Felicity Baillie tells us of her recent trip to Costa Rica with her boyfriend (and Bales Worldwide Ticketing Specialist) Neil Carpenter.

“Costa Rica was a destination that I didn’t know very much about or ever considered visiting, however, once we decided that was where we would go, it soon became very appealing. Boasting such a variety of sights including the most active volcano in Central America, we were packed, ready and full of excitement for our Costa Rican adventure.

Arriving in San Jose after a long 24 hours of travelling we were met and greeted before being escorted to the Britannia Hotel in downtown San Jose. After spending our day visiting the National Museum rich in historical artefacts from the country and the Jade Museum showcasing a rich array of the stunning green jems we were greeted with a heavy rainstorm…our first experience of the Costa Rica wet season.

Our adventures began the next day, bright and early as we began our 17 day tour of Costa Rica with our first stop to Tortuguero. Having read up on guidebooks and websites, we were excited that travelling to Tortuguero in September gave us the possible opportunity of seeing the Green Sea Turtles laying their eggs on the Caribbean beach of the National Park. After a coach transfer to the portside, where we saw the stunning mountains surrounding San Jose to the Del Monte Banana factories, where we watched the factory people bringing in the bananas from the fields to wash, pack and prepare them to export them all over the world. We boarded our boat and began our journey along the canal, spotting birds and wildlife along the way. With a two night stay at Pachira Lodge, we had exciting couple of days ahead. A wildlife canal tour took us meandering through the canals, catching glimpses of Caimen, Bue Herons, Jesus Christ lizards, Iguanas sitting completely still camouflaged amongst the lush vegetation, spider monkeys and listening to the monkeys howling high up in the trees. But the best was yet to come…that evening we had our Turtle tour. Travelling across to Tortuguero village, our guide led us through the village to the beach. With up to 70 turtles heading to the beach each night and tourists wanting to catch a glimpse of the magnificent sight, we had to obey to the rules and regulations so that the turtles were not disturbed, this meant no cameras or videos, something which was slightly disappointing as this would experience would have made one of the most impressive photographs.

Once the turtle warden had instructed us as to where we could watch the turtles, we began our wait. But it was not long until we looked over, and in the distance could see one of the turtles returning to sea, having dug their nest ready to come back later and deposit their eggs. Moving further down the beach, we saw an incredible three sites, one turtle furiously digging its’ hole, their back legs kicking the sand out, its neighbouring turtle laying it’s eggs, and the next one which we were able to stand above and watch this incredible sight. In a trance the turtle wasn’t aware of our presence as she deposited her eggs continuously, laying between 80-150 eggs in one night. Returning later to see this turtle we watched as she began to cover her eggs where she would leave them to return to the sea and the eggs would lay for 80 days before it was time for them to hatch.

Having seen this amazing natural spectacle, something which not every visitor gets to experience, the one thing we had hoped to enjoy at Tortuguero had been achieved. With one more day at the lodge we spent a lazy morning enjoying the sun, pool and views of the canal, listening to the monkeys howling from the trees. An afternoon visit to Tortuguero Village let us discover the tiny village with just 1,000 residents with the Tortuguero canal to one side and the Caribbean coast on the other. Our guide Henry, a local resident of the village took us to the beach where the black sand met the blue waters and the sights of buried turtle eggs and holes dug ready for turtle to return and lay their eggs. The warm, friendly people of the village greeted us as we walked from one end to the other. Such a world away from any village I had ever visited before, Tortuguero is unique is so many ways and very pretty and tranquil.

After discovering the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, our next stop was Sarapiqui, the heart of Costa Rica’s pineapple plantation. The La Qunita Inn was set back and hidden in the pineapple hills. With its’ own Butterfly house, resident Caimen and pineapple plant, Sarapiqui was peaceful and relaxing. Having decided that two activities we wanted to do were Horseriding and a Zip Wire, we decided Sarapiqui would be the ideal place. The Zip Wire was incredible, although terrifying! Having reached the top of the first zip, I decided I couldn’t go through with it, the wimp in me. But, our guide told me that this is what quite a few people said and he was adamant I was going to go back, and so attached to him, I did my first zip. The adrenaline started to flow and after the first three I was ready to go alone. As we completed 14 zip through the lush tropical rainforest, I began to discover and enjoy the stunning surroundings. And so we arrived at the last zip wire, the highest at 80 metres. Togther we let go and flew down the wire, crossing over the river and landing back at where we had started. This was amazing, something I would definately try again, although maybe not much higher! Our adrenaline fuelled day was not yet over. With our afternoon booked to go horseriding with a local family we stocked up on lunch before venturing off once more. Hoseriding is not my favourite activity, although Neil had been before, I had only riden a horse once about 10 years ago. So once on the horse, shown how to go left, right and stop we began our adventure. Riding through fields up hills, across water, being submerged in the water I was wet and muddy, this was definately a different way to see the countryside of Costa Rica!

From Sarapiqui to Arenal. This was to be one of my favourite destinations. Arriving in La Fortuna, the town in front of the volcano, we could see the volcano, although half was clouded over. Having previously discovered that only 1 in 2 visitors to Arenal see the volcano, we were already counting ourselves lucky. Our hotel was amazing, with views from our room, the restaurant, hot springs and pool of the volcano we just kept admiring this spectacular sight. The hot springs were incredible. Starting at the top, stepping into the water was just like getting into a warm bath, before reaching the last one which was nice and cool. Our adventures at Arenal began the next day with a full day of excursions, beginning with the Hanging Bridges tour. Walking through the rainforest, across numerous different hanging bridges invited us to discover the depths of the rainforest, with its’ rich vegetation, birds, monkeys and even a snake. Next stop was the La Fortuna Waterfall. 500 steps down took us to such a stunning sight of a powerful waterfall, cascading down from 7 metres in the air. After swimming in the cool waters we began our 500 step climb back up, refreshed and ready for the final adventure of the day. Once fed and watered in a local restaurant we made our way to the volcano itself. The plan was to walk to the site where the volcano had erupted in 1968 and left lava rocks, but the torrential storm which began and didn’t stop cancelled this for us. The next morning, bright and early as we began to go for breakfast and pack to leave for our next stop, we looked out of our window and there it was, Arenal Volcano was completely clear, with the smoke rising out of the top. The cameras came out and we just kept snapping away, this was the most awesome sight I had ever seen.

Crossing Lake Arenal we watched as the volcano disappeared from sight as the clouds began to cover over we began our journey to the Cloud Rainforest of Monteverde. Staying at the Hotel Fonda Vela we looked across from the restaurant as we waited for our lunch and saw as the clouds laid a blanket over the trees. Discovering that the Cloud Forest National Park was only a 15 minute walk we decided to walk off lunch and explore the park. Nearly at the top, the heavens opened, thunder and lightening struck. Reaching the park, the warden wouldn’t let us through as the weather was so bad, and so we waited, hoping it would clear. After deciding that the rain was likely not to stop we returned to our hotel, getting up nice and early the next day to walk back and visit the park. With our route map, cameras and raincoats (just in case) we walked through the park. Rich in vegetation, there was little clouds over the rainforest as it was such a clear day, we walked our route looking out for the wildlife, before we spotted a family of howler monkeys up in the trees, swinging from branch to branch, howling away. This tropical rainforest was such a different landscape from what we had previously seen, rich in colourful plants, flowers, trees and such amazing views.

Having now visited all the different landscapes of Costa Rica, it was now time for rest and relaxation and the beach! Hotel Playa Hermosa, Bosque del Mar, in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste in the north of west of the country sits on the beach in such rich and luxurious surroundings. The warm sea and sand invited us to sit back and enjoy this stunning resort. With a nearly empty beach, the waiters coming to bring us drinks, lunch, anything we wanted as we laid back and enjoyed the sunshine. Totally relaxed and refreshed and in love with the serenity of Playa Hermosa we were reluctant to leave, but our time was up and Manuel Antonio was awaiting us.

The Hotel El Parador is an astonishingly luxurious resort. With views of the pacific ocean to one side and Manuel Antonio to the other, we relaxed and settled in to our incredible suite. Sat high up on the fifth floor, we watched the sunset from our balcony, relaxed at the poolside and treated ourselves to our massage at the hotel Spa. After walking through rainforests, horseriding through the countryside and canal boat rides, we sat back and wondered where the last 16 days had gone.

Such a diverse and stunning country, Costa Rica is simply incredible, and both of us would have been quite happy to stay a little longer.”

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View more info on the incredible Costa Rica Tours that Bales Wolrdwide has to offer.

About Felicity Baillie

Other articles by Felicity Baillie

Felicity has recently completed her BA Hons Tourism Management degree and has returned to work at Bales after spending her placement year with the company. Her passion for travel continues after recently returning from Mexico, and spending two weeks in Costa Rica last year. Next on her list is Asia!