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Hiking Monteverde's Forests - Costa Rica

Hiking Monteverde's Forests After a generous helping of a typical rice-and-beans breakfast, Vincent and I decided to walk to the Ecological ... more >

Irazu Volcano, the Orosi Valley and Lankester Garden - Costa Rica

Irazu Volcano, the Orosi Valley and Lankester Garden It was 5 am and still dark outside when my alarm clock, our neighborhood rooster, roused me from sleep. I gulped down my... more >

Best Rainy Season Activities - Costa Rica

Best Rainy Season Activities From May-November, Costa Rica's green season brings sunny mornings, small crowds and seasonal discounts. more >

Monkeys, Sloths and Neon Frogs - Costa Rica

Monkeys, Sloths and Neon Frogs I woke up at 5:00 a.m. to prepare for today's journey to Cabo Matapalo, located at the southernmost tip of the Osa ... more >

Deep

Deep "See" Submarine at Cocos Oda picked out several species of soft coral, and Shmulik used the robotic arm to pick them up and drop them into a ... more >

1,000 Little Waterfalls: Steps to Cerro Chato - Costa Rica

1,000 Little Waterfalls: Steps to Cerro Chato On a clear day hikers can relax on the banks of Cerro Chato's emerald green lagoon. Wooden benches offer seats in the ... more >

Ziplines, bungees, and horses in Monteverde - Costa Rica

Ziplines, bungees, and horses in Monteverde The fear of heights holds an interesting power. Other fears make you run away, like spiders or commitment. But a healthy... more > Costa Rica's Bribri Indigenous Reserve The Bribri are Costa Rica's largest indigenous group, though census studies estimate that only 10,000-35,000 Bribri ... more > Return to Rincon la Vieja I was at Rinconcito Lodge, a pastoral slope of green dotted with cows and crowned with rustic cabins where my then ... more > Welcome to the Sweet Gulf Our next stop was the Golfo Dulce's eco-friendly Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, an escape so isolated that it is only ... more > Enjoying Puerto Viejo on $28 a day Costa Rica often gets a bad rap as the most expensive country in Central America. There is some truth to that, but you ... more > Tortuguero Conservation Tour At 6:00 a.m., Elvin picked us up for our grand Tortuguero fishing excursion. It was raining, but the cool raindrops were... more > A Jungle Crocodile Safari on the Tarcoles River Celebrated for its population of more than 2000 American crocodiles, the Tarcoles River forms the northern border of ... more > Exploring the Night in Monteverde As the sun set over the Nicoya Gulf, a white-nosed coati inspected a small puddle probing the water with its tongue. The... more >

The Bluest Water You've Ever Seen - Costa Rica

The Bluest Water You've Ever Seen I woke up with the chickens today, ready for my visit to the Venado Caverns. Soon, I learned that plans had changed and ... more > Shopping in Grecia and Sarchi Costa Rica is a paradise for the eco-tourist and wildlife enthusiast. While rainforest treks and canopy tours are ... more > Exploring Manzanillo & Cahuita After yesterday's vaguely blue skies, I had high hopes for today's activity -- a horseback ride along Playa Negra, ... more > The Wild Side of Hacienda Baru We heard a rustling in the leaves not too far from where we stood. In a raspy voice that reminded me of Animal from the ... more > Dolphins at Dirty Rock Something sharp pierced my leg as I snapped a close-up of the Moray eel -- I had accidentally bumped into a black sea ... more > I Caught a Shark For the first three hours of our morning at sea, Vincent and I saw absolutely nothing but a few white boobie birds (... more > Fishing for Rainbow Bass on Lake Arenal No need for an alarm clock this morning. I had gulped down my second coffee by 5:30 a.m., and was buzzing with energy as... more > Whitewater Rafting the Savegre River "There is no way I'm falling off the boat" is the mantra I kept repeating in my mind as I walked along the road leading ... more > Barra del Colorado - A Bow to the King We ate breakfast on the dock overlooking calm waters and blue skies. Just six weeks earlier, Vincent and I had paid our ... more > Flying through the clouds in Monteverde Every time I get on a plane, I end up staring out the window at the clouds trying to imagine what it must feel like to ... more > Frogs of the Forest We docked at the Aguila de Osa Inn's private landing in a canopied boat. Awaiting our arrival was a large crocodile ... more > Go Fish I have yet to find another pursuit that is as simultaneously relaxing and exciting as sport fishing. The owners of Go ... more > Carlos Lodge Waterfall Expedition There's an old trail winding down the backside of the mountain at the Carlos Lodge in Arenal. It's barely wide enough ... more > Monteverde: Home of the Resplendent Quetzal I spotted a green-and-red shadow swooping through the forest canopy: my first resplendent quetzal sighting! more > Recreational Diving at Cano Island Now that I have my certification, I can dive anywhere in the world. I had the opportunity today to dive again at Cano ... more > The Osa Peninsula: First Impressions A visit to the southern rainforests of the Osa Peninsula leaves a lasting (and eco-friendly) impression. more > Nuevo Arenal & a Plush Jacuzzi Suite When you visit Arenal in the wet season, (May-November) you expect a bit of rain, but this morning's howling winds and ... more > There are Always the Monkeys Laguna Lodge, also located on the Caribbean side of Tortuguero River, is just a short boat ride from Mawamba. I arrive ... more > Marine Conservation on Cocos Island "It is forbidden to look for buried treasure," said the voice on the video. Two park rangers were giving an informative ... more > Buddha in the Middle of Dirt Road Ville I had a tour scheduled for this morning. I was supposed to go kayaking in the Nosara Biological Reserve, but my guide ... more > Spas & Salsa Dancing After all the sun and physical activity from these last few days, I was in need of some all-inclusive relaxation at ... more > Night hike at Santamaria We hiked along the edge of the rainforest. On our right stood a bramble of leaves and brush, dry and brittle; on our ... more > Rainy days are here again Waking up to the sound of rain pitter-pattering on the roof is calming. The rain is intermittent and we take advantage ... more > Catching some rays in Manzanillo After a great couple of days at Playa Chiquita Lodge, it was time to pack up and head go back to Heredia. However, we ... more > Playa Flamingo and Potrero Bay The road between Brasilito and Playa Flamingo is an easy four-mile stretch of alternating gravel and pavement. As I ... more >

Monkeys, Baby Sloths & Mangrove Estuaries - Costa Rica

Monkeys, Baby Sloths & Mangrove Estuaries Nothing starts the day off better than gallo pinto (seasoned rice and beans), possibly my favorite Costa Rican dish. ... more > A Nosara Sunset The day began with a friendly game of what I like to call, "how-many- people-can-we-cram-onto-a-60-passenger-bus?" Today... more >

Mingling with Marine Turtles - Costa Rica

Mingling with Marine Turtles Perhaps the most difficult aspect of diving is maintaining enough self control as to not become ridiculously excited ... more >

Dominical in Pictures - Costa Rica

Dominical in Pictures If working is trading time for money, then vacation is trading money for experience; and Dominical is full of ... more > A Manuel Antonio Massage After yesterday's fishing excursion, I was ready for a restful "Total Body Awareness" massage, which combines deep ... more > A Treetop Walk, Canopy Tour and Bio-Art Exhibition We woke up to a clear morning and were able appreciate the view from Hotel Don Taco's restaurant while we had breakfast.... more > Gaudy Leaf Frogs and White-faced Monkeys I slept in this morning for the first time since getting to Monteverde -- it was really nice! When it was time to get up... more > The Final Journey Home It was another beautiful morning in Turrubares, and I wasn't prepared to leave our quiet retreat at Ama Tierra. I met ... more > Manuel Antonio Rayna and I had a relaxing drive to Manuel Antonio earlier today. About three and a half hours after getting into our ... more >

