The next place we will be visiting is the wild jungle of Costa Rica. I traveled to Costa Rica in the summer of 2021. This was one of my favorite trips because of the exotic wildlife and the beautiful waterfalls. We stayed at the Pacuare Lodge, which is an eco-hotel, meaning it is committed to eco-friendly practices and conserving the environment it is located in. Situated on the resort were 20 small villas, one main lodge, and a series of outdoor dining areas. This resort was remotely located in the middle of the jungle and was unreachable by road. Guests had the option of traveling on an ATV or white-water rafting to the resort. We chose to raft into the resort, which required us to pack lightly, as all our luggage had to be rafted in with us.
All of the meals we dined on were made from fresh ingredients that were native to the region and locally sourced. My favorite meal was breakfast, because of the fluffy banana pancakes and the wide range of exotic fruits. We ate every meal at an open-air pavilion that was adorned with string lights and lanterns, creating the most magical feeling.
During our stay at the Pacuare Lodge, we journeyed into the jungle for exciting excursions. One of my favorite activities was a four-hour hike through the jungle that concluded with a naturally made water slide. During this hike, we got to see traditional Cabécar homes and structures and learn about the practices of these indigenous Costa Ricans. It was extremely interesting to learn about how this group is still active today, and lives in a primitive manner, completely cut off from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. The hike was full of amazing views from lookout points, sitings of exotic animals, and stunning waterfalls.
Another exciting activity was canyoning. Our group climbed up various rock formations and then suspended ourselves down waterfalls. There were guides at the bottom and the top of each waterfall, but the speed you repelled down was up to you and your control over your lines. It was a fun challenge that left me suspended over a 65-foot-tall waterfall.
My last recommendation is surfing lessons. After staying at Pacuare Lodge, we traveled to a small beach town called Jaco. I was extremely surprised at how challenging surfing was. I went into it with the mindset that because I skateboard and snowboard I would have no trouble picking it up. I was completely wrong! The balance and coordination required to surf are unmatched, but after several failed attempts I was able to stand up on the board. It was funny to compare the difficulty I faced to the tiny waves I was trying to conquer.
Costa Rica sounds and looks like such a beautiful place to visit. That’s so cool how you stayed at an eco-friendly hotel, I definitely need to experience that at some point. I’ve also never been white-water rafting (I know….) but I just know that had to be an amazing experience, especially if it was one of the only ways to get back to the resort. I love all these places you’ve been so far, it makes me want to travel more, like these pictures you included look like an actual dream. I can’t wait to hear which travel destination you’ll talk about next!
Costa Rica has always fascinated me, and after reading your blog, it is definitely a place that I want to visit sometime in my life. I have never heard of being able to white-water raft to a resort before, and I think that is actually insane! I would absolutely love to experience that one day. I don’t know if hiking and canyoning is for me, I’m more of a person who likes to lay on the beach all day. However, I would definitely try surfing, I think it would be really fun. I will have to travel to Costa Rica some day!