Trip Summary

Favorite Experiences

What I Wish I Knew

Trip Summary

It seems to be a trend that a lot of our recent vacations are either last-minute plans or a redo of a foiled first attempt. Our trip to Costa Rica was the latter. We had a grand trip planned during Spring Break, had everything booked, every little detail mapped out, then a month before leaving, I was in a skiing accident, and the face of the nurse at the hospital told me all I needed to know when I asked her about our upcoming vacation. It was going to have to wait…for a while. And a while it was as two years and many surgeries passed–the fun thing about emergency CTs and MRIs is that they can find other things that are wrong, too, and boy, did they…

So our Costa Rica re-do was exactly that–a complete remix of everything we had planned before! We went during Christmas break this time and since we were booking things more in advance, our top hotels were available! Accommodations, especially the good ones, book up super quick, and Costa Rica is a lot more expensive than you might think so this extra waiting time gave us a chance to redesign our vacation and save up to splurge–because after two years of hell, we deserved it. This trip was going to celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary, 21 years of being together, and a survival of the hardest two years of our lives. This wasn’t just a vacation. This was revenge travel!

And just like typical revenge travel, this trip re-do fought us from the start as we were delayed TWO DAYS leaving the United States. We had originally planned to fly into the Liberia airport and spend a few days in Guanacaste before heading to the Arenal Volcano / La Fortuna area of Costa Rica. Guanacaste is very close to the Liberia airport (which is a lot less chaotic than San Jose), so we booked through Liberia–but come to find out…while the airport is nice in that it is small, easy to check in and out of, and in a safer city, generally one flight per airline leaves and arrives per day. So when our flight was cancelled due to crew and maintenance issues, there were no other flights to Liberia that day, and the next day was already completely booked, so the soonest availability was two days later! You know that bummed us out big time, but hey, what better way to jump back into traveling than diving off into the deep end? What followed was a flurry of rearrangements, cancelling and rebooking, international phone calls, and voila…two days later, we were going to skip the Guanacaste part of the trip and just go straight to Arenal and La Fortuna. Rooms and excursions were blessedly refunded, we got money back on our flights, and we got a whole pile of points for the inconvenience (so many points that we will be taking a free trip later this year!).

So as you can imagine, we were already tired and stressed by the time we actually left, but when the plane’s wheels landed on the tarmac in Costa Rica, I could breathe easy. We made it! We were finally here!!

After we cleared customs and collected our luggage, we met up with our drivers who would take us to La Fortuna. Normally, we would rent a car, but I had heard a lot of unsavory car rental stories from people who had traveled to Costa Rica (everything from surprise mandatory insurance fees to having to bribe people to keep your car safe to police stopping tourists to the dangerous road conditions themselves), so I decided to just get drivers while we were there. We didn’t need the extra stress. We needed a nice, easy vacation, and if that meant spending some extra for the convenience, so be it. So we booked with Jacamar Naturalist Tours for a private shuttle from the airport to our first hotel in La Fortuna.

They were right where they said they would be as they waited outside with a sign with our names on it, and off we went to their van! Now, I was so eager to just get on with our vacation already that I wasn’t noticing little things until my husband leaned over and asked…why two drivers? Then I saw that he was right, there were two, very burly looking guys who looked like they took no nonsense. The van was unmarked. There were armed guards nearby. When we got into the van, my husband commented on the plastic coating on the floor and “how easy it would be to clean off all the blood” and I was like, alright, that’s it, you’re freaking me out now. But luckily, he was just joking, and there was nothing to worry about.

And it worked out great! Both drivers were excellent, and we had plenty of room in the van to stretch out and rest after a long travel day. One hour of stopping time is included in the transfer, so we stopped for lunch on the way to La Fortuna at a delightful place called Cafe & Macadamia. It had some nice open-air tables overlooking Lake Arenal and had an assortment of delicious entrees and drinks. The service was also nice, and they had a large gift shop that you could peruse for trinkets. The prices were also a lot more reasonable than what you would see at resorts.

Most impressive was that view of the lake! We stopped to eat right as the weather was changing, so it was cool to see the sun, then the incoming rain storm, then a clearing again as the sun came back out. It was also a good preview of the weather in Costa Rica–it can change on a dime and there’s even a saying that if you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes, and you’ll have different weather, and it’s true!

