There comes a time when you need a real break. You don’t want a “vacation” where you end up running around trying to see every nook and cranny of a new destination. Sometimes you just want to sit back and relax a bit. So where do you go from the DMV when you have about five days to spare, that’s fairly easy to get to, and you can unwind while also experiencing a new country? Costa Rica!

 

This country is defined by the way of life and unofficial national slogan “pura vida,” or pure life, which is a nod to the locals’ optimistic, happy outlook on life. Famous for magnificent landscapes, endless outdoor activities, amazing coffee, and tons of rainforest wildlife, Costa Rica sounded like the perfect place to reset and recharge.

 

Since we didn’t have too much time, we had to make a decision: jungle or beach. And the decision — oddly enough — was based on our accommodation. We came across this remote jungle resort called Rio Perdido at one point in our research, and we were immediately hooked. It has just around 30 jungle bungalows tucked away on a 1,500-acre reserve in one of the rarest ecosystems in the Americas. The resort was designed to work with the environment, not against. If you were looking at it from above, you’d hardly even know it was there.

 

The centerpiece of the reserve is the Rio Perdido itself, which is a thermal mineral gorge featuring natural hot springs. It’s the perfect place to hike, swim, and take in all the wildlife, but that’s just the beginning. We never ran out of things to do, whether that was exploring the hiking and biking trails, trying our hand at the zip lining course, taking a yoga and coffee making classes, or relaxing by the various mineral pools.

 

Seeing all the wildlife was an absolute dream! You’d be hard pressed to not stumble upon a range of animals at any given point, whether that’s monkeys, toucans, bats, frogs, or yes, bugs. The highlight of the trip? I would have to say sipping on my morning coffee on our terrace with a family of monkeys!

 

Speaking of which, when people say Costa Rica has the best coffee, they are not joking! I don’t think I’ll ever be able to enjoy coffee the same now! I didn’t necessarily know what to expect in regards to food, but the local cuisine blew me away. From the fruit to the enchiladas, everything was so fresh. Bottom line: this country offers a world of adventure, and I definitely only just scratched the surface. I can’t wait to go back and explore even more of this amazing place.