Costa Rica
Pura Vida
During the overseas shipment of our motorhome from Veracruz, Mexico, to Cartagena, Colombia, we took the opportunity to explore a new destination and flew to San José, Costa Rica. To make the most of our time there, we rented a 4x4 vehicle equipped with a rooftop tent—perfect for the adventurous two-week road trip we had planned across the diverse landscapes of Costa Rica.
Our journey began on May 14th, heading west toward the Pacific coast, with our first stop near the town of Tárcoles. As we arrived and started setting up the rooftop tent for our very first night in this unfamiliar camping setup, an intense tropical thunderstorm rolled in unexpectedly. Within 30 minutes, torrential rain had turned the surrounding area into a shallow lake, and our car sat in knee-deep water. It was a chaotic and rather dramatic introduction to Costa Rica’s rainy season, which had just begun in full force. From that point on, we came to expect—and embrace—daily rain showers as part of the adventure.
Despite the wet beginning, we continued south along the scenic coastline, stopping in the laid-back beach towns of Dominical and Uvita. Along the way, we hiked to the impressive Nauyaca Waterfalls, a two-tiered cascade nestled in the lush jungle. We also visited Marino Ballena National Park, where the coastline famously forms the shape of a whale's tail at low tide—a fitting landmark in a region known for its whale migrations.
Next, we made our way to the small riverside town of Sierpe, the gateway to the wild and biodiverse Osa Peninsula. There, we joined a boat tour along the winding Sierpe River, where we were captivated by the abundance of wildlife: baby crocodiles basking in the sun, howler monkeys in the treetops, and countless exotic birds.
The following day, we left our rooftop camper setup behind and transitioned to a rustic jungle lodge near Puerto Jiménez. Spending two nights deep in the rainforest, we were awakened each morning by a chorus of tropical birds, chattering monkeys, and the occasional screech of a toucan—an unforgettable immersion into the untamed heart of Costa Rica.
One of the highlights of our trip was a boat ride from Puerto Jiménez to the Sirena Ranger Station inside Corcovado National Park, one of the most biologically intense places on Earth. Accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide, we embarked on a three-hour jungle trek, spotting tapirs, scarlet macaws, coatis, and a variety of insects and amphibians in their natural habitat. The experience offered a rare glimpse into one of the last remaining lowland rainforests on the Pacific coast of Central America.
After our jungle adventure, we began the journey northward through the Talamanca mountain range, making a scenic stop at Los Quetzales National Park. Although we didn’t spot the elusive resplendent quetzal, we enjoyed the cool mountain air and mist-shrouded cloud forest.
Our next major destination was the Monteverde region, famed for its biodiversity and cloud forests. There, we joined a guided night walk through the jungle, an entirely different world after dark. We were lucky enough to spot several tiny frogs, bioluminescent fungi, and nocturnal mammals—a magical experience under the canopy of stars.
Continuing on, we drove to Lake Arenal, hoping to catch a view of the iconic Arenal Volcano. Unfortunately, heavy rains and thick clouds obscured the view during our visit, but we still enjoyed the relaxing hot springs and scenic drives around the lake.
For our final stop, we headed to the Caribbean side of the country and stayed at a private campground called Caribbean Rainforest Sloth near Guápiles. This tranquil site offered one more incredible opportunity to connect with nature. On another night walk, we encountered a surprising number of colorful rainforest frogs, and to our delight, we observed a sloth family with a baby high up in the trees. Watching the slow, deliberate movements of the mother as she tended to her young was a touching and serene moment—one that perfectly rounded out our Costa Rican experience.
On May 27th, with our hearts full and our camera cards overflowing, we boarded a flight to Cartagena, Colombia, eager to reunite with our motorhome, which was scheduled to arrive at the port on May 29th. Costa Rica had gifted us two unforgettable weeks of rain, wildlife, and adventure—a truly wild detour before the next leg of our Pan-American journey.
