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.

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  • About
        • Mucho gusto! (Nice to meet you!)
          Learn about us, our Costa Rica experience, and how we can help you and other Costa Rica-bound 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 (Rio Chollin/Choyin)
          • 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
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica accommodations, including recommendations for places 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
  • Money, Tipping, Tax, & Food/Drink
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about spending and saving money in Costa Rica, tax in Costa Rica, tipping in Costa Rica, and eating and drinking in Costa Rica.

        • ► 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
        • ► Discounts for Costa Rica tours and activities
        • ► How to save money on Costa Rica tours and activities
        • ► 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)
        • ► Gluten-free food in Costa Rica
        • ► Vegetarian and vegan food in Costa Rica
  • Packing, Safety, Anxiety, & Sustainability
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about packing for Costa Rica, staying safe in Costa Rica, reducing travel anxiety while in Costa Rica, and practicing sustainability during your Costa Rica trip.

        • ► Costa Rica safety information and recommendations
        • ► Costa Rica travel anxiety information and recommendations
        • ► What to pack for Costa Rica
        • ► Our master list of Costa Rica do's and don'ts
        • ► Sustainable tourism in Costa Rica: 15 ways to travel responsibly
        • ► Ways Costa Rica’s mantra, pura vida, can help you get through the pandemic
        • ► What to buy in Costa Rica
  • Q&As, Extras, & Social Media
        • Browse our Costa Rica blogs to read our responses to some of the most common questions we receive about Costa Rica, to learn about topics not covered under other menu headings, to discover our various Costa Rica-related projects, and to find us on social media!

        • ► 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
        • ► Costa Rica Photography
        • ► Costa Rica travel with kids
        • ► Costa Rican culture
        • ► Ways to get engaged in Costa Rica
        • ► Miscellaneous Costa Rica blogs
        • ► Moon Costa Rica, our guidebook published by Moon Travel Guides
        • ► DIY Costa Rica
        • ► Glossary (English and Spanish words and phrases you'll see around our blog)
        • Contact Us
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  • 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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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: balsa river

Your Costa Rica Rafting Tour Questions Answered!

Your Costa Rica Rafting Tour Questions Answered!

We have rafted in Costa Rica 2,000+ times; read our answers to popular Costa Rica rafting tour questions, plus tips and need-to-know info!

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Alajuela, Brasilito (Playa Conchal), Cahuita, Costa Rica Questions and Answers, Herradura, Jaco, La Fortuna (Arenal), Liberia, Limon, Manuel Antonio (Quepos), Monteverde (Santa Elena), Nosara, Papagayo, Playa Flamingo, Playa Grande, Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste), Playas del Coco, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Samara, San Jose, Siquirres, Tamarindo, Turrialba, What To Do In Costa Rica, White Water Rafting

Hola, amigos!

nikkiandrickycostarica

We’re Ricky, a born-and-raised Tico (Costa Rican), former rafting tour guide, and nature and wildlife photographer; and Nikki, an avid Costa Rica explorer, a five-time published Costa Rica guidebook author, and a 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:

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

DIY Costa Rica: a “best of Costa Rica” compilation that includes our Costa Rica Destination Tool and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map.

Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Nikki Solano: a Q&A-based Spotify podcast.

NikkiSolano.com: Costa Rica trip-planning consultation services.

Moon Costa Rica: full-country Costa Rica travel guidebooks published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides (our publications include Moon Costa Rica 2025, scheduled release in July of 2025; Moon Costa Rica 2023, currently available for purchase; Moon Costa Rica 2021; Moon Costa Rica 2019; and Moon Best of Costa Rica 2022)

Costa Rica Travel Blog Quick Guide: a downloadable PDF guide to our blog that contains quick links to our articles to help you find the Costa Rica info you need fast.

Costa Rica Trip Planning 101: an email-based e-course.

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

Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Nikki Solano

Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Nikki Solano

Costa Rica Travel Blog Quick Guide

Costa Rica Travel Blog Quick Guide

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):

If you’re a visual learner, 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!

Is the value of your Costa Rica trip worth $6.99? If so, get DIY Costa Rica access.

DIY Costa Rica

DIY Costa Rica is our “best of” content portfolio documenting firsthand Costa Rica travel experience, tips, photos, and recommendations for do-it-yourself travelers.

DIY Costa Rica provides 100+ unique experience recommendations, each written as a chapter in a book, complete with photo galleries, Costa Rica field notes, experience details, Spanish pronunciation help, links to additional resources, and maps.

Itemized by category, the following is a breakdown of the recommendations documented on DIY Costa Rica. Register today to start browsing!

Tours, tour operators, and activities

Best Adventure Tour
Best Zipline Tour
Best Zipline Cable
Best Aerial Tram Ride
Best Hanging Bridge
Best Night Tour
Best Coastal Tour
Best Safari Float
Best Intermediate Hike
Best Extreme Hike
Best Accessible Tour
Best Cultural Tour
Best Nature Tour Operator
Best Adventure Tour Operator

Views

Best View Of The Sunrise
Best View Of The Sunset
Best View Of The Central Valley
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
Most Breathtaking Architecture
Best Historical Site
Best Ancient Ruins
Best Butterfly Garden
Best Hummingbird Garden
Most Convenient Waterfall To Visit

Destinations

Best Airport
Best Place For White Sand
Best Place For Black Sand
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)
Best Soda Restaurant (Inland)
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

For more information, please visit DIY Costa Rica.


Our seal of ownership

Nikki and Ricky

Each Costa Rica Travel Blog article reflects our own work, travels, and lessons learned. We strive for quality, not quantity, and we never stuff our blog with general information about Costa Rica that is widely available elsewhere. We write only what we believe or choose to believe in, and not a word more. .

Our company is inclusive

Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement.

 

Our Site, Our Right

All of the opinions, recommendations, and advice expressed on Costa Rica Travel Blog are our own. We support our comments with evidence, however we welcome opposing comments. Please note that our reviews are not financially supported by the companies we choose to evaluate. Our thoughts are influenced by our own travel experiences for the sole purpose of contributing feedback to the greater travel community.

Our blog is ad-free, affiliate-link-free, sponsor-free, and A.I.-free!

Your SPAM-FREE visit to OUR FREE WEBSITE is more important to us than making money off your clicks. Also, unlike competing blogs, we never sell any personal information we receive. We appreciate your interest, preference, and time. Pura vida, amigos! 🙂

Privacy Policy

Our website uses cookies. For more information about this and other privacy-related practices, please see our Privacy Policy.


All content, concepts, and photos (unless credited otherwise) property of Ricky and Nikki Solano. © Copyright 2007-2025 Costa Rica Travel Blog (Pura Vida! eh? Inc.)
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