Travel blog Costa Rica | Tips & insights| Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama
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Travel blog Central America - inspiration, tips and stories

In this travel blog, we share travel adventures and special stories, but also practical tips about our destinations and travels in Central America, especially Costa Rica.

In a real Edventure journey, you will go off the beaten track. You are a guest in unique and authentic accommodations, you travel with local guides and get to know the real Central Americans. What are the nicest places, how do you organize this and how have others experienced their trip? In our travel blog, you will find these answers and much more inspiration!

You will see travel blogs from our blog team, but we also invite guest bloggers (and vloggers) to share their experiences at this place. Did you know that we also share our favourite spots with the world on our Facebook and Instagram almost every day?

Do you have a question about a destination, do you want to collaborate with Edventure once or do you have an ultimate travel tip that you would like to share? Please contact us. We love to hear from you!

  • Tips, stories and inspiration about, among others:
  • Authentic experiences and accommodations
  • The best cultural hotspots
  • Most beautiful and undiscovered beaches
  • Best restaurants and eateries
  • What you need to know before departure
  • And more...

Costa Rica is home to no less than five of the seven global sea turtle species. With its two distinct coasts, it stands among the best places worldwide to marvel at these magnificent creatures.

Sea turtles unfailingly return to the beach of their birth to lay eggs, often covering astonishing distances. Witnessing these majestic animals nesting on the beach in the dark is an extraordinary experience.

If spotting turtles is on your bucket list, read on. Explore in this blog where and when you can see them in Costa Rica.

Turtles in Costa Rica

Puerto Viejo, Playa Cocles, and Manzanillo grace the list of the most enchanting beaches in Costa Rica. But what if sunbathing isn’t really your thing? Is the region still worth exploring? Absolutely! Along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, an abundance of activities awaits to keep you entertained for days.

Discover in this blog some of the most captivating activities on the southern Caribbean coast!

Exploring Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast

A trip to Costa Rica with teenagers promises an adventure filled with unforgettable moments. With diverse landscapes, unique accommodations, adventurous activities, beautiful beaches, delightful cuisine, and generally excellent Wi-Fi, the country has a lot to offer for all family members. A fun and successful journey does require some planning and preparation, though.

This blog shares valuable tips to ensure it becomes a journey cherished by the entire family!

Costa Rica with Teens

Discover the laid-back surf village of Dominical on the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Despite the small size of the village, there’s an abundance of activities, especially when you consider the nearby towns of Manuel Antonio and Uvita. Let us guide you on a journey of exploration! In this blog, we share the most engaging activities and the best places to stay in and around Dominical.

Things to do in Dominical and surroundings

Edventure colleague Ernest resides in Turrialba, a region often deemed a mere ‘stop over’ between the coasts of Costa Rica by many travelers. However, Turrialba is far more than that: it’s a genuine outdoor paradise and an authentic region!

No wonder our professional adventurer has made a home here… Ernest is eager to guide you through his beloved ‘Turri’ in this blog! Read along.

Turrialba blog by Ernest

Searching for the perfect gift with a touch of Costa Rica? Explore our blog post featuring 5 unique and tropical gift ideas that will make any nature lover’s heart skip a beat. Whether you’ve already experienced the beauty of this country or are planning to, these gifts bring a piece of Costa Rican magic home!

5 x Gift Ideas with a Touch of Costa Rica

Nestled between two volcanoes, Bijagua boasts the enchanting, vibrant blue Rio Celeste and offers unforgettable encounters with wildlife such as tapirs, toucans, ocelots, monkeys, and an array of frogs. This is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and travelers looking to connect with local communities. Bijagua is a close-knit, small town where you can experience the true essence of Pura Vida.

Bijagua en de Rio Celeste

La Fortuna and the magnificent Arenal Volcano offer a real treat for travelers seeking stunning nature and thrilling activities. The options for outdoor and wellness tours and activities are abundant and might feel a bit overwhelming—there’s just so much to explore! But no worries, in this blog, we’ll highlight four of our favorite things to do in La Fortuna, making it easier for you to make the most of your adventure.

