Costa Rica, 5 Reasons To Go

5 Reasons You Need to Visit Costa Rica

By: Amanda Finn

To be completely honest, Costa Rica was never on my bucket list. I had seen the photos of the gorgeous country, the wide variety of animals, and the food that words cannot begin to describe, and yet it just never called to me. That changed the second I laid eyes on the lush, dreamy views from the plane, from the van, and our hotel rooms. Costa Rica changed me. And I will try to explain why you need to visit Costa Rica even though words are simply not enough.

1. You will go on amazing adventures

I have always wanted to see a rainforest. My husband and I were supposed to go to Puerto Rico for our honeymoon four years ago, but Hurricane Maria had other plans. When I realized we would get to spend extended time in the rainforests of Costa Rica I was smitten. Even outside of the rainy season (May – November) the air is thick with humidity, yet even sweating through my clothes couldn’t stop my grin when I spotted my first sloth. 

There is so much to see in Costa Rica even beyond the vast rainforests, you cannot even begin to imagine the sorts of memories you will make. I’m so glad I packed my Vai Athletica utility bras so, even if I didn’t have pockets, I could have my phone to capture every moment. I have an unreasonable number of sloth photos and I don’t regret a single one. 

2. The coffee is heaven

As someone who loves their morning, noon, and sometimes even evening coffee, this point was a huge bonus for me. If you get a chance to go to the Doka Estate to learn about how coffee beans are grown, harvested, roasted, and even sunbathed, do it. You will have a much greater appreciation for your cuppa forever. If you’re particularly lucky you’ll have the opportunity to try their frozen cocoa coffee concoction which is hands down the only thing I want to drink for the rest of my life. (And if you’re the luckiest person you have a tour guide like Jose Mendez who will track down the recipe for you to make at home.) 

3. Costa Rica is serious about Mother Nature

As a traveler, I’m very aware of the environmental harm done by travel, particularly over-tourism. Costa Rica is one of the only places I’ve ever been that takes environmentalism to heart. So much so that feeding wildlife can get you a hefty fine or even imprisoned. If you see a hotel boasting that the wild monkeys near or on their property are there for you to interact with, don’t trust that. Interacting with wildlife is unbelievably harmful to the ecosystem and endangers the lives of those animals–when humans are no longer perceived as a threat, animals are more likely to die in accidents or by hunting. 

According to Business Leader, Costa Rica runs on 99% renewable power sources, they plan on eliminating fossil fuels by 2050, they’ve been a leader in tackling deforestation since the 1980s and they are well on their way to becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral country. 

4. You will fall for the food

One word: “casado.” This traditional Costa Rican dish can be found at most restaurants and is now one of my favorite dishes of all time. Derived from the word for “marriage,” a casado is a plated meal with salad, black beans, rice, plantains, tortilla(s), and often a protein like chicken, fish, etc. I love an opportunity to have a little bit of everything in a meal, especially when I’m traveling, so ordering a casado is a no-brainer for me. Plus every restaurant makes it differently, so it is fun to see how everyone adds their own flair to the dish. 

Costa Rican cuisine is also very well suited for people with dietary restrictions, especially gluten intolerances. Most of the tortillas you will encounter are corn-based.

5. The country is home to 6% of Earth’s biodiversity

Despite its small size, Costa Rica is home to 6% of the biodiversity on Earth which is an astonishing number. That doesn’t mean it has myriad plants, animals, and bugs (although it certainly does), it means that it is home to some of the most intricate ecosystems on the planet. The sheer number of natural systems at play every second in Costa Rica is so magical, it boggles the mind that so much natural magnificence can exist in such a little piece of our world. Costa Rica’s biodiversity is a huge reason why the country is so dedicated to protecting its nature and rightfully so. 

When you find yourself in a rainforest, admiring how high the trees of the canopy grow, yet they still give enough light to the plantlife far below them, you’ll understand why Costa Rica left such a big imprint on my heart.