Written by Nikki Solano

Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️

Traveling with Rick Steves

If you’re an avid traveler, and especially if you’ve explored Europe—or have a strong desire to explore Europe—I’m certain you’ve heard of Rick Steves and his travel empire, Rick Steves’ Europe. The organization is a one-stop shop for all of your European travel needs. It curates European group travel packages, produces travel guidebooks covering countless European destinations, runs an online Q&A forum, and even promotes travel to Europe on TV and radio shows.

In particular, Rick Steves’ Monday Night Travel (MNT) show features European destinations from the point of view of in-the-know travelers, whether they be tour guides, locals, or guidebook authors. From time to time, the show goes intercontinental and features fabulous destinations and attractions that are worth visiting outside of Europe. When Lisa Friend, an MNT show host, reached out to me with an opportunity to appear on the show, I knew it would be a great way to introduce Costa Rica to Rick Steves’ amazing community of faithful, travel-loving viewers.

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of presenting live on the MNT show alongside the episode’s host, the wonderful Julianne Wurden. Julianne played a huge role in bringing this episode to life, from answering my questions and running tech checks before filming to fielding viewers’ questions and my own prompts during the show. I’m grateful to her and Gabe Gunnick, another MNT show host, who contributed to the episode behind the scenes, for their help in preparing for the show. Julianne and Gabe are genuinely kind people. Fellow travel experts: if you get a chance to work with either or both of them, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. World travelers: if Julianne and Gabe are a reflection of the entire team that backs Rick Steves, I’m confident you’ll love exploring Europe with the organization.

Costa Rica on the Monday Night Travel show (May 15th, 2023)

Agreeing to present Costa Rica on the MNT show was easy. Encapsulating Costa Rica into a 70-minute feature was incredibly difficult! There are so many destinations to visit, so much nature and wildlife to see, and tons of adventure to be had. I could talk about Costa Rica for weeks on end (this blog is a manifestation of that, in written form), but, for the sake of brevity, the episode spotlights 10 of the most sought-after destinations in Costa Rica, plus a few of the standout experiences you can have at each.

To join me (and Julianne) on a whirlwind tour of Costa Rica, simply click on the YouTube video embedded below. Alternatively, you can watch the video on YouTube by clicking here. A breakdown of the show’s content, as well as links to more information about some of the topics discussed during the show, is provided below.

0:00 – Intro and Moon guidebooks overview

• Moon Costa Rica, 2nd edition
• Moon Costa Rica, 3rd edition
• Moon Best of Costa Rica, 1st edition

4:05 – The Northern Inlands

4:23 – La Fortuna / Arenal overview

• Downtown La Fortuna
• The active Arenal Volcano
• The rainforest ecosystem: giant Ceiba tree, blue morpho butterflies, the Arenal Volcano National Park, private reserves
• Hot springs: the EcoTermales Hot Springs, the Springs Resort Hot Springs, the Tabacon Hot Springs, and the Baldi Hot Springs
• Hanging bridges (a.k.a. suspension bridges): the Mistico Park
• Zip-lining: Arenal Mundo Aventura + VIDEO, the Pino Blanco Waterfall
• Rio Fortuna Waterfall (a.k.a., the La Fortuna Waterfall)
• Getting off the beaten path at La Fortuna: select food from the buffet bar at Soda Viquez

14:26 – Monteverde overview

• Monteverde’s vibe
• The cloud forest ecosystem: differences between the cloud forest and the rainforest
• Visiting cloud forest reserves: the Monteverde Reserve, the Santa Elena Reserve, the Valle Escondido Reserve, the Children’s Eternal Rainforest
• Viewing hummingbirds
• Viewing orchids: Monteverde Orchid Garden
• Hanging bridges (a.k.a., suspension bridges): Sky Adventures’ Sky Walk Hanging Bridges + VIDEO
• Rustic, affordable Monteverde accommodations: the Monteverde Villa Lodge
• Getting off the beaten path at Monteverde: check out Monteverde’s art scene

22:54 – The Pacific Coast

23:15 – Tamarindo (Northern Pacific) overview

• Guanacaste
• Tamarindo’s vibe
• Playa Tamarindo: beachfront restaurants and bars, west-facing sunsets, surf lessons (Witch’s Rock Surf Camp, Iguana Surf)
• The dry forest ecosystem
• Gastronomy in Tamarindo: international food (the El Mercadito food hall)
• Nightlife in Tamarindo: El Vaquero Pub, the Volcano Brewing Company (microbrewery)
• Getting off the beaten path at Tamarindo: consider staying at a rental property, such as Villas La Paz, outside of Tamarindo

