see this: manuel antonio, costa rica

It’s been tough trying to choose photos from our trip to Costa Rica, but here are a few of my favorites. While there, we filled our days with some sunbathing (me) scuba diving (the hubby) as well as hiking, riding on ATVs, parasailing and ziplining. If you enjoy outdoor activities, Costa Rica is definitely the place for you.

The area we stayed in was called Manuel Antonio. Though driving on the steep hillsides was a bit intimidating at first, once you got up there the views were breathtaking. This city is a popular tourist destination with friendly locals and many bars and restaurants. But the one thing we weren’t expecting was for everything to be so expensive. Everything from the food & drink to activities was priced similar to here in California. Luckily, the experiences we had made up for the steep prices.

Our hotel – La Mariposa

We hiked through Manuel Antonio’s National Park and got to see a ton of amazing wildlife, including crabs, iguanas, snakes, sloths and of course monkeys. These furry guys were everywhere, they would even freely roam the exterior of our hotel.

Within the national park, you’ll find gorgeous beaches. There was also a public beach, which you access from the main road, but the one within the park was so much nicer. It was so peaceful and quiet there, I could have stayed all day.

The local food called “casadas’ was hands down our favorite. And we also loved the Costa Rican iced coffee. Made with real ice cream and just the right amount of coffee, it was a great ending to a meal.

Overall, I enjoyed our time in Costa Rica but I can’t say it’s a destination we’d visit again. Not that it’s a bad place but honestly because there is so much of the world to see (and unfortunately limited amount of time & money to see it) so I don’t want to miss a chance to check out something new. But if you enjoy outdoor activities and tropical settings, I recommend visiting Costa Rica.