In all this craziness we call life, one term that comes to mind is “Pura vida”. This is a commonly used phrase in Costa Rica that means “Pure life”, but the saying goes beyond this literal translation: it’s a way of life. It symbolizes the concept of simply enjoying life and being happy which I think we all should take time to reflect upon.
Finding balance now can be difficult but this country is good at it. Even their tourism site recognizes it with their page on Balance at Home. I love this page simply because it starts out with meditation and yoga to help calm the mind with a video to “Take an essential moment”. Then it offers local recipes, craft projects, and downloadable Zoom backgrounds.
This gets me excited to eventually visit this beautiful destination in my future. My first step in planning is to choose main points of interest and select those places to visit. Costa Rica offers so many diverse locations, like: beaches and mountains, volcanoes and forests, rivers and hot springs. Second, I will choose the type of activities that will enhance my experience in Costa Rica. I love to swim so a beach location will be at the top of my list but I also love the jungle so would want to take a tour there. Hot springs to help me relax? YES PLEASE!
A good tour company is essential to helping you create your ideal vacation. My first instinct is to talk to my travel advisor about suggestions. They are up to date on companies who are experienced in creating magical journeys and are also familiar with their policies like cancellations and insurance which are essential in these times.
One of my all-time favorite lodges is located here as well. Chayote Lodge has just twelve rooms located on the top of a hill which will take your breath away. It has astounding views of Costa Rica’s Central Valley, with the Chayote Forest Reserve, and at a traveling distance of under fifty minutes to San Jose SJO Airport, Chayote Lodge is an experience lodge around the culture of coffee. Surrounded by vast coffee plantations, the area of Llano Bonito de Naranjo is known to produce one of the finest coffee in the world. Some of the additional activities they offer include a day visit to local markets, a trip to the Poás Volcano National Park, zip lining, waterfall rappelling, visits to cheese factories and dairy farms, the Sarchí Oxcart Village, the Espíritu Santo Coffee Tour, or a simple road trip through small and rural villages that will allow you to enjoy the simple way of life.
I am also a big fan of El Silencio Lodge & Spa in Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica. It is located on a 500-acre private cloud forest reserve next to the Juan Castro Blanco and Poas Volcano National Parks. Just 90 minutes from San José, this eco resort is a dream destination for Costa Rica mountain honeymoons, family vacations or wellness vacations. Simple luxury and exhilarating adventures are the essence of this beautiful resort. Dine at a torch-lit forest dinner featuring farm-to-table ingredients from their organic farm and a curated wine list. Take a scenic hike in their Hummingbird Garden and cloud forest trails. Zip-line through the forest canopy or rappel down the face of a roaring waterfall. There are so many activities that you won’t want to ever leave.
Overall, Costa Rica provides a perfect combination of relaxation, adventure, culture, cuisine and wildlife. Luxury resorts and wellness retreats are in abundance and the breathtaking beauty of the country will keep you entertained throughout your visit. I can’t wait to get out there and explore all that Costa Rica has to offer!