Fun activities in la Fortuna

Costa Rica, the gem of Central America, offers an abundance of natural wonders and adventures for travelers of all kinds. At Edventure Travel, we understand that every traveler is unique. That’s why we’ve put together 6 different types of travel itineraries that you can tailor to your specific interests and preferences. Whether you want to explore Costa Rica’s highlights, go off the beaten track, or experience the freedom of camping, our routes serve as inspiration for creating your ideal trip.

Costa Rica itineraries

Among the many fascinating creatures that inhabit Costa Rica’s biodiverse paradise are the coatis, kinkajou, raccoon and slender bear. In this blog article we dive into the world of these special animals, not only discussing their characteristics and living habits, but also discovering some fun facts about them.

One interesting fact: In the Dutch and German language, these animals are all called ‘bears’. That’s different in other languages because it’s still up for debate whether these animals are actually related to bears…

Bears in Costa Rica

Tortuguero National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations. Many travelers start their travels here with an all-inclusive, multi-day stay. This is a very relaxed start to your trip, because you can just get on board without having to plan or arrange anything yourself. You won’t be the only one going there though, Tortuguero gets many visitors and is a touristy place.

We wouldn’t be called Edventure Travel if we didn’t look a little further. Close to Tortuguero, we’ve found a hidden gem and non-touristy alternative for more adventurous travelers.

In this blog we share the ins and outs of both destinations so that you can choose what suits you best.

Tortuguero or Barra Pacuare?

Despite the corona virus, you can definitely go on holiday to Costa Rica! Travel was already very well possible, but since 1 April 2022, all restrictions are lifted! 

That’s great! But are there things you need to know? Can you just enter the country?

In this blog post we tell you everything you need to know. We inform you about the current situation and with this information you can properly plan your vacation to Costa Rica well in time. Of course, as a local travel expert we´d be happy to help you organize your trip!

Travelling to Costa Rica in times of corona

The rainy season in Costa Rica. Is that a good time to travel, or not? Does it rain non-stop or is it not actually that bad?

We answer these questions and more in this blog about traveling during the green season. You can read all about the different climate zones, the weather and the best travel months.

Rainy season in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica you have a chance to see humpback whales 9 out of 12 months. That’s because there are two whale seasons and whales come to the warm waters of Costa Rica from different regions.

Do you want to know where and when you have the best chance of spotting them? You can read all that in this blog!

Blog: Whale watching in Costa Rica

Have you set your sights on a vacation to Costa Rica, but you´re wondering about safety?

Our own experience is that Costa Rica is a wonderful and safe country to explore. Good preparation and a healthy dose of common sense ensure that it will be an unforgettable experience!

In this blog we inform you about everything you need to know about safe travel in Costa Rica.

Safety in Costa Rica

In this blog we share 7 reasons why a family trip to Costa Rica is a fantastic idea.

We can already give away that the great diversity of this country is one of the reasons to visit it. There is a lot to see and experience for young and old. Read on for many more good reasons and tips for a family trip to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica with children

Is rafting in Costa Rica also on your travel bucketlist? It should be!

There´s several rivers that are perfect for an unforgettable rafting experience. It is not only the spectacular rivers and rapids, but the surroundings make it very worthwhile as well. While paddling through savage rivers, you cross the rainforest and pass waterfalls and cliffs. Howler monkeys may be roaring to you and you might see some toucans passing by, as well as many other birds. Ahhh, so many reasons to go rafting in Costa Rica!

In this blog we share our 3 favorite rafting spots in Costa Rica with you.

Rafting in Costa Rica

We love unique travel experiences just as much as you do! That´s why, in this blog, we take you to 6 of our favorite, unique lodging options in Costa Rica! 

