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The Official Costa Rica Travel Blog

FOR YOU, FOR FREE: 18 years' worth of firsthand Costa Rica trip planning and travel advice compiled into hundreds of articles, plus exclusive discounts. Created by a Costa Rican and a four-time published Costa Rica guidebook author. Welcome, amigos, and as we say in Costa Rica, pura vida!

MENUMENU
  • About Nikki and Ricky
        • Mucho gusto! (Nice to meet you!)

          Meet us, learn about our Costa Rica experience, and learn how we help Costa Rica travelers!

        • ► Meet Nikki and Ricky
        • ► Why we love Costa Rica
        • ► Testimonials and reviews
        • ► Contact
        • ► Our Costa Rica travel guide published by Moon Travel Guides
        • ► Our Costa Rica discounts database (Pura Vida! eh? Inc.)
        • ► Our online community (DIY Costa Rica)
        • ► Our Costa Rica trip planning 101 e-course
  • Costa Rica Trip Planning: Getting Started
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about starting to plan a Costa Rica vacation. If you’re just setting out on this journey, review our introductory Costa Rica trip-planning resources first.

        • ► Planning a trip to Costa Rica? READ THIS FIRST!
        • ► How to plan a trip to Costa Rica for free, step by step
        • ► When to reserve Costa Rica tours and activities
        • ► When to reserve Costa Rica hotels, transfers, rental cars, and restaurant visits
        • ► The cost of traveling to Costa Rica
        • ► Is Costa Rica Busy? (crowds and groups)
        • ► When to go to Costa Rica
          • Best time to visit / Costa Rica's seasons
          • Costa Rica in January
          • Costa Rica in February
          • Costa Rica in March
          • Costa Rica in April
          • Costa Rica in May
          • Costa Rica in June
          • Costa Rica in July
          • Costa Rica in August
          • Costa Rica in September
          • Costa Rica in October
          • Costa Rica in November
          • Costa Rica in December
        • ► Costa Rica itinerary planning
          • Building a 5-day itinerary
          • Building an 8-day itinerary
          • Building a 10-day itinerary
          • Building a 12-day itinerary
          • Building a 15-day itinerary
        • ► 75 photos that will make you want to go to Costa Rica ASAP!
        • ► Costa Rica scams and red flags
  • What To Do: Tours & Activities
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn what to do in Costa Rica, including recommendations for the most popular Costa Rica activities, as well as ways to discover Costa Rica off the beaten path.

        • ► When to reserve Costa Rica tours and activities
        • ► 30 popular things to do in Costa Rica (Costa Rica activity guide)
        • ► Off-the-beaten-path things to do in Costa Rica (Costa Rica activity guide)
        • ► The cost of tours and activities in Costa Rica
        • ► How to save money on Costa Rica tours and activities
        • ► Info about guided tours in Costa Rica
        • ► Info about self-guided adventures in Costa Rica
        • ► Photos of Costa Rica trail maps
        • ► List of Costa Rica entrance fees
        • ► List of Costa Rica operating hours
        • ► Things to do in Costa Rica with kids
        • ► Aerial trams
          • Sky Tram (Arenal)
          • Sky Tram (Monteverde)
        • ► White-water rafting
          • Pacuare River
          • Rafting Q&A
          • Rafting tour comparison
        • ► Zip-lining / canopy tours
          • Sky Trek (Treetopia Park)
          • Sky Trek (Sky Adventures)
          • Selvatura Park
          • Arenal Mundo Aventura
          • Zipline tour comparison
          • Ziplining Q&A
        • ► Hanging bridges
          • Mistico Park vs Sky Walk/Adventures: Arenal hanging bridges comparison
          • Treetopia Park vs Selvatura Park: Monteverde hanging bridges comparison
          • Sky Walk Hanging Bridges (Sky Adventures)
          • Sky Walk Hanging Bridges (Treetopia)
          • Arenal Hanging Bridges (Mistico)
          • Treetop Walkways Hanging Bridges (Selvatura)
          • Hanging bridges comparison
        • ► Hot springs
          • Guide to all 12 Arenal hot springs / hot springs comparison
          • General hot springs Q&A
          • Tabacon hot springs
          • Springs Resort hot springs
          • EcoTermales hot springs
          • Baldi hot springs
          • Paradise hot springs
          • Los Lagos hot springs
          • Free La Fortuna hot springs
          • Club Rio hot springs
          • Vandara hot springs
          • Rio Negro hot springs
        • ► Waterfalls / waterfall jumping / swimming holes
          • Guide to 25 Costa Rica Waterfalls
          • La Fortuna Waterfall
          • Llanos del Cortes Waterfall
          • El Salto Swimming Hole
        • ► Volcanoes
          • Volcano comparison: Top 5 volcanoes
        • ► Adventure parks, national parks, & refuges
          • Sky Adventures Park
          • Mistico Park
          • Treetopia Park
          • Selvatura Park
          • Arenal Volcano National Park
          • Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge
          • Poas Volcano National Park
          • Manuel Antonio National Park
          • Tortuguero National Park (Cuatro Esquinas)
          • Tortuguero National Park (Cerro Tortuguero)
          • Carara National Park
        • ► Wildlife & wildlife exhibits
          • Wildlife photography
          • Where to see sloths
          • Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center (ZooAve)
        • ► Other Activities
          • Choco Tour Chocolate Tour
          • Hacienda Doka Coffee Farm
          • El Toledo Coffee Farm
          • Monteverde Orchid Garden
  • How To Get Around: Transportation
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about transportation in Costa Rica, including different ways to get around Costa Rica.

