Traveling to Costa Rica During the Rainy Season

The Allure of the Rainy Season

1. Lush Scenery: The rain transforms the landscape into a verdant paradise. Waterfalls are at their fullest, and the forests are alive with flora and fauna. Every corner of Costa Rica bursts into vibrant greens, making it a photographer’s dream.
2. Fewer Crowds: Enjoy popular attractions and beaches with fewer tourists. This means more intimate experiences and better photo opportunities. Popular sites like Manuel Antonio National Park and Arenal Volcano are less crowded, allowing for a more serene and personal experience.
3. Cost Savings: Many resorts and hotels offer discounts during the rainy season, making it an affordable time to visit. Reduced rates on accommodations and tours mean you can experience luxury at a fraction of the cost.

What to Expect

• Weather: Expect intermittent rain showers, typically in the afternoon. Mornings are often sunny and perfect for outdoor activities. The rain usually comes in short bursts, refreshing the environment and providing a cooling effect after a warm morning.
• Activities: Rainforest hikes, white-water rafting, and visiting hot springs are ideal during this time. Don’t miss the opportunity to see nesting sea turtles on the Caribbean coast. The rain brings out the best in nature, making it a fantastic time for birdwatching and exploring lush jungles.

Top Activities During the Rainy Season

1. Rainforest Hikes: The rain brings the rainforest to life. Trails in Corcovado National Park and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve are less crowded, and the flora and fauna are at their peak.
2. White-Water Rafting: Rivers swell during the rainy season, providing thrilling rafting experiences on the Pacuare and Reventazon rivers.
3. Hot Springs: The cooler, rainy weather is perfect for soaking in the hot springs around Arenal Volcano. Enjoy a relaxing dip while the rain pours down around you.

Tips for Traveling

• Pack Smart: Waterproof gear, quick-drying clothing, and sturdy footwear are essential. A good rain jacket, waterproof shoes, and a dry bag for electronics can make your trip more comfortable.
• Plan Flexibly: Be open to adjusting your plans based on the weather. Many activities can be rescheduled. Use rainy afternoons to relax at your hotel or explore indoor attractions like museums and coffee tours.
• Embrace the Rain: Rainy season activities are designed to be enjoyed in wet conditions, so don’t let the weather deter you. Embrace the adventure and the unique beauty that the rain brings.

5 Reasons Why You Should Travel to Costa Rica

The Central American country of Costa Rica sometimes flies under the radar for travelers to Latin America, who prefer the larger heavy hitters such as Peru, Brazil, and Mexico. But in many ways, Costa Rica offers even more than these destinations for travelers. Pristine natural environments, active volcanoes, and blissful beaches are just some of the reasons you should make your next big adventure to Costa Rica. In this article, we’ll talk you through some of the main reasons why you should travel to Costa Rica.

Volcanoes

Costa Rica is a land dominated by volcanoes, making it perfect for an adventurous traveler. There are currently six active volcanoes in the country, as well as around 60 dormant ones. Many of these volcanoes are popular with travelers, who come to hike up to the craters and explore the surrounding scenery. Arenal volcano in the north of Costa Rica is probably the most popular, with natural hot springs and picturesque scenery to admire.

Beaches

The coastal areas of Costa Rica are as beautiful as inland. Guanacaste province in the north-west of the country is nicknamed the “Golden coast”, due to the sheer number of stunning sandy beaches that are on offer to travelers. Flamingo Beach, Playa Tamarindo and Playas del Coco are just some of the beaches on offer in the region, perfect for sunbathing, surfing and relaxing with your family. If you’re planning a beach break in Guanacaste, then why not rent out an all-inclusive villa with your friends or family? All the amenities of a luxury resort are included, with the added bonus of your privacy. Check out Villa de la Luna for more information.

National Parks

As mentioned, the Costa Rican authorities have protected much of their natural environment, and this is done mainly in the form of the creation of protected national parks. The cloud forest of Monteverde is home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, a staggering amount when noting its tiny size. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a wonderful place to visit, protecting this life for future generations. 

Coffee

It’s fair to say that the modern world thrives on coffee, most of us can’t function in the morning without our first cup. You may not know then that Costa Rica produces some of the best coffee in the world – in fact, it is one of the country’s main exports and some estimates suggest that the average Costa Rican drinks six cups per day! If on vacation in Costa Rica, you’ll want to take a visit to one of the country’s coffee plantations and make sure to grab a bag of Costa Rica’s finest to bring home with you.

If you care about the environment and love getting out and about with nature, then you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better vacation destination in the world than Costa Rica. The amazing wildlife, stunning scenery, and towering volcanoes combine to make it one of the most appealing travel destinations in the world. There are plenty of great hotels and resorts in the country, but for something extra special, and with an added dose of privacy, why not rent a private villa in Guanacaste province? Prices start at just $189 per person per night, and this price is all-inclusive, meaning you get every amenity you would expect from a luxury hotel, without having to share the pool with strangers! Villa de la Luna also overlooks the Pacific Ocean, giving you the most incredible morning view when savoring your first cup of Costa Rican coffee.

Family Bonding

When on vacation, families fully dedicate all of their time to each other, creating a bonding experience like no other. Being away from the demands of the day-to-day, fast-paced life grants an opportunity for the family to spend time doing nothing but relaxing and enjoying each other’s company.

Whether deciding to enjoy a day at the Villa or out exploring Costa Rica on an excursion, any and every day of your trip provides an opportunity to make life-long memories both you, your kids and grandkids will treasure. Even the simplest experiences, such as sitting around the dinner table and sharing a meal together, can become cherished moments. Vacations are the time when parents can bond with their children and siblings can also spend quality time together.

New Cultures and Experiences

Traveling to Costa Rica will give you a unique chance to experience the people, food, and culture. Children tend to absorb knowledge more through experiential learning, like embracing new cultures and customs first hand, tasting new cuisines and being exposed to new languages. By choosing to travel to Costa Rica with younger children, it will not only broaden their sense of reality but will set them up for different experiences in the future.

World Appreciation

Taking a vacation is not just about taking pictures of beautiful sunsets and seeing different landmarks, it also encompasses an understanding of humanity and the world in general. Seeing the world will make travelers of all ages explore a new environment or meet interesting people who can offer a fresh perspective to life. Children are naturally more inquisitive than adults, so having them around makes the family as a whole see what they otherwise might not have noticed. And seeing children’s reactions to the world’s most extraordinary sights and scenery can remind an adult to feel that appreciation, too. Children also have a tendency to ask more questions, so by trying to provide an answer, the whole family can learn something new.

Life Enriching

One of the greatest benefits in traveling to Costa Rica is the way it enriches each person’s life. For a family, this can simply stem from enjoying a day spent relaxing at the Villa, having the time to spend with one another. Even short trips can encourage children to focus on accumulating memories and experiences, rather than possessions. Family adventures promote independence, self-confidence and interpersonal skills, and the more families travel together, the more their curiosity, sense of adventure, ideas grow.

Traveling to Costa Rica with family holds many benefits that will create life-long memories. From the moment you get to Costa Rica to long after arriving home, a vacation can be one of the most rewarding adventures a family can have together.