Costa Rica Vacation Itinerary: A Nature Lover's Paradise

My first impressions arriving in San Jose after what can only be described as a chaotic weekend in Bogota, was that this country appeared to be wealthy, safe but somewhat lacking in Culture from what I was used to in South America.

 After one night in the capital my first stop was Uvita which was nothing to write home about, North Americans serving flat whites, Some jungle and beach which is sold to tourists because it looks like a whale tale which you would have to be in a helicopter to appreciate. 

When I arrived there was lots of rubbish where both currents met between the "Whale Tale". I was charged to go to the beach with the usual "national park" fee spiel and later that evening spent 20 dollars for tacos and a juice.

Admittedly walking through the forest next to the beach there were macaw parrots, monkeys and I was alone for the majority of my treck. There are also nice waterfalls you can visit but be careful not to get caught up with a bus load of tourists who can overwhelm a simple waterfall with an annoying guide within seconds.

After Spending a few nights in Costa Rica feeling somewhat lonely, scared of the cost of everything in what felt like a natural Utopia version of the United States I made my way south west toward the Osa Peninsula. 

A good friend had recommended Bolita Rainforest Hostel highly as a must place to visit where he worked as a volunteer.

One piece of advice is about the country is that public transport is rubbish due to most residents owning a car and tourists renting, the schedule is very limited having to wake up to catch the only 5.30am bus on some occasions and make many changes. This was the case to get to La Bolita but it was worth it.

After taking several buses and buying enough food as requested to last me the 4 nights I had booked in the Jungle I started my ascent in the jungle up a hill to La Bolita. After 30 minutes with my arms about to fall off and covered in sweat I had finally reached the destination. 

There were a few other travelers looking very relaxed upon arrival in a simple but beautiful construction with a gas stove kitchen, hammocks, a viewing platform and bunkbeds out in the open with a roof to keep you dry. The water is drinkable from natural resources and the electric runs from solar.

It was basic living surrounded by paradise.

I have been to many places on this planet and honestly this has to be one of the most beautiful. Simple living surrounded by rich fauna and flora, time seems to sit still. There are countless different species of bird, reptiles, monkeys. Clothing is even optional if you really feel like feeling free in nature.

La Bolita has a number of different trails where you find yourself alone most of the time with breathtaking views, nature and wildlife and you can also walk back down a river watching Jesus Lizards skim across the water.

I could have honestly spent weeks in this Paradise where you are completely separated from Society. The place has been owned by a lovely Canadian couple for many years and it is like the philosophy is a rebellion against the capitalistic nature (excuse pun) of the rest of the country offering travelers complete freedom  in one of the most bio diverse locations on the planet for next to nothing. 

Corcovada national park is on the border with La Bolita...you can actually walk into it and is one of the hot spots in the world where nature specialists study and from what i heard costs hundreds of dollars to visit with a guide. 

At La Bolita you just rock up with your food, pay for your bed and can wonder around naked if you please with the many different species who live in the Jungle.   

Costa Rica really is one of the most beautiful countries I've visited. It's like one giant nature reserve with an abundance of Wildlife. The culture seems to have sold its self to North America however and this you can feel with the amount of giant vehicles, theme park styled national parks and capitalist mindset. At least they have managed to used the money from tourism to preserve what can only be described as paradise. It really is as the locals catch phrase goes a "pura vida" (wince) but comes at a price. 

La Bolita is an exception to the rule as is Chato Volcano in La Fortuna in the north of the country where you can go to enjoy cool weather, cloud forests and hot springs. They tell you it is forbidden to climb but although challenging I advise you do it and enjoy a swim in the crater lake when you get there, all for free!