Our meal was an excellent introduction to the country–good food, quick weather changes, beautiful views, and even some furry friends to keep you company while you eat! While we saw a lot of loose dogs on this trip, a cat seemed to be our friend at this restaurant, casually sitting next to my husband and watching him eat.

So for its ambiance, prices, pretty views, and food, this place gets my recommendation! A great eatery to stop at on the way to La Fortuna!

Cafe & Macadamia: A

Before heading up the windy roads to the rainforest and volcano, we passed by a lot of wildlife, and the drivers casually pointed out the animals as we saw them–including a coati, something I had never seen before! They are so cute and are considered to be like the raccoon of Costa Rica. There were lots of them along the road (and we saw them later wandering the resorts, too!).

As we ventured away from the lake and up toward the rainforest, it was cool to see the flora and fauna change (and the weather!) as things became wetter, greener, and mistier as the drivers pointed out the various volcanos we passed by. Costa Rica actually has quite a few of them–Arenal, where we were headed, is just one of the most popular.

Then, as the sun started to set, we arrived at our first resort, the Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa. Our drivers were great as they dropped us off right outside the front entrance, and for their transport, I have to give them high marks. They were on time, offered water, had an hour of stopping time included for free (this could be anything from bathroom stops to a meal somewhere to a stop at a grocery story or pharmacy and so on), and were friendly and informative. They were definitely on the pricier side of private transfers, but they were helpful for a last-minute booking (since we were delayed two days getting into Costa Rica, we had to change up our day/time of arrival and then go straight from the airport to La Fortuna instead of Guanacaste like we first planned–and that is a long drive). So for their flexibility and ease of travel, they get my recommendation. I know they also offer tours in addition to transports, so they could be worth checking out for those, too!

Jacamar Naturalist Tours: A

But on to the resorts! The excursions! The sights to see! Costa Rica is known for its gorgeous hot springs–and there are a lot of them–so I knew that one of the main sights we wanted to see was the Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa. There are two ways that you can see this place–you can access it via a day pass, and this includes access to all the hot springs and a meal or you can stay as a guest at the resort, and the resort includes special access to the springs in the mornings before it opens to the general public, breakfast at the buffet restaurant, and use of the amenities (gym/transports/so on).

We decided to actually stay at the resort for ease of travel and to enjoy the springs all day (and you honestly can–there is just something about the morning mists when no one else is there and then everything is lit up at night, so it is a surreal experience then, too!). There is also an adults only area where you can enjoy the loungers and hot springs, and honestly, even though we stayed for most of the day and went during high season, it never felt crowded as the hot springs are nicely spread out and there a lot of loungers for people to use.

The food was also good, and we ate at both the Tucanes and Ave restaurants. I liked Tucanes best, but my husband liked Ave best. Honestly, both were very good, but Ave had an amazing house hot sauce that sealed the deal for my husband (hot sauces are his JAM, so a restaurant earns a lot of points if they have a good one in-house)! Both restaurants had nice seating, and mostly good service. I liked Tucanes better for their food and for the quick service, and the service at Ave was great the first night, but was really slow at the second visit, so it just depends on who you get as a server. We actually saw our server from the first time we visited and he recognized us and waved, so if you get a server you like, be sure to request their section on your return visit as we wish we had!

Tucanes also served breakfast in the mornings, and their selections were always a lovely assortment of Costa Rican dishes and standard breakfast favorites. Their omelette station was fantastic as they will cook to order any sort of omelette you would like, and it always came out so delicious! Of course, you had to try the Gallo Pinto, cheese empanadas, and the little croquette-like things that were fried and sometimes had cheese in them (my husband always lucked out in getting the ones with cheese, and I never did!). Those made-to-order omelettes, though–mmmm, that was where it was at! With the exception of breakfast, both restaurants require reservations, so be sure to do that before arrival (though, we found that they were always accommodating as we moved reservations a few times without any problem).

