Costa Rica is one of my dream destinations in the last 10 years. During these 10 years I could visit to there twice. Once I had visited in 2008 then now in the end of 2018. I can offer the country for all people who love water in any form such as sea, ocean, waterfalls, rivers, streams, etc. I can offer it for those who love nature, animals, cuisine, sun and rain, mountains, volcanoes, rainforests.
In Costa Rica I have gained two nicknames. One of them is the “Hungarian Shakira” thanks to a great party in the mountain somewhere in San Isidro Perez Zeledon and to the fantastic D.J. Jeison. The other one is “Wonder Woman” based on my t-shirt I wore meanwhile I survived a canopy tour above the rainforest in Monteverde. Frankly saying, I am not sure that one more time I would be enough brave to make a canopy tour. It was mostly a challenge for me to face my fear from highness and vulnerability. Yes, the landscape was amazing. Yes, the guys working there were totally cute, supportive and professional. Yes, it was a wonderful, heartbreaking, stop breathing adventure, as flying among trees and above the whole rainforest as a bird or wonder woman, or Jane, however it was a once in a lifetime experience for me. The best moment ever was to jump down from a tree and pretending being Tarzan, in my case being Wonder Woman. Of course, the lianas were made from very solid and safe ropes and equipments. And thanks to the nice staff of Selvatura Adventure Theme Park even I could make my jump twice. I really thought that the instructor just made a joke when he explained that now for the second time I will jump backwards. No, he really meant it. So, second time Wonder Woman proved that even she was able to fly backwards.
Exploring Costa Rica, it is worth renting a car and listen to the locals regarding to the directions where to go. It is better to follow the suggestions of locals than the GPS. Between Monteverde and La Tigra, we explored how GPS interprets the manageable roads. We could participate in a survivor tour as driving on roads for horses and through streams somewhere on the top of two hills and all around just trees, and trees and trees. After canopy and the off-road tour, the adrenaline shock was my best friend ever.
If I have to name my two favourite places, then I would mention the Manuel Antonio National Park and Cahuita National Park. If you like waters and nature, then you will be also fall in love with these two amazing places. Manuel Antonio National Park is located next to the Pacific Ocean, and the Cahuita National Park protects the Caribbean Sea and its sea turtles. Both Parks are well equipped and nature friendly, protecting wild animals and taking care of the water and rainforests. The biggest difference is between them the size of the waves in its beaches. If you are a surfer, then Pacific Ocean should be your destination and Jaco is your place. If you just love to swim without huge waves, then go to Cahuita and enjoy the sun and the Caribbean Sea. Both places are a fairytale with its wild animals and the tour paths for visitors. Monkeys are cute and friendly; just close your bags as they love to steal all kind of food. The Pacific Ocean is amazing and warm. Yes, it is warm. I mean at least 25 degrees if it is not more. And even here also you can fly if you just catch the right wave. The Ocean is infinite and magnificent as a real ancient strength. It makes you feel small and it empowers you becoming big and following your dreams. In the Pacific Ocean, you can fly on the top of the waves or you can just dive under it if you do not take its rhythm. Caribbean Sea offers a quite, dreaming event as laying on its surface and just let the waves swaying you to the shore. Doesn’t matter which places you choose, definitely you will be in a Paradise.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Jaco
Cahuita National Park
Other natural magic of Costa Rica is the mountains. In Volcano Irazu National Park even a movie can be shot as it feels like being in the Mars. You can walk on black ashes in a huge area where the rivers of lava just covered everything. Then in its crater, amazingly green water can be found. The whole area has an otherworldly feeling. Other still working volcano is Arenal that it worth exploring. It has a totally different shape then Irazu. Its speciality is the hot springs.
Irazu National Park
Arenal
Speaking about magical places, then you should also visit to Guayabo Ceremonial Monument. This is a very ancient place of Costa Rica. Meanwhile you are walking in its rainforest, and exploring the underground channels, remaining statutes, the water supplies built by the pre-Columbian civilisation, still you can feel something ancient in the place itself. Something is sacredness. Something is magical. Something there is very peaceful and quite.
Finally, I would offer you two towns among several more, that worth exploring. Anyway, the plane just land in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. The city itself provides several party places, parks for resting, markets to shopping and eating.
Other one is San Isidro Perez Zeledon, where I could work a week thanks to the cooperation with Asociacion Juvenil Casa De La Juventude De Perez Zeledon and the financial support from the European Union Erasmus+ programme. The hospitality of locals are grateful, their kindness is amazing. They are absolutely helpful in every time and provide everything from their hearts.
Costa Rican markets and traditional food are colourful and delicious. If you like fruits and vegetables, you should try platino or so called fried plantains. This is sweet banana and mostly they are cooked, baked and fried. It is great to eat alongside with rice and meat and it goes perfectly with the traditional Costa Rican food so called Gallo Pinto. Even it is a very common breakfast, however it looks like as a main dish. Because anyway, it is a main dish! Gallo Pinto is Costa Rican rice with black beans. This is the fundamental base of a traditional Costa Rican food then you can add meat, cheese, eggs, and of course fried platino.
Pura Vida is the motto of Costa Rica. Spending there one or two weeks, you can feel its rhythm: just be happy, and enjoy what the life will bring. Whatever happens, it can be solved. Just feel that you are alive and enjoy the sun, the sea, the forest, the air, and smile, because everything will be all right.
Thanks for this amazing experience to Asociacion Juvenil Casa De La Juventude De Perez Zeledon.