Sublime Surf Camp - Costa Rica

Sublime Surf Camp Today I would experience a day of Del Mar Surf Camp, a glorious combination of my three favorite activities: yoga, ... more > In Search of the Resplendent Quetzal It was a warm April morning when I departed the Central Valley and began climbing skyward along the Pan-American Highway... more > Congo Canopy Tour and Casino In preparation for today's canopy tour, I ate a protein-filled vegetable omelet; I probably would have skipped breakfast... more > The Beach and a Massage from Heaven We got another great night of sleep here at Hotel Verde Mar. Since the hotel is right near Manuel Antonio, with all its ... more > Evacuation from Tortuguero No tours are going out today as it is windy and stormy, oh, and still raining. There is talk of evacuating the tourists ... more > Spirogyra Butterfly Garden in San Jose Spirogyra Butterfly Garden, located in Guadalupe neighborhood is a wonderful alternative to the city's museums and ... more > Blue Skies and Wild Horses Early morning greets me with a warm sunrise and still cool breeze. I head to the beach for a quiet walk and to attempt ... more > Rainforest Luxury in Manuel Antonio Over dinner, we watched as the sun dipped over the rocky cliff face, its pink and peach rays reflecting off the ocean. ... more > A Troop of Howler Monkeys at the Beach Feeling refreshed after a good nights sleep (Hotel Giada has comfortable beds), a mid morning walk on the beach is ... more >

Massage, Music & a Spectacular Sunset - Costa Rica

Massage, Music & a Spectacular Sunset The staff and guests at Canciones del Mar were abuzz with excitement this morning. A beachside wedding was planned for ... more > Scuba Class in Santa Ana I have a trip planned to visit Drake Bay, a small town on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, where I will earn my scuba ... more > Navigating a Coral Maze The BOOM! of a thunderstorm woke me up 45 minutes before my alarm. Lightning lit up the still dim sky. There was no way ... more > The Tropical Gardens of Heliconia Island Continuing my theme of culinary tours, I visited one of Puerto Viejo's newest gastronomic attractions -- the Black ... more > Costa Rica Scuba Diving: PADI Certification in Coco Beach When I was a child, my father used to tell me amazing stories of scuba diving in the Caribbean. Because of his memorable... more >

Sport Fishing & A Canal Tour - Costa Rica

Sport Fishing & A Canal Tour There was good news and bad news. The bad news was that the ocean was even rougher than it had been two days ago, but ... more > A Day Trip to Africa They called out to me, but I ignored them. Their rooster songs had no power over me this morning, and would have to ... more > Floating through Mangrove Forests Two other guests and I were given a tour around the mangrove swamps and wetlands of the Osa Peninsula. Along the Sierpe ... more > Costa Rica's Most Popular National Parks In 2009, more than a million tourists visited Costa Rica’s national parks, exploring steaming volcanoes, beachfront ... more > Corcovado National Park: San Pedrillo Tony, our guide, supplied fresh beach towels and chilled waters for us to take on the first leg of the hike. He informed... more > Snakes, Frogs, Hanging Bridges and a Canopy Tour Today, Vincent and I would visit Selvatura, one of Monteverde's most popular tourist spots. An all-in-one adventure, the... more > Enchanted by San Gerardo de Dota If asked to describe my vision of paradise, I would depict something akin to the emerald valley of San Gerardo de Dota -... more > Afraid of the Dark This morning we were going to explore Piedras Blancas National Park and do a waterfall hike. Our guide, a botanist named... more > The Amazing Rays I arrived at 8:30 a.m., ready for an awesome Central Pacific dive. What I experienced was about as far from ordinary as ... more > A Retreat to Relaxing Wellness My whole body felt like liquid mercury, all flimsy and slippery, and I could barely slide into the car when we left Turu... more > Sampling Coffee and a Night Walk It was 6:15 a.m., and I had to be ready before the Monteverde Coffee Tour van arrived at 7:20. Our morning meal of ... more > Healing Plants, Baby Kinkajous and Egg-Loving Pigs This morning Christina and Suresh Krishnan, the friendly owners of Desafio Adventure Company, greeted me with big ... more > Chocolate Dreams Two new friends from the hotel, Meg and Scott, accompanied me on a tour of Finca Kobo. Kobo means "dream" in the ... more > Jungle Joe, a Tica Massage, and Acupunture Remembering what was on the agenda for today, I jumped up and was out the door in 15 minutes flat. In my haste, I had ... more > Leaf Cutter Ants Working in the Rain I'm up early for our first tour into Tortuguero National Park. Each boat has its own naturalist guide to help identify ... more >

Wild for Wildlife - Costa Rica

Wild for Wildlife After yesterday's unseasonal rains -- the Caribbean is usually dry during September and October -- I was happy to awake ... more > Adventure at Hacienda Pozo Azul The telltale warble of an oropendola gently woke me at 7 a.m. Thinking myself an early riser, I was surprised to ... more > First time surfing in Costa Rica: Paddling My second surfing lesson with Brett took me to the burnt almond sands of Playa Bejuco, a secluded beach just south of ... more > High Mountain Passes and Landslides I left early this morning so that I could arrive in the Dominical area before late afternoon. Although it is nearing the... more > Eating cheap while traveling is a way of life Eating cheap while travelling is an ethos. It's a way of life. And it's not about frugality. That's just a perk. more > Journey to Guanacaste's Gold Coast Sun-drenched beaches with year-round surf, vibrant nightlife and a culture steeped in cowboy lore draw travelers to ... more > Flying High on the Sky Trek Canopy Tour The first sound I heard was the wind. Whistling through the Tree House's central trunk and branches, it heralded the ... more > Mountain Biking and Volcano Rumblings I awoke to a cacophony of birds at 6 a.m. and picked out the warbling of an oro pendola and the loud squawks of green ... more > Making the Best of a Rainy Day A strange sound jarred me out of a deep sleep, disoriented. It was 3:02 a.m., and my sleepy brain struggled to ... more > Bagels, Butterflies and the Beach Clearly the Babaloo Inn brings out the laziness in Rayna and me. Not quite sure what it is about the place that is so ... more > A Little Bit of Everything Arenal I awoke to sun shining in my window, muscles screaming from yesterday's mega hike, and excitement for the day's ... more > Sport Fishing Success! If you had asked me two years ago my favorite pastime, I never in a million years would have answered "sport fishing." ... more > A Late Turtle Hatchling & The Trip Home A stroke of luck! This morning, our last in Tortuguero, I saw the sweetest baby green sea turtle make a dash for the ... more > Curu, Snorkeling at Isla Tortuga, and the Ferry I looked at my watch: 6 a.m. We had a boat tour to Turtle Island (Isla Tortuga) planned in three hours with Turismo Curu... more > Adios Arenal -- Headed Home to Atenas Blue skies prevailed on my journey home to Atenas. My past two weeks traveling in La Fortuna and Arenal were an ... more > La Fortuna Waterfall and Tabacon Hot Springs A big day ahead of me, I indulged in several helpings at the breakfast buffet before my morning horseback ride to the 70... more >

A Butterflies and Amphibians Close-Up - Costa Rica

A Butterflies and Amphibians Close-Up A few hours after breakfast, Vincent arrived. Just returned from the Galapagos Islands, he was ready and excited to ... more > Waking up with Waterfalls in Monteverde Over thousands of years, small streams have cut through Monteverde's rolling hills and steep mountain slopes forming ... more > Birdwatching Paradise on the Cerro de la Muerte The day had begun in the warm and sunny Central Valley -- 45 miles and a world away from my current location in Costa ... more > Whitewater Rafting on the Sarapiqui River The guide, Diego, called out over the sound of the rapids "This one's called 'Hay Caramba,'" I looked back to question ... more > Offroading to Paradise My heart was beating out of my chest, even an hour after we'd reached Cobano and the incident was over. The whole thing ... more >