The other amenities at the resort were also nice. The staff at the front desk were sweet, the gym was clean and nicely air-conditioned, the transports from the resort to the thermal hot springs were always quick (the resort even offers free umbrellas for you to take if it is raining!). Of course, when you are staying at a thermal resort and SPA, you have to try out that aspect of the resort, too, right? So on one of the days, we booked a couples Idyllic Massage. While the treatments are pricy, this couples massage seemed reasonable, because it included not only the massage, but foot and facial add-ons as well as a moisturizing milk bath at the end. So after relaxing in the hot springs all day, we set off to our massage experience and were welcomed with some pre-massage relaxation that included a refreshing drink, time in the jacuzzi pool, and relaxation on the loungers while our masseuses got ready. When it was time, we were led to an outdoor hut where we met our masseuses and enjoyed the massage. The hut was positioned close to some of the waterfalls of the hot springs (and was surrounded by foliage for extra privacy), and then, it started to rain, so the sounds made the experience that much more relaxing and luxurious. I thoroughly enjoyed my masseuse as she frequently checked in and gave a great massage, however, unfortunately, my husband did not have the same luxury. His masseuse was a lot more abrupt and had a much harsher hand and even when he asked her to soften her massage as she was hurting him, she frequently brushed him off and even replied back that the hurt was “good for him.” So that definitely dampened his part of the experience as his back really hurt after that.

Luckily, the next part of the experience was really nice with the milk bath as that was set up in a jacuzzi with an assortment of fresh fruits nearby. We enjoyed that part a lot and before we knew it, the chime letting us know that time was up was sounding, and it was time to go. So a lovely experience, and one that I do recommend with that one caveat–the massages can be harder than you think, and if you need a softer touch, it might be best to skip. Something to think about if you book.

So for its amazing grounds, lovely amenities, good food, and spa, it gets my recommendation! It’s a pricey place to stay, and for the money, the room is fairly basic and with the exception of breakfast, all food and drinks are extra which add to the cost, but this place is an absolute must visit if you go to Costa Rica–whether you choose to stay here or visit on a day pass.

It is the epitome of rest and relaxation, and those hot springs are oh, so healing!

Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa: A

But with all this luxury, can you imagine a place even better? There is absolute paradise just a few minutes down the road, a place I had seen on TikTok and on travel blogs, a place that was booked out the last time we were planning to go to Costa Rica, but since we had more time to plan this trip, we were able to book a full four nights at the fanciest resort we’ve ever stayed at in our lives…the Nayara Tented Camp! This gorgeous resort, nestled right at the base of the Arenal Volcano, is massive with three resorts connected in one–the Nayara Gardens, Nayara Springs, and at the top, the Nayara Tented Camp. And all of it, all of it is an absolute dream. From the private hot springs to the luxurious pools to the amazing restaurants to the wonderful staff to the jaw-dropping rooms, this place is in a category all in its own. I know for the rest of our lives if we ever hear the word, Nayara, a smile will come to our face as a rush of beautiful memories come flooding back…

When we checked in, we were greeted with a delicious watermelon drink and after signing in and getting oriented with a map (needed as this place is huge!), we were whisked away in a golf cart to our new home…Sloth 33! As we rode through the resort, I could see why there were so many golf carts…not only is this place enormous, but the hills are steep enough to take you aback! Granted, my husband and I are in good shape, but we still got out of breath walking the hills over the next few days as they are seriously no joke! Another place I am glad that we visited when we were young and able, because whew!

But a benefit of the hills is that you end up high up in the rainforest, and our tented camp was just that…elevated and surrounded by trees, bush, and wildlife. As we were ushered inside the tent, we were amazed at the two showers (one indoor and one outdoor), the massive bathroom with a tub, the canopy bed strewn with welcome flowers, the anniversary champagne, the generous table and fridge with free snacks and drinks (milk, juices, water, beers, and even the two metal water bottles are free, but they also have additional wines and liquors you can purchase), and best of all, the massive patio with our own hot spring pool. It was heaven…

And in heaven we stayed the next four nights…spending mornings outside enjoying the rain while drinking coffee made from the espresso machine. The resort also offers free room service breakfast and you can honestly order as much as you want, so one morning, we ordered a feast, and it was such a delight to have that delivered on a white tablecloth and enjoy that while drinking our champagne and enjoying the pool. We also spent a lot of the evenings out there after dinner just listening to the wildlife, looking through pictures we took during the day, and talking.

