Falstaff´s ultimate guide to living the laid-back Costa Rican lifestyle on your next vacation.
Pura Vida is more than just a national motto in Costa Rica, it’s also a way of life. Of course, it’s easy to live purely in a country so bountiful in natural beauty and tropical wildlife. Travel to Costa Rica has been trending in recent years, and for good reason — this Central American country represents only 0.03 per cent of the earth’s surface, yet it accounts for 6 per cent of the planet’s biodiversity. This natural abundance is attributed to the variety of local ecosystems — with cloud forests and dense jungles stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts.
Of all the enticing destinations to visit in Costa Rica, it’s difficult to select where to begin. But even in a country known for its spectacular beauty, the Gold Coast of Guanacaste shines bright as the ultimate seaside getaway for travellers worldwide. The Guanacaste Province on Costa Rica’s northwest Pacific Coast is Pura Vida personified. Read on for your ultimate guide to living the laid-back Costa Rican lifestyle on your next vacation.
Travelers should fly into Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia and book a taxi to Guanacaste — the scenic road trip is less than an hour. If you’re visiting for a long weekend or a shorter-term trip, you will want to spend the entirety of your stay along the Pacific Coast to soak in the laid-back, seaside ambiance of the region.
If your trip is a bit longer, then visitors should consider adding on an additional stop or two via a Costa Rican road trip. The entire nation is the size of West Virginia, so it’s quite traversable — and very safe — to travel by car. The plethora of native English speakers and the countrywide acceptance of the US Dollar also help to make the country accessible for solo travellers or more timid adventurers.
As for when to visit, well, there’s no bad time to visit Costa Rica. Though the temperature changes according to landscape (it’s cooler in the highlands of Costa Rica’s central valley), overall, the climate is quite mild. Although the dry season lasts from December to April, Guanacaste boasts sunny days year-round — even in the rainy season, the occasional afternoon showers are short-lived and guests used to more temperate climes will appreciate the cooling atmosphere at nightfall.
For an ultra-luxurious getaway tucked away amongst the mangroves of Guanacaste, book a stay at the W Costa Rica. The property is home to a 98-acre nature reserve, and you will find the region’s biodiversity on display while exploring the resort — expect to find spider monkeys swinging in the trees above as you walk down to the beach and green iguanas lazily scampering beside you along the walkways. Hotel rooms boast gorgeous panoramic views of your lush environs just outside your balcony. Sunset is particularly striking when observed from the Wet Deck infinity pool, cocktail in hand.
The Zona Azul Beach Club is chicly elegant yet laid-back, featuring a poolside restaurant and bar just steps from the glistening white sand beach of Playa Conchal. A more formal dress code is required at the property’s fine dining restaurant, Latitude 10° Norte, which serves a delectable blend of Thai and Costa Rican cuisine. The restaurant is named after the 10° latitude that both countries share. Opt for a nightcap at the Living Room, an open-air bar serving the latest innovations in Costa Rican mixology.
For travellers visiting with groups or larger families planning their next vacation, look no further than the private residences and ocean suites at the nearby Westin Reserva Conchal. For a truly unique and immersive experience, book a stay in a Sunset Tree House and soak in your personal plunge pool overlooking the Pacific. The property is tucked away amongst the mangroves and overlooks a sprawling stretch of white sand beach. And for active travellers, the 18-hole golf course is the perfect distraction from family togetherness — and boasts bucolic views of the surrounding nature reserve, as well.
And in a time when travellers are more concerned than ever with using their tourist dollars to give back to the destination they’re visiting, it’s a wonderful relief to learn about the community initiatives and sustainability programs that both properties conduct in the region. From providing English language programs and supporting local schools to funding apiaries and environmental research, both resorts service not only their guests but the local community.
Interested guests can volunteer to assist with reforestation and other environmental initiatives via the front desk at both hotels. We recommend the mangrove cleanup at Marino Las Baulas National Park to protect the main nesting beaches for leatherback turtles in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. You will feel more connected to the environment when you contribute to its well-being (and that of its natural inhabitants) — pretty much ensuring your eventual return next year.
The Gold Coast is never more golden than during magic hour, and Playa Conchal is simply divine. The sun sets in the aquamarine waves beyond the white sand beach, and there’s no better way to commemorate another day in paradise than with a swim in the sea (which is always warm, even after the sun goes down). Guanacaste is known for its beaches, and the moderate waves mixed with the crystal clear waters — you can see directly to the bottom— make a swim in the ocean more enticing to the timid traveller. Of course, if you want to surf, then you’ll have to head south — but more on that later.
Costa Rica is home to twelve climatic zones — from tropical dry forests and golden beaches to volcanic craters — and its variety of microclimates is attributed to the country’s elevation, as well as its proximity to the equator. This geographic variety results in a proliferation of wildlife, and Costa Rica’s biodiversity is on full display during a visit to Reserva Conchal.
The 96-acre wildlife refuge is home to a dazzling array of Central American wildlife — ocelots, howler monkeys, white-tailed deer, black spiny tailed iguanas, and more. The refuge is also home to a plethora of hiking and biking trails, all of which are ready to be explored by the nature-loving traveler. Just be sure to arrive early in the morning — when the temperature rises, your energy levels drop, so plan your route in advance.
When staying on the Gold Coast, it’s important to set out to sea. A sunset sail is always a reliably magical afternoon activity on the Pacific Ocean, but visitors should also consider a day-trip to venture out towards the remote beaches located along Costa Rica’s northwest coast.
Guanacaste is home to hundreds of beaches, and though the region may be famous for its white sands, there are also black sand beaches and rugged coastlines that are rarely visited by tourists, and often protected by national parks and nature reserves. Forget island hopping, and consider beach hopping instead. Guacamaya beach on the north coast is the perfect spot to visit on a catamaran cruise, as are the beaches of Dante, Nacasolito, and Dantita, all of which are secluded and relatively close to one another. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see a hidden side of Costa Rica, and delight in the nation’s wild beauty.
A trip to Costa Rica is incomplete without an opportunity to partake in the national pastime. Surfing is part of daily life along the Costa Rican coast — a crucial element of Pura Vida. The nation’s Pacific Coast is a surfers’ paradise, one that draws visitors from all across the world. So, if you’re staying in Guanacaste, it’s crucial to make the short journey to Tamarindo — a laid-back surf town that’s a roughly half hour’s drive from your hotel.
The bohemian town feels like a throwback to hippie California beach towns of the 1970s — with a Central American twist, of course. If you’re not an avid surfer, sign up for a lesson with Wave Riders Surf School and spend an afternoon riding the waves — or attempting to, at least. Afterward, spend time exploring the downtown shops and markets and enjoy a delicious, all-natural concoction at Sweet Life, which serves the best smoothies in town. Pura Vida, indeed