Egrets, Iguanas & Crocodiles, Oh My - Costa Rica

Egrets, Iguanas & Crocodiles, Oh My To my chagrin but not surprise, ear-piercing rooster cackles once again served as an unwelcome and poorly-timed alarm ... more > Rescue Diver Certification The mellow ambiance of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast really takes the concept of "pura vida" to another level. ... more > Exploring Tamarindo Estuary Today I would kayak the saltwater jungle of the Tamarindo Estuary. Spanning 1200 acres, it serves as the natural border ... more > A Day Trip in Cartago The city of Cartago was blessed from the day Juana Pereira, a young native girl, went to wash her clothes and came ... more > Playas Brasilito and Conchal Having your own set of wheels is the way to go when exploring the beaches of Guanacaste. Although public buses run ... more > Costa Rica To Do List: Irazu Volcano Tour The last time the Irazu erupted its ashes fell as far away as Nicaragua. Its blast covered the nearby city in a blanket ... more > Nicoya Peninsula: Butterflies and Yoga After this morning's session, I am convinced that the old proverb should officially be changed to "an hour of yoga a day... more > World Cup and Cacao Trails So today was the big game. The kickoff to the World Cup was the Costa Rica vs. Germany game and, of course, it was on ... more > Corcovado National Park: Sirena Today's voyage to Corcovado's Sirena ranger station yielded so many opportunities to see rare and exquisite animals that... more > Offshore Fishing for Sailfish with Luna Tours There is nothing like landing a fish bigger than you are. Today, I would do just that- and not just once, but three ... more > Red Flags, Good Surf and Sun Finally, it's a relatively sunny morning. The abundant vegetation glistens with remnant drops of rain, the air is fresh ... more > Baby Turtle Hatchlings at Camaronal Yesterday, a local surfer had told me that he and his buddies spotted baby sea turtles waddling into the surf at Playa ... more > Pipas in Pavones With squinting eyes trying to bring the world into focus, all I saw was wood, rainforest, and a panoramic view of ... more > Cloud Forests and Lagoons of Poas Volcano I couldn't help but feel like I was in the English countryside. Docile dairy cows mingled on the property's working ... more > Liberia to Pirate's Bay It looked like rain, but today was our last day in Costa Rica. The four of us were headed 35 miles west to a pristine ... more > Rafting the Balsa River Bright orange flowers fall from the poro trees that line the banks of the Balsa River. Shaped like tiny machetes, the ... more > Day Adventure: Zip lines, Rappelling and Tubing It's not where you go… it's the zip lines you take to get there. No trip to Arenal is complete without a fast-paced, ... more > Selva Leona Waterfall Hike: Part 2 We dismounted our horses in a small clearing around low forest shrub and windswept trees. Nixon Villalobos, one of my ... more > Manuel Antonio in Pictures The lush green hues of the lowland tropical rainforest compliment the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean drawing in more ... more > Medicinal Plants at the Ark Herb Farm It's always a pleasure to discover something special in your own backyard. For me, it was the Ark Herb Farm, a 25-year ... more > Nicoya Peninsula: Tadpoles, Surfing, and Yoga I jumped out of bed excited about my surf camp lesson in Santa Teresa. We arrived early, and while waiting by the ... more > Wellness & Health Retreat: 7-Day Juice Fast in the Jungle Have you ever had one of those "a-ha" moments -- a singular incident that leads to an epiphany of sorts? Mine came with ... more > Adrenaline is Good for the Soul Today was the day. I had been awaiting this morning with equal parts excited expectation and downright dread. I had done... more > Part II: Tarpon Fever at Rio Parismina Thunderous booms resonated through the night sky, chased by intense flashes of light. Caribbean downpours are ... more >

The Pacific Rainforest from a Gondola - Costa Rica

The Pacific Rainforest from a Gondola When I first saw the brochure for the "Tranopy Tour", I couldn't help but picture the latest craze to hit Jaco -- a ... more > Hiking Costa Rica: La Selva In the daytime, the beautiful old growth forest of towering trees, hanging vines and green plants soak in the light that... more > Crossing Through the Children's Eternal Rainforest Part 2 Water surged around my waist. With every step, I tentatively pressed my foot flat across the rocks before taking another... more >

The Ultimate Superman Cable at Turu Ba Ri - Costa Rica

The Ultimate Superman Cable at Turu Ba Ri Accompanied by birdsong and the sunrise, I savored a languid morning on the patio with a cup of coffee. It was 5 am and ... more > Wakeboarding on Lake Arenal Most travelers looking for an endorphin rush in Arenal try zip-lining or waterfall rappelling, but then they get to Lake... more > Diving the Central Pacific When I travel, on the other hand, lady luck is with me. Similarly, on every underwater adventure I've experienced, clear... more > Goodbye, Papagayo; Hello, Hermosa I woke up early, hungry for breakfast and excited for the next leg of our trip, Playa Hermosa, just a few miles south. ... more > Adventures in a Natural Amusement Park Hacienda Pozo Azul Concealed in the humid, wet rainforest near Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, people are screaming. It's there between the ... more >

Traveling is Half the Fun - Costa Rica

Traveling is Half the Fun I don't know what it is about traveling that saps every, last ounce of energy from my body, but it does. I just woke up ... more > Red-Eyed Tree Frogs And Other Night Creatures Curtains open, I awoke to an overcast sky, Still heavy with the evening's rain. Never too early for a Jacuzzi, I crawled... more > What's SUP? The first time I saw someone stand up paddle boarding the sport struck me as pretty dorky. To be fair, the participant ... more > A Relaxing Day at Playa Bejuco We slept in a bit and savored a late poolside breakfast at Hotel Mar de Luz. A constant breeze kept temperatures mild ... more > Back from the beach Last night Alex and I got back to San Jose, I spent 3 days in a little town on the coast called Jaco. Jaco was a great ... more > Mountain Biking at Lake Arenal There's a simple joy that comes with riding mountain bikes in the countryside; the bike's wheels rolling over the ... more > Traveling to the Southern Caribbean It takes about 4 hours to get to Puerto Viejo from San Jose. The roads are good most of the way now that they have ... more > In-shore fishing off the coast of Manuel Antonio Manuel Antonio is known for its world-class sport fishing, but you don't have to go far to drop your line. In-shore ... more > White Sand Beaches, A Canopy Tour & Vanilla Dreams The beaches of Manuel Antonio are some of the most beautiful in Costa Rica. Wide stretches of white sand and gentle surf... more > Whitewater Rafting on the Estrella River Our misadventure on Day 3 led to a white water rafting invitation, which Vincent and I gladly accepted. Truth be told, ... more > Hiking the Savegre Waterfall and Tolomuco Dearly clinging to a rope, I scrabbled over moss-laden rocks and slippery tree roots, trying not to tumble down the side... more > Baby Sea Turtles Make a Run for the Ocean Most tour packages end on the third day and groups head out of Tortuguero by 10am, returning to San Jose by 2pm. I am ... more > Chocolate Decadence & the Punta Uva Gardens Today's dive to Punta Mona, reputedly one of the most beautiful and isolated dive sites in the Southern Caribbean, had ... more >

Coconuts and Banana Boats - Costa Rica

Coconuts and Banana Boats Around noon, we were offered a ride on the "banana boat," a curved inflatable tube connected to a speedboat by a long ... more > Wellness at Ama Tierra Hotel & Retreat A massage. There are few things I love more. I rank them up there with a fine bottle of wine, Belgian dark chocolate and... more >

Tarcoles River Crocodiles - Costa Rica

Tarcoles River Crocodiles Watch dozens of 16-foot dinosaurs basking in the sun, or prowling the waterways for a tasty snack. more > Monarchs and Morphos: The Alajuela Butterfly Farm I had always heard wonderful stories from other travelers about The Butterfly Farm, located on the outskirts of ... more > Experiencing the Heart of Corcovado National Park I am up early, again for my trip to Sirena Ranger Station, located in the heart of Corcovado National Park. I am very ... more > Canopy Exploration, Turtles and Stargazing Since it is the rainy season here in Corcovado (April through November), the lodge is almost empty. The other five ... more > Granadillas, Avocadoes and Mangos There is almost no traffic today on Highway 1, the Pan American Highway going north towards Liberia. What luck. Some ... more >

