet other travelers, but I chose it because I needed quiet time to reflect as my trip came to an end.

What I did

I hadn’t booked any activities in advance, but that wasn’t a problem. After a first walk through the small town and a massage (massages are quite cheap here), I booked a volcano hike including lunch and entrance to some hot springs on GetYourGuide. I was lucky because it was a beautiful sunny day and we could fully see the volcano. The hot springs were so relaxing, and I felt my body letting go of all the tension it had accumulated after surfing and traveling.

On day two, I booked the Don Juan Coffee and Chocolate Tour through GetYourGuide as well. We learned everything about the production, and the tour was very interactive. We made our own chocolate bars and brewed some coffee. There’s also a nice souvenir shop where I bought some gifts.

The next day, I had a sloth tour with Armando, my host. I hadn’t seen a sloth in three weeks, but thanks to Armando we counted twenty that morning. I saw sloths sleeping in the trees, eating leaves, moving slowly, and I also saw a baby sloth with its mum. It felt so special to observe them in this beautiful forest, and that sloth tour really completed my trip.

Who will love La Fortuna?

La Fortuna is perfect for anyone who loves nature, wildlife, and outdoor activites. You can imerse yourself in nature, sign up for activities or just relax in the hot springs.

San José Downtown

How I got there

After my sloth toor I took a shared shuttle to downtown San José. It probably would have been easier to stay at one of the airport hotels again, but I wanted to get a better impression of the city before heading home.

Where I stayed

I stayed at Hotel Presidente, a stylish hotel within walking distance of the National Theatre, the Central Market, and several museums. The hotel staff recommended taking an Uber in the evening, which was both easy and inexpensive.

What I did

I had dinner at Café Rojo, where I enjoyed a delicious vegan casado. The next morning, I explored the city for a few hours, but compared to the rest of Costa Rica, I found San José rather noisy and chaotic. If you have extra time, the museums are said to be well worth a visit.

Allow plenty of time to get to the airport, especially in the late afternoon, as traffic can be heavy.

3. Practical tips

Getting around in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is easy to travel. Domestic flights save a lot of time and they operate well across the whole country, but they are also the most expensive option. There are two airlines, Sansa Airlines and Green Airways. I’d recommend booking about two weeks in advance because they can sell out as the planes only have space for twelve people. I took a shared shuttle operated by Interbus twice and booked just two days in advance. They were punctual and very comfortable.

Food

I was very surprised by how amazing the food in Costa Rica was. There are great vegetarian and vegan options almost everywhere. Casado is a must‑try, and smoothie bowls, fresh juices, and healthy cafés are especially easy to find in beach towns like Santa Teresa. I had the best avocados of my life, and the fruit like mango, pineapple, and papaya is incredibly tasty. I felt so healthy during my trip because I truly had the opportunity to nourish myself with fresh, wholesome food.

Packing

I traveld only by carry on, but it was no problem because laundry is offered everywhere and you can easily wash out your cloths by hand. Although it’s humid they will dry. Also, the hotels I stayed in provided organig hair and body care products and walking around in Costa Rica you won’t need any make up or dress up. What I recommend to bring is a light breathable rain coat.

Safety

Although I was told that Costa Rica could be dangerous for women, I felt very safe the entire time. The people are kind and helpful, and I never found myself in a strange situation. In San José, it’s best to take Uber at night.

Conclusion

Costa Rica totally got me, and I’m already planning to go back. The nature and wildlife are just stunning, and it felt so special to wake up to these sounds every day. The people are so friendly and relaxed, and truly interested in you and your life. I brushed up my Spanish before going, which made the experience even deeper, as I could really immerse myself in the culture. But I had the feeling that it would have been possible to speak English everywhere.