5 Things Nobody Told you about in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most visited countries that there is. Statistically, this is not incredibly accurate; however it is difficult to find an even amateur traveler who has not spent a week on the coast of this tropical paradise. The internet is brimming with information and photographs of the most popular beaches and trendy towns.
I wanted to write a quick post about some really cool places to visit or information that I have picked up living in Costa Rica and conversing with the locals that may not be as easy to find in the over saturated blogging world. Overall my experience here has been a bit more on the backpacker-local side rather than your average gringo tourist. These are some of the cool things I have read about or been to that are not typically listed on the major tourist sites!
1. Guayabo de Turrialba
I'm not sure if I ever got around to writing about this on my recaps of my time in Costa Rica, but my friend Grace and I took a 13 hour day trip to see this archaeological site of one of the oldest known settlement remains in Costa Rica. 'The monument covers 540 acres (218 ha) and is located on the forested southern slope of Turrialba Volcano. The settlement was occupied between 1000 BC and 1400 AD after which it was mysteriously abandoned. ' You can actually visit it for pretty cheap, but be prepared for a lot of downtime because the buses only run a few times a day. Bonus: Second Place for best GalloPinto EVERR in Costa Rica: Popa's in Turrialba, the closest town to the monument. Read more about it here. (Originally posted in 2013, so this local diner may or may not still be in operation. It's all part of the adventure!)
2. The Diquís Spheres
My dad actually researched this one, but this is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site. Information about the stones is largely unknown, but they are manmade and estimated to be from as far back as the year 600 A.D. I can't wait to check it out! Read more here and here.
3. Summit Cerro Chirripó
As the tallest point in Costa Rica and at 3,820 meters (12,533 ft), this is definitely something on my bucket list. I am hoping to do some training this year to be able to hike it. To enter the national park, you must have a permit to enter as well as to stay at the base camp (required) for at least one night. From the base of the mountain to the camp is a 10 mile hike. After staying the night, you can hike to several different peaks, but I will most likely only do one per day, and also wake up really early to do so. This site here has some really detailed information for organizing and going on the hike. Happy climbing!
4. See Sonámbulo Psicotropical play live
This is a famous local band from Costa Rica which has a mix of African Rhythyms and Latin American vibes. They can be found playing in local venues all around the country, such as the Jazz Cafe in the capital of San Jose. This is one of my favorite songs by them played in a little improve way. While the band and music typically attracts a younger crowd, this is definitely a off-the-beaten-path way to taste the local flavor and know a part of the real, local Costa Rica. Hear some of the band's music on their YouTube Channel, here.
5. Try Costa Rican Caribbean Food
While most of the time a dish of black beans and rice is referred to as Arroz y Frijoles, the entire country refers to this Jamaican-inspired flavourful dish as RiceAndBeans (Say Raisin Bin with a Jamaican accent). You absolutely must try the rice and red beans cooked in coconut milk with the meat in sauce, the plantains cooked as patacones, and the sweet ginger-lime drink made with tapa de dulce called Agua de Sapo. See my post here for reference. Go to the Southern Mall (Centro Commercial Del Sur) and eat at Raisin Bin, or to Puerto Viejo and find a local soda. Prepare a wheelbarrow.
What are some unique places you have heard of or been to in the country?
I wanted to write a quick post about some really cool places to visit or information that I have picked up living in Costa Rica and conversing with the locals that may not be as easy to find in the over saturated blogging world. Overall my experience here has been a bit more on the backpacker-local side rather than your average gringo tourist. These are some of the cool things I have read about or been to that are not typically listed on the major tourist sites!
1. Guayabo de Turrialba
I'm not sure if I ever got around to writing about this on my recaps of my time in Costa Rica, but my friend Grace and I took a 13 hour day trip to see this archaeological site of one of the oldest known settlement remains in Costa Rica. 'The monument covers 540 acres (218 ha) and is located on the forested southern slope of Turrialba Volcano. The settlement was occupied between 1000 BC and 1400 AD after which it was mysteriously abandoned. ' You can actually visit it for pretty cheap, but be prepared for a lot of downtime because the buses only run a few times a day. Bonus: Second Place for best GalloPinto EVERR in Costa Rica: Popa's in Turrialba, the closest town to the monument. Read more about it here. (Originally posted in 2013, so this local diner may or may not still be in operation. It's all part of the adventure!)
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| Guayabo Monument in the distance as seen from the taller lookout point above. Photo Credit: Grace Davis |
2. The Diquís Spheres
My dad actually researched this one, but this is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site. Information about the stones is largely unknown, but they are manmade and estimated to be from as far back as the year 600 A.D. I can't wait to check it out! Read more here and here.
3. Summit Cerro Chirripó
As the tallest point in Costa Rica and at 3,820 meters (12,533 ft), this is definitely something on my bucket list. I am hoping to do some training this year to be able to hike it. To enter the national park, you must have a permit to enter as well as to stay at the base camp (required) for at least one night. From the base of the mountain to the camp is a 10 mile hike. After staying the night, you can hike to several different peaks, but I will most likely only do one per day, and also wake up really early to do so. This site here has some really detailed information for organizing and going on the hike. Happy climbing!
4. See Sonámbulo Psicotropical play live
This is a famous local band from Costa Rica which has a mix of African Rhythyms and Latin American vibes. They can be found playing in local venues all around the country, such as the Jazz Cafe in the capital of San Jose. This is one of my favorite songs by them played in a little improve way. While the band and music typically attracts a younger crowd, this is definitely a off-the-beaten-path way to taste the local flavor and know a part of the real, local Costa Rica. Hear some of the band's music on their YouTube Channel, here.
5. Try Costa Rican Caribbean Food
While most of the time a dish of black beans and rice is referred to as Arroz y Frijoles, the entire country refers to this Jamaican-inspired flavourful dish as RiceAndBeans (Say Raisin Bin with a Jamaican accent). You absolutely must try the rice and red beans cooked in coconut milk with the meat in sauce, the plantains cooked as patacones, and the sweet ginger-lime drink made with tapa de dulce called Agua de Sapo. See my post here for reference. Go to the Southern Mall (Centro Commercial Del Sur) and eat at Raisin Bin, or to Puerto Viejo and find a local soda. Prepare a wheelbarrow.
What are some unique places you have heard of or been to in the country?
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