Nicoya Peninsula: Montezuma Waterfalls - Costa Rica

Nicoya Peninsula: Montezuma Waterfalls I began the day with a walk by the beach and a stroll through downtown Montezuma. As I ambled about looking for lunch, ... more > Horse Whisperers in Jaco I shouldn't have been surprised. Andrea called out "We have to pull over," but Chris was already pulling onto the ... more > Arenal's Natural Beauty Beads of fire used to drip down the neck of the infamous Arenal Volcano. The glowing red lava could be seen from the ... more > Soaring Through the Sky at 50 mph The final day of Gracie's Great Adventure took us bucketing through the mountains to SkyTrek in Arenal where the kids ... more > Beachcombing Santa Teresa The entire Santa Teresa/Mal Pais area is famous not only for its incredible surfing, but also as a coveted deep-sea ... more > Puerto Viejo in Pictures It's not the gold-leaf or the volcanic-coal of Puerto Viejo's beaches that separate it from the rest of the country, ... more > Top Six Extra Things to Pack on Your Next Trip Abroad Travelling the world is amazing, overwhelming, exciting and not half so exhausting as the time I spend trying to figure ... more > Getting Lost Isn't So Bad So, funny story. In Costa Rica, the word "bomba" has many meanings -- the most common is "gas station." Our directions ... more > My Daily Dose of Salt Water The early morning high tide brings sporadic waves and many, many surfers. There are several surf schools in Tamarindo ... more > Bribri Reservation and a Sunset Ride on Playa Negra This morning Rayna and I had a tour scheduled in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca at 8:30, so there was no time to sleep in! more > The Long and Bumpy Road Because of yesterday's spider bite and consequent Benadryl stupor, I forgot to double check my flight information. ... more > Who Can Resist a Baby Sloth? A wonderful day at Cahuita's Aviarios del Caribe -- the world's first sloth sanctuary. more > The Whale's Tail Today would be the last hurrah of my two-week adventure through Cerro de la Muerte and the Dominical area. I headed ... more > Never Too Old for Adventure: Costa Rica Revisited I first visited Costa Rica 20 years ago, and fell so in love with the country that I returned again in 1993. That was ... more > Hiking to Chato Volcano's Crater Lake Cerro Chato is an extinct volcanic peak that hides in the shadow, both literally and figuratively, of its more famous ... more > Waterfalls and Spa Treatments After a relaxing and beautiful hike to three waterfalls, Fabian and I were ready for the luxurious Meditation Spa Duet -... more > Relaxing in Samara It would have been a very relaxing night's sleep except for the very loud alarm that went off in the middle of the night... more > The Forza Italiana As I dropped past the fuzzy thermocline where the warm water collides with the cold, two scalloped hammerhead sharks ... more > Nosara Yoga: Switching the Channel Relaxing and rejuvenating are easier when you're stretching out on a Balinese-imported chair beside the salt-water pool ... more > Nicoya Peninsula: Surfing and the Sunset Between the four beaches of Mal Pais, El Carmen, Santa Teresa, and Hermosa, there are plenty of waves -- even for a ... more > Stars, Bubbles and Bars I bounced out of bed this morning, excited about today's diving adventures and exploring Bocas del Toro's famous ... more > Quad Tour and the Black Sheep Pub I was disappointed to discover that there were only two ATV's, meaning I would ride on the back as a passenger. Luckily,... more > San Jose Day Trip: Barva Volcano Navigating in Costa Rica could be described as either a really un-funny joke or as an adventure. Setting out for Barva ... more > A Mal Pais Massage and Canopy Tour We started the morning off right with a professional and relaxing, one-hour deep tissue massage. A licensed masseuse ... more > Flying High on a Canopy Tour and Hot Springs I have to admit, I am a big fan of the omelet station, or any station that involves other people preparing delicious ... more > Flying Crocodiles My heart began beating out of my chest the moment I set eyes on the landing strip. What was I thinking, wanting to fly ... more > Leaving on a Jet Plane The night before I left, I had that feeling of nervousness and excitement in the pit of my stomach, just like a child ... more > The Soothing South Caribbean As part of updating our web page, in order to bring you the most up-to-date information on places to see and things to ... more > Climbing Chirripo, Costa Rica's Highest Peak Hiking to the summit of Cerro Chirripo, Costa Rica’s highest peak at 12,533 feet. more > What you are missing on the way to Jaco Jaco's vibrant nightlife and sandy beaches attract visitors from around the world. Travelers and locals alike escape San... more > From Concrete to Jungle It always feels more like an adventure when you have to get up early. A comfortable shuttle bus picks me up at my hotel ... more > Trout Fishing in the Savegre River I think it was my bumper sticker that caught their eyes. It reads "Yo quiero la pesca" (I love fishing) and has inspired... more >

The Crossing to Cocos Island - Costa Rica

The Crossing to Cocos Island barberfishI arrived at the Puntarenas pier four hours early and spent my spare time walking along the boardwalk and ... more > Riding Horses in Monteverde Marvin is Monteverde's resident cowboy. He says he's been riding horses since he was still in his mom's belly. When he's... more > Fresh Bread Starts the Morning off Right It's a shame I'm not more of a sleeper -- it would have been so nice to pass the cloudy morning in the comfort of my ... more > Cano Island's Top Diving Spots So today was the day. My last two open water dives before I earned my certification. My alarm clock went off right on ... more > Back from the farm It is Thursday afternoon, at about 4pm. Me and Evin just got back from the farm. What an incredible experience. We left ... more > Guava Fruit Fresh off the Tree The morning is hot and sunny, but there are clouds to the south slowly making their way in this direction (I'm thinking ... more > Waterfall Rappelling in Lost Canyon You won't find Lost Canyon on any map. Hidden under the rainforest canopy, you can't see it from the air. In some places... more > Journey to Playa Langosta Today, we were headed for the Pacific coast -- Tamarindo and Langosta, to be precise. We arrived at Villa Alegre just ... more > Whitewater Rafting on the Pacuare River Often considered among the best whitewater rafting experiences in the world, navigating the rapids of the Pacuare is an ... more > Dolphins, Sailing and Dancing Wanting only fruit for breakfast, Rayna and I were both thrilled that the restaurant at El Byblos could provide us with ... more > A Volcano Hike Along El Silencio Trail While I was well away from the high risk zone, there was something slightly thrilling yet unsettling about sleeping so ... more > Kayaking and Snorkeling at Chora Island I finally conquered the island. Let me start from the beginning. I had been trying to snorkel at Chora Island for more ... more > Flight of the Toucan I was tucking into my rice and beans when an excitable couple from D.C. darted into Hacienda Baru's restaurant. "Monkeys... more > Exploring Drake Bay I know my time here in Drake is coming to an end. I don't want to take for granted to beauty of the mornings here as the... more >

