Don Juan Chocolate and Coffee Tour in Monteverde, Costa Rica

 

If you're visiting Costa Rica, it's hard to resist a tour that combines two things the country is famous for—coffee and chocolate!

While visiting Monteverde, we decided to take the Don Juan Chocolate and Coffee Tour, and it turned out to be such a fun way to learn more about how two of my favorite things go from the farm to the table.

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa: Costa Rica's Perfect Place to Unwind

I fell in love with Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa the moment I stepped out of the taxi. After the noise and activity of traveling, the sounds of tropical birds and the rustling of the trees were instantly soothing. It felt like we had stepped into another world.

And then there was the view.

Staying at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa

Even though Costa Rica doesn't have the turquoise Caribbean waters or centuries of European history, it has something just as special—an incredible landscape filled with rainforests, volcanoes, wildlife, and some truly unforgettable places to stay.

During our trip to Costa Rica, we stayed in a variety of accommodations, ranging from a $30 Airbnb to a much more expensive room at Baldi Resort. Of all the places we stayed, however, my favorite was the Arenal Observatory Lodge.

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica: Where the Rainforest Meets the Pacific

Manuel Antonio was one of the stops on our Costa Rica adventure, and it couldn't have felt more different from the time we spent around La Fortuna.

Located on Costa Rica's Pacific coast near the town of Quepos, Manuel Antonio is known for its beautiful beaches, lush rainforest, abundant wildlife, and, of course, Manuel Antonio National Park. It is one of those destinations where the rainforest seems to meet the ocean, creating some incredible scenery.

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio National Park may be relatively small compared with some of Costa Rica's other national parks, but it certainly doesn't lack wildlife. Capuchin, howler, and squirrel monkeys are some of the animals you may encounter along the trails. Sloths, iguanas, agoutis, raccoons, and an incredible variety of birds also call the park home.

And while the animals are fascinating to watch, remember that they are wild animals. Don't feed them, and keep a close eye on your snacks!

Baldi Hot Springs – La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Baldi Hot Springs is located in La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica, at the base of Arenal Volcano. The resort is known for its numerous thermal pools, lush tropical surroundings, and family-friendly atmosphere.

The hot springs are naturally heated by geothermal activity beneath the earth, creating a relaxing setting surrounded by tropical gardens and the sounds of nature.

My daughter and I decided to splurge and spend one night at Baldi Hot Springs Resort & Spa. She had visited Baldi during a previous trip to Costa Rica and had enjoyed the hot springs, so we decided it would be fun to experience the resort together.

8 PLACES OUTSIDE OF THE US YOU CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD TO TRAVEL TO IN 2017

I have said this many times....Travel doesn't have to be expensive.  If it was, I would never leave my house.  I live in Arkansas where the minimum wage is $8.50, so many of us have to work extra jobs to earn travel money.  Some work three jobs!

The good news is that there are some places where you can consistently find cheap flights and lodging.  Places like Spain, Italy, France, Ireland,  many Caribbean islands, and almost all of Mexico.

One of your biggest expenses is airfare so be sure to check out my post on Finding Cheap Airfare HERE.

My travel companions and I have put a list of some of our favorite budget places to travel.

#1 ROME   I don't remember ever seeing Rome and a list for budget travel.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe because flying directly into Rome can be expensive.  If you fly to a cheaper destination like Barcelona, you can fly on to Rome for around $25.  Once you are in Rome, there are tons of things to see for free.  We paid to get into the Colosseum but you can walk to the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, and many more places for free. 

The public bus cost €1.50 for 100 minutes or €24 for a week so you can travel around Rome cheap.  There are tons of places to eat in Rome but if you are looking for someplace inexpensive, pop into one of the pizza shops where you can get a huge slice of pizza and soda for around €5.

#2 BARCELONA I never realized how popular Barcelona was as a travel destination until I traveled there the first time.  Barcelona is fairly easy to get around and there is always something to do.  Buses to and from the airport are very affordable (I think we paid ­€7) and if you stay in a hotel (or use Airbnb like we did) near the Placa CAntalunya, it's just a short walk to everywhere.  If you really want to eat cheap, find a tapas bar where you can pick up a tapas for €1 each. 

COSTA RICA SCRAPBOOK

I finished the photo book for my daughter and her trip to Costa Rica in 2012.  

I know I have mentioned it on numerous occasions, but I love Mixbooks.  They give you a huge selection of photo book themes with tons of add-ons.  The have coupons codes often and you can get a good quality book at a great price.  

If you have a lot of photos you would like to scrapbook, check out this company.

If  you print your photos for scrapbooking, you know how expensive it can be. My local Walmart charges $2.84 for an 8×10 so multiply that by the number of photos you have.  I can have a professional looking, hardback, bound book for a fraction of that so it is such a cost-effective way to go.

If you would like to see my personal albums, you can check out my Europe album  HERE. You can also check out my Jamaica album HERE.

MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK, COST RICA

Manuel Antonio is one of those places in Costa Rica that is hard to forget. Our family has visited the area, and my daughter has explored it as well, so these photos bring back some great memories of this beautiful part of the country.

Zarcero, Costa Rica: A Whimsical Town of Topiary Gardens

During one of her visits to Costa Rica, my daughter explored the picturesque town of Zarcero, located in the Central Valley northwest of San José. She shared these photos with me, and this colorful little town immediately caught my attention.

Zarcero is known for its charming church and, especially, the extraordinary topiary garden that sits in front of it.

Crocodile River Adventure in Costa Rica!

Sometimes the best travel stories come from the experiences we didn't get to have ourselves. My daughter explored the Tarcoles River during her Costa Rica visit and shared her photos with me. Seeing her pictures of crocodiles sunning along the riverbanks and colorful birds flying overhead made me add this experience to my own Costa Rica wish list.

A Wildlife Adventure on the Tarcoles River

Some of the best travel memories come from getting outside and experiencing the wildlife that makes a destination unique. During her visit to Costa Rica, my daughter took a boat tour on the Tarcoles River, one of the country's most famous wildlife destinations.