The new part of my blog where I plan a trip and tell you about it. First destination: Costa Rica.
I’ve heard conflicting things about Costa Rica. I’ve heard that it’s magnetic and beautiful; I’ve heard that it’s overrated and overrun with tourists. You can choose for yourself, but I choose Costa Rica.
Imagined Itinerary
- Fly from RDU to SJO.
- Spend 2-3 days in San José, immersing myself in the local culture, visiting local markets, drinking tequila and networking/connecting with people.
- Spend 3-4 days in the mountains, hiking and learning more about Costa Rican coffee.
Getting There
Costa Rica isn’t too far away, and a lot of airlines (budget airlines like Spirit include) cater to it. I found a round-trip from RDU in October for $400.
$400. That’s one stop each way without ridiculous layovers. I could also book one way at a time, and still make out for just under $400, same time of year, no crazy long waits in an awful airport.
To Stay
One of my favorite things about trip planning is choosing the right place to stay. I’m quite partial to Airbnb, mostly for the opportunity it provides to blend into the local community. I love peeling back the layers of a neighborhood, even virtually.
If I were traveling to Costa Rica alone, I’d prefer to start in San José, stay with a local (even for just the first few days) to get their expertise about the area and familiarize myself with getting around. I found this amazing (and inexpensive) Airbnb with two highly rated hosts in a seemingly authentic neighborhood. I love all of the eclectic features of the space, the sunflower painted bathroom sink and bright blue cabinets. I can just see myself making paella in that kitchen.
Once I left the city, I’d be headed to a more remote, mountainous area. My goal would be to stay at a coffee farm, either doing a work exchange via Workaway.info, or through a rental on a coffee farm, such as the one I found on Airbnb. My preference would be the former. I like to get my hands dirty.
To Do
Graffiti and architecture walk
San José is described most places as a gritty, up and coming city with pockets of vibrant, unique blocks of coffee shops, pubs, and graffiti. I have a soft spot for graffiti, old buildings, and seemingly unattractive doorways and ledges. I love photographing interesting bits and pieces of a place. My first afternoon would probably be spent walking around and exploring. It’s my favorite way to get to know a new city.
Thrifting
I’d probably pick up a long, satiny dress at one of San José’s thrift stores (for later mentioned night adventures). I’d probably arrive in Costa Rica with just a backpack, but as I did for my Reykjavik New Years adventure, I’d need one classy, floor length fancy pants stunnah dress to bring along for the ride. Walking six miles in that long, silvery dress and boots, in a foot of snow, will forever be a cherished memory.
I’ve got my eye on Tienda Me Extraña, a Free People endorsed thrift store with colorful pieces.
Hiking
Waterfalls and volcanoes. Repeat. Costa Rica is full of them, any many of them are in the background of any trail near San José. I found a wealth of information about hiking around the country, regardless of where you go or stay, there seems to be a hike within any skill set.
Rewind back to the part about staying on a coffee farm. I’d love to spend a handful of mornings knee-deep in soil, sweaty and covered in dirt, to spend a muggy afternoon hiking a rustic trail and rinsing off under a cool waterfall. The Arenal Hanging Bridges Hike caught my eye, it’s a series of rope bridges that bring you through the rainforest reserve under the Arenal Volcano. The Monteverde Cloud Forest and Santa Juana Mountain are also intriguing.
Books
You don’t know a city until you’ve seen it’s library (or at least some awesome bookstores). The Costa Rica National Library is crucial to students, as according to this article, many of them can’t afford to purchase books (too expensive). This author chatted with the head librarian, something I’d probably be interested in doing as well.
Despite the cost of textbooks, EXPO 10 and 13’24 are two popular bookstores – amongst many, many others I found through a variety of blogs, Google Maps, and other resources that make cities easy to stalk online. I personally like spending some quiet time in either a library or bookstore, either to write, or just to find something interesting to read or look at that helps me have a better understanding of the history and culture.
