5 Reasons to Go to Costa Rica Now

The Fighting Couple takes on Costa Rica!  Sure, it’s tropical, offers tons of activities, but it’s also cheap and you can buy chocolate at the source. Here’s the top five reasons to book your ticket today!

5. Chocolate

The Fighting Couple doesn’t go anywhere without chocolate. You can’t get any closer to organic chocolate than the cacao fields of Costa Rica. There are several tours for chocolate lovers, if that’s the priority. We enjoyed tasting the chocolate at local markets. Nahua Chocolate, one of the leading chocolatiers, was next door to our hotel and was our first stop. We enjoyed hot chocolate (I know, ironic in Costa Rica) and stocked up for the rest of the trip, while we watched the miracle of chocolate truffle creation. The comfortable and hip atmosphere coupled with the historical artifacts, makes this chocolatier a must see in San Juan.

Watch chocolate truffles being made at Nahau Chocolate.

Watch chocolate truffles being made at Nahau Chocolate.

4. You can be a beach bum or an adrenaline junkie

Top to bottom Costa Rica is teeming with beauty.   Take in its tropical mountains, sugary beaches, and 1000 Fights’ favorite: waterfalls! But the best part of Costa Rica is you can do whatever you want. Stay on the beach or zip line 600 feet in the air. Hike into the jungle in search of waterfalls, soak in natural hot pools, or swim in the hotel pool.  There are limitless activities.

Waterfalls are everywhere in Costa RIca!

Waterfalls are everywhere in Costa RIca!

3. Your Money Goes Further

Travel can be expensive. But Costa Rica isn’t. We paid around $700 round trip for our tickets from Boise or 60,000 Delta miles. Our hotels averaged $85-$100 an evening including a great spread for breakfast. That’s not to say there aren’t giant mansions you can rent or have your choice of upscale resorts. You can spend a lot of money, you just don’t have too. The most expensive part of the trip was the rental car. Get the insurance! It’s worth every penny. 

This is your view from an $85 a night hotel with breakfast included. Check out http://www.arenalmanoa.com/

This is your view from an $85 a night hotel with breakfast included. Check out http://www.arenalmanoa.com/

2. Food

The food in Costa Rica is good, really good. It’s also cheap. Our hotel breakfasts usually included a wide range of pastries, eggs, and beans and rice. A neighborhood Sopa usually charges around $5 to $7 for meat, rice, beans, and fresh vegetables. Costa Rica also has amazing steak houses. We paid $25 for a 12 ounce steak with all the sides. The beef was tender and the equivalent to any $75 NYC steak.

costaricafood

Steak at one of the many steakhouses in Costa Rica.

1. No jet lag!

Costa Rica is actually in the Mountain Time Zone. Yes. I will repeat. Costa Rica is in the Mountain Time Zone. Sleepiness is one a the sad side effects of jet setting it across the world. It makes you foggy, groggy, and sometimes mean. That’s what makes Costa Rica perfect for us United States west coast dwellers. You have traveled to a completely foreign place and yet your body clock things you are still in Boise, Idaho. We enjoyed getting off the plane and realizing we weren’t 12 hours forward or backward, but could Facetime and email in real time. Avoiding jet lag gives you more time to enjoy being in Costa Rica!

 We hope you'll enjoy the Costa Rican sunsets as much as we did!

We hope you’ll enjoy the Costa Rican sunsets as much as we did!

What’s your favorite reason to go to Costa Rica?

 

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8 Responses to 5 Reasons to Go to Costa Rica Now

  1. Brianna April 12, 2014 at 8:03 pm #

    Costa Rica is one of my most favorite trips to date. Such a beautiful country!

  2. Alison April 13, 2014 at 7:48 pm #

    I adore Costa Rica. The food… oh wow. And so true, you really can make it a beach or adventure vacation. Has a little bit of something for everyone!

  3. Wesley Steiner April 13, 2014 at 8:50 pm #

    Costa Rica looks like a great place to visit.

  4. Tiaraa April 15, 2014 at 1:16 am #

    It’s on my bucketlist! I really liked the format of your post :)

  5. Renuka April 17, 2014 at 6:37 am #

    Costa Rica is definitely inviting! Great reasons indeed. :)

  6. Kashmir Travel May 27, 2014 at 9:50 pm #

    Thanks the ‘Fighting Couples’ for introducing us to such wonderful reasons to visit Costa Rica. I am a great chocolate lover and love to appreciate Nature too…so i loved the post and the reasons listed in it a lot!!!!

  7. Katie (Beach for Baby) June 13, 2014 at 6:35 pm #

    I guess we must have Costa Rica on the brain! Just finished a post on easy CR with kids. It’s a great first family adventure trip, so don’t skip it just because you have a family! We missed the chocolate, but did sample some great coffee. I loved also that there was no time change, and it made it easier on our daughter (although there was that red-eye to contend with!)

  8. The Fighting Couple June 13, 2014 at 6:37 pm #

    Thanks for the kind comment. CR is a wonderful couple or family destination. we will check our your post.

    PS The Chocolate is amazing!

    M