Pura Vida Costa Rica
Shot at Sentido Norte
TRAVEL TIP
-You must have water shoes in order to hike La Leona-I recommend wearing a tight workout set because the tide is strong and can pull on your clothes when you are going against it
Being back in Costa Rica (my favorite place ever) feels like coming home. It holds a very special place in my heart because the people truly embody the "pura vida" saying that they live by. Whenever I’m there, I’m reminded of the things that are ACTUALLY important to me: spending time with the people that I love, connecting with and learning about different cultures, and being grateful for nature and the little things. If you are a first-timer in Costa Rica, let me share some must-do experiences. Have dinner at Sentido Norte: Here, you can witness the most beautiful sunset you'll ever see while indulging in the most delicious ceviche that will leave you craving for more (OR if you are Aaqilah, you'll just order 3 more). The restaurant is perched on top of a mountain with cute, comfy seating and breathtaking coastal views that will make you want to take a million pictures (which I did).
Another adventure awaits at La Leona waterfall. The hike is about an hour long and there are a couple of different trails you can take to the waterfall based on how difficult or easy you want it to be. We opted for the challenging trail, which involved swimming, river crossing, climbing rocks, navigating through bat coves, and optional cliff jumping. Along the way, we were mesmerized by the magical blue rivers that surround you. My favorite part was the final stretch to the waterfall where we had to straddle this 30ft long rope in the water and use it to pull our bodies against an opposing tide all the way to the hidden cave that housed the beautiful La Leona.(refer to the far right picture below)
Honorable mention goes to the tube ride on the way back to base from the waterfall. They have tubes waiting right outside La Leona so that if you don't feel like making the hike back, you can just hop in one of the tubes and let the river carry you back. (Like a lazy river!)
The #1 beach location that I highly recommend is Playa Conchal. Conchal is the beach where the W Costa Rica Resort resides and it has the softest sand with the bluest of blue water. We always buy the day pass at the W ($100 per person) which allows you to have access to the beach, free drinks and free food (up to the amount of the day pass.. so $100 worth) and access to all of their pools and excursions such as jet-skiing, horseback riding, and more.
This recommendation is a pretty popular one if you are on the northwestern side of Costa Rica: Spend the day at Tamarindo Beach. Tamarindo is great for shopping, surfing, grabbing drinks and a meal, or just relaxing in the sun. The downside is that it definitely attracts a lot of tourists so if that is not the vibe you are looking for, it probably is not the spot for you.
Last but certainly not least, plan a day at sea on a private charter boat. You can set sail to a private island or just spend the day at sea, indulging in activities like paddle boarding, snorkeling, and playing on the lilypad. If relaxation is more your style, you can vibe out on the boat to some good music, basking in the sun. And when you get hungry, your captain will whip up a scrumptious, mouthwatering lunch onboard. And let's not forget the cherry on top - an open bar. [Visit my UGC page to see videos of this experience: Boat UGC ]
These are just 5 of the ENDLESS things Costa Rica has to offer to visitors. If you do find yourself in Costa Rica, I hope you love it as much as I do!