To Eat & Drink
Classy bars and dives
I’m also a huge fan of divey bars and pubs, and the best way to find good ones is pure exploration. When I was in Barcelona with Melissa, we walked around the neighborhood near the Sagrada Família until we found places to check out. The bars were cozy and candlelit, the perfect backdrop to just sit and talk for awhile. I’d probably want to try drinks such as the Chiliguaro, a combination of hot sauce, lime juice, guaro and salt. I’m a sucker for hot drinks.
That being said, there needs to be at least one drink had at a fancy, upscale bar. Paint a picture, me, drinking something rummy from a martini glass, wearing that previously mentioned satiny, long and flowy dress that took way too long to iron.
Coffee, coffee, coffee
Second to the graffiti, architecture and whatnot would be the coffee. A lot of sites try to sell coffee tours, which I’m not against, but my tendency to 1) eat/drink slowly 2) spend way too much time taking notes or photos make me a terrible person to have on a tour. Plus, I’d prefer the company of a shop owner or barista I could potentially chat with for awhile, instead of a bunch of college students or a mid-western family on vacation. I’d probably try to make my own coffee tour, which would start with the acclaimed Cafeoteca and Underground Brew Cafe.
I’d ask the baristas for recommendations on other shops, then judge whether or not to visit them based on location and time of day.
Fresh food and cooking
Airbnb City Hosts is still in beta, but the concept could be heavily utilized for aspiring cookaroos such as myself. I love to cook, it’s a hobby I’ve neglected for years and have opted to try back on.
My favorite recipes are simple and healthy, rich with spices, fresh produce and protein. Mercado Central, which I imagine to be quite similar to Philadelphia’s Reading Terminal or Barcelona’s Mercado de La Boqueria, would be a great starting point to get a handle of local cuisine.
My biggest regret in Barcelona was not preparing myself a homemade meal. If I ever return (likely), the first thing I’ll do is make a huge meal between lunch/dinner of various meats, cheese, fresh fruits, and nuts I get there. Costa Rica is no exception; I lived off rotisserie chicken and olives from any old market when I was in Nice and it was incredible.
I’d want to try my hand at Gallo Pinto, a traditional breakfast dish (beans, rice, eggs and meat), as well as grilling fresh fish. I’m fascinated by roasting entire fish, and would need a dedicated afternoon of seafood eating, reading, and wine-drinking during my trip.
To Meet
One of my favorite places to meet people is via CouchSurfers, a site dedicated to connecting travelers to safe, free places to stay all over the world. There’s a huge community of social, like-minded individuals looking to make friends. During the first few days in Costa Rica, I’d want to swing by a hostel (probably one with a bar, like Kex) or browse the CS forums to connect with other travelers. Backpackers are amazing to drink with and friends for life.
Another perhaps stranger, or unpopular tactic is to just reach out to people you’d like to grab a cup of coffee with. I know it sounds stalkery, but I’ve done it a lot of times. In Costa Rica, I’d probably focus on adventure company guides, local artists, and San José based professors to connect with. Even if you don’t meet up during your travels, you can get a lot of great recommendations from people who live there.
I’d start with people within your industry (for me, other travel enthusiasts, marketers and writers) and reach out loosely explaining your travel plans and asking for their advice. Meetup.com is another great way to meet people, with an array of adventure focused groups, entrepreneurs, and pickleball enthusiasts to choose from.
Recap
As a reminder, I’ve never been to Costa Rica. Also, take note that aside from airfare and Airbnbs, many activities I’ve listed don’t involve spending a ton of money. Lean travel (as I like to call it) focuses on the value of the experience, focusing on experiencing the culture firsthand, connecting with the community, and teaching yourself a valuable skill (for me in this instance, it’s learning more about coffee and cooking).
Start Planning
Steal this itinerary and make it your own. Check out various other sources to get you started.
http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/central-america-and-the-caribbean/costa-rica/san-jos%C3%A9/
*Featured image via Thomas Anderson on Flickr Creative Commons