As local travel experts, we venture out as often as possible in search of unique spots. Even though Costa Rica is only a small country and we have lived here for years, there is always an infinite amount of hidden gems still left to discover.

How about sleeping on an American school bus? Or at a great height in a real tree house? If that sounds good, then read on for our tips!

Unique lodging in Costa Rica

In this travel blog we share useful information and tips about what is a real highlight for many Central America travelers: visiting the Corcovado National Park!

What makes this park so special? Well, that’s because of the location, the size, but especially the dizzying diversity of flora and fauna! Whether you visit the park on a day tour or a multi-day trekking, you will undoubtedly spot a lot of animals.

Animals that you can encounter in Corcovado include anteaters (the Tamandua, as in this photo), cougars, monkeys, tapirs, macaws and much more. You will undoubtedly not forget a visit to this park.

How do you get there? And where can you spend the night? We’ll tell you all in this travel blog.

Practical info on your visit to Corcovado National Park

Want to know what it is like to go for an awesome road trip with a 4×4 with rooftop tent? Experienced travellers Jan and Marieke from Belgium did just that!

They explored Costa Rica in a small 4×4 vehicle with rooftop tent. On this adventure, they camped on the beach in Guanacaste, in the rainforest at Rio Celeste in Bijagua and around the mesmerizing area of the Arenal volcano.

“Our road trip was unforgettable!” Read more about their adventures in Costa Rica in their travel blog.

Blog: 4x4 with rooftop tent Road Trip

Is coffee the first thing that comes to mind when you open your eyes in the morning? Do you have any idea how it is produced?

Visit a coffee plantation in Costa Rica and learn all about the production process of your favorite drink. Of course, tasting is required and you can stock up for at home.

Edventure Travel collaborates with various small-scale and authentic coffee plantations where high-quality coffee is being produced. Our intern Marieke Schouten wrote this travel blog and also made this fantastic video during her trip in Costa Rica. Read on quickly and book your trip to a coffee plantation!

Visit a coffee plantation in Costa Rica

Have you ever considered a homestay for your trip through Costa Rica? It is great fun! Stay with a local family in a cabin on their property or even in their house (in your own room of course!). We think this is one of the nicest ways to experience authentic Costa Rica!

Costa Rican people are friendly, hospitable and very pleasant to be around. Although people in the countryside often live fairly simply, the Costa Ricans are very happy people. They feel proud of their country and culture and are very happy to share this with you.

Because the Edventure Travel team lives and works in Costa Rica and is off exploring as often as they can, we select and know all our homestays personally. Our intern Marieke (20) from the Netherlands also visited 6 homestays for her internship. In this travel blog she will let you know what is so great about a homestay in Costa Rica!

Experience a homestay in Costa Rica

Even though you may only stay a short time in San José, the capital of Costa Rica offers many spots to see. In this blog we take you to our personal favorites. Think of the historic part of the center, nice boutiques, trendy places to drink coffee and the best markets.

Do you want to discover the nightlife? Discover in this blog where you can dance and order a delicious drink!

The entire Edventure Travel team lives and works in San José and therefore knows the nicest places. Renee takes you by the hand in this blog.

Discover our favorites sites in San José

Of course, good food is also part of an unforgettable holiday! But when you travel to Costa Rica you probably don’t think about food first. Yet the country has a lot of culinary surprises.

We have made a list of our culinary hotspots. We start in the capital San José, where the gastronomic map have had a burst in the recent years. Also outside San José you can find a lot of gastronomic delights, discover them in this blog from Renee. After reading this blog you will be craving the food in Costa Rica!

Check out our gastronomic hotspots

Spending the night in a tent in the jungle or on the beach immediately creates a special atmosphere. You feel even closer to nature, especially if in the morning you are woken up by howler monkeys or a toucan family!

