A man walks on the beach at sunset in Uvita. Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
After spending 16 days exploring Costa Rica, it has quickly risen to the top of my travel pyramid. From the kindness of the people to the natural landscapes of <\/span>waterfalls<\/span><\/a>, volcanoes, and beaches to the lively wildlife, I felt transported to another world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I can\u2019t say this for many trips, but this one went off without a hitch, aside from some unseasonal gloom and rain. Still, even with a multitude of research and reading Reddit threads, there were still aspects of Costa Rica you have to actually experience before you understand it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here are five things that surprised me during my visit and that I believe will help you better understand the country as you plan your future trip.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kayaking through mangroves in Costa Rica. Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n I was shocked to realize how easy it was to travel to <\/span>Costa Rica<\/span><\/a> from the United States. For most of the country, you can reach this darling of Central America in under six hours. From Denver, my home base, we had an easy 5-hour, non-stop flight. (We flew into Liberia in the country’s northwest region and departed from San Jose, the country\u2019s capital.)<\/span><\/p>\n To reach Maui<\/a>, for instance, it\u2019s almost 50% longer, and those living on the East Coast are looking at a full day of travel, if not more, and hardly any non-stop options.<\/span><\/p>\n The main reason Costa Rica is easy to reach is that it lies farther east than we realize. Our slightly warped minds believe that Central and South America are just \u201csouth.\u201d But in reality, they veer far east.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Travelers from Chicago, Toronto, or Nashville will likely be surprised to learn that Costa Rica is due south of them and in the same time zone, which is another reason why it\u2019s a perfect vacation destination<\/a>. As opposed to losing a full day going to Europe<\/a> and being sleep deprived, you\u2019ll never have to reset your clocks in Costa Rica.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A bird stands on a branch in Costa Rica. Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n It\u2019s like nature\u2019s zoo in Costa Rica. No matter where we were, <\/span>Manuel Antonio<\/span><\/a>, La Fortuna, Uvita, or Guanacaste, we had wildlife around us at all times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As a <\/span>wildlife photographer<\/span><\/a>, I loved it!<\/span><\/p>\n From massive iguanas in palm trees, to macaws hanging out in Marino Bellena National Park, to toucans in Arenal, and sloths quite literally all around us, I was in heaven.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you want a destination to not only relax but also enjoy the world around you, Costa Rica is your place to be.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While Costa Rica has its own currency, the Col\u00f3n, almost the entire country runs on the US Dollar. And, unfortunately for Americans, our strong dollar doesn\u2019t automatically translate into increased spending power here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why? Everything in the touristy areas is priced in USD and then converted to Col\u00f3nes, not the other way around. So, if you live in a major metro area, expect prices to be similar to what you spend at home for meals or activities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I would recommend carrying some local currency for remote areas or for tips. But generally, make sure you have a travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees. I think we put 95% of our spending on a credit card.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Lastly, in places that list only Col\u00f3nes, a simple conversion is to double the Col\u00f3nes and remove the zeros; that\u2019s the price in dollars.(Example: 3,500 Col\u00f3n = $7 USD)<\/span><\/p>\n I don\u2019t tend to want to Americanize other countries. Their culture is their culture. But in Costa Rica, I <\/span>really <\/span><\/i>wanted them to have some highways to increase driving efficiency. Almost every road in the country is one lane each way, without any turn lanes or exit ramps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Because of this, you can get stuck behind a semi-truck and end up going 35 mph, or experience bumper-to-bumper traffic through a town thanks to people waiting to turn left or right. After a few days of this, you get used to it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My biggest suggestion is to enjoy the slowness and understand that even though you\u2019re only going 60 miles, it\u2019s probably going to take two hours or longer, versus the 50 minutes it might take in the US.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A man walks on the beach at sunset in Uvita. Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n My wife\u2019s aunt recommended Uvita as a less touristy, more authentic feel for Costa Rica. She nailed it! It\u2019s 75 minutes south of Manuel Antonio, but worlds apart.<\/span><\/p>\n It never felt busy; the beaches were incredible; wildlife was all over the place; and the food was delicious without exorbitant costs. We stayed at a cute Airbnb, a five-minute bike ride from the national park<\/a> entrance. With tons of restaurants and drink spots nearby, my wife and I had a blast. We can\u2019t wait to go back.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are four things I recommend doing:<\/span><\/p>\n Go whale watching (best times are December through March and July to October)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Look up when low tide is and walk out onto the Whale’s Tail<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\nHow Easy It Is To Travel There<\/span><\/h2>\n
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There\u2019s Wildlife Everywhere<\/span><\/h2>\n
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USD Reigns Supreme<\/span><\/h2>\n
Driving Is, Unfortunately, Inefficient<\/span><\/h2>\n
Uvita Is a Gem<\/span><\/h2>\n
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