Costa Rica: Thrills and Nature Bucket List
Category: Adventurous retirement
(Note: this is the first of a 2 part series on Costa Rica. Part 2 focuses on expat retirement in the country. )
January 13, 2019 — Does your retirement include a bucket list trip to Costa Rica, one of the world’s greatest ecotourism destinations? This Central American country, situated north of Panama and south of Nicaragua, has an incredible array of attractions that bring in tourists from all over the world. But unlike more traditional vacation spots where the places to visit are fairly obvious (think Paris or Normandy in France) Costa Rican tourism is complex. The choices of where to visit can be difficult to figure out. This article will tell you what to expect if you go, what your options are, and how to plan and book your trip.
Costa Rica snapshot
Costa Rica (CR) has long coastlines on two sides – the Pacific on the west and the Caribbean to the east. The country has a very stable democratic government and a prosperous economy based mainly on tourism, technology, and agriculture. It has no army; that was abolished in 1948. The climate is tropical with a rainy season from mid-September through December. The terrain is quite mountainous with peaks over 10,000′; it can get quite cool in those areas. The terrain goes from very dry areas on the west coast to cloud and rain forests further east.
Comments on "Costa Rica: Thrills and Nature Bucket List"
Darla says:
This is a great article and I appreciate the detail and suggestions. I have been interested in Costa Rica since listening to relatives rave about since honeymooning there a few years ago, but of course never took it seriously. But now tell me is this editor that went and rode a zipline and rafted the same one that wrote about waiting to turn 70 to collect medicare ? If so I need to redo my bucket list mine is much too boring. It seems a trip like this takes a long time to plan and I like the suggestions. Costa Rica sounds like a very interesting place indeed.
Admin says:
Thanks for the Comment Darla, glad you enjoyed the article. It was fun writing and remembering. Yes, same 70 year old editor who waited that long to start collecting Social Security. The canyoning was the most intimidating adventure, in my book. But it got easier as we practiced. Everybody's bucket list is different, just good to have one!
RichPB says:
Too many years back (12-15?), we took a week-long trip to the Quepos area of Costa Rica. "Too many years" because it was a wonderful trip and we would love to return. We rented a beautiful, open-sided (equatorial location) apartment on the top (3rd) floor in the tree canopy. We also rented a small 4WD and traveled those rough roads all over that district. Rudimentary Spanish helped some, but was really not necessary. The beach and San Manuel Antonio national park were in our "back yard". The fishing village of Quepos was 20 minutes away. "Memorable" just can't cover it. Such wonderful people always willing to help! As they say, "pura Vida!"
Admin says:
Kiplingers just published a nice article all about retiring in Costa Rica. Check it out.
https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/happy-retirement/retire-in-costa-rica-for-expat-heaven?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=other