Costa Rica - March 2022

The world has changed significantly over the last few years, and with it, the way we work. My sister took advantage of the new work-form-anywhere policy at her work and decided to work from Costa Rica. What a perfect destination!

Here's her trip. Enjoy!


Stepping off the plane in Costa Rica for the second time felt unreal - a dream come true! This was also my first time experiencing what it was like to travel and work remotely out of a totally different office space. My first visit to Costa Rica was in November 2016 as part of G Adventures tour which I really loved and highly recommend. That trip took me to San Jose, Arenal, Monte Verde, and Quepos. 

When to Go:

This time around, during a completely different season, vegetation is struggling to survive without a drop of rain since November. Pacific Costa Rican climate is two fold: sun sun sun and a ton of rain for a few consecutive months. The dry and rainy seasons are extremely well defined in this region: 

  • December to March: dry months
  • April: transitionary month
  • May to October: rainy season - the influence of cyclones and active weather systems is mostly felt in September and October. 
  • November: transitionary month - November is also when the vegetation is extremely lush and the jungle is breathing and living after the monsoon season.  
  • December: influx of tourists
This should help to plan your trip!

Where to Stay:

Ocotal Beach / Del Coco Beach Area

Transportation from Liberia airport is $50 USD by taxi. There are many accommodation options for various budgets available.
  • Ocotal, where we stayed is a 10 minute walk from the Ocotal black sand beach - Pura Vida Apartments/Lofts, close to the main strip of Del Coco Beach as well. Walking is an option, but not recommended. The area is more quiet, perfect if you are looking for tranquility and for work.
  • To be in the centre of the action, walking distance to bars/restaurants, look to be closer to Coco beach.
Tip: You can rent a car right at the center of Coco Beach or at Liberia airport. Reserve in advance given the shortages caused by the pandemic. An SUV is highly recommended if you plan to drive long distances to discover the Nicoya Peninsula especially during the rainy season. The roads in Costa Rica are hit and miss but main cities are fairly well connected along the Nicoya Peninsula.

Tip: Wi-fi worked really well in all the places that we stayed, but do your research ahead of time to make sure your accommodations include whatever internet speed you need, especially if working remotely. Many hosts will send you the upload/download speeds so you can make your decision. There is a data app called Airalo. It allows you to choose a data plan for a specific country and set up everything on your phone before you get to your destination. Once there, select the right channel on your phone, restart it and you'll get data even before stepping off the plane. With this app you do not need to purchase a sim card.
  • Las Palmas Community

Tamarindo

Santa Teresa

  • Perla House on Calle Vista Naranja - this is five minutes from the beach and the main area with restaurants and grocery stores. It's a super tranquil accommodation with lush surroundings, private, with great wi-fi.
  • There are many other options available in this region, suitable for different budgets

Arenal Volcano / La Fortuna

What to See:

Ocotal Beach / Playa Hermosa / Coco Beach (5 days, if not working remotely, 2-3 days)

  • These are seaside small towns along Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. 
  • These towns are located very close to each other. A car is recommended but isn't necessary. You can take a cab to get around.
  • Ocotal Beach is a very unique black sand beach, less touristy than the main Coco beach
  • Coco Beach is more public and is the main beach
  • Playa Panama/Playa Buena/Playa Bonita/Playa Hermosa (north of the city) are all great spots to visit if you have a car or can take a taxi to spend the whole day there.
  • Hot springs and spa at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin
  • Rio Celeste (day trip) - hiking and waterfalls 
  • Rincon de la Vieja National Park
  • Dyamante Eco Adventure Park - offers ziplines, wildlife sanctuary and other outdoor activities
  • Fishing - Coco is a fishing village, you can go in shore or off shore fishing to catch red snapper, mahi mahi sailfish. Getting a boat will cost around $300-$500 depending on the season

Santa Teresa / Malpais / Paquera / Montezuma (5 days)

Tip: The drive from Ocotal beach along highway 21 is very smooth. Recommendation is to stick to this highway for as long as possible and not venture off even if your GPS says otherwise. Other roads may be rough, especially during a rainy season. The drive takes about 5-6 hours and depends on weather, traffic and time of year.
  • Santa Teresa is located in the world's one of five Blue Zones. Blue Zones are small and remote zones, marked by warm climates, proximity to the ocean, where people live the longest and are the happiest. To understand why this region is so special, you have to go and see it for yourself.
  • Coru National Wildlife Refuge (Paquera)
    • you can easily spend two hours hiking through this reserve. Bring plenty of water. You can also try to book a tour at this refuge to learn more about the fauna and flora.
  • Paquera Bioluminescence Tour
    • Paquera is a small local town mostly known for this Bioluminescence Tour. Highlight of the trip!
    • This is a unique phenomenon that is visible well at night. It is a chemical reaction that produces light energy within an organism's body (glowing plankton). For a reaction to occur, the species must contain luciferin, a molecule that, when reacts with oxygen, produces light.
    • There are options to do kayaking in the dark to see this, or take a boat (recommended by the tour guide - Eddy)
    • Eddy was a great guide and very passionate about showing and teaching about this phenomenon.
  • Paquera beaches - there are many private and extremely calm beaches in this region, unlike the main Carmen beach in Santa Teresa. 
    • Playa Organos - extremely wide and sandy beach, very few people - definitely a jewel.
    • Playa Gigante
    • Playa Quesera
    • Playa Posa Colorado
  • Isla Tortuga - take a day tour to the island. Day tours can be arranged in Santa Teresa, Montezumal or Jaco. They can arrange for a pick-up. The ferry takes 2.5 hours, which is another way of getting to the island. Here, you can hike, do a canopy tour or go snorkeling/scuba diving in pristine clear waters.
  • Montezuma waterfall - a short 25 minute hike to the main waterfall (there are three in total).
  • Surfing on Carmet beach is a MUST. The beach becomes alive between 4pm and 6pm every day when locals hit the surf. Renting a board is not an issue, there are many shots along the strip. The cost is about $15-$20 dollars for 24 hours.

Tamarindo (4 days)

  • Tamarindo is an extremely developed town in comparison with other regions. The beach is long and sandy (yes that's what a beach is) with fantastic cafes/restaurants right on the beach.
  • Check out both sides of the beach. 
  • Toward the north side, the beach is full of surfing action, beach walkers, fresh coconuts  being sold, massage tables and beach chairs for $10/day.
  • Come out and watch the sunset (a ritual while in Costa Rica).
  • Southern side of the beach is much more secluded and serene. Take a long walk from one end of the beach to the other. The landscape changes drastically twice a day during low and high tides. There is even a tide calendar that locals follow for surfing of course.
  • Rent a surf board

Arenal Volcano / La Fortuna

Monteverde

Note: an all encompassing trip can look something like this: land in San Jose --> Manuel Antonio/ Quepos --> up to La Fortuna, Monteverde --> down to Puntarenas to take a ferry across to the Nosara peninsula where you can do the glow in the dark kayak tour, and visit a wildlife refuge, then stay at Carmen Beach --> up to Nosara town --> Tamarindo, Coco Beach --> fly home from Liberia Airport





Where to Eat:


Ocotal Beach area

Santa Teresa

  • Casa Del Mar Seafood and Grill - best restaurant in town, hidden away in a super lush area among palm trees and towering jungle forest, even during dry season. Great menu, cocktails and service.
  • El Facon - Argentinian food - known for burgers and ceviche. There are many other items on the menu, live music in evenings and a great atmosphere
  • La Cevicheria - Latin-American fusion. Blue Zone cuisine. Very friendly staff who work hard to make your experience the best. Best ceviche on this trip!

Paquera

  • Hotel Ginana Soda - great local Soda. Less touristy flavours. Portions are generous, seafood is fresh and the mix of fruit smoothies is incredible. Try Horchata (as good as in Madrid) and papaya/mango smoothie - two fruit that are especially tasty in Costa Rica.

Tamarindo

  • Shrimp Hole - great fusion and seafood cuisine, the poke bowl was fantastic. Great drinks menu and seating right off of the main street. Try their key lime pie - won't disappoint.
  • El Mercadito de Tamarindo - food market with lvoely seating and food station. Check out their unique bar in a form of a boat as you walk in.
  • Jardin Tamarindo - food truck park (close to the beach)
  • Langosta Beach Club - right on the beach with variety of drinks/apps on the menu
  • Crazy Monkey's Bar - offers live music on weekends - live salsa bands on some nights and a DJ playing a mix of reggae/hip-hop

Arenal / La Fortuna

  • The best coffee shop is located on the way to La Fortuna not far from Macadamia restaurant. The coffee shop has a lovely view onto lake Arenal, and of course birdwatching.



Pura Vida Costa Rica! Hasta Luego - Until we meet again. Muchas Gracias!