The past 3 weeks have been insane: from packing up my entire life out Florida to coming to Puerto Rico to visit family before I head out to Central America and onward to Asia. AH! Barely any time to breathe. In fact, I’m posting this during my 4-hr. layover, since the Costa Rica itinerary you see below kicks off TONIGHT!
For more details about my Latin American adventures, check out my Nicaragua itinerary as well. It’s fun, I promise 😉
My Costa Rica itinerary: Details of my adventures
Beautiful province of Cartago, Costa Rica, Wiki Commons
I flew out of Puerto Rico this afternoon, but due this inconvenient layover in Fort Lauderdale, I don’t get to Costa Rica until well past midnight (so technically tomorrow). Thankfully, I’ll be Couchsurfing with a wonderful lady named Hazel, who also happens to have her very own travel agency and hostel in downtown San Jose! I’ll be taking a bus from the airport to downtown, where she will send one of her taxi drivers to pick me up 🙂
I better sleep well on those flights, because it is up to a VERY early start that Wednesday, August 6! We’ll be taking a half-day trip to climb Costa Rica’s highest, and one of its most active, volcanoes: Irazu. Its stunning crater lake graced the intro of this blog post 😉
On the way, we will also be visiting the historical ruins of Cartago. This province has some beautifully-decaying colonial architecture, in addition to rich ecological diversity.
Heredia, Costa Rica by Erick Hit, Flickr
Unfortunately, I had to cut this day short, as I will also be doing some medical tourism while still in Costa Rica. That afternoon, I will be getting my typhoid fever shot, as it was way too expensive in the states + I wanted to ensure I had it before getting to Asia. There will be plenty of time for some sightseeing around the Ticos’ capital though, plus even some salsa dancing or foodie experience or 2 at night with my host Hazel!
Then, on August 7th, I take the TicaBus to Nicaragua, with the aforementioned adventures taking place until August 15th. IF I still have energy by the time I’m back to Costa Rica that night, I plan on going out and experiencing the nightlife with my Couchsurfing host PELUK! He is a bboy dancer and will be interesting to learn about his style and his suburb, Heredia.
DAYS 12-18: Blue Osa Peninsula yoga retreat
Backyard of the Blue Osa by Jessika F, TripAdvisor
What started this mammoth of a Central American trip: Aaron, the owner of the Blue Osa Yoga Retreat and Spa! He invited me to his property’s PRESS WEEK, in order to experience his beautiful hideaway in the Osa Peninsula. It is one of Costa Rica’s most unspoiled corners, close to some world-class reserves and wildlife. Because of this week-long stay is that I decided to come to the continent a little earlier in order to enjoy not only CR, but also Nicaragua.
My getaway in Costa Rica’s south Pacific region includes:
- Round Trip Airfare from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez
- 7 Days / 6 Nights Accommodations
- 3 Farm-to-table meals, 1 Yoga Class daily
- A 60-minute Spa treatment
- One special Farm-to-table cocktail each night before dinner
- 2 Eco-Tours
- Still tentative: 2 days of diving, Isla de Cano expedition with local dive shop
I chose to go Waterfall Rappelling / Tree Climbing one full day; then tackle the Matapalo half-day hike, as I hear that its proximity to celebrated Corcovado Reserve should afford us with some spectacular wildlife sightings. the rest of the time I plan to be on the beach doing absolutely nothing. Except for maybe posting on Instagram once a day. lol.
DAYS 18-19: Golfo Dulce and departure
I really hope I get to go on that snorkeling/dolphin watching tour! Photo by Philipp Figueroa, Flickr
My last day in Costa Rica will be spent in downtown Puerto Jimenez, to see if I can take part of a dolphin and whale watching / snorkeling tour in Golfo Dulce! I still have to wait for a couple of more travelers to meet the minimum, so crossing my fingers tightly. As far as accommodation goes, I will be staying at cozy La Choza Del Manglar: a prime wildlife viewing spot in itself.
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And this is IT! You probably won’t hear from me through the blog well into September, as I settle into my boarding house in Indonesia. This is why you should TOTALLY follow me through Instagram & Facebook, as it’s likely I will update those every couple of days as I stumble upon Internet between beaches and the jungle 😉
I’m scared and sad and anxious and excited as I leave my beloved island and continent behind to embark on new adventures and thrills. Wish me luck — and keep me in your prayers — as I trot through this intense transition… <3
Golfo Dulce’s beaches look STUNNING, too! (Scott Ableman, Flickr)