        • ► 15 ways to travel around Costa Rica
        • ► The cost of transportation services in Costa Rica
        • ► How to use guided tours to travel between destinations
        • ► Tour transportation: hotel pick-ups and drop-offs
        • ► Best ways to travel between La Fortuna and Monteverde
        • ► Tortuguero docks (La Pavona vs. Cano Blanco)
        • ► Costa Rica car rental information
          • Reasons to rent (or not rent) a car
          • Car rental insurance
          • Car rental scams
          • Our preferred car rental agency
        • ► Costa Rica highway conditions by route
          • Highway 1 / Highway 2 / Highway 3 / Highway 4 / Highway 6 / Highway 10 / Highway 14 / Highway 17 / Highway 18 / Highway 21 / Highway 27 / Highway 32 / Highway 34 / Highway 35 / Highway 36 / Highway 39
        • ► Driving distance/duration charts for popular routes
        • ► Driving to La Fortuna/Arenal
        • ► Driving to Monteverde
        • ► Driving to Drake Bay
  • Where To Go: Cities & Towns
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica destinations, including recommendations for cities, towns, and communities to visit in Costa Rica.

        • ► Guide to 70+ Costa Rica destinations
        • ► Use our Costa Rica Destination Tool to determine where to go in Costa Rica
        • ► Popular Costa Rica destinations
        • ► Off-the-beaten-path Costa Rica destinations
        • ► Most-visited Costa Rica beach towns
        • ► Common Costa Rica destination name and location misunderstandings
        • ► San Jose
          • Things to do in San Jose
          • National Theater
        • ► La Fortuna / Arenal
          • La Fortuna city guide
          • La Fortuna hotel guide
          • Driving to La Fortuna
          • La Fortuna vs. Monteverde
          • Mistico Park vs Sky Walk/Adventures: Arenal hanging bridges comparison
          • Guide to all 12 Arenal hot springs / hot springs comparison
          • La Fortuna waterfall
          • Arenal Volcano National Park
        • ► Monteverde / Santa Elena
          • Monteverde city guide
          • Monteverde hotel guide
          • Driving to Monteverde
          • Monteverde vs. La Fortuna
          • Monteverde cloud forest vs. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
          • Treetopia Park vs Selvatura Park: Monteverde hanging bridges comparison
        • ► Manuel Antonio / Quepos / Central Pacific Coast
          • Manuel Antonio city guide
          • Manuel Antonio National Park
          • Playa Manuel Antonio
        • ► Puerto Viejo / Southern Caribbean Coast
          • Puerto Viejo city guide
          • Playa Puerto Viejo
        • ► Alajuela (SJO Airport)
          • Things to do in Alajuela
          • Poas Volcano National Park
          • Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center (ZooAve)
        • ► Liberia (LIR Airport)
          • Llanos del Cortes waterfall
        • ► All Other Costa Rica Destinations, including Tortuguero, Tamarindo, Montezuma, Santa Teresa, Nosara, Samara, Jaco, Dominical, Uvita, Drake Bay, Puerto Jimenez, Cahuita, Bijagua, San Gerardo de Dota, and more!
  • Where To Go: Beaches
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica beaches, including recommendations for beaches to visit in Costa Rica.

        • ► Guide to 80+ Costa Rica beaches
        • ► Most-visited Costa Rica beach towns
        • ► Guide to Blue Flag (eco-friendly) beaches
        • ► Guanacaste / Northern Pacific beaches
          • All Northern Pacific / Guanacaste beaches
          • Playa Danta
          • Playa Dantita
          • Playa Hermosa
          • Playa Junquillal
          • Playa Nacascolo
          • Playa Puerto Viejo
          • Playa Tamarindo
          • Playa Virador
        • ► Nicoya Peninsula beaches
          • All Nicoya Peninsula beaches
          • Playa Cangrejal
          • Playa Curu
          • Playa Quesera
          • Playa Garza
          • Playa Samara
          • Playa Las Manchas
          • Playa Santa Teresa
          • Playa Tropical (Isla Tortuga)
        • ► Central Pacific beaches
          • All Central Pacific beaches
          • Playa Blanca
          • Playa Dominical
          • Playa Herradura
          • Playa Jaco
          • Playa Mantas
          • Playa Manuel Antonio
          • Playa Uvita
          • Playa Ventanas
        • ► Caribbean beaches
          • All Caribbean beaches
          • Playa Arrecife
          • Playa Chiquita
          • Playa Puerto Viejo
          • Playa Manzanillo
        • ► Osa Peninsula beaches
          • All Osa Peninsula beaches
          • Playa Preciosa / Playa Platanares
          • Playa Cocalito
  • Where To Stay & Luxury Travel
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica accommodations, including recommendations for where to stay in Costa Rica.

        • ► The cost of hotels in Costa Rica
        • ► Tour transportation: hotel pick-ups and drop-offs
        • ► La Fortuna / Arenal hotel guide
        • ► Monteverde hotel guide
        • ► SJO Airport hotel guide
        • ► High-end accommodations for luxury travel
        • ► All-inclusive resorts and non-all-inclusive resorts
        • ► How to choose an accommodation
        • ► Accommodation recommendations
  • Spending & Saving Money
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about saving money in Costa Rica, and to access free discounts for Costa Rica tours, hotels, car rentals, and shuttle services.

        • ► The costs of traveling to Costa Rica
        • ► 13% VAT tax in Costa Rica
        • ► USD, colones, and credit card info
        • ► Colones / dollars (USD) exchange info
        • ► Tipping info
        • ► How to use tour transportation to save money on travel in Costa Rica
        • ► How to save money on Costa Rica tours and activities
        • ► FREE discounts for Costa Rica tours and activities
        • ► FREE discount codes for Costa Rica hotels, shuttles, and car rentals
  • Food & Drink
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about food and drink in Costa Rica, including recommendations for things to eat in Costa Rica, drinks to try in Costa Rica, and Costa Rican recipes so you can re-create Costa Rican meals in your own home!

        • ► The cost of food and drink in Costa Rica
        • ► 30 things to eat in Costa Rica
        • ► 20 things to drink in Costa Rica (alcoholic & non-alcoholic)
        • ► Vegetarian and vegan food in Costa Rica
        • ► Gluten-free food in Costa Rica
        • ► Recipes for Costa Rican food and drinks
  • Travel Anxiety, Safety, & Health
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about staying safe in Costa Rica, including Costa Rica safety tips and ways to keep a level head while traveling.

        • ► Costa Rica safety information and recommendations
        • ► Costa Rica travel anxiety information and recommendations
        • ► Ways Costa Rica’s mantra, pura vida, can help you get through the pandemic
        • ► Our master list of Costa Rica do's and don'ts
  • Packing, Souvenirs, & Sustainability
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about coming and going from Costa Rica, including Costa Rica packing information, Costa Rica souvenir information, and tips for practicing responsible, sustainable tourism.

        • ► What to pack for Costa Rica
        • ► Sustainable tourism in Costa Rica: 15 ways to travel responsibly
        • ► What to buy in Costa Rica
  • Top Questions & Answers
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to read our responses to some of the most common questions we receive about Costa Rica, including questions about white-water rafting in Costa Rica, questions about zip-lining in Costa Rica, questions about visiting the hot springs in Costa Rica, and more!

        • ► Our answers to common Costa Rica questions (master list)
        • ► Our answers to Costa Rica rafting tour questions
        • ► Our answers to Costa Rica hot springs questions
        • ► Our answers to Costa Rica ziplining questions
        • ► Our answers to travelers' questions submitted through our blog
  • Extras
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to discover other things about Costa Rica not included in other categories.

        • ► Costa Rica Photography
        • ► Costa Rica travel with kids
        • ► Ways to get engaged in Costa Rica
        • ► DIY Costa Rica
        • ► Our Donation Project
        • ► Costa Rican culture
        • ► Moon Costa Rica, our guidebook published by Moon Travel Guides
        • ► Miscellaneous Costa Rica blogs
        • ► Glossary (English and Spanish words and phrases you'll see around our blog)
  • Contact Us
MENUMENU
  • Our Costa Rica guidebooks published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides
        • Our 2023 Moon Costa Rica guidebook (third edition)

          Moon Costa Rica guide
        • Our 2022 Moon Best of Costa Rica guidebook (first edition)

        • Our 2021 Moon Costa Rica guidebook (second edition)

        • Our 2019 Moon Costa Rica guidebook (first edition)

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  • FREE DIY COSTA RICA ACCESS! Details here.

Our company is inclusive. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here.

NEW! Our awesome Costa Rica Destination Tool filters 66 destinations by nearly 150 criteria to help you quickly and easily decide where to go in Costa Rica according to your unique preferences, wants, and needs. Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here.

Tag: arenal sky walk

Mistico Park or Sky Walk/Adventures: Which Arenal Hanging Bridges Are The Best?

Mistico Park or Sky Walk/Adventures: Which Arenal Hanging Bridges Are The Best?

Looking for the best Arenal hanging bridges? We compare and contrast the Mistico Park bridges and the Arenal Sky Walk bridges.

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Aerial Trams, Hanging Bridges (Suspension Bridges), La Fortuna (Arenal), National Parks, Hiking, and Walking, Volcanoes, Waterfalls, What To Do In Costa Rica, Where To Go In Costa Rica, Wildlife Spotting, Gardens, and Exhibits, Ziplining (Canopy Tours)

Hola, amigos!

nikkiandrickycostarica

We’re Ricky, a born-and-raised Tico (Costa Rican), former rafting tour guide, and nature and wildlife photographer; and Nikki, a longtime Costa Rica explorer, five-time published Costa Rica guidebook author, and Tica (Costa Rican) at heart. We’re a happily married, adventurous couple in our 18th year of discovering Costa Rica together. In addition to writing this Costa Rica Travel Blog, we’re the team behind several other Costa Rica-based projects, including:

our business, Pura Vida! eh? Inc., home to hundreds of discounts for Costa Rica day tours

our “best of Costa Rica” compilation DIY Costa Rica, which includes our Costa Rica Destination Tool and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map

our free Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course

and our awesome Costa Rica travel guidebooks—Moon Costa Rica 2025 (a full-country guide; scheduled release summer 2025), Moon Costa Rica 2023 (a full-country guide; currently available for purchase), Moon Costa Rica 2021 (a full-country guide), Moon Costa Rica 2019 edition (a full-country guide), and Moon Best of Costa Rica 2022 (a selective “best of” guide)—published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides

Our Moon Costa Rica guidebook, 2023 edition (a full-country guide currently available for purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailers—paperback and e-book versions):

Moon Costa Rica guide

Our Moon Best of Costa Rica guidebook, 2022 edition (a selective “best of” guide currently available for purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailers—paperback and e-book versions):

Our Moon Costa Rica guidebook, 2021 edition (a full-country guide currently available for purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailers—paperback and e-book versions):

Our Moon Costa Rica guidebook, 2019 edition (a full-country guide currently available to purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailers—paperback and e-book versions):

Click here to read our full bio and see pics of our Costa Rica travels!

Some (yes, only some!) of the Costa Rica sights and attractions that Nikki and Ricky have experienced:

Click here to listen to podcast interviews we’ve been featured on!

Are you a visual learner? If so, watch Nikki Solano on the Costa Rica-themed Rick Steves’ Monday Night Travel Show!

If you’re an eco-conscious traveler, don’t miss Nikki Solano’s 10-page feature on sustainable experiences in Costa Rica in the April/May (2023) issue of Wanderlust Magazine!

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Costa Rica guidebook writers / CEOs

puravidaeh

Ricky & Nikki Solano
Costa Rica Authors @moonguides
Entrepreneurs & Bloggers
❤️️ Travel / Adventure / Nature / Wildlife
No DMs pls; Contact info 👇

Today is a celebratory day for two reasons: From Today is a celebratory day for two reasons:From a business standpoint, today is the day that the third edition of our #CostaRica #guidebook 📖, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, gets released worldwide. 🌎 The book is now available for purchase online (through Amazon and other booksellers) and in bookstores around the globe. We've said it before but we'll say it again: the third edition of Moon Costa Rica is our favorite. The first edition was just that—a first edition. We poured our hearts and nearly a year's worth of work into that guide, but simultaneously, we were discovering how to produce a full-length guidebook and what makes one great. When it came time to work on a second edition, the pandemic reared its ugly head and travel came to a standstill. Although we managed to update the entire guide, the post-Covid era brought several changes. The third edition is the product of everything the first edition taught us about guidebook publishing and everything the second edition taught us about travel, especially how lucky so many of us are to have resumed accessing that privilege. ❤️ We sincerely hope you love it as much as we do.From a personal standpoint, today marks the 20th birthday of one of our dear nieces. 🎉¡Feliz cumpleaños Marianita!🎉 We have enjoyed every minute of watching you grow up and we are so proud of the woman you have become. 😍 Scroll to see a few of the fun adventures we've had over the years. We can't wait to find out what's in store for us next. 😊Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano#travelwithmoon #travel #travelwriting #travelerwriter #writing #writingabook #dreamsdocometrue #authors #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #costaricatravel #centralamerica #travel #puravidaeh #diycostarica #birthday #happybirthday #birthdaygirl #traveling #travelblogger #reader #readerforlife #tourism #amwriting
#CostaRica is home to a few beaches named Playa Bl #CostaRica is home to a few beaches named Playa Blanca, but this one, away from bustling beach towns and along an unfrequented stretch of Pacific coastline, is my favorite. 😊⁣⁣See the "Guanacaste and Northern Pacific" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, to learn why I love the particular #PlayaBlanca pictured here, and to discover other great off-the-beaten-path beaches. 🏖⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#travelwithmoon #mooncostarica #puravidaeh #diycostarica #costaricatravelshop #beach ⁣
Sunday brunch day, #Tamarindo edition. 😋 ⁣⁣See the "Tamarindo" section of the "Guanacaste and Northern Pacific" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, for more information about the cute #restaurant featured in this photo. Or, peruse the entire guidebook for recommendations for #restaurants throughout #CostaRica.⁣⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
... one heart, let's join together and feel all ri ... one heart, let's join together and feel all right. 🎵❤⁣⁣If you spot this sign on a trip to Costa Rica's #Caribbean coast, you'll know you've entered the laid-back beach town of #Cahuita.⁣⁣See the "Caribbean Coast" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, to learn more about Cahuita. We cover #hotels, #restaurants, and things to do in town, including trips to the nearby Cahuita National Park, so you can get to know the chill #beachtown and decide if it's the perfect coastal retreat in #CostaRica for you! ☀⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
🌴 Do you know that some #trees can walk? These 🌴 Do you know that some #trees can walk? These #palms "walk" when they sprout and establish roots in a new direction and let their old roots to die, allowing the trees to gradually change their position on the ground. They can initiate the moving process to increase their chances of survival (to reach more sunlight, for example) and to decrease opportunities for harm (say, to avoid hazards on the ground). Man, trees are adaptive and resilient. 👏⁣⁣⁣⁣See the "Background" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, to learn about some of the #cool types of trees you can see in #CostaRica. Or, peruse the entire guidebook for recommended #hikes, on which you can see Costa Rican #flora in #nationalparks, biological reserves, and #wildlife refuges.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
🌳 Costa Rica's peaceful Caño Negro Wildlife Re 🌳 Costa Rica's peaceful Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. As lovely as it appears here, it's even lovelier to tour by boat. The only downside to that experience is momentarily disrupting the refuge's still waters. ☮⁣⁣See the "La Fortuna and Monteverde" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, to learn about the #refuge, including its unique #ecosystem and stellar #birdwatching opportunities.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
☕ A café we like to stop at whenever we travel ☕ A café we like to stop at whenever we travel around #LakeArenal (between Monteverde and La Fortuna) has a floor completely covered with #macadamia shells. We go for the #food, but there's something so satisfying about walking on the floor and kicking the #shells around with our feet. It's like the grown-up version of playing in a ball pit. 😆⁣⁣See the "La Fortuna and Monteverde" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, to learn about the café and other worthwhile places to stop at while driving around Lake Arenal. ⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
The cloud forest may seem eerie at times, but that The cloud forest may seem eerie at times, but that doesn't mean it's something to fear. Come to Costa Rica's #cloudforest to explore its damp #trails, breathe its misty air, and discover its unique highland #flora and #fauna. "The only thing [you] have to fear is fear itself." 💭😊⁣⁣See the "Background" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, to learn about the #ecosystems you can find in #CostaRica. Or, peruse the other chapters to learn which #destinations to visit if you want to experience the cloud forest.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
Hey, horse, why the long face? 😆 #badjoke #dadj Hey, horse, why the long face? 😆 #badjoke #dadjoke #couldnotresist ⁣⁣We snapped this photo along the side of Road 245, otherwise known as the road to #PuertoJimenez, on Costa Rica's #OsaPeninsula. Road 245 is one of our favorite #roads to drive in #CostaRica because it has a few spots where you can pull over and take in beautiful views. (Views of the #GolfoDulce and the Osa Peninsula's striking #landscape, not roadside horses. LOL)⁣⁣See the "Osa Peninsula and Southern Pacific" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, for more information about the #viewpoints and other not-to-miss sights in the region. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
Best. cake. ever. 🍓🍫 Thank you. 💕 Best. cake. ever. 🍓🍫 Thank you. 💕
This photo is as "instagramy" as I'll ever share. This photo is as "instagramy" as I'll ever share. Just seems fitting for a day of reflection. ⁣⁣See the "Accommodations" section of every destination-based chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, for information about hotels in Costa Rica, a.k.a. places where you can snap pensive photos like this one. ;)⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano #CostaRica #travelwithmoon #mooncostarica #puravidaeh #diycostarica #costaricatravelshop #explorecostarica #costaricatravel #centralamerica #lafortuna #arenal #hotel #hotels #accommodations #views #volcanoview #sunrise #reflection #reflecting #pensive #deepinthought #selfreflection #selfreflect #gettingolder #gettingwiser #gettingbolder #gettingkinder
The trifecta for a glorious evening: great food, g The trifecta for a glorious evening: great food, great views, and the love of your life. 💘⁣⁣See the "Central Pacific" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, for more information about the restaurant featured in the photo. Better yet, peruse the entire guidebook for recommendations for awesome #restaurants all over Costa Rica.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
🇨🇷 Happy Independence Day, #CostaRica! 🇨🇷⁣⁣See the "Essentials" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, for a list of holidays and events celebrated in Costa Rica. Or, peruse the entire guide to learn how particular destinations mark special occasions. 🎉⁣⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano⁣⁣
⛴ Just cruisin'. ⚓ Pictured here is a #cruises ⛴ Just cruisin'. ⚓ Pictured here is a #cruiseship docked at the port city of #Puntarenas, on Costa Rica's Pacific coast. But roughly half of the total number of passengers who arrive in #CostaRica by cruise ship each year dock at the port in the city of #Limon, on the Caribbean coast. Regardless of which popular port your cruise docks at in Costa Rica, there's a worthwhile shore excursion calling your name. 👍⁣⁣See the "Caribbean Coast" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, for shore excursion recommendations.⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
The vigoron, a #Puntarenas specialty and some of C The vigoron, a #Puntarenas specialty and some of Costa Rica's best #streetfood. 🍴⁣⁣See the "Central Pacific" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, to learn what a #vigoron consists of and where you can get one in the port city of Puntarenas.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
This shot, purposely scheduled for today, is our c This shot, purposely scheduled for today, is our contribution to #SunriseSunsetDay. We look forward to this day every year. Keep up the great work, @jessebrisendine 💛
Quick, what's the first type of #tree that pops in Quick, what's the first type of #tree that pops into your head when you think about #CostaRica, a tropical country? If it's a #palmtree, I can't blame you, because they're all over CR. I bet you'd be surprised, though, to learn that Costa Rica has #alpine and #subalpine forest too, and that exploration of the brisk life zones warrants the use of pants and a jacket. The last time we stayed in the San Gerardo de Dota area, a great place to explore highland #forest, we turned our room heater up to the maximum and I slept in a sweatshirt while snuggled up in blankets. The takeaway here? Costa Rica is a wonderland of diverse ecosystems, and they're full of surprises. ❤️See the "Background" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, to learn about the amazing ecosystems you can explore in Costa Rica.⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano#travelwithmoon #mooncostarica #puravidaeh #diycostarica #costaricatravelshop #explorecostarica #costaricatravel #centralamerica #photography #landscapephotography #landscapes #hike #hiking #alpineforest #subalpineforest #naturelover #nature #nature_seekers #trees #sangerardodedota #seniorstravel #familyfriendlytravel
🎉 Sunday fun day! What could be more fun than r 🎉 Sunday fun day! What could be more fun than rising early, wading through water to reach a boat, #boating to Costa Rica's far-flung Corcovado National Park, and touring remote #forest? Not much, if you ask us. 😀⁣⁣See the "Osa Peninsula and Southern Pacific" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, for more information about the famous #CorcovadoNationalPark, including ways to access an experience it. ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
The #breakfast of (Costa Rican) champions: fresh t The #breakfast of (Costa Rican) champions: fresh tropical fruit! 🍉🍌🍍⁣⁣See the "Essentials" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, for information about #CostaRicanfood and what you can eat for breakfast in #CostaRica besides the delicious local #fruit.⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
🥊 Friday fight night, #capuchin class. 🥊⁣ 🥊 Friday fight night, #capuchin class. 🥊⁣⁣See the "Wildlife Guide" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, for information about the four different kinds of #monkeys you can see in #CostaRica, and where you're most likely to see them.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
💭 Remembering when we used to have El Salto, th 💭 Remembering when we used to have El Salto, the now-famous La Fortuna #swimminghole and #TarzanSwing, all to ourselves. (And just how low-grade digital videos were at that time.) 💕 #mid2000s⁣⁣You can probably guess that the #rainforest landscape and beautiful #rivers, among other things, originally drew me to #CostaRica. If there's any question why I stayed, though, just look at this charmer, blowing #kisses wild and free. #loveatfirstsight⁣⁣To learn about the fun you can have at #ElSalto today, see the "La Fortuna and Monteverde" chapter of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides.⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
You know what's cooler than #surfing waves off a b You know what's cooler than #surfing waves off a beach in Costa Rica? Surfing waves off 10, 20, 30, 40, or more beaches in #CostaRica. Take your pick of comfortable beach breaks, gnarly point breaks, challenging reef breaks, and even spontaneous river breaks. We've got 'em all! 🌊⁣⁣⁣⁣See the "Northern Pacific and Guanacaste", "Nicoya Peninsula", "Central Pacific", "Osa Peninsula and Southern Pacific", and "Caribbean Coast" chapters of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, for information about not-to-miss #surfspots, regardless of whether you're a beginner, intermediate-level, or advanced-level #surfer.⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano⁣⁣⁣⁣#travelwithmoon #mooncostarica #puravidaeh #diycostarica #costaricatravelshop #surfing #surflife #beach ⁣
When you're in #CostaRica and a tropical bird croa When you're in #CostaRica and a tropical bird croaks at you, croak back. Toucan play at that game. 😂 (Groan)⁣⁣For the kiddos: How do you make a telephone in the #jungle? 📞 With toucans and a piece of string. 😉⁣⁣You can learn about toucans (plus tons of other kinds of birds) as well as #birding experiences, tours, and #expeditions in Costa Rica in several chapters of our Costa Rica #guidebook, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides. The "Wildlife Guide" chapter details where specific #bird species, like rainbow-billed toucans, chestnut-mandibled toucans, and toucanets, can be seen in Costa Rica. Happy #birdwatching!⁣⁣⁣⁣See our bio for links to our other Costa Rica-related projects:⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣• Pura Vida! eh? Inc.⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Blog⁣⁣⁣• DIY Costa Rica (including our Costa Rica Recommendations Map and our Costa Rica Destination Tool)⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course⁣⁣⁣• The Costa Rica Travel Shop⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
Let this wildly unflattering photo of me serve as Let this wildly unflattering photo of me serve as a friendly reminder (of what we all know but can easily forget) that Instagram #photos don't always need to be #pretty, and often when they are, they've been deliberately configured that way.⁣⁣At this particular moment in time, at Costa Rica's #CuruWildlifeRefuge, I used our camera screen as a mirror and wiped away makeup from under my eyes. The shutter button snapped suddenly, capturing this gorgeous gem, as if to teach me a lesson about #vanity and how it has no place in the humid rainforest. Ricky and I had a good laugh over this photo, which I never imagined would appear in a public realm. ⁣⁣Costa Rica's beauty is bountiful and capturing it on film is easy. Part of my job is to share that attraction with you, with the hope that you'll see it in person one day. That's not to suggest, like Instagram photos regularly do, that beauty is what's most important. Come to #CostaRica to #explore a new place, taste Costa Rican food, feel the thrill of a zipline or the rush of white-water rapids, rejuvenate your body with rest and other rewards, #learn about nature, and see remarkable wildlife. Most importantly, come to Costa Rica to #discover a new (simpler) #wayoflife that can #enlighten your own.⁣⁣Another one of my jobs is to speak truths about Costa Rica, even when the truths aren't #attractive. So, here's to #transparency, not only in writing but in posting. Here's to showcasing authentic, less-obvious #CostaRicatravel experiences, as weird as they may be, including sweaty occasions, camera mishaps, embarrassing moments, botched trip experiences, and more.⁣⁣Later this month (September 26th, 2023), the third edition of our Costa Rica #guidebook 📖, Moon Costa Rica with @moonguides, will be released worldwide. 🌎 It's my transparent take on #travel and #tourism in Costa Rica, and I sincerely hope you enjoy it. It's jam-packed with my genuine love for the country, doozies and all. ❤⁣⁣⁣⁣#Puravida amigos! 👍⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣Photo credit: @puravidaeh Ricky & Nikki Solano
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Tours, tour operators, and activities

Best Adventure Tour
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Best Safari Float
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Best Accessible Tour
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Views

Best View Of The Sunrise
Best View Of The Sunset
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Best View Of The Arenal Volcano
Best View Of The Continental Divide
Best View Of The Guanacaste Plains
Best View Of Volcano Lava Rocks
Best View Overlooking The Town Of La Fortuna
Best View Overlooking Arenal Lake
Best View Overlooking The Caribbean Coast
Best View Overlooking The Pacific Coast

Wildlife and wildlife-spotting

Best Place To See Capuchin Monkeys
Best Place To Hear Howler Monkeys
Best Place To See Toucans
Best Place To See Scarlet Macaws
Best Place To See Crocodiles
Best Place To See Caimans
Best Place To See Coatis
Best Place To Feed Pigeons
Coolest Animal To See Up Close

Sites and attractions

Best Volcano To Visit
Best Hot Springs
Best River For White Water Rafting
Best Museum
Best Theatre
Best Art Gallery
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Best Historical Site
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Best Butterfly Garden
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Most Convenient Waterfall To Visit

Destinations

Best Airport
Best Place For White Sand
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Best Surf Town
Best Shallow Beach
Best Place To Scuba Dive
Best Swimming Lagoon

Restaurants, food, and drink

Most Common Dining Expression
Best Soda Restaurant (Caribbean)
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Best Novelty Restaurant
Best Late Night Restaurant
Best Breakfast Menu Item (Traditional)
Best Breakfast Menu Item (Non-Traditional)
Must-Try Fruit (Cooked)
Must-Try Fruit (Raw)
Best French Fry Doppelganger
Best Coffee
Best Fruit Smoothie
Weirdest Drink To Order
Best Street Vendor Purchase
Best Post-Meal Treat

Accommodations

Best Vacation Rental Property
Best Beach Hostel
Best Luxury Hotel Bathroom
Most Underrated Hotel Amenities

Transportation

Best Shortcut
Most Stressful Encounter During A Road Trip
Most Erroneous Costa Rica Travel Myth

Shopping

Best Souvenir Purchase
Best Woodshop

Culture and tradition

Best Way To Get Into The Costa Rican Spirit
Best Slogan To Recite
Best Holiday Celebration
Best Navidad (Christmas) Tradition
Best Semana Santa (Easter Week) Tradition
Most Addictive Local Pastime

Fun and funny

Best Donation Item To Bring From Home
Best Use Of An Extra Two Dollars In Your Pocket
Best Opportunity To Take A Selfie
Best Item To Rent For A Day
Most Romantic Gesture
Best Mascot
Best Site For A Titanic “I’m The King Of The World” Moment
Best In-Pool Hot Springs Feature
Best Poolside Cabanas
Best Yoga Pose
Most Likely Fruit To Give You Montezuma’s Revenge

Random and strange

Most Stunning Product Of A Chemical Reaction
Coolest Tree
Most Dangerous Roadway Bridge Crossing
Best Way To Avoid A Parking Ticket
Most Likely Beach Companion
Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack
Most Important Reason For Keeping Colones On Hand

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