3-Day Arenal Getaway: High-Flying Fun - Costa Rica

3-Day Arenal Getaway: High-Flying Fun Every day -- rain or shine -- hundreds of tourists rocket more than six miles over treetop canopies at speeds topping 50... more > Hacienda Baru Wildlife Refuge I departed the cool highlands of Cerro de la Muerte and continued on to the balmy beaches of the South Pacific Coast. ... more > Tirimbina Chocolate Tour and Bat Program As I drove to Tirimbina Rainforest Center for an 8 a.m. chocolate tour, I could think of few better ways to start the ... more > Sunset Sailing Cruise Some activities are better when enjoyed with a friend, and a five-hour sunset cruise with Blue Dolphin Sailing is ... more > Tuna Steak Shrimp Kabobs and Coconut Pie Our stay in Tamarindo is brief. We stayed in a hotel that offers apartment rental, too. We chose the room without the ... more > A Journey to Corcovado Since my first attempt to arrive in Corcovado via air last week was unsuccessful (it was canceled due to heavy rains), I... more > Departure from Paradise I awake to the gentlest alarm clock; a wren stopped in the hedge surrounding my tent and loudly sang her sweet song. I ... more > Molecular Fusion and a Night on the Town I could think of no better way to wrap up this vacation than a peaceful yoga session contrasted by a night on the town. ... more > A Gallop on the Magnificent Galope I woke revitalized and a little later than usual as I had no early morning tour. Sitting on my terrace enjoying a ... more > Day 6: Rainforest Spices & A Healing Massage A thick mist covered the rainforest canopy this morning. It was 6 a.m. when we joined Henry for some chili-infused hot ... more > Part II: Quetzal Sightings and Cloud Forest Waterfalls For the last 24 hours, I had been bargaining with Mother Nature: please just let me see one quetzal! Since it was the ... more > Honeymoon Relaxation To my surprise, the Pacific beach had a beautiful view of the rising sun. Its reflection glistened on the shore, ... more > Journey to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui I took the scenic route to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, a small riverside community located in the northeastern corner of ... more >

Snorkeling in Cahuita - Costa Rica

Snorkeling in Cahuita Rayna and I got up early this morning for the four and a half hour drive to Cahuita from her apartment in Heredia. ... more > 3-Day Arenal Getaway "Let's go somewhere fun. I'd love to go fishing and do some cool adventure tours, But I'll leave it up to you." And with... more > Adventures in the Rain The morning's cool mist collected on the stirrups as I reached my right leg across the saddle. The horse, a Paint with ... more > Farmers' Market in Alajuela It was a sunny November morning, perfect for a brisk stroll through Alajuela's grid of narrow streets. I popped into a ... more > Coffee Dreams at Doka Estate I woke up early today, excited about my morning tour of Doka Estate, one of the oldest and largest working coffee ... more > Scuba Diving in Puerto Viejo With no tour scheduled early this morning, Rayna and I took advantage of the opportunity to sleep in. When we finally ... more > Ballena National Marine Park Each year from August-October and December-April, pods of massive humpback whales migrate through the warm waters off ... more > Solo Hike on a Flooded Trail Its easy to wake up early in Costa Rica because the sun always rises before 6am. I head to the beach around 5am. Thank ... more > Rincon de La Vieja Canopy Tour My need for airborne speed has led me to several of Costa Rica's most popular canopy tours, and my favorite is in Rincon... more > Costa Rica Scuba Diving: PADI Certification in Coco Part II Today was the big day, and I could hardly contain my excitement. This morning would be my first open ocean dive at Punta... more > Horseback to Nauyaca Waterfalls Our sturdy criollo horses carried us on surefooted legs, splashing across small streams as we descended into the valley.... more > Canopy Tour and Dancing at Johnny's We were up, showered and ready to go early this morning for our canopy tour. Noticing the gas was low on the way into ... more > Journey Home All good things must come to an end and my time here in Drake Bay and at Jinetes de Osa has come to its end. I woke up ... more > 7-Day Juice Fast Part II: For the Love of Broth "Let me get this straight, you're not going to eat anything for seven days?" asked my co-worker, incredulous at the ... more > A Tree House in Puerto Viejo Cabinas Guarana offers free access to the kitchen including free coffee and tea from 7:30am until 9pm. They have a cozy ... more > National Horse Parade & the Zapote Parties One of Costa Rica's rowdiest and most beloved Christmas traditions is the Tope Nacional, or National Horse Parade. Held ... more > From Green Mountains to Blue Shining Sea As I prepared for our trip to Northern Guanacaste, foremost in my mind was the transportation quandary: without a car, ... more >

Parasailing Manuel Antonio - Costa Rica

Parasailing Manuel Antonio I cannot describe the sense of calm that washed over me 600 feet above the ground. Expecting the atmosphere to be ... more >

Adventures at Isla Tortuga - Costa Rica

Adventures at Isla Tortuga After much technological fiddling, we arrived at Isla Tortuga where the snorkelers and divers separated onto two smaller... more > San Jose Day Trip: Intro to INBioparque I saw the signs every time I entered Heredia from San Jose, but had never visited the popular wildlife park. However, ... more >

ATVs, Tattoos & Airplanes - Costa Rica

ATVs, Tattoos & Airplanes The moment I laid eyes on the bright red ATVs, I remembered my first experience off-roading almost one year ago. Today, ... more > Exploring San Isidro del General A sweet clay-colored robin (Costa Rica's national bird) fed her young in the eves outside the dining area. Bosque del ... more > Soccer Sundays in Tortuguero Village The walk from Laguna Lodge to town takes 30 minutes or so. We begin by walking the path that parallels the beach, but ... more > Enjoying Jaco on $25 a day Sometimes I like to pretend I'm Anthony Bourdain; eating at all the best places, staying at comfortable hotels and ... more > Iguanas and Turtles and Sloths Me and Alex just got back a few minutes ago from our trip to the othe coast. more > Goodbye, Golfo Dulce This was it. The last 24 hours of my 17-day trip through the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce. Last month, during the ... more > Quetzal Spotting in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest The sun streamed in through my shades, warming my senses and encouraging me to wake up. It was a beautiful morning, and ... more > Shark Soup Hundreds and hundreds of white tip reef sharks swarmed the ocean floor, breaking off large chunks of coral in search of ... more > Villa Vanilla and Kapi Kapi Villa Vanilla is a sustainable farm sitting on 152 acres -- 27 acres are used for agriculture and 125 are designated as ... more > Fairy Tale Mountains of Bajos del Toro The morning was glorious -- 75 degrees and sunny. We made the 90-minute trip along the Interamerican highway and a few ... more > Snorkeling & a Tamarindo Sunset Our afternoon sunset cruise was the epitome of luxury -- there were two forward hammocks, an interior cabin, and plenty ... more > Selva Leona Waterfall Hike: Part 1 The Villalobos family has lived the last 80 years on a ranch between Lake Arenal and Montverde. Their 250 acres seep ... more > Monkeys Will Do Anything for Muffins I awake to the sound of footsteps on the roof and as I emerge from my groggy state, I realize, of course, that the sound... more > San Jose Day Trip: Braulio Carrillo The private shuttle picked me up at 10 a.m., and I was welcomed on board with smiles and a chorus of hellos. Alvaro, our... more > Nicoya Peninsula: Kitesurfing at Playa Hermosa Few kid-activities in life are more enjoyable than flying a kite. Watching the comet as it dances in the air, obeying ... more > Zen and the Art of Stand Up Paddling Gently rocking side to side while standing on the water's surface is an odd feeling at first, like walking on thin ice. ... more > Rain, Rain, Papagayo-way We awoke on the second day of our journey to a faint rainbow splayed across the morning sky. Unfamiliar birdsong drifted... more > A Hike, Hot Springs and a Spa Treatment I woke up and practically bounced out of bed. Today, after a volcano hike, I would head to Baldi Hot Springs and, ... more > Sixaola-Panama Border Crossing We had a long trip ahead of us to Bocas del Toro, the picturesque chain of Panamanian islands. On a bright Saturday ... more > Granite Spheres on Cano Island The monkeys were at it again this morning. I heard them running on the rooftop, so I immediately got out of bed to ... more > Sand Dollars and a Beachfront Dinner The vast stretch of the secluded Palo Seco Beach teems with sand dollars, hermit crabs, tiny snails, and ghost crabs -- ... more > Muddy in Rincon de la Vieja I like to wake up with the sun, and in Costa Rica, this means that I get up early -- 6:30 a.m. is sleeping in. Cesar, ... more > San Jose Day Trip: The Fictional Fields of Cafe Britt I sat on the bus headed toward Barva, Heredia, and a mixture of excitement and nervousness sat like a knot in my throat.... more > Palo Verde Wildlife & Guaitil Pottery The alarm sounded at 5:45 a.m., and I launched out of bed like a child on Christmas morning. I was giddy with ... more > Eating Alone in Costa Rica Be careful what you wish for, because you just might end up eating your words. more > Playa Samara, Shopping, and Sand Crabs I awoke this morning, rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and was pleasantly surprised to remember that yesterday I had ... more > Spelunking in Venado Caverns I was excited, if a little nervous, to visit the Venado Caverns today. The idea of ancient, wet rocks and sleeping bats ... more > Ancient Costa Rican Chocolate Secrets A little less than an hour outside of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui there's a sign that looks more like an offer for a ... more > The Serenity and Beauty of Drake Bay I love waking up here. There is a creek that gurgles off to my left and the gently crashing waves in front of me offer a... more > Tenorio & the Celeste Waterfall A magical trip to the celestial blue waters of Rio Celeste, in Tenorio National Park. more > Wildlife Rehab at the Toucan Rescue Ranch A day trip to the Toucan Rescue Ranch, a grassroots wildlife rescue center near Heredia. more > Seeing the Countryside on Horseback In the San Juan countryside nearly every house has a garden. Chickens scratch at the floor underneath patios or ruffle ... more > A Day in a Remote Tropical Paradise After a peaceful night's sleep, occasionally waking to the sound of crashing waves and howler monkeys who howled this ... more > Part III: Giant Explorations on the Cerro de la Muerte This morning I awoke to the burble of a mountain creek a few hundred feet below our cabin. The sun's rays peeked over ... more > Climbing Mountains on ATVs The resonant calls of howler monkeys gently woke me this morning. The sun was brilliant, and I couldn't wait to hit the ... more > Sky Adventures and Bats When we woke up the sun was out so we were excited to get to Costa Rica Sky Adventures to go on their sky walk and sky ... more > Sweet Pineapples at Collin Street Bakery The word "bakery" sealed the deal for me. In a country filled with panaderias, all producing delicious scents of baking ... more > Samara Ways to Tune into Nature There is something about being at the beach for several days that soothes the spirit. I think it's the consistent ... more > How conservation saved Tortuguero A trickle of red sap pools under the knuckle of a sangrio tree on the river's edge. More than 50 years ago, before the ... more > The Flounder & The Box Crab The island loomed just a few yards before us, steep and green and covered in mist. Its stillness was almost spooky. We ... more > ATV Rides at the Base of Arenal Volcano Riding ATVs through a thousand acres of farmland on the outskirts of the Arenal Volcano gets a little muddy. More than ... more > Manuel Antonio to Heredia It was difficult to drag ourselves out of bed this morning. Not only were the beds comfortable, the room dark and cool, ... more > Ciao Monteverde We took our time packing up the car this morning. I had had such a wonderful stay at the Monteverde Lodge and Gardens ... more > Search for Birds and Spiders We had a wonderful breakfast this morning at Vista Verde Lodge. The big warm meal was just what I needed to sustain me ... more > Riding a bus to Sierpe in Costa Rica Aside from the lack of A/C and language barrier, riding a bus in Costa Rica was a moderately comfortable experience, no ... more > Nicoya Peninsula: Cabo Blanco Reserve and the Beach The best way to prepare for a long day of hiking in Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve is with a large dose of caffeine. We ... more > A Party and a Protest Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge's owners were attending a rally in Pavones, the next and final stop of my trip, to protest the ... more > Hot Springs Hopping in Arenal The highlights of my visit to Arenal were undoubtedly the volcano-fed hot springs – there are four thermal resorts – ... more > Chachagua Rainforest: One of 1,000 Wonders My father gifted me the book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die.” Full of fun, incredible, and memorable journeys ... more >

