Exploring Costa Rica's coastal gems

The steamy, tropical rainforests and sweeping, palm-fringed beaches of Costa Rica have been attracting large numbers of tourists for decades, eager to experience the raw wilderness of this jungle country.

Situated on the central American land bridge, Costa Rica offers a rich diversity of wild places, and a long history of living in harmony with nature. Known for its biodiversity and sustainability, Costa Rica is a gleaming example of a green and conscious country, and the perfect place to explore some of the world’s most vibrant marine life whilst having minimal impact on the environment.

Costa Rica: Where jungle meets sea

Costa Rica is a small nation between the continents of North and South America, hosting everything from rumbling active volcanoes to white-sand beaches speckled with turtles. The country has been increasing in popularity with tourists in recent decades, due to its spectacular plethora of marine life, paired with its sustainable and green lifestyle, making it an ideal destination for eco-conscious travelers.

Lush green rainforests cover over half of the country, and a quarter of the land is protected under national parks or areas of conservation, meaning biodiversity can thrive, free of human pressures. In the north, the dense and steamy jungles of the Monteverde cloud forest reserve blanket the mountains, treetops reaching through the clouds. The butterfly park, wildlife sanctuary, and famous Monteverde forest zipline are unmissable stops sure to spice up any adventure. The mountains give way to pristine beaches on both sides of the country; the Caribbean side, has a chilled-out vibe and great food scene inspired by the Caribbean nations. On the opposite coast, a surfer’s heaven is found, with hippie-style beach towns, vegan cafes, and perfect surf. Nothing beats exploring a surfers paradise combined with many ocean gems.

The Pacific coast of Costa Rica also hosts some incredible marine life: the region of Guanacaste is known globally for its spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and orcas, as well as beautiful waterfalls, rainforest hikes, wildlife sanctuaries and horseback riding along sandy beaches. Golfito, a town on the Golfo Dulce (‘sweet gulf’) also has a range of whale watching tours available, so options for marine mammal enthusiasts are plentiful.

Top spots for marine life experiences

The Caribbean coast, on the eastern side of the country, is home to abundant coral reefs, with superb conditions for snorkelers at all levels. Olive Ridley sea turtles frequent the beaches for nesting, and can be seen forming ‘arribadas’, which are large groups of females congregating on beaches to lay their eggs. Tortuguero is known as a turtle hot spot, with annual arribadas of sea turtles, and later crowds of baby turtles hatching and crawling their way to the ocean from its beaches.

The area also offers a range of spectacular hikes along coastal jungle pathways, home to sloths, red macaws and howler monkeys. In the deeper waters, humpback whales, bottle-nosed dolphins and manatees can also be seen, often from guided boat tours and kayaking routes along the coastline.

In Cahuita National Park lies the largest coral reef in Costa Rica’s waters, boasting a range of exciting marine organisms such as reef sharks, stingrays, and giant barramundi. As a protected area, the biodiversity here is especially vibrant and there is always more to see. If you are interested in diving, Manzanillo may be more suitable – this area has a range of dive centres with excellent visibility, clouds of colourful fish, and the chance to swim in the open with turtles. For a more relaxing experience, the soft white beaches and crystal-clear waters of Punta Uva are the perfect place to sit back, do some yoga, enjoy the sunshine, and listen to the exotic birds calling from the treetops as the waves break gently against the shore.

Consciousness: A way of life

The Costa Rican approach to life is laid-back, relaxed, and works in synergy with nature. As well as dedicating over a quarter of the country to protected areas for wildlife, Costa Rica is also aiming to become carbon-neutral by 2050, leading the way in mindful, green living. Although the country is highly popular with tourists, much of this is sustainable eco-tourism, hosted in environmentally conscious eco-lodges, many of which run on solar power and have compost toilets – promoting sustainable travel is one of Costa Rica’s strongest points, and reforestation programs are available for tourists to offset their flights.

Community gardens are also common at eco-lodge sites, providing seasonal produce which can be harvested and cooked onsite, reducing transportation of foods which in turn reduces carbon emissions. Cooking classes are a great way to experience the local ingredients and cuisine whilst engaging with members of the community, and are often offered by accommodation sites.

It is normal practice for foods to be wrapped in fresh banana leaves, rather than single-use plastics, and food waste is traditionally fed to livestock or fish which frequent the shallows around restaurants and hotels along the beachfronts. Vegetarian and vegan food is also on the rise here, with many meals based around rice, beans, eggs, and plantains, sourced from local farmers. And of course, there is a bounty of tropical fruits available wherever you are, growing year-round and ready to eat.

Electric buses and bike-sharing programs are common throughout the major cities such as the capital, San Jose, