Since summer is almost over (boo!), I thought I would post a “beachy” post for good measure. Today, I’m going to talk about “Pura Vida” and the country that perfected it. Costa Rica is located in Central America and is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. While I have never been to the Caribbean side, I can say that central and western Costa Rica is pretty awesome. On one hand, Costa Rica is total paradise for adventure lovers but on the other hand, it is also a relaxing weekend on the beach. It can be whatever you want/need it to be.
So here are five reasons why you should book a plane ticket to this beautiful country:
1 | Beautiful Beaches
The Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica are very different from each other. The Caribbean beaches are exactly what you would think of when you think “Caribbean”. The sand is white and the water is a perfect combination of blue and turquoise. The Pacific coast has rugged and beautiful shorelines as well as beaches right next to lush rainforests. It’s also home to some awesome surfing and activities like horseback riding, fishing, golfing and everything in between. With its two long coastlines, there’s a little something for everyone.
2 | Great Food
Fresh and local. Gallo pinto is a national dish that consists of chicken and rice and trust me, it’s on point. You can walk around town and along the beaches and pick up some great street food as well. Best part, it’s cheap! I would have pictures of all the other awesome food I ate there but unfortunately, my time at Costa Rica preceded Instagram and food pictures. The only weird thing I encountered there was the “burger tax”. While we were in town, some girls ordered a burger and it came with a side of tax. Not sure why they got taxed but no one else did.
3 | Gorgeous Resorts
Resorts in Costa Rica are the perfect spot to just relax. While walking around the beautiful grounds, you can find exotic plant life, crazy looking animals and swimming pools for days. There are a lot of resort options up and down both coastlines as well as in the rain-forest so pick one that best suites your needs. We stayed at Hotel Tamarindo Diria and it was the perfect getaway for the long weekend.
4 | Affordable Everything
A great thing about Costa Rica is that everything is very affordable. From lodging, shopping and food, your dollar/euro/pound will go a long way. While I was there, I “splurged” and got an hour massage on the beach for $20.00. That’s right, only $20.00! I took advantage of that bargain and got a massage almost every day I was there. I also got my family an awesome dart blower as a souvenir… that thing packs a punch.
5 | Amazing Sunsets
No explanation needed. Amazing, right?
Who’s ready to hit the beach one last time before summer ends? I’m hoping to go back one day since the last time I was there was for a wedding and I also had bridesmaid duties on my schedule. “Pura Vida” (which translates to “Pure Life”) is not only a Costa Rican saying but it’s also a way of life. And as you can see, they definitely know how to live life to the fullest.
Have you been to Costa Rica? What was your favorite part?
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The post I am highlighting from last week’s Travel Tuesday is “Sagrada Familia” by Meghan from Submerged Oaks. Meghan and her husband are currently living in Germany, but got a chance to visit this beautiful unfinished church in Barcelona, Spain. Check out her post to see more amazing pictures of the interior.
Now it’s time for the Travel Tuesday Link Up with Bonnie from A Compass Rose!
1. SHARE a post about travel! From road trips to trips abroad and from past travels to dream vacations. You can write about travel tips and tricks, favorite places to stay, or anything in between! Just make it about traveling somewhere!
3. LINKUP goes live! Every Tuesday at 8 am GMT.
4. HOP around and meet new travel loving bloggers! Link up will be open for a few days, make sure to check back to visit some of the newer travel posts!
TIPS:
1. Please only one linked up post per blogger. Save other posts for future linkups!
2. The last Tuesday of every month will be a themed prompt if you want to join in!
2. The last Tuesday of every month will be a themed prompt if you want to join in!
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