Costa Rica: Central American Nature Trip
Costa Rica's Fascinating Diversity
From the beginning of August to mid-September, I experienced an unforgettable summer on my Central American nature trip. A journey that went far beyond an ordinary holiday experience. It was a journey of discovery through the vibrant heart of Central America, characterised by a deep connection with nature and rich in adventure. During the first five weeks of my stay in Tamarindo, I attended a Spanish course at EF. Despite the age difference to the younger students, I quickly made friends and enjoyed the parties, excursions and exciting nightlife. This time was not just a language course, but also an opportunity to immerse myself in the vibrant Costa Rican culture and create unforgettable memories.
In addition to my time in Tamarindo, I went on two exciting excursions that enriched my stay in Costa Rica. One trip took me to Granada in Nicaragua, where I was able to explore the fascinating history and architecture of this historic city. My second adventure took me to Bocas del Toro in Panama, a paradise for lovers of unspoilt nature and a relaxed beach atmosphere. These two trips not only offered me the opportunity to experience the diversity of Central America, but also unforgettable impressions and encounters.
Key data
Population: 5'200'00
Surface area: 51'100
Highest point: 3'800 m (Cerro Chirripó)
Capital: San José
Inhalt
Adventure Nature Costa Rica:
From Palo Verde to Arenal
The Friday before the second weekend was already a public holiday. My friends and I took the opportunity and hired a car. We drove to the “Parque Nacional Palo Verde“, you could drive through the park and easily reach the individual sights. First we went on a short boat tour, which was the first time I had seen crocodiles. On the way back, we got stuck in the mud and everyone had to help free the car. Fortunately, we were able to free the car quickly together. Of course, we were a little too late to leave the park. The park ranger was not very pleased when we were standing at the exit about 30 minutes after closing time. We then drove on to Santa Elene and spent the evening there.
The next day we visited the Monteverde Nature Park, which is known for its unique flora and fauna. There we rode several ziplines and had a breathtaking view of the Cloud Forest and the mountains. In the evening, we travelled on to La Fortuna, where we went on an excursion to the Arenal volcano and the thermal baths the next day.
Manuel Antonio: A Natural Oasis Between Beach and Rainforest
We went on a weekend trip to Manuel Antonio National Park with the school. The park is super big and simply breathtaking. On our tour through the park, we saw lots of animals such as capuchin monkeys and iguanas. There are also beautiful beaches in the park where you can relax and enjoy the water. On the second day, we went on a catamaran trip along the coast of Manuel Antonio. We even saw two whales, unfortunately I didn’t have my camera with me.
My Spontaneous Discovery of Granada, Nicaragua
My adventure in Nicaragua began with a long weekend in August, an adventurous part of my Central American nature trip. On Friday, I skipped school and travelled to Granada by bus. I used the eight-hour bus journey of 260 kilometres to read and reflect. The first part of the journey from Tamarindo to Liberia was a little uncomfortable, but the next bus to the Nicaraguan border offered more comfort. At the border, I met some Swiss people who had problems crossing the border because of one of their drones. After crossing the border, I decided to take a taxi to Granada. The taxi journey took about 1.5 hours and cost me $50, which in hindsight was a bit much for Nicaragua. Once in Granada, I enjoyed the company of other travellers in my hostel and we had a drink together.
A party night in the trees
The next day, I made my way to the Treehouse Hostel. A techno party was taking place there on Saturday night and everyone partied until the early hours of the morning. After a relaxing Sunday, we made our way back to the bus stop on Monday morning. We hitchhiked a few more kilometres towards Riva before I parted company with the people I had met and continued on towards the Pacific. From there I took a taxi and eventually reached the interesting bus station in Riva, which was in the centre of a market. The return journey to the border and on to Liberia was a spontaneous journey from station to station, as the bus timetables were unreliable. Fortunately, I managed to catch a connecting bus to Tamarindo and arrived at my accommodation at around 22:00.
Caribbean Paradise:
From Puerto Viejo to the Bocas del Toro Islands
In the penultimate week of my trip, I left the language school and travelled to Nicoya, where I spent the night before travelling on to San José the next morning. A small mix-up meant that I got on the wrong bus, had to give up my reserved seat and endure a long stand-up journey – one of the most unpleasant parts of my trip. After arriving in San José and a short wait, during which I struck up a conversation with other travellers, I continued on to Puerto Viejo, where I spent one night, although a longer stay would have been worthwhile.
The next day I travelled on to Panama. From there, I took a boat to the island of Bocas del Toro, where I crowned my trip with the completion of my Advanced Open Water Diver course and some impressive dives, including a night dive and a dive to a depth of 30 metres. I saw lots of wrecks and marine animals. I spent the evenings relaxing with other travellers in a hostel by the sea.
Reflections on My Central Ameria Trip: Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama
The six weeks I spent on my Central American nature trip were an incredible life experience that I will remember forever. This trip allowed me to meet fascinating people, immerse myself in a new culture and language and experience a world of learning, growth, joy and adventure. I am grateful for the countless unforgettable moments and hope that others have the opportunity to have such enriching experiences. Costa Rica, I will miss you!