When we weren’t in our room, we were enjoying the pools and hot springs. The hot springs are especially beautiful, because they are designed so that they look natural with stone bottoms and varying temperatures. One thing to note, though, is that while the hot springs and the personal pools in the rooms are gorgeously designed, the steps are very hard to see as they blend in with the rest of the pool…which means that they are easy to miss…something my husband and I both found out multiple times as we just whacked the HELL out of our feet when climbing up the stairs to get out of the pool. Even if you look very carefully, the steps are hard to see, so be very, very careful! The springs are also spread out and even though we visited during high season, we always had an entire spring to ourselves as it was not crowded. Each hot spring also had loungers, and the bigger ones had towels, sun lotion, and bug repellent available (the bugs were surprisingly almost non-existent, and I think there was only one time that we noticed some mosquitos, but that could have been because it rained most of the time we were there). But the rain is a good thing–I mean, you are in the rainforest, after all! It added such a level of peace to the days we were there, and it really helped offset the heat of the thermal pools. You never got too hot because of the slight chill of the rain, so it was honestly perfect (oh, and on that note–you can ask maintenance to adjust the heat of your room’s thermal pool if you need).

Oh, one more thing about the rooms is the maid service! Your room is serviced twice a day, and the maids work hard! Granted, my husband and I are neat people, but even so, our maid was scrubbing the place from top to bottom, leaving no thing untouched, and even offered treats from cookies to candies every night. The resort also offers free laundry service, so if you fill up a bag, you can get it back within a few hours, and everything is so adorably folded! My husband exclaimed at how fancy his underwear looked all folded up in a neat tucked-in square and I have been trying to recreate it (with no luck) ever since! A very nice addition as we have never gotten our laundry done on a trip before, so we felt extra fancy (and didn’t have to do near as much laundry when we got home)!

At night, we visited the restaurants on the property, and like Tabacon, they also require reservations, but I was able to make most of them before we arrived (and the resort was even accommodating when we switched one of the reservations last-minute because we liked the Asian place so much we wanted to visit it again!). So yes, let me start with the BEST place to eat on the property…Asia-Luna! A beautiful open-air restaurant with tons of sushi and entree selections, this place was an absolute delight. The Nayara roll was a favorite for both my husband and I as it was unique and super flavorful. The service was also excellent, and the entrees were big enough that my husband and I shared a lot which really brought the cost down (like Tabacon, breakfast is free at Nayara, but other meals and drinks are extra).

The other restaurants were quite good as well. Ayla is where they serve breakfast (and it is absolutely delicious, and you can choose to eat from the buffet or menu–or both!). They are also open for lunch and dinner and serve an assortment of Middle-Eastern dishes. We had dinner there our first night and enjoyed it a lot (though, they do tend to over season their meat quite a bit). I actually wanted to go back for lunch the day we left and ask for the dish to be half-seasoned as that would be the perfect amount, but alas, they weren’t open for lunch yet when we had to check out, so if you go, let me know if the half-season trick works, because I think that was all it needed to be the perfect meal! It was also the most expensive place to eat on the property, and we found ourselves getting tricked as the waiter asked if we wanted bread for the table (typically free in the States), but then when the bill came, we discovered that it added another $22 to the meal…so just be mindful of that.

We also ate at La Terazza which is their authentic Costa Rican restaurant, and while the service was extremely slow there, the food was good, and they had live music which added a nice touch. They also have an Italian restaurant there as well as a tasting menu at Amor Loco, but we didn’t have a chance to try these. Amor Loco is very pricey, so if you want to splurge, you may try that, but we were having enough fun at the other restaurants. We originally had a reservation at Mis Amores, the Italian restaurant, but after we ate at Asia-Luna, we quickly changed our booking to eat there again–it was that good!

Let’s see…other amenities included a nice gym with the most amazing cold scented towels you have ever smelled in your life! They smelled so delicious that we actually asked the front desk what scent they carried, and it was a vanilla mint that they mixed in house. And it was so good! My God, we could just huff that all day it smelled so amazing…

They also offered free yoga every morning (though you have to reserve it beforehand, and they have the sessions at different locations–something I found out as I went to the wrong location and found no one there…but not to worry, a golf cart later, and I was whisked to the right location, and all was good!). There are also free excursions that you can reserve such as frog watching, sloth watching, and so on. We went to the sloth watching one (and actually saw even more sloths on our own just walking around the property) and had originally booked the frog watching one, but we ended up spotting so many frogs on our own just walking back to our room at night that we decided to book an outside excursion for a night hike instead, and this ended up being a great choice (more on this later!).

