We returned home from Costa Rica a few nights ago and I can’t say enough good things about the trip.  If you have wanderlust like me this is a must add to your to-go list. Flights were relatively inexpensive, the culture is amazingly friendly and warm, and the landscape was lush and beautiful. Plus, end of May/early June marks the beginning of the “green” season (read: rainy season). This was actually perfect for us— it meant a brief 15-30 minute rainstorm in the afternoon, usually around the time we were ready for a nap. It also meant that everything was way less crowded and less expensive that usual (i.e. December/January holiday season).  All in all— I absolutely loved Costa Rica and I can’t wait to return!

We started in Arenal, a small town with a huge active volcano.  It was so amazing seeing the shift of the volcano, from being completely covered with clouds to seeing the top clearly smoking.

Another favorite part of being here was the incredible landscaping at our hotel. Right outside our room and throughout the area were the most incredible flowers and trees.

After a few days in Arenal, which included horseback riding, swimming, and a really yummy Costa Rican breakfast buffet, we headed to Monteverde, the Cloud Forest. We took a taxi-boat-taxi route (exactly what it sounds like) to get there, the second “taxi” ride (it was really a shared van) taking about 2 1/2 hours on the worst roads ever— but so worth the trip. We passed through lush green mountains full of pastures of cows and horses.  

We had so much fun in Monteverde, spending a morning exploring the hazily lit Cloud Forest, searching for wild animals and beautiful song birds.

We did a canopy tour in Monteverde, which sadly I don’t have any pictures of (hard to take pictures while you’re zipping through the air!) But I can say that one of the best ways to see a place is ziplining, “superman” style, over 1km of a green valley and taking in everything around you.

We also had some of our best meals in Monteverde, at a nearby “Soda”, the name of a Mom and Pop shop in Costa Rica. Our favorite was La Amistad— some of the best arroz con pollo and casado tipico around. Casado tipico is merely a typical meal, which includes rice, beans, plantains, a vegetable, a salad, and meat or fish. Here’s a La Amistad casado with chuleta, a pork chop: