Costa Rica:ultimate Wild Ride Through the Land of Pura Vida

There is always that one place we carry quietly in our hearts. The trip we talk about, imagine, and promise ourselves we’ll take “one day.” The dream destination that comes to mind every time we start planning something new, yet somehow gets postponed for work, for timing, for life. For me, that place was Costa Rica.

For years it lived in my thoughts: dense rainforests breathing in the morning mist, volcanoes rising above the clouds, wild coastlines where the jungle spills into the sea. It wasn’t just another pin on a map. It was the dream in the drawer, the one I was slightly afraid wouldn’t live up to the version I had built in my head.

And then we finally went.

What i found was wilder, louder, greener, and more alive than I ever imagined. A country that doesn’t just show you nature, it immerses you in it. A place where adventure feels raw and real, and where “pura vida” isn’t a slogan, but a way of breathing.

This is the story of the trip I had always dreamed of, and the wildest country I have ever explored.

Welcome to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is a small but incredibly diverse country located in Central America, between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the southeast. What makes its location unique is that it borders two oceans: the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Despite its relatively small size, it offers an astonishing variety of landscapes within just a few hours’ drive.

Costa Rica is known for:

• Active and dormant volcanoes (like Arenal and Poás)
• Dense tropical rainforests
• Misty cloud forests
• Pristine beaches on both coasts
• Rivers, waterfalls, and mangroves

Costa Rica is famous for its political stability. In 1948, it abolished its army and redirected funds toward education, healthcare, and environmental protection. Today, it is considered one of the safest and most stable countries in Latin America.

It is considered one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, hosting around 5% of the planet’s biodiversity, even though it covers less than 0.03% of Earth’s surface.

As a wildlife and bird photography enthusiast, this was one of the main reasons why I chose to visit this beautiful country. It is home to over 900 bird species and diverse tropical wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, jaguars, and sea turtles.

Where the Wild Things Sing: A Birdwatching & Hiking Journey Through Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, the alarm clock is a howler monkey’s roar.
The sunrise glows through layers of emerald canopy.
And the forest doesn’t whisper, it sings.

This is a country best explored slowly, binoculars in hand, boots muddy, senses wide open. Here’s the ultimate journey through volcanoes, cloud forests, coastal jungles, and one of the wildest rainforests on Earth.

Home base: La Fortuna
Highlight: Arenal Volcano

Wake before sunrise for guided bird walks near Arenal Volcano National Park. The early light reveals keel-billed toucans perched like neon ornaments and rufous motmots swinging their pendulum tails.

Best hikes:

• Lava flow trails with volcano views
• Hanging bridges for canopy-level spotting
• La Fortuna Waterfall trail for mixed forest species

Afternoons? Soak in hot springs while listening to the jungle settle into evening.

TIPS:

 La Fortuna is one of the most touristic places in Costa Rica. If you are traveling on a budget and want to avoid spending $50 to enter private reserves, check the side roads instead. When you see groups of people looking up into the trees, there’s usually something worth spotting, like sloths, monkeys, or birds. Remember, in Costa Rica wildlife is everywhere.

The hot springs can also be ridiculously expensive. Park your car near Tabacón and enjoy El Chollín Natural Hot Springs River instead. You’ll only need to pay a $10 parking fee.

The road climbs into mist and cooler air as you reach the legendary Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Cloud forest birding feels sacred. Moss drips from branches. Orchids cling to trunks. Every shadow could hide a flash of green.

Best hikes:

• Monteverde cloud forest
• Santa Elena Cloud forest
• Night walk : (80 percent of wildlife in the Monteverde Cloud Forest is active after dark, making night tours essential to experience the majority of the region’s biodiversity, like frog, snakes, tarantulas, insects and dormant birds)
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TIPS:

We actually preferred Santa Elena , the hikes are longer, it feels more authentic, less touristy, and it’s about half the price of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It can be very windy and rainy, so pack a poncho and good hiking boots. Don’t let the weather stop you, that’s Costa Rica! Also, a 4×4 jeep is a must in Monteverde.