Glamping, which stands for glamourous camping, is still relatively new in Costa Rica, but in more and more beautiful places you will find luxury safari tent camps. They are usually fully equipped with a nice bathroom and good beds, a nice terrace and often also a fridge.

Do you see yourself camping glamourously on the beach, in the mountains or in the middle of the jungle? We have tested and selected the most beautiful glampings for you. Check them out in Renee´s blog!

Check out the best glampings in Costa Rica

Part of our work at Edventure Travel is discovering beautiful and well-hidden places, experiencing them ourselves and then share them with other travellers. For one of their expeditions, colleagues Lisa and Marlou drove from San Jose over the mountain pass of the Braulio Carrillo National Park towards the Caribbean coast to Bananito Norte, a small village surrounded by banana plantations and tropical rain forest.

´Our three-day stay in this special ecolodge made a great impression and is highly recommended! It is not easy to get there, but it`s worth the effort. In addition to all the adventures that you can experience here (like flying a gyrocopter!), there is so much to learn about nature conservation and you can participate in it yourself`, says Marlou.

In this blog, Marlou tells you why you should not skip a stay at this lodge…

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You have booked a trip to Central America but have no idea what you can best take with you?

In this blog, we are happy to help you on your way with a handy packing list and some extra tips to make your holiday in Costa Rica, Panama or Nicaragua as unforgettable as possible!

Photo: Boy de Nijs

Check the packing list

Graduation student and Edventure intern Jaimy van Eenennaam travelled to Costa Rica for the first time in September 2018. The ultimate treat after successfully completing her Tourism Management studies.

Jaimy thought it was a great experience: “The Caribbean coast, in particular, left a great impression on me. The beautiful weather, the many palm trees, the sounds of the sea and the reggae music played in the nice restaurants immediately gave me a summer feeling.”

This is what her travel blog is about. In addition to her stories and tips regarding accommodation and activities on the Caribbean coast, you can also see the travel vlogs that Jaimy recorded during her trip.

Read more

Chances are that your tour in Costa Rica starts or ends in San José, the capital of the country. The city is beautifully situated in the so-called Central Valley and surrounded by green mountains (where you can go hiking and mountain biking for example). And the weather is nice all year round, not too hot and not too cold …

Yet, travellers prefer to skip the city. Arrive in the evening and like to leave in the morning, because the city is big, busy, ugly and uninviting. At least they’ve heard or read that in their travel guide.

At Edventure, we often get this from potential clients too, but we like to convince our travellers to start their journey with two nights in San Jose. Why? Because in and around San José there are also many beautiful and fun things to see and discover. You just have to know. And what you need to know exactly, that’s what Renee’s travel blog in Costa Rica is all about.

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In Costa Rica, you can spot a lot of animals and you don’t even have to put a lot of effort into it. You have probably seen the sloth, the toucan, the blue Morpho butterfly and the red-eyed frog on photos of Costa Rica, but there are so many more animals to see!

Where you can best spot the animals on your Edventure trip, Lisa tells you in this travel blog.

Wildlife watching in Costa Rica

Our regular bloggers:

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Renee

Renee brings you up to date on lifestyle and culture in Central America with her travel blogs. She tells you about the best hotspots in San José, the capital of Costa Rica that has undergone a true metamorphosis in recent years and is certainly worth exploring during your trip. The best restaurants, nicest boutiques and best local markets, Renee shares it with you. As well as practical tips to prepare for your trip.

Lisa

Lisa, our newest colleague, regularly sets off to discover our Edventure destinations in Central America herself. With her pick-up, she makes her way through all kinds of terrains in search of adventure. Via travel blogs and vlogs she takes you on her trips through the jungle, volcanoes, oceans and beaches of Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua.

Marlou

For Marlou, the best thing about travelling is being allowed to experience authentic and local experiences. You learn to view life from different angles and you can try new things. The Marlou travel blogs introduce you to our authentic destinations, the real Central America and the lifestyle of its residents.