My birthday was spent in my favorite place - Costa Rica!
I basically manifested an almost free trip here, listen about how I did that on my newest episode of Choose A Happy Day Podcast on Friday, December 6th (episode 16).
Anyway, I explored Manuel Antonio, Jaco and Arenal areas over my two weeks.
Each town had its own hidden treasures and I will hightlight them below if you are thinking of making the trip to this stunning country!
Trip Intinerary:
Day 1 - flew ALB to ATL to SJO (san jose airport in costa rica)
Day 2 - shuttle took me from Hampton by Hilton San Jose (SJO hotel by airport) to Manuel Antonio (about a 3 hour shuttle ride with all the stops).
Day 2 - arrive at La Mariposa for a night in Manuel Antonio.
Day 3 - local taxi to drive from La Mariposa to Costa Verde (only a few minutes from each other in Manuel Antonio)
Day 4 - shuttle from Costa Verde to Crocs Resort in Jaco (a 90 minute shuttle ride with 2 stops).
Day 4, 5 & 6 - stayed at Crocs in Jaco
Day 7-14 - Private driver from Crocs to Mystica (about 3.5 hours with construction and roads).
Mystica Retreats & Lodge in Arenal area ( Halfway between Nuevo Arenal and Tilarán (13 km On the road to, Turn onto Hwy 927, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tierras Morenas, 5710, Costa Rica)
Day 14 - private driver from Mystica to Liberia Airport (about 1 hour drive). I got to the airport super early (3 hours pre-flight). I thought there would be long lines like SJO airport but it was not as crowded. 2 hours pre-flight seems ideal so noted for next time.
What to pack:
Umbrella
Backpack for beach
Hammock and caribiners/rope
Beach towel
Raincoat/Poncho
Flashlight
Hiking or rain boots
Wet Sack and a waterproof phone case with strap
Book reading light
Some helpful travel tips:
Don’t wear jewelry, flashy clothes, dress down, don’t go to beach at night in Jaco, don’t leave anything on the beach, the towns like Manuel Antonio and Jaco have UBER or you can take a local taxi or shuttle service. Download Whatsapp and use this to text the locals for appointments for massages, private driver, shuttles, etc. I kept my phone on airplane mode for the two weeks to avoid any roaming charges and would just connect to the WIFI when I needed to use my text feature or FaceTime.
Pre-book your shuttle rides:
By sharing shuttles you can cut down on your costs to go from town to town. They are nice air conditioned shuttles too. For the first part of my trip I used this Shuttle service (Pura Vida Traveling) and then at Mystica I had a private driver - Osman (I can give you his Whatsapp if you need).
Places I recommend you stop at:
Manuel Antonio National Park - the national park is a must stop, it is worth every second for the nature alone! Plus, the beaches here are amazing! It is $16 per person for the ticket to get in. You have to register and pay ahead online, not do purchase at window the day of. You can see sloths, monkeys, parrots, iguanas, hermit crabs and so much wildlife here. If you are offered the $65+tax private tour guide, I say pass. You can see where the crowds gather and just look up for sloths. This way you can wander the park at your leisure too and stop to relax on the beaches as you wish. They have bathrooms with showering stations and changing rooms so you can bring your bathing suit with you.****If you stay at La Mariposa there is a free shuttle that takes you to the beach and it is a short 4 minute walk to the national park entrance.*****
Vista Los Suenos Adventures ATV tour in Jaco - this was so much fun! The tour guide makes you do a practice drive on a dirt course before you are allowed to actually go into the jungle on the tour. This shows if you have the skills to drive an ATV. I passed and was able to drive my own ATV for 2 hours through active streams, up mountains, over rough terrain, through fields, the rainforest and made it to the destination - a waterfall where you can swim! My tour guide Julio and he was amazing. I did get stuck on a log the one time and then stuck in the mud another but Julio helped me through each of the two “ugh oh” moments. My confidence gained as the tour went on and I became for skilled quickly. It is $75 per person and you have to give a $1k deposit but that gets credited back as long as you don’t break your ATV. I do recommend bringing a bandana (they sell them there for $10 a piece!), if you travel during dry season to keep the mud off your face and from getting in your lungs. I went during Green season so I didn’t need one. My feet/boots were soaked with mud however. At points your feet and the whole bottom of your ATV are under water completely.
Ape Electric Social Bar - the vibe of this place was so ELECTRIC! I love techno music so this place came recommended to me by one of my DJ friends Shane. It did not disappoint. I went there on my birthday night and danced to some amazing techno and had some crafted cocktails! The bartenders work so hard and kept an amazing attitude even though there was only 2 behind the small bar and a ton of drink orders. They have shot boards and sloth drinks I saw a lot of bachelor and bachelorette parties ordering too and they make it a big deal when they bring it to your table. The DJ is perched above the whole club on the second floor.
Eco Termales, HOT SPRINGS - I had my private driver take me from Mystica to Eco Termales in La Fortuna (about 55 minute drive) so I could soak in the healing benefits of these natural hot springs. My body felt more calm and I could visibly see I was less inflamed/bloated after only 2 hours here. They sell either a day or night pass for $47. I only stayed the 2 hours so I had some time to make some tourist souvenier stops on my way back to Mystica.
Acqua Spa & Salon in Jaco - I got a massage from Salina at this location and she had the skill and firm pressure I asked for. She does not speak english so I just pointed to where I had pain and she would massage it. She used calming oils and it was lovely.
a TREETOP massage at Mystica - Ana came to the property and did a massage for me in the treehouse which overlooks the river. It was an utterly serene environment. I screen shot my requests with Google Translator so I could show it to her before she began the one hour massage. It was $80 and she had great pressure and technique. Just book your massage through the reception area at Mystica. They arrange for an off site masseuse to come to the treehouse.
Dinner at Lemon Zest in Jaco - it is owned by two americans, one who studied at the CIA (culinary institue) and they now are ex-pats who have had this restaurant for 18 years! The flavor was divine and it was so nice to have “american” flavored food. You will notice most of the costa rican food lacks flavor and is bland to an american pallette but not here!
Experience sunsets in Manuel Antonio and Jaco - I haven’t seen such gorgeous sunset colors as much as the ones here. I love sunsets and watch them in Siesta Key or Martha’s Vineyard but the ones here in Costa Rica are so colorful! So plan your day around the sunset! On my birthday evening I watched the sunset from the inside of a C130 Plane at El Avion. I recommend this view!
Cafe Macadamia - I am deathly allergic to nuts but this place always had so many tourist buses and seemed so popular that I took the risk and went in! Turns out it was worth the risk, the smell alone when you first walk in is pure heaven! I ordered a cappucchino and a Gluten Free pizza and both were spectacular! The views too….such a photo op spot! Highly recommend stopping here if you stay at Mystica.
SOME PHOTOS OF MY TRIP TO COSTA RICA!
I made this video for the owners of Mystica so they could showcase their property online (their website and social media). All photos and video footage taken by me as well. If I can help your business, just reach out! Email me here
I will be compiling VLOGs with more photos and videos but for now I wanted to provide links to itinerary, what to pack and some must see places! If your business needs a travel blogger or professional photographer, I love to travel so just shoot me an email at:
dollfacestudiosny@gmail.com
Adios,
Lorraine