Costa Rica is a beautiful Central American country that has a variety of landscapes to offer: mountains, rainforests, and beaches. What more could you ask for? It is a tropical paradise with exotic creatures (monkeys, toucans, and jaguars, oh my), and it’s the perfect destination for adventure seekers, offering the chance to hike volcanoes and zip line through the rainforests. Costa Rica also offers a relaxing getaway with the country’s guiding principle of “pura vida” or pure life. Lie in a hammock or roam through the jungles—either way, you’re set to have a lovely time.
Did we also mention that Southwest offers convenient and affordable nonstop service to San José, Costa Rica from Baltimore, Ft. Lauderdale, and Houston? Here are some of our top picks for a trip of a lifetime to Costa Rica.
Explore
- Doka Estates Coffee Tour – While sipping your morning cup of coffee, have you ever wondered how it got to your grocery store shelf? Experience the largest coffee plantation in Costa Rica, the culture that surrounds it, the science that explains it, and the history behind it. The fully guided tour includes a tasting of different roasts, a visit to the butterfly and bonsai garden, and roundtrip transportation from San José.
Take it All In
- Poás Volcano National Park – Poás Volcano is an active volcano and one of the most visited national parks, making it an essential stop for any Costa Rican trip. There, you can see the Laguna Botos cloud forest and lake trail, the crater and hot lake, and a variety of exotic species that roam the park. The main crater is still active with a frequent geyser and lava eruptions. You have to see the magnificence of the 1,600 acres the park covers to believe that it’s real.
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens – When you think of Costa Rica, this place may come to mind. At La Paz Waterfall Gardens you will see lush rainforest, flowing rivers, beautiful waterfalls, exotic birds, butterflies, monkeys, and more. It also has educational exhibits including the Aviary, Butterfly Observatory, Hummingbird Garden, Serpentarium, Jungle Cats Exhibit, and Frog Exhibit. Bring a camera and comfortable shoes because you’ll want to spend the whole day here!
Let’s Play
- Rafting (Pacuare) – Adventure is inevitable in Costa Rica and rafting is an easy way to find it. The Pacuare River is one of the top rivers in the world, allowing for rafters to enjoy the sights of a Costa Rican rainforest and the thrill of white water rafting. Most companies that offer tours include transportation from San José and some even include lodging along the river for those eager to experience the river all day and night. For those who don’t want to ride the rapids, the river has fun activities to enjoy including rappelling, zip lining, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing.
What are you waiting for? Book your flight today on www.Southwest.com, and visit Costa Rica The Southwest Way. And be sure to tune in to the Southwest Destinations Custom TV Channel onboard your next WiFi-equipped flight to see the places featured in this post!
