Costa Rica Adventure truly lived up to my bucket list expectations, from zip-lining in the cloud forest to staying in an eco lodge in the middle of the rainforest, we were immersed in a paradise of wildlife.
Pura Vida! Thinking about it? Book it! Costa Rica has stunning scenery. The itinerary covers a wide variety of beautiful and diverse landscapes : coastal - Pacific and Caribbean, mountainous (the bus takes you up the big hills so don't worry), plantations - pineapple, banana, coffee), rain forest. As well as visiting some of the main tourist highlights eg Manuel Antonia NP, the route also includes some less touristy places. I loved cycling through the small, rural communities. Costa Rica is well known for its flora and fauna. This trip doesn't disappoint in seeing exotic, colourful plants and a range of animals I've never seen in the wild, including sloths. At times it feels as if Costa Rica is one giant botanical garden. Eating lunch in local Sodas (family cafes) ,recommended by our guide, Roberto, gave a very authentic Costa Rican experience. The national dish of rice and beans is ubiquitous, but there's much more on the culinary agenda. We love seafood and there was ample opportunity to eat delicious ceviche, locally caught giant shrimps and fresh fish. Luis, our driver, provided organic fruit at regular intervals during the cycling day. I have never tasted pineapple quite like this - so juicy and sweet! Costa Ricans are generally very friendly and welcoming. Tourism is very important to their economy and you get the feeling they really want you to have an enjoyable experience.
I really wanted to see a Tapir! Our third visit to Costa Rica was everything we expected and more (sadly we didn't see a tapir - but that was the only disappointment!). The trip is full on - if you participate in all that is offered, you don't get much time to read your book! Early starts were the order of the day (not too difficult, due to the time difference between there and UK.) Some days there were longer journeys, but these were always broken up with stops for food or to see things of interest. The Costa Ricans are friendly and very keen on their eco-tourism. The lodges and hotels were of a good standard, with the meals (whether from the accommodation or from restaurants), were very acceptable. A holiday that starts and finishes with stays in lodges that can only be reached by a lengthy boat trip has to be very special.