Tigers in the Channel - Costa Rica

Tigers in the Channel Days before the trip, Marcos told a wisecracking friend about the recent tiger shark sightings at Cocos Island. "Oh ... more > High speeds, high waves, high in the air over Manuel Antonio It's hard to believe you're sitting 600 feet in the air. Only moments ago you were standing on the beach, with a ... more > The Osa Wildlife Refuge Just 20 minutes across the Golfo Dulce from Puerto Jimenez, the Osa Wildlife Sanctuary is so lush and remote that it ... more > Nicoya Peninsula Day: Liberia to Cabuya From the boardwalk we watched two ferries depart from the coastal city of Puntarenas heading west to the Nicoya ... more >

The Good Life - Costa Rica

The Good Life For peak wave conditions, the best time to surf in Pavones is the few hours before and during high tide. Today this ... more > InBioparque - A Park in the City It's a perfectly beautiful sunny day in the central valley. A great day to take a break from the hustle bustle of the ... more > The South Caribbean: Sloths and Butterflies Since I needed to take care of some business in Puerto Viejo, I decided to take one day while I was there to do some of ... more > Alajuela's Butterfly Farm There's something about a butterfly that brings to mind words like "enchanting" and "ethereal" -- butterflies are ... more > La Garita's Botanical Orchid Garden The blue sky was speckled with clouds and a bright, shining sun - a harbinger of the beautiful day ahead. My parents ... more > First time surfing in Costa Rica The surf nips at your heels as you glide in front of the wave, hands gripped to the sides of the board. Behind you the ... more > Bird Watching and Jumbo Shrimp on the Lake Refreshed after a good night's rest and hearty breakfast, I was eager to visit El Congal, a private nature reserve ... more > Shipwreck! As much as we had enjoyed Bocas del Toro, it just wasn't home. We love the good-natured smiles of Costa Ricans and ... more > Hiking Cerro Tortuguero Sun rays were beginning to peek through the trees outside my room, and I could hear the roar of the surf and howler ... more > Zoo Ave: Cougars, Crocodiles & Macaws Alajuela's Zoo Ave, or "Bird Zoo" is committed to conservation and animal education, and offers visitors a chance to ... more > Christmas in Costa Rica Christmas in Costa Rica is filled with festivities, parades, and family traditions that reach back generations. A joyous... more > Ten Things to do on the beach in Manuel Antonio Espadilla is Manuel Antonio's most popular beach and the best kind of tourist trap, the kind where locals sell fresh ... more > Chorotega Artisans of Guaitil A boat tour through Palo Verde National Park and a visit to the indigenous village of Guaitil. more > A Manuel Antonio Walk in the Park Today was the quietest day our guide had experienced in his entire four years leading tourists through Manuel Antonio ... more > Eating local in La Fortuna Sodas are the family-owned restaurants at the heart of every Costa Rican city and town. Similar to American diners from ... more > From San Jose to the Southern Caribbean Coast Vincent and I decided to meet at 8 a.m. for our trip to the Southern Caribbean Coast; anything can happen on the Costa ... more > Cowboys and Horseback Rides Alex wore a blue plaid button down shirt tucked into his jeans, a baseball cap and black canvas shoes with spurs. For ... more > Getting to Know Tamarindo After a continental breakfast in Luna Llena's new restaurant, I wanted nothing more than to relax at the hotel's pool ... more >

Under the Caribbean Sea - Costa Rica

Under the Caribbean Sea It had been thunder storming all morning. Our boat captains, Leandro and Modesto, wisely postponed the trip by one hour,... more > Night Diving at Ocotal We set out for Playa Ocotal at about 5:00 p.m., after completing various textbook assignments. Less than ten minutes ... more > Rafting the upper Sarapiqui The current, swollen with rain water, gushed over the class III and IV rapids. Water crashed against boulders and ... more > 3-Day Arenal Getaway: Fishing Lake Arenal For all you serious anglers, May is the best month to fish Lake Arenal. The water level is low, rainy season hasn't ... more > Kayaks and Spider Bites Today was a fairly mellow day. I woke up with sore calves from all the hiking I had done in the past week, but had plans... more > Coffee and conservation in Monteverde Guillermo Vargas uncurled his fingers. Inside his palm he held a collection of multi-colored berries; waxy, lime-green ... more > My Last Day in Samara Waking up before sunrise, while the sky is bright but not yet yellow, is a rewarding feeling. Somehow you feel like you ... more >