They also have a beautiful spa, and while I initially hadn’t planned on visiting, my husband booked me a secret volcano mud massage, and that was heavenly. It started raining during this massage as well, and it was so nice to listen to that in the open air massage area as it added so much to an already relaxing experience. The volcano mud aspect was also lovely as it was exfoliating (needed as my spray tan was starting to splotch off with all the hot springs!) and also moisturizing. They are also extremely accommodating as even though they didn’t have any manicure appointments open for a polish removal, they were happy to send a whole nail polish removal kit to the room (I found it in the room after maid service one night, so it was like a fairy had come in for a secret delivery!). Their treatments are pretty pricey (much more than Tabacon), but they are lovely and are a good way to splurge on some relaxation.

If you decide to book a room here, though, I will say that the pictures of the Nayara Tented Camp rooms overlooking the Arenal Volcano are not entirely accurate. You can see the volcano from the reception area, but you most certainly cannot from the rooms (I mean, you may from some of the other rooms, but our room was completely secluded with shrubbery which was nice, however, not the view that the website seemed to promise). It was strange that the nicest rooms were also not child-free, so if you want a more secluded and romantic getaway, I would recommend booking at the Nayara Springs instead as those rooms look almost the exact same, offer the same amenities, and are much cheaper than the rooms at Nayara Tented Camp. Something to consider!

Regardless, though, this gorgeous resort still gets my highest recommendation. It was everything I imagined it to be and then some, and the chain even has some locations in other countries like Chile and Panama, so we may explore those countries, too, just to see more of Nayara!

Nayara Tented Camp: A+

But you don’t go to Costa Rica just for the resorts, right? No! There are things to see, place to go, places to explore! There is SO much to do in La Fortuna that it can get a little overwhelming as you can do everything from horseback riding to ATV riding to zip lining to coffee/chocolate tours. Wanting to focus on the sights, we decided to visit the La Fortuna Waterfall, an absolutely amazing sight and a unique experience because you can actually swim at the base of the waterfall! You can buy tickets directly via Viator or GetYourGuide, and they are cheap as you are just paying an entrance fee, so after doing that, we booked an Uber, and we were off!

Although it is 500 steps down, there are a lot of resting places, and while I mentally prepared myself for a hard hike, it wasn’t near as bad as I thought it would be (though, we did see some people struggling, and those steps can be hard on your knees!). And believe me when I say that the hike is worth it! When you get to the base of the falls, it is absolute awe with the mist flying and the water churning! So much power and if you are brave enough to get in, you are tossed around in the water and feel the power of the falls all that much more! So invigorating!

Water shoes are an absolute must here with the slippery (and sharp) rocks, so be sure to bring those and climb very carefully, because even though there are lifeguards at the bottom, people do fall and injure themselves. A funny moment as we were climbing was we saw a woman really struggling to climb over the rocks, so my husband held out a hand to help her, and the lady thought that he was offering her a high five, so she wound back up and gave him a wallop! It was only after we kind of stared at her blankly that she realized it was supposed to be a helping hand before she said, “oh,” then we all doubled over in laughter! Such fun.

To the left, there is another walkway where you can wade into some calmer waters (and see lots of fish!), so if that is more your speed, that is an option. But then, you gear up for that hike back up the stairs, but at the top, there are some gifts shops and restaurants where you can get refreshments. We originally weren’t planning on eating, but the smell of mango chicken had us entranced, so of course, we had to stop and try it! It was quite good, and we were also able to try some of the local brews. The food is also much cheaper than anything we saw at the resorts, so that was a nice break for the wallet.

There were also showers and bathrooms if you wanted to change out of your swimsuits, so for its amenities, good, cheap food, and the AMAZING waterfall, this gets my recommendation as a must-see in the area!

La Fortuna Waterfall: A+

Another attraction in the area is the Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges. You can also buy tickets online, and you have an option of being self-guided or booking a guide for your tour. If you are just wondering the park and seeing the bridges, you are fine being self-guided, but if you want to see the wildlife that you would otherwise miss, it is best to book with a guide as they have binoculars and can spot things that you would miss just with your eyes. However, the guided tours start later when the park is more crowded and wanting a peaceful experience, we booked a sunrise time slot bright and early at 6:30 a.m.! It ended up being a great decision as we were one of the only people in the entire park and could leisurely walk and see the whole rainforest wake up with the sun! A very cool experience!

It was also raining during this day which was great as it added to the misty atmosphere. The bridges were a fun experience and the trails were so nicely built that it was quite beautiful just to walk through nature. However, raining or not, those bridges sway (and there is a reason the bridges are monitored as to how many people are on them, because they move and jostle), so if you have your phone or camera out, hang on tight! I could see losing it quite easily if you weren’t careful, so keep that in mind and enjoy the sights!

