Ziplining the Clouds & Chasing Wildlife
Costa Rica had been on our travel list for a while, and after 15 days exploring this beautiful country, it certainly didn’t disappoint. It was the first time for us out of Europe to go on our honeymoon and we decided to go for it. From spotting wildlife deep in the rainforest to flying through the trees on a zipline, relaxing on Pacific beaches and the food was genuine and tasty. It was a holiday full of contrasts.
Our journey took us through four very different parts of Costa Rica: Tortuguero, La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio. We experienced a real mixture of weather along the way — sunshine, tropical rain and plenty of humidity — but that was all part of the adventure.
And wherever we went, there was one phrase that seemed to sum everything up perfectly: Pura Vida.
Tortuguero – Into the Wild
Our Costa Rican adventure began in Tortuguero, and it immediately felt as though we’d arrived somewhere very special.
Surrounded by dense rainforest and waterways, Tortuguero is a place where nature takes centre stage. Travelling through the canals, with lush greenery on either side and the sounds of the jungle all around us, was a wonderful introduction to Costa Rica.
Wildlife was one of the things we’d most looked forward to on this trip, and Tortuguero didn’t disappoint. There was always something to look out for, whether it was movement in the trees, colourful birds overhead or something appearing beside the water.
It was also our first proper introduction to Costa Rican weather. One minute it could be warm and tropical, the next the heavens would open. We quickly realised that a bit of rain wasn’t going to stop anything — you simply carried on and enjoyed it.
It somehow made the rainforest feel even more alive.
La Fortuna – Volcano Country
From Tortuguero, we travelled on to La Fortuna, home of the impressive Arenal Volcano.
The landscape here was completely different but just as beautiful. Everywhere seemed impossibly green, with the volcano providing a dramatic backdrop whenever the clouds and rain decided to move out of the way.
La Fortuna brought a little more adventure into our holiday. There were forests to explore, incredible scenery and that wonderful feeling of being surrounded by nature.We took a dip in the hot springs which was really nice and relaxing.
By now we’d also settled nicely into the Costa Rican way of eating. Rice and beans became a regular feature — sometimes for breakfast, sometimes later in the day, and occasionally it felt like both!
Simple, filling and surprisingly addictive, it became part of the experience. Along with fresh local ingredients and some really enjoyable meals, food was definitely one of the pleasures of travelling around the country.
Monteverde – Up in the Clouds
Next came Monteverde, and another complete change of scenery.
The famous cloud forest has a wonderfully atmospheric feel. Mist hangs between the trees, the air is cooler and the landscape feels mysterious and almost otherworldly.
This was also where the adrenaline levels went up.
Ziplining through the Costa Rican forest was one of those experiences that sounded like a great idea when we booked it — and suddenly seemed slightly less sensible when we were standing high above the ground!
But once we were flying through the trees, it was brilliant.
There is something unforgettable about seeing the forest from above while speeding along a cable with nothing but greenery stretching out around you. It was exhilarating, slightly terrifying and definitely one of the highlights of the trip.
Manuel Antonio – Time for the Beach
After rainforests, volcanoes and cloud forests, finishing our trip in Manuel Antonio felt like the perfect choice.
Here, the jungle meets the Pacific Ocean, giving us the best of both worlds: wildlife and beautiful beaches.
After travelling around the country, it was lovely to slow the pace down. We could spend time on the beach, enjoy the warmth, swim, relax and simply appreciate where we were.
But even at the beach, Costa Rica’s wildlife is never very far away. That’s one of the things we loved most about the country. Nature isn’t confined to one national park or one particular excursion — it seems to be everywhere.
There was something rather special about ending our adventure with sand beneath our feet, the Pacific in front of us and tropical greenery behind us.