Waterfall Rappelling - the Ultimate Rush - Costa Rica

Waterfall Rappelling - the Ultimate Rush Some call it waterfall rappelling, and others call it canyoning -- I just call it intense. We found ourselves at the top... more > Sharks and Shipwrecks Today, after completing five specialty adventure dives with Summer Salt Dive Center in Playa del Coco, I proudly earned ... more > A Morning Horseback Ride One of the main attractions at Hacienda Pozo Azul is their easy horseback ride through small streams and backcountry ... more > Swinging through the trees at 100 percent Aventura This is Pam from Seattle, WA. She'll turn 70 this October. This is Pam's video jumping off 100% Aventura's 130-foot Mega... more > Zip Lining Sarapiqui: A Family Adventure Pepijn, 13, is first. Already buckled to the zipline, Pepjin grips the ropes attached to his harness with his left hand ... more > Snakes and Angels After a blissful night's rest at Cuna del Angel, I wanted nothing more than a day of pampering at their European spa. ... more > Traveling to Drake Bay A buffet style breakfast, including made to order eggs, was served in the Pura Vida restaurant at the Cristal Ballena. ... more > Veragua Rain Forest Research Park Before I knew it, we were driving away from our hotel and I said a sleepy goodbye to Costa Rica's southern Caribbean ... more > Nature Spotting on the High Seas The phone next to my bed rang loud and brassy, and I reached for it clumsily. "This is your 6:00 a.m. wakeup call," ... more >

Peñas Blancas Safari Float - Costa Rica

Peñas Blancas Safari Float Now, the idea of floating down a river in an inflatable rubber raft searching for sloths, monkeys and iguanas in a river... more > Journey to La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano I hit the road with little more than a tank full of gas, a backpack, camera and the luxury of time. Over the next two ... more >

Caño Negro in Pictures - Costa Rica

Caño Negro in Pictures The Raphia palms that line the banks of the Frío River drop fruit that turn the water black, giving the wetlands its ... more > Sunrise with the Birds, Sunset with the Bugs Two other guests and myself meet our guide, Kenneth at 5:30 for a early-morning bird watching hike. We begin by ... more > The Finer Moments in Life: Time in Tortuguero I am fortunate to be able to visit Tortuguero several times a year. Most people only get to visit here once in a ... more > The Trip Home After one last look at Flamingo's perfect crescent of white sand beach, I was ready to head home. I drove inland, ... more > Golfing with Grandeur Having grown up in the world of golf, the fact that I cannot successfully hit a ball has always been a bit of an ... more >

San Jose to Monteverde - Costa Rica

San Jose to Monteverde My previous, two-day visit to Montevede had been far too short to properly experience the area's amazing views and ... more > Nicoya Peninsula: A Montezuma Horseback Ride Finding it effortless to relax in this tiny, quiet town, I had gone to sleep at 9:30 p.m. the night before, and as a ... more > Taste Testing at Finca la Isla Botanical Garden We had breakfast this morning at Bread & Chocolate. My veggie sandwich -- avocado, cucumber, lettuce, tomato, bean ... more > Three of Puerto Viejo's Best Sights Today offered more fun: Vincent and I were to take the 3-in-1 Puerto Viejo tour, a comprehensive tour featuring culture ... more > San Jose to Arenal on the Balsa River I awoke with an entire butterfly garden fluttering in my stomach. Just two months ago, I had been on a whitewater tubing... more > Tarpon Fishing at Rio Parismina There I was, all hot and bothered with $700 of graphite nearly bent to the breaking point, when the sleek tarpon took to... more > Coffee Fields, Poas Volcano, Wildlife and Waterfalls One of the great things about traveling in Costa Rica is its compact size, enabling visitors to explore varied terrains ... more > From Tarzan Swings to Porcupines I woke eager to begin the day: today we would fly through the sky on the Extremos canopy tour. I had heard good things ... more > Anteaters & Crocs at Carara National Park Something big shuffled across the path just a few yards in front of me. The animal walked unhurriedly, and somewhat ... more >

Wildlife at Cahuita National Park - Costa Rica

Wildlife at Cahuita National Park After a quick breakfast, we met our guide for a morning tour of Cahuita National Park. Crossing the footbridge over ... more > Tortuguero's Wildlife in Pictures The howler monkey's wild grunts signal the dawn as the sun breaks through the rainforest foliage spilling into the ... more > Costa Rica's wildlife sanctuaries: filled to the brim Tubby the paca escaped into a hardware store in Uvita. He's one of the world's largest rodents. Like an oversized guinea... more > Nicoya Peninsula: On An Island in the Sun Isla Tortuga (Turtle Island) never ceases to amaze me. Today I went for the third time in my life, each visit better ... more > Journey to Barra del Colorado While the Central Valley and Pacific Coast were getting more than their fair share of torrential downpours this rainy ... more > Paddling to Playa Blanca With a handful of other passengers, I boarded a minivan destined for Playa Agujas, or Needle Beach. There, a number of ... more > Two and Three-Toed Sloths It's still raining, but we are up early and on the river. If you don't do things because its raining, you might not to ... more > A Quiet Cloudy Day in Drake This was my first morning here to awaken to cloudy skies. A brief, intense morning shower passed by at 6:30 am, but the ... more > The Osa Peninsula and Drake Bay Much of the southern Pacific coastline of Costa Rica is part of the Osa Peninsula, where lowland tropical rainforests ... more > Nicoya Peninsula: Pins and Needles Acupuncture has gained a great deal of respect in the medical community over the past decade. What used to be classified... more > Have A Coati Nice Day Sunshine poured through the sealed blinds, taunting me into consciousness, and though I preferred to lay buried beneath ... more > Thanksgiving in the Jungle It's early now, 5 am. I awake to the sound of a rufus-breasted wren singing outside my window, and once I open my eyes ... more > Sun, Surf & Fabulous Cuisine Located on the idyllic Central Pacific coast, Quepos and Manuel Antonio attract sun-lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and ... more > Waterfall Rappelling in The Lost Canyon Just when I thought my trip couldn't get any better, I discovered that today, the last of my two-week journey in Arenal,... more > Soaking in Arenal's Volcanic Hot Springs We loaded up and drove to Tabacon Thermal Resort, home of Arenal's famous mineral hot springs. I had visited in 1993 (... more > A Morning in the Canopy with SkyTrek The anticipation builds as you ascend more than 4,000 feet above Arenal in Sky Adventure's gondolas. Below you, Lake ... more > Day Trip to INBioparque The Heredia-San Jose bus dropped me off just three blocks from INBioparque's main entrance. Heading west, I walked along... more > A Night Turtle Tour in Las Baulas Marine Park I savored the comfort of my king-sized bed and tiled bath, rarities in most mid-range Costa Rican hotels. A throng of ... more > Day 3: Swimming with the Fishes Today was going to be a cloudy day, and Aldea del Rio Tours was scheduled to take us on a boat trip to Cano Island. ... more > Exploring Canals and Cocoa After breakfast we set off for Cacao Trails, one of the area's most popular cocoa tours. Arriving at our destination, we... more > A Beautiful Tortuguero Sunrise and Ride Home This was my last day in Tortuguero and Vincent and I were getting up early to stroll the beach -- we were hoping to see ... more > A Safari Float and Giant Green Iguanas While the lodge's breakfast bonanza usually begins at 7 a.m., with advance notice the staff will provide continental ... more > Wellness & Health Retreat: Juice Fasting An earthy aroma enveloped my senses as the holy wood - palo santo - smoldered around us. more > Wildlife Viewing and Green Sea Turtles For this evening, I had scheduled a turtle tour to Tortuguero's protected beaches. October is the tail end of green sea ... more > Surf Tour to Avellanas Today, Witch's Rock Surf Camp was taking me on a 'surf tour' of Playa Avellanas, an excursion akin to an adult field ... more > Sunning in Manuel Antonio This was the most relaxing and lazy day I have had in Costa Rica so far. After sleeping in late and leisurely getting ... more > Day Trip to San Jose's Pueblo Antiguo At San Jose's Pueblo Antiguo, I felt like Doctor Who: somehow, I had gone back in time to the late 19th century. more > Surfing Playa Grande and a Tamarindo Massage Today, I would bring my surfing to the next level. Later I would relax with a heavenly massage high in the hills of ... more > The Soothing Caribbean There are several recent landslides scooped up out of the road along the Braulio Carrillo highway that leads to Limon ... more > Sea Turtles Doing the Dirty Today I was able to dive the legendary Catalina Islands for the second time. However, the most amazing sighting of the ... more > Canopy, Surfing and the Fresh Food Market I had just zipped along the first cable through the rainforest canopy, and paused at the end to glance at my watch. How ... more > Beach Breaks and a Canopy Tour Rayna's 5:30 am alarm roused me from a deep sleep, so I decided to make the best of the early wake-up call with a few ... more > The History and Flavor of Tortuguero Village This morning we decided to explore the tiny but picturesque village of Tortuguero. Located on a narrow strip of land ... more > 7-Day Juice Fast Part III: Detox & De-stress To the uninitiated, flushing five gallons of water through your lower GI tract can seem a bit daunting. Unlike a colonic... more > Tortuguero National Park & A Zip-Line Canopy Tour A thunderous chorus of howler monkeys woke me at 5 am It was another stunning day on the Caribbean coast. We joined the ... more > Welcome to Cocos Island The world rocked gently back and forth, and the ceiling seemed awfully close to my face. As I peeled back the curtain to... more > Nicoya Peninsula: Frowning on a Waverunner In his stand-up routine comedian Daniel Tosh once dared me to "try to frown on a wave runner." Today I learned that not ... more > By Land, by Air, and by Sea Jesse's yoga and surf lessons -- not to mention the balancing band attached to two palm trees -- tend to attract quite a... more > Time to Go Home Already? The sun shines brightly this morning without a cloud in the sky. Kaya's Place has a beautiful view of the ocean as you ... more > My First Cup of Coffee $con.teaser more > Reflections on how Jaco has changed Jaco's not what it used to be. Not when a 25-year-old single male walks Jaco's main street after dark, takes an empty ... more > Hanging Bridges, Lava Flows and Sunset Views Although I would love to have joined the lodge's complimentary guided 8:30 a.m. nature walk, I was visiting the Arenal ... more >

A Sunset Cruise on Tamarindo Bay - Costa Rica

A Sunset Cruise on Tamarindo Bay I said a little prayer of thanks for the in-room coffee maker, a girl's best friend after an especially late night. ... more > Stellar Sunset at Playa Guiones Overcast skies help keep the temperature comfortable. Halloween crabs sneak along the perimeter of the restaurant, ... more > Lobster in the Cloud Forest The drive from Heredia to Monteverde took about three and a half hours this morning. The last hour was over a road as ... more > Living with Lionfish On our way out to Punta Uva, I counted 10-12 surfers tackling the intimidating Salsa Brava reef break. As much as I love... more > A Boat Tour Through Cano Palma & A Jungle Hike I was up before the sun, ready for our morning boat excursion with Turtle Beach Lodge. Wandering into the dining area, I... more > Beach and Rivermouth Breaks at Playa Grande Just a few miles north of Tamarindo lies Playa Grande, another favorite among surfers. Flanked by the saltwater estuary,... more > Central Valley "Best of" Sights When the bus from Expediciones Tropicales picked me up bright and early this morning, I was excited for the day's full ... more > Nicoya Peninsula: A Cemetery and a Wildlife Refuge Less than a half-mile off the coast of Cabuya Beach sits a beautiful island that many visitors and locals alike are not ... more > Holiday Foods in Costa Rica For many Costa Ricans the season's culinary dishes are steeped in tradition and tamales, rompope (egg nog), and ... more > A Horseback Ride & a Natural Mud Bath Jaco may be popular for its consistent surf and miles of grey-sand beach, but its lush mountain backdrops peppered are ... more > A Gallop to Hidden Waterfalls in Villanueva Soft sunlight streamed into my room, gently waking me at 6 a.m. I enjoyed some delicious coffee while Vincent scoped out... more > Green Sea Turtle Nesting Tour Over a leisurely breakfast of homemade banana bread, fruit and an omelet, we thanked Dan and his wonderful staff for ... more > A Hike Through Carara National Park Fully caffeinated by 6:30 am, we were raring to go on our morning hike through Carara National Park. With a local ... more > Diving the Catalina Islands This morning, I was thrilled to dive the Catalina Islands, an archipelago of volcanic and sedimentary islands just a few... more > Destination Jaco It was another glorious sunny day, typical of summer in Costa Rica, when we departed for Jaco beach. Just 73 miles ... more > Manuel Antonio National Park We got up early this morning so we could get to Manuel Antonio National Park to see some animals stirring before the day... more > Coffee Tour and then Snakes The warm sun woke us up early and without an early tour we had a little time to enjoy the patio. We headed into town ... more > Hiking and Tree Planting We met with Ronald for the lodge's special tree planting ceremony. All guests are invited to commemorate their stay by ... more > The Highest Bungee Jump in Costa Rica Stepping out onto the platform the sounds of the world becomes muffled: From the gurgling of the river below to the Bob ... more > A Morning Surf Lesson I couldn't leave the warm waters of this surfing Mecca without trying my hand at the popular sport. To many who grew up ... more > Crossing the Children's Eternal Rainforest in Monteverde Our travel journalist treks from Monteverde to Arenal on a six-mile journey through the wilderness of Costa Rica's ... more > Nosara Biological Reserve and a Day at the Spa Around 7:30 a.m., Vincent and I arrived at Playa Guiones to watch the surfers do their thing. Gale walked by, surfboard ... more > It's All Happening at the Zoo About an hour after departing Nosara, we were in front of the surf school. The owner, Jesse, informed us that the waves ... more > Ending With a Safari Float I awoke to the seventh sunny day this week. I could hardly believe my luck -- we were well into 2009's rainy season, but... more > Wellness & Health Retreat: Juice Fasting Part II I love experiencing Costa Rica through the eyes of first-time visitors. Waking up to the call of howler monkeys, ... more > My First Open Water Dives With most of my day free, I enjoy a lazy morning, reading my "Tropical Plants of Costa Rica" and sipping coffee. Mid-... more > A Lazy Day in Playa Flamingo After a light breakfast at Flamingo Beach Resort's seaside restaurant, I hit the beach for an early morning walk. The ... more > Journey Across the Osa Peninsula I had the opportunity today to tour the area around Drake Bay and travel to Puerto Jimenez by accompanying one of the ... more > Tree Frogs Singing Endlessly We are scheduled to change lodges today, but first there is time to explore the elaborate maze of trails that wind ... more >

Samara Day One - Costa Rica

Samara Day One As I sit typing away in my tent 5 days before Christmas on a perfectly sunny, calm, serene day at the beach in Samara, ... more > Costa Rica Scuba Diving: PADI Certification in Coco Part III Sun shining through the open curtains woke me before the alarm clock this morning. I quickly devoured a homemade ... more > Riding the lines on the Original Canopy Tour So there you are standing on platforms attached to giant tree trunks a hundred feet above the forest floor. In front of ... more > Kayaking the Sarapiqui River For more than half a century, major crops like coffee and bananas were transported from the Central Valley and Caribbean... more > A Canopy Ride Before Home My muscles ached and my body hurt. I shuffled into the bathroom and saw a huge bruise on my lower back. Thank you, ... more > A Taste of Cowboy Culture at Finca Casagua The months of November and December are marked by holiday celebrations throughout the country. Nearly every pueblo holds... more >

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