Another beautiful sight in La Fortuna! It is a little ways away from the main hustle and bustle of La Fortuna, so it takes a while to call an Uber, so just be prepared. But still, a definite must-see!

Mistico Park Arenal Hanging Bridges: A

One more must-see in the area, and that is the Arenal Volcano! There are multiple trails you can take to explore the area, but if you want a true experience that you will remember forever, book a night hike! The one we booked included transportation and took place at Mirador El Silencio, and while the tour had a lot of people, one of the things I loved about this tour is that they had enough guides to split everyone into groups of four–so it almost felt like a private tour! We had an excellent tour guide, and he took us all through the trails and pointed out frogs, spiders, snakes, howling monkeys, and other creatures of the night. I booked this tour, because it is totally up my husband’s alley as he is a major snake enthusiast, but I am NOT.

Everyone in our group quickly found this out as we carefully crept past a jumping pit viper and being the last person in the group, I fearfully trailed everyone while holding up my phone’s flashlight to avoid the snake. Well, a bug the size of my hand decided at that exact moment to land on me, and I about jumped out of my skin! The rest of the group got a good laugh over it and even commented that they didn’t know that screaming monkeys were included in the tour (meaning me, ha!). I even tried so hard to be quiet the rest of the tour and not scream every time I passed under venomous spiders, skirted more snakes, and watched every shadowy step to make sure I didn’t actually land on something that the guide actually looked back and asked if I was okay since I was so quiet! Whew, but I can say that I survived it, and even though I wanted to just jump out of my skin the whole time, my husband had an absolute blast, and that was the goal!

This was honestly a last-minute booking for us, and we were so glad that we went because we saw things we never would have discovered otherwise. Even though we had seen a lot of sloths and frogs on the resort properties, we hadn’t seen the more venomous spiders and snakes, so this was a plus, and a great way to wrap up our trip to Costa Rica! A definite tour that you want to book!

Night Walk Around Arenal Volcano: A+

So as you can see, Costa Rica is an absolutely amazing place! We actually loved it so much that we deemed it a place that we will come back to probably sooner rather than later! Having missed out our time in Guanacaste, that is definitely a part of the country we still need to explore. There are beaches, waterfalls, and famous places like Rio Celeste still to see (we were originally going to see this, but a rockslide washed away the path, so you can’t see it fully until they repair it–so that will be a next time attraction!). There is also the La Leona waterfall where you can actually hike into a cave and swim up to a waterfall, so stay tuned for next time we are in Costa Rica. Many adventures are still ahead!

Favorite Experiences

There were so many favorites here, but I think the mornings in our pool in Nayara, the hot springs at Tabacon, and swimming at the base of La Fortuna waterfall were the definite highlights. Even though I had the creepy crawlies on the night hike at the Arenal Volcano, watching the glee on my husband’s face as he saw all the snakes was fun, so that is probably a runner-up. Even though Costa Rica isn’t really a foodie place, the food was good, and we enjoyed trying out all the new cuisine (and that Nayara roll–oh, my goodness, yum!). The weather was also so fun (and authentic!) in all the rain we got, because it really added to the misty wonder of the place. It was also cool to see so many animals (like the sloths!) in the wild. One of our best sightings was a surprise find just a few feet up from where we were walking on a path, and it was fun to watch it travel from branch to branch. So cute!

What I Wish I Knew

So I have a number of suggestions! First, I had no idea that Costa Rica offered a VIP pass where you can fast-track your way through the immigration line at the Liberia airport. We had done something similar in Jamaica last year and it worked out very well, so I was surprised that I hadn’t seen anything about it on Costa Rica travel blogs, so here you are! Even though we went during high season, the lines weren’t terrible, but I could see if you had small kids and/or were short on time, this being a good investment.

