Costa Rica - A bucket list destination !

Adventure in Costa Rica: Rainforests, Cloud Forests and a Whole Lot of Sloths!

In May I finally ticked off a big bucket-list destination: Costa Rica. I travelled on an escorted small-group tour, and it completely stole my heart. The mix of wildlife, wild landscapes, friendly locals and the laid-back “pura vida” attitude was exactly what I had hoped for, and more.

Our journey took us from the flooded jungles of Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast, through the shadow of Arenal volcano at La Fortuna, and up into the ethereal cloud forests of Monteverde. Along the way there were river lodges, boat safaris, zip lines in the mist and, most importantly, plenty of sloths.

Tortuguero: Waking Up in the Rainforest

Our adventure began in Tortuguero, reached by a combination of road and river. The last stretch is by boat, and as we glided along the tea-coloured waterways, the jungle seemed to close in around us. Our lodge sat right on the riverbank, surrounded by dense rainforest and the sounds of howler monkeys and birds calling from the canopy.

Staying in a lodge on the banks of the river felt like being wrapped up in nature. Mornings started with the sound of rain on the leaves and the gentle hum of the jungle, before we headed out on boat tours through the national park.

From the water, we spotted: Lizards basking on branches that dipped into the water Brightly coloured frogs and spiders clinging to leaves Birds flashing between the trees And my absolute favourite: sloths, draped lazily over the branches, occasionally lifting their heads as if to say hello

There is something incredibly calming about drifting through rainforest channels, with nothing but the soft putter of the boat and the sound of the forest around you. Tortuguero felt wonderfully wild and remote, yet the lodge comforts and friendly staff made it feel welcoming and safe.

La Fortuna & Arenal: Volcano Views and Lush Trails

From Tortuguero we continued overland to La Fortuna, the gateway town for Arenal volcano. The scenery shifted as we travelled, from lowland rainforest to rolling hills and open farmland, always backed by a wall of green.

Arenal itself is a classic volcano silhouette rising above the landscape. In clear moments we were treated to fantastic views, the cone appearing and disappearing behind drifting clouds. We spent our time here walking through lush rainforest trails, crossing hanging bridges and listening to our guide point out the smaller details we would easily have missed on our own: tiny orchids, leafcutter ants on the march, birds calling from deep in the trees.

After days out exploring, La Fortuna was the perfect place to unwind. The area is known for its hot springs, and soaking in naturally heated pools, surrounded by tropical planting and the glow of lanterns, felt like the ideal end to a day of adventure.

Monteverde: Into the Heart of the Cloud Forest

Our final stop was Monteverde, high in the mountains and home to Costa Rica’s famous cloud forest. As we climbed in altitude, the air cooled and the landscape became greener and more drenched in mist. It genuinely feels like another world.

Walking the trails here, you are surrounded by moss-covered branches, ferns, bromeliads and dripping leaves. The clouds wrap around the treetops, and every now and then you catch a shaft of sunlight sneaking through. It is easy to see why Monteverde is considered one of the jewels in Costa Rica’s conservation crown.

One of the absolute highlights of the trip was doing the zip line through the cloud forest. I am not always the bravest with heights, but soaring over deep green valleys and into drifting mist was unforgettable. At times I could barely see the end of the cable through the cloud, which only added to the sense of adventure. It was exhilarating, beautiful and a real “I can’t believe I’m doing this” moment.

Costa Rica’s History and Incredible Biodiversity

Part of what makes Costa Rica so special is the story behind the landscapes.

Historically, Costa Rica was a relatively poor and remote part of the Spanish Empire, which meant it never developed the huge plantations or deeply entrenched elite seen elsewhere in the region. After independence and a brief but significant civil war in 1948, the country abolished its army and wrote this into its constitution. Instead of funding a military, Costa Rica invested heavily in education, health care and conservation, helping to build the peaceful, stable democracy visitors experience today.

Geographically, Costa Rica sits at a natural bridge between North and South America, and between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. That position, combined with its tropical climate and varied altitude, has created an extraordinary variety of habitats in a very small area.

Although it covers less than a tiny fraction of the world’s land surface, Costa Rica is estimated to hold around 5% of the planet’s biodiversity. Over a quarter of the country is now protected through national parks, reserves and wildlife refuges, from turtle nesting beaches and mangroves to rainforests, cloud forests and active volcanoes. It is one of the reasons you can, in a single trip, watch monkeys in the treetops, spot sloths and toucans, listen to howler monkeys at dawn and walk across hanging bridges cloaked in cloud.

People, Food and That Pura Vida Feeling

As incredible as the scenery and wildlife are, what truly brought Costa Rica to life for me were the people, the food and the laid-back atmosphere.

Everywhere we went we were met with warm smiles and a genuine pride in sharing the country’s nature and culture. Our local guides were endlessly knowledgeable and enthusiastic, spotting animals in what looked like plain green to my untrained eye and explaining everything from forest ecology to daily life in rural communities.

The food was simple, fresh and delicious: plenty of rice and beans, grilled meats and fish, plantains, tropical fruit and strong Costa Rican coffee. After busy days outdoors, sitting down to a hearty meal with the group became a lovely ritual.

“Pura vida” is much more than a slogan. It is a way of saying hello, thank you, everything is good, and for me it summed up the spirit of the trip: appreciating nature, slowing down, and enjoying the moment.

Why Costa Rica Blew Me Away

Looking back, Costa Rica felt like the perfect blend of adventure and comfort:

Remote rainforest lodges and peaceful river journeys Wildlife encounters from lizards and frogs to those unforgettable sloths Dramatic volcano views and lush rainforest hikes Mist-shrouded cloud forest and adrenaline-fuelled zip lines A country that genuinely values conservation, education and peace

If you are dreaming of a trip that combines nature, soft adventure and plenty of “wow” moments, Costa Rica is an incredible choice.

If you would like to plan your own Costa Rican adventure, from Tortuguero’s canals to Arenal and Monteverde, contact me and I will put together a tailored itinerary to match your interests, comfort level and budget.

Pura Vida !