Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse areas of the world where visitors can experience nature in its many forms. It is practically synonymous with ecotourism – travel that is responsible to the sustainability of natural resources. Nearly a quarter of the country is national parks and nature preserves that are home to a huge variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and rainforest flora. But you don’t have to rough it to visit this eco-paradise. Covington Vacation Advisors Jean and Pat toured Costa Rica this spring by traveling on an escorted tour with Tauck and shared their experience here.

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

We began our Adventure in Costa Rica in the northwestern province of Guanacaste where some of the country’s most beautiful and expansive beaches are found. Some of them have black volcanic sand bordered by verdant dry tropical forests, as opposed to the rainforests found in the rest of the country. The weather is driest here and can be very hot in the summer.

We spent two nights at the Hotel Bosque del Mar Playa Hermosa, a boutique, eco hotel that features wood furnishings and tropical inspired décor. All rooms offer living rooms and garden terraces. It’s a short walk to the beach and guests can lounge in hammocks surrounded by lush gardens and towering palm trees. Chickens wander the property and monkeys offer nightly entertainment from the tree tops, as well as wake-up calls in the morning!

Our tour included the option of horseback riding or zip lining at the Vandara Adventure Center and Hot Springs. We chose the thrilling adventure of zip lining. A covered wagon took us up to the zip line where we put on our gear, then learned the proper riding positions and braking technique. The zip circuit was very high and we zipped about 10 different lines – what an experience! After that, we had a delicious lunch and spent the day relaxing in the hots springs, complete with complimentary neck and shoulder massages.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Next, we headed inland for two nights at the Monteverde Lodge & Gardens, a 28-room rustic-chic lodge surrounded by jungle. The tranquil property also includes a fern and bromeliad garden, and a butterfly and hummingbird garden. The rooms have forest or garden views and internet access, but no air conditioning or TV. Delightfully, the only background noise is that of the tropical cloud forest.

Our tour was designated as a BBC Earth trip where BBC naturalist guides led two-day hikes and one night walk in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. They were extremely informative about the array of foliage and birds we saw. We crossed quite a few swinging bridges on the day walks and got a special nocturnal perspective with night vision glasses on the forest perimeter walk after dark. The Cloud Forest was just amazing!

Arenal Volcano

Our next stop was for two nights in the Tilajari Hotel Resort. It sits on the banks of the San Carlos River near Arenal Volcano. This hotel demonstrates its eco-commitment with contributions to the community and environmental conservation. Some of Costa Rica’s best adventure and relaxation opportunities nearby: zip lining, hot springs, Arenal Volcano and river float trips.

We took the Sky Tram gondola up to see the volcano. Weather changes very rapidly in this area and clouds completely socked in the volcano. Unfortunately, we didn’t see a thing. On the other hand, we saw monkeys, tropical birds and even crocodiles on a Safari Float on the Penas Blancas River. A guide steered and paddled as he pointed out flora and fauna while we relaxed in the tropical paradise. A highlight of the float trip was stopping along the way at a local’s home. She offered us coffee inside her dirt-floored cabin.

San Jose, Costa Rica

The last night of our tour was spent in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. On the way, we visited a coffee plantation and enjoyed going to a traditional fruit market in the city. The last event of the tour was a visit to the fascinating Gold Museum where we had a lovely farewell dinner with the group.

Tips for Traveling to Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a great eco-destination for those interested in active outdoor adventure such as hiking, rafting, zip lining, surfing, and horseback riding. The nature and animals – particularly the astounding array of birds – are spectacular to behold. It’s a very family-friendly destination that is both educational and fun.

Our Tauck tour group was comprised of Boomer-aged guests – mostly retired professionals who were well-traveled, educated and interesting group companions. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and personable and was able to smoothly handle any hiccups that inevitably occur. The accommodations were perfect for each area visited and the food was very good. Tauck did a wonderful job overall and we would be happy to travel with them again. For families with younger members, Tauck Bridges is the Tauck brand that specializes in multi-generational travel.

The main paved “highways” are generally in good condition, but everything off the main routes tends to be unpaved and very narrow with hairpin curves going up rugged mountains. In addition, there are no signs giving directions, so you can count on getting lost – often. In the cities, the traffic is very congested. For these reasons, we recommend not renting a car for self-drive, but rather use a tour that includes transportation.

The best time to visit is the relatively dry period of December to May, but Costa Rica is really a year-round destination. You’ll probably want some rain gear no matter when you visit. Pack extra socks if you’ll be hiking, as your feet will probably get wet and fresh socks help prevent blisters. Plastic bags for phones and cameras will also be handy.

Adventure tourism is big business in Costa Rica. Always deal with well-established operators and don’t hire freelance guides, as they likely do not carry necessary insurance. We have extensive contacts of reputable tour operators who offer half-day adventures up to multi-day inclusive luxury tours. For assistance in planning your independent or escorted Costa Rica vacation, contact Jean or Pat at Covington Travel. They’ve been there, done that, so they have the personal connections to make your trip unforgettable!

Jean Riekers and Pat Franks are vacation travel advisors with Covington Travel. They undertook this Tauck Costa Rica vacation as personal vacation travel, not as travel advisors. They experienced the Tauck quality of services just as every guest does, without special treatment, discounts or expectation of promotion.