The birthplace of eco-tourism and the land of Pura Vida—it’s the perfect destination for anyone in search of a down-to-earth experience. And it’s why we chose to test out our new hike and travel gear there. Here are 10 things we did in Costa Rica, from the rainforest to the Caribbean coast.

The Rainforest Of Costa Rica

To set the scene, Costa Rica is said to have two seasons: rainy season and even rainier season. The country sees about 148 rainy days and over 200” of rain a year, which makes the country lush and super rich in biodiversity. All that said, don’t let the rain scare you off. The mountains combined with the rain and moisture make for a stunning cloud forest landscape full of waterfalls and other-worldly hiking trails. Here are some things we loved checking out in Costa Rica’s rainforest:
 

Hike Through Arenal Volcano National Park

Nestled in lush rainforest, Arenal is one of six active volcanoes in Costa Rica. In Arenal Volcano National Park, there are a handful of trails that weave in and out of dense rainforest. On these treks, we enjoyed wide-open panoramas of the volcano and close-up views of cute little coatis, vibrant eyelash vipers, and larger-than-life vegetation. Top of the volcano covered in clouds? Wait it out a few minutes—there’s a good chance it’ll pop out to say hello. 
 

Book A Hiking Tour Of Blue Falls

Consisting of 10 waterfalls on a large swath of private land, Blue Falls is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of spot where you can wade through rivers, swim in turquoise ponds—and if you’re feeling bold—jump off the top of some of their waterfalls. Since the falls are on private land, you can’t explore them without booking through Blue Falls of Costa Rica. Fun sustainability fact: the waterfalls here help provide hydropower to the surrounding community. 
 

Stay In An Eco-Lodge

One element of eco-tourism is eco-lodges, and Costa Rica is considered a pioneer in this type of accommodation. Eco-lodges are properties designed to have the least possible impact on the natural environment. This applies both to how these lodges are built and how they operate. Since many of these places use natural and locally sourced materials, they also end up being architecturally unique and stunning—plus you can usually find them located in some pretty spectacular settings in the rainforest, on the beach, and even perched up in the trees.
 

Stop By A Soda For Lunch

In Costa Rica, a “soda” typically refers to an open-air, mom-and-pop-style restaurant that serves authentic Costa Rican food. It's a great way to experience food like the locals do. While you’re there, try out some typical Costa Rican cuisine like casado—a dish of rice, beans, plantains, and some other fresh goodies.
 

Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast

Rich with Afro-Caribbean culture, howler monkeys, crystal clear waters, and countless fruit stands, the Caribbean coast of CR is a great spot to visit. It’s a bit less touristy than some other destinations, and it’s a wonderful place to relax and explore. Our home base was an eco-lodge just outside of Puerto Viejo. Here are some fun things to check out if you’re in the area:
 

Explore The Town Of Puerto Viejo

This coastal community is filled with great restaurants, local fruit stands, quaint shops, and vibrant nightlife. The Afro-Caribbean influence shines through in the flavorful food and lively music. We found a bike rental place in town so we opted to check out the surrounding area on two wheels.
 

Stop By A Local Fruit Stand

They’re marked with bright signs and sell even brighter fruit. Some of our favorites included rambutan (or mamón chino), dragon fruit (or pitaya), mango, and papaya. Pass one by earlier? No worries, there are roadside stands just about everywhere, from in town to the beach. 
 

Seek Out A Quiet Beach

Waters on the Caribbean coast are immaculate and temps are super refreshing, so we couldn’t resist hopping in. And because it’s a less touristy area, a lot of the beaches are relatively quiet. Many of our days started with dips at dawn and ended with swims at sunset out on Playa Manzanillo. There you can also check out the Yicel Shipwreck site—a graffitied old ship that was intentionally beached by the government to avoid a catastrophic oil spill (yay for sustainably-minded decisions!). 
 

Kayak, SUP, Or Surf

The Caribbean coast of CR is renowned for its surfing, but you can also opt for a kayak or a standup paddleboard if that’s more your speed. All three options are a great way to explore the waters and there are plenty of outfitters to rent gear, get guided tours, and take lessons from. 
 

Take A Boat Tour To Monkey Point

We took a ride in a small motorboat with Monkey Point Tours and it was a blast. We passed by Isla Punta Mona, which is part of the Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, caught a glimpse of the expansive coral reefs from above, and popped onto Playa Punta Mona to explore the area for a bit. It was a great way to get out on the water, look back at the coastline, see wildlife, and check out some more remote spots.
 

Enjoy The (Noisy) Wildlife

From sloths and howler monkeys to leaf bugs and colorful poisonous dart frogs (look, but don’t touch!), the Caribbean coast is abundant in wildlife. Of course, it’s also an area abundant in marine life, too. Whether you’re headed to a wildlife sanctuary or just walking to the beach, there’s tons of fauna everywhere—you don’t even have to be looking for it. And if you need a sunrise wake-up call, the howler monkeys have you covered every morning at 5:30!  
 

Need some noise besides howler monkeys to get you in the mood for Costa Rica? Check out our Pura Vida playlist on Spotify.