Few places blend beach and rainforest like Manuel Antonio National Park.

Here, hiking trails wind through thick jungle before opening onto turquoise coves.

Wildlife highlights:

• Squirrel monkeys leaping overhead
• Sloths tucked into cecropia trees
• Brown pelicans diving offshore

This is lighter hiking, perfect for combining wildlife photography with coastal relaxation.

TIPS:

Get there as early as the park opens. The park is large, but it’s also the most touristic spot we visited on our trip to Costa Rica. For us, it wasn’t the best place for birding or wildlife spotting, we saw better locations elsewhere, but the park itself is still amazing. If you’re driving there by car, continue all the way to the end of the road and don’t be stopped by parking scammers along the way. They literally jump in front of your car trying to make you pay. Ignore them and drive to the official national park parking lot at the end. The fees are the same, and it’s right near the entrance

Descending toward the Pacific, biodiversity intensifies at Carara National Park One of our favourite in Costa Rica.

This transitional forest between dry and rainforest ecosystems is one of the easiest places to see scarlet macaws in flight , brilliant red against deep green canopy.

Don’t miss:

• The Universal Trail (accessible and wildlife-rich)
• Early morning near river edges for herons and kingfishers

TIPS:

We didn’t see any scarlet macaws there (we’ve been twice). If you’re desperate to spot them, the best place is Mata Palo in the Osa Peninsula, they are everywhere.

After Manuel Antonio, head to San Gerardo de Dota, a highland valley renowned for its cool climate and pristine cloud forest.

Hike: Walk the trails along rivers and through oak forests, where mist blankets the canopy.

Birds to Spot:

• Black guans and tanagers
• Resplendent quetzals (this area is one of the most reliable spots in the country)
• Fiery-throated hummingbirds

Further south lies Marino Ballena National Park, named for the humpback whales that migrate here.

Hike & Explore:

• The famous whale-tail sandbar formation
• Coastal forest walks
• Tide pools at low tide

Then comes the grand finale: Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula. Everyone we met along the journey said the same thing when talking about our trip: “Costa Rica is amazing, but Corcovado is Corcovado.” After the long drive to the heart of the Osa Peninsula, we finally understood why. This place feels like another planet — remote. Humid. Untamed. You are immersed in a dense forest with no crowds, no cities, no bars, and no hotels. Corcovado is a must-see — a place everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime.

Hike: Multi-day guided treks through primary rainforest, river crossings, and isolated beaches.

Wildlife:

• Scarlet macaws in massive numbers
• over 465 species of birds due to its high biodiversity
• Harpy eagles (rare but possible)
• Tapirs
• Coatis
• Four species of monkeys

Corcovado doesn’t just feel wild — it is wild. There are no shortcuts here. Only immersion.

Final Thoughts

Looking back on this journey, what makes Costa Rica truly unforgettable isn’t just the stunning landscapes or the incredible wildlife, it’s the people. Everywhere we went, we met warm, welcoming locals and fellow travelers who shared tips, stories, and smiles. There’s a genuine kindness here that reflects the country’s philosophy of pura vida, a way of living that celebrates simplicity, joy, and being present in the moment.

From the misty cloud forests of Monteverde to the wild, untamed trails of Corcovado, every place we visited left us in awe. And through it all, our trusty 4×4 jeep became more than just a vehicle, it was our companion, taking us to hidden corners, remote trails, and breathtaking viewpoints that made every detour worth it.

Costa Rica is safe, vibrant, and full of life, and it has a way of capturing your heart. This trip reminded me that adventure isn’t just about the destinations, it’s about the people you meet, the moments you share, and the freedom to explore a world that feels alive at every turn.

If I could give one piece of advice: slow down, soak it all in, and let Costa Rica work its magic. Pura vida isn’t just a saying here — it’s a way of seeing the world.

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