Visited: April/May 2019
After leaving Mexico, we spent two weeks camping around Costa Rica (mostly on the Pacific side) with a rental vehicle from Nomad America. Here are some highlights:
Swimming at La Fortuna Waterfall
Jonathan: We went first thing in the morning and were treated to a relatively empty waterfall (only about five other people around). We were able to enjoy a refreshing swim around the base of the falls with some beautiful views. (Tip: When we left the waterfall at 8:30 a.m., there were hordes of people coming down. So try to get your swim in before then!)
Ziplining in Monteverde
Both: Our experience with The Original Canopy Tour was definitely one of our favorite activities in Costa Rica. In addition to the ziplines themselves, the tour included an optional “Tarzan swing” (Megan loved it, Jonathan could have done without), one rappel and a tricky climb up a hollow ficus tree.
Staying on a family-owned coffee farm
Both: Our last stop with our Nomad America vehicle was a small coffee farm in “The Saints” area of Costa Rica (so named because all the villages are named after saints). The family was lovely and literally opened their home to us—the house door was open at all times, and we were welcome to drink their coffee, pick herbs from their garden, and collect eggs from their henhouse. We also received a private tour of the farm and learned a lot about the Costa Rica coffee industry.
Wild camping on the beach
Jonathan: At Playa Prieta, we were able to park our 4×4 in the sand under some trees and set up our tent, hammocks and awning. All about 150 feet from the water. The nights were hot and humid … but the days were awesome!
Exploring the hanging bridges in Arenal
Megan: One of our favorite things about this park was that you got a ticket with a specific time. So though we had to wait a bit because we hadn’t made reservations in advance, I’m glad the park limits the number of people who enter throughout the day. This led to a quieter and more pleasant hike.
Taking an air-conditioned shower in Quepos
Megan: What can I say? It’s the small things in life. 😉 But seriously … after going days without showering (and nights sweating in a hot, humid tent on a hot, humid beach), discovering the marina in Quepos had AIR-CONDITIONED SHOWERS in their public bathrooms was exciting beyond measure. (And if you know me in real life … you know I don’t usually get excited about showers! Haha.)
Touring the National Theater in San Jose
Megan: On our last day in Costa Rica, we ventured into San Jose for a few hours. Most of our friends who had been to Costa Rica told us to skip the city, but we ended up returning our Nomad America vehicle a day early, so we had time for a visit. The highlight of our time in San Jose was definitely touring the gorgeous Teatro Nacional (though we also had a delicious pulled pork patacon sandwich). I think I took more pictures in that theater than I have at any other single place on this trip so far!
Going on a 4×4 adventure courtesy of Google Maps
Jonathan: Google Maps took us down a steep, single-lane, rutted coffee-farm road in the mountains … which is not all that unusual for some routes in CR. Except that then it lost us completely (stopped tracking our location) and we ended up nose-to-nose with a farm truck and a very amused farm worker who kindly gave us directions. We had to back out, turn around, shift into 4WD-Lo, and bounce our way back up the road to the highway. IT WAS AWESOME. If this doesn’t sound fun to you, a 4×4 rental may not be your thing. 🙂