As far as the resorts go, I mentioned earlier that if you book at Nayara, you will want to book at Nayara Springs (for a number of reasons), but also because it is adults-only. However, one thing we found out at all the resorts and tours we did was that the term “adults only” is not enforced at all, like anywhere, and that can be very frustrating. Granted, Costa Rica is a great place to bring a family and has a lot of fun things for kids, but when you are paying extra to enjoy a romantic vacation, it can get annoying when kids are screaming and running around restaurants and adults-only pools all while their parents stare at their phones (or sometimes aren’t even in sight). The morning that we checked out, there was a nice guy who was selling paintings at the reception area, and we stared aghast as a pair of kids ran through the entire exhibit, knocking over paintings, kicking the easels, and yelling at people all while the parents just watched without a care in the world. We found this true even at the gym, yoga classes, and the spa, and even though signs are posted that no children are allowed, the staff tends to just overlook it, because they don’t want to offend their guests, but at the same time, unruly kids can really damper the experience for other people. On the included tours at Nayara like the nature walk and the sloth experience, the same family ended up on all the experiences, and while the tour guide was gracious and patient, it wasn’t funny to see the kids constantly knocking over her monoscope, poking everyone with their umbrellas, and screaming to scare away the wildlife. It was at that point we cancelled the rest of our reserved tours at Nayara and just booked the night hike with an outside company on our last night…and thank goodness we did, because that was by far a much better experience.

Regarding that night hike, though…if you book something similar, they will require closed-toed shoes, but it is also a good idea to wear long pants, because even though the weather is warm, you pass by so many scary critters, and you don’t want an accidental bite to ruin your vacation! Also, with how venomous so many of the spiders and snakes are, you stay on edge, so any little brush of a plant or water droplet makes you jump, so it could ease your mind a bit with some extra protection.

Bring water shoes, because you will need those in the hot springs and at La Fortuna Waterfall. If you go to Tabacon, there is a very popular spot to take pictures–a multi-level waterfall in front of a bridge, but it is hard to get to as there are no direct paths to it. So you have to kind of go off the path a bit to get in at the top (or you can get in at the bottom and climb the levels up, but that is a bit more difficult as the current can get a little strong). It’s worth it for the pictures, though, especially in the early morning when the light is just right and the mists just float over the water. A very pretty scene! But water shoes are a must here as well as the bottom is very rocky and if you are going up or down the waterfall levels, you don’t want to hurt your feet.

Another note about shoes, if you book a spa treatment at Nayara, don’t use the flip flops they provide as those are horribly uncomfortable, and you have to walk a bit from the reception/dressing area to the open-air massage area. Just wear your own shoes, and that will help avoid some hurt feet as I nearly took the flip flops off, but the path was made of sharp rocks. An unexpected surprise, so just avoid those flip flops, and you should be good.

If it rains, enjoy it and do excursions anyway! The rain actually made our experience better and so many times, the weather would change so quickly in the span of just minutes, so embrace the unpredictability of nature and enjoy all that Costa Rica has to offer! Don’t be afraid to try new things. If you want to drive in Costa Rica, by all means do, just be sure to use the Waze app as those directions are more accurate, especially given the conditions of some of the roads in the more rural areas. Be sure to also budget way more driving time than you think you might need to get somewhere because the roads are very narrow in some places and if there is an accident, it takes hours to clear, and you are stuck as you cannot drive around. This causes a lot of delays, and we met multiple people who had missed their flights because they thought they could drive into Liberia the same day as their flight, but sure enough, there was an accident, and they ended up missing their plane. We stayed the night in Liberia before we left to go back to the States and as much as we hated leaving Nayara, it was a good choice as we had no worries making our flight back out.

Also, even though Uber is illegal in the country, it is perfectly safe (and so cheap!) to use. Just know that most of the drivers will not speak a lick of English (which is fine–you should know a little Spanish when visiting anyway) and will ask you to sit in the front seat. We were initially perplexed by this when our Uber driver pointed to the front seat and held out a note that said to pretend that we were friends and then we understood that if we were stopped by police, this would help the driver avoid fines. Luckily, even though we took several Uber rides, we never ran into this problem, and everything went very smoothly (and we even made some friends for real!).

If you have a chance to enjoy the sodas, those are a good cultural experience. Sodas are small, authentic eateries where you can get a cheap meal, and there are lots of them around. Try the local brews and cuisine. Get a few small bills of the local currency to take home (they are pretty!). Try the in-house hot sauce at the restaurants. Try the local coffee and chocolate. And know the term pure vida–it means so many things, among them pure life, hello, goodbye, everything is good, and will instantly bring a smile to people’s faces. Costa Rica is a gorgeous country and offers so much, so definitely make it a place to visit. It instantly became one of our favorites, and we are already looking forward to our next trip!

I also post reels and TikToks regularly of all the places I’ve reviewed on here, so if you want to see some videos of what to expect, check out my social media here:

TikTok: @touristyteacher

Instagram: @touristyteacher

Happy travels!