On-the-Beaten-Path Adventures

On-the-Beaten-Path Adventures

“Planning a Trip to a “Discovered” Country

The last time I visited Costa Rica was in the late ’80s. As we prepare to move on to Costa Rica now, I’ve realized that I’ve spent more time planning this one-month trip than I spent planning any other country— including Mexico (where we spent two months) and Guatemala (over a month). I think part of the reason it’s taken me so long is because Costa Rica is one of the most “discovered” countries in Central America. In other words, it’s very much on the beaten path.

As we described in a previous blog post, we’d love to spend 50% of our time off the beaten path, but realistically that number ends up closer to 30%. That may—or may not—be possible in Costa Rica.

Here’s our high-level itinerary:

• • Explore Monteverde, including the Cloud Forest Reserve (canopy tour, coffee tour, private wildlife exhibits, waterfall rappelling, etc.)
  • Go mountain biking at Senderos de Colón
  • Surf along the Central Pacific Coast, including Punta Uvita
  • Chill out in Dominical (canyoneering, kayaking, private nature reserves, surfing, waterfalls, etc.)
  • Explore the Zona de los Santos, including San Gerardo de Dota and Santa María de Dota—authentic, untouristy coffee-growing towns—and Los Quetzales National Park (birding, hiking, waterfalls, etc.)
  • Explore Corcovado National Park, the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national park system
  • Visit the deserted beaches and stunning coastline of Drake Bay
  • Scuba dive at Isla de Caño
  • Explore the coastline of the Golfo Dulce, one of just four tropical fjords in the world
  • Hike through the rainforest of the Osa Peninsula, e.g., to the Osa Mountain Campground