A Long Weekend of Pura Vida Vibes in Costa Rica

(This post is still under construction, but the itinerary stands! Check back soon for the full details and narrative.)

Vacations are meant to rejuvenate, and while my body is sore and I feel a little sleep deprived… a few days away in nature served to reset me in more ways than one. Somehow, I feel mentally refreshed and energized for work, and the gazillion other pursuits I’m hustling through. Perhaps it was the rainforest, the pura vida vibe or reading Salesforce founder Marc Benioff’s book on the plane(that’s right, folks, I’m not just drinking the kool aid, I’m chugging it), but by the time I came back home, I felt amped and grateful that we pulled that last minute trigger to get away (this had originally been a bucket list item for which I wanted to spend at least 8 days with just my husband. Instead it became a 4-day trip with two kids).

I’m definitely guilty of putting off a pursuit or experience because I want to plan it out just right, or I don’t feel completely ready. The thing is though, it’s never going to be the right time, and you’ll never feel 100% ready. Take the plunge, do it now. You’ll be grateful you did.

Logistics

We packed out four days full of activities. There is still so much to see in Costa Rica, but I feel pretty good about what we got to see and do. I booked tours through Canoa Aventura and Sloth Watching Trails.

I totally went low budget on this trip: flew Spirit airlines round trip, booked at a locally run guest house (no English spoken).

Day 1

• Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica 
• Late lunch at Los Antojitos 
• Drive to La Fortuna area passing the Starbucks hacienda and Poas Volcano Park 

• Stay at the Aunty Arenal Lodge 

Day 2

Our first full day in Costa Rica wore us out! Lava trail from the Silencio estate at Arenal Volcano National Park, Green Lake, and cool dip at the La Fortuna Waterfall. Costa Rican vegetarian lunch included rice, black beans, vegetables, plantains, flan and fresh juice.

By the time we got to the Hanging Bridges, baby boy decided it was time for a nap. That was fun without a stroller.

✅ Toucan
✅ Sloth
✅ Spider Monkeys
✅ Coati
✅ Neck and back pain from taking turns carrying our little guy up the volcano and hanging bridges trails.

100% worth it.

Day 3

There is no way I would have seen these myself with my naked eye. They are so well camouflaged and too high up in the trees. Huge thanks to guides @slothwatchingtrail for their patience and keen eye (and for letting us shoot photos through their scopes).

• Covered with Sloth Watching Trails tour guides
• Coffee plantation, cocoa plantation, sloth watching along the Bogarin Trail 
• Evening swim at Aunty Arenal Lodge 
• Dinner at Saffron Indian 

Day 4

• Drive back to San Jose 
• National History Museum & butterfly Garden

• Lunch at Sapore Trattoria 
• Late afternoon cocktails on the terrace of the Hilton Garden Inn San Jose La Sabana 
• Dinner ordered in from Naans and Curries