FOR YOU, FOR FREE: 17 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!
We describe the most memorable aspects of the Tortuguero National Park (Cerro Tortuguero Sector) in Tortuguero, Costa Rica, plus share photos from our visits.
We describe the most memorable aspects of the Tortuguero National Park’s Cuatro Esquinas Sector in Tortuguero, Costa Rica, plus share photos from our visits.
We describe the most memorable aspects of the Monteverde Orchid Garden in Monteverde, Costa Rica, plus share photos from our visits.
We describe the most memorable aspects of the Carara National Park in Tarcoles, Costa Rica, plus share photos from our visits.
Planning to visit the Arenal Natura Park in La Fortuna? We describe the various attractions and offer discounts for tours to each!
We outline things to do at the Arenal Observatory Lodge in La Fortuna Costa Rica, plus offer a free discount promotion code for the hotel too!
Why we recommend staying at the Arenal Observatory Lodge in La Fortuna Costa Rica, plus a free discount promotion code for the hotel too!
Curious if you need a tour guide in Costa Rica? We explore whether Costa Rica guided tours or unguided tours are better, and why.
Everything you need to know about touring the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park with or without a guide, plus free discounts!
Plan to hike the Silencio Trail La Fortuna? We outline our preferred path, describe how to see the Arenal Volcano, and offer discounts for guided tours too!
We outline what to know about hiking Cerro Chato, the lagoon, and our sweet engagement story. Plus, free discounts for Cerro Chato tours!
✓ We choose not to display ads, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing on our blog. Because we prioritize your privacy, we don't earn money when you visit us, when you sign up for our e-course, or when you click on our links, which means the time and work we put into this blog is entirely voluntary.
✓ Ricky is a born-and-raised Costa Rican and Nikki (married to Ricky) has explored Costa Rica since the mid-2000s.
✓ We've operated our Costa Rica-based business, Pura Vida! eh? Inc., for 16 years (and counting!).
✓ Our Costa Rica guidebooks are published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides brand.
✓ We only ever write about experiences we know firsthand, and we never stuff our blog with general information about Costa Rica that is widely available elsewhere.
✓ We never copy or plagiarize other writers' content. How we wish other writers would show us the same respect!
✓ Unless stated otherwise, every photo displayed on our blog was taken by us, and with our own two hands. (Unlike some other bloggers, who rely on drones to travel and conduct research for them, we actually visit and explore the places we write about.)👍🏽
✓ We're active in promoting Costa Rica around the world. We've written about Costa Rica for Wanderlust Magazine (UK), presented Costa Rica on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel Show and podcast/radio show (US), and served as a Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist (Spain).
✓ Our work is backed by hundreds of positive reviews and testimonials (read some here)
✓ We are not overly active on social media. Instead of fixating on our own popularity, we spend the majority of our time exploring and researching Costa Rica, updating our various Costa Rica resources, and working with travelers one-on-one. We're focused on the quality of your travel experience, not the quantity of our followers. ❤️