28:40 – Nosara (Nicoya Peninsula) overview

• Yoga, surf, and beautiful beaches
• Nosara’s vibe
• Vegan and vegetarian food
• Boutiques
• Tuk-tuks
• Conceptualizing Nosara: Guiones, North Guiones, Pelada
• Surfing: Coconut Harry’s
• Getting off the beaten path at Nosara: discover sustainable surf with the Safari Surf School. (You can learn more about the Safari Surf School, eco-friendly surfing, and other sustainable experiences in Costa Rica by picking up a copy of the April/May edition of Wanderlust Magazine, which includes my feature on 16 standout sustainable experiences that you can have in Costa Rica.)

33:20 – Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) overview

• Santa Teresa’s vibe
• Conceptualizing Santa Teresa: Santa Teresa, Carmen, Malpais (sometimes styled as Mal Pais)
• Playa Los Suecos
• Surfing off Playa Carmen
• Santa Teresa’s dusty main road
• Surf and yoga retreats / packages, plus drop-in yoga classes, surf lessons, and surfboard rentals
• Getting off the beaten path at Santa Teresa: spend some time at Playa Tropical on Isla Tortuga (to access it, visit Isla Tortuga with Turismo Curu) + VIDEO

38:18 – Manuel Antonio (Central Pacific) overview

• Manuel Antonio’s popularity
• The Manuel Antonio National Park: Playa Manuel Antonio, Playa Espadilla Sur, viewing wildlife (monkeys and sloths), the mangrove ecosystem
• Conceptualizing Manuel Antonio
• Pacific Ocean views
• The El Avion restaurant and bar, and other restaurants with beautiful views
• Getting off the beaten path at Manuel Antonio: hang out at the Nauyaca Waterfall (hiking, horseback riding, 4×4 rides, swimming)

42:00 – Drake Bay (Osa Peninsula) overview

• The far-flung Osa Peninsula: the off-the-grid experience, elusive wildlife, tranquil nature tours
• Accessing Drake Bay by car or boat
• Conceptualizing Drake Bay
• Jungle-clad, waterfront accommodations: Aguila de Osa
• The Corcovado National Park‘s Sirena Sector: the Sirena Ranger Station (overnight lodging in the heart of the park)
• Wildlife encounters (tapirs) + VIDEO
• Getting off the beaten path at Drake Bay: explore the coastal trail (the entrance to the Corcovado National Park that is referenced here is the entrance to the park’s San Pedrillo Sector)

50:10 – The Caribbean Coast

50:10 – Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, or “Wolaba,” in the local Patois dialect (Southern Caribbean), overview

• Afro-Descendant population and rich culture
• Caribbean-inspired food: coconut rice and beans, chicken in Caribbean sauce, green salad, and patacones—smashed and fried plantains
• Puerto Viejo de Talamanca’s vibe: reggae and calypso music, joyous energy
• Cacao / chocolate tasting and tours: Caribeans
• Getting off the beaten path at Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: see great green macaws at the Ara Manzanillo reintroduction station

54:20 – Tortuguero (Northern Caribbean) overview

• Car-free Tortuguero: the Amazon of Costa Rica
• The wetland ecosystems and water-based wildlife
• Gentle water exploration: boating, canoeing, kayaking
• Getting off the beaten path at Tortuguero: volunteer at the Sea Turtle Conservancy (separate from organized turtle tours, which provide an opportunity to see nesting sea turtles and/or young turtles hatching over the course of a few hours, volunteering stints provide an opportunity to assist teams in their efforts to protect the turtles)
• White-water rafting on the Pacuare River: river rapids and river scenery
• General rafting information + VIDEO

1:02:58 The Capital City

1:02:58 – San Jose

• Taking time away from other destinations to spend in San Jose
• Museums: the National Museum, the Gold Museum, the Jade Museum
• Day trips from San Jose: Sarchi (to see traditional oxcarts being made and decorated), Poas Volcano (to peer into the crater of an active volcano) + VIDEO
• Getting off the beaten path at San Jose: tour the family-run El Toledo Coffee Farm in Atenas

1:08:09 – Conclusion

• A word from the show’s sponsor

Traveler Q&A

48:45 – When is the best time of year to go to Costa Rica?

1:00:40 – What about bugs, venomous snakes, etc.?

1:09:54 – Is public transportation good or should you rent a car?

1:12:05 – Where is the best place to fly into Costa Rica?

1:13:20 – What is your favorite thing about the people of Costa Rica?

QUESTION TO COMMENT ON: What was your favorite part of the show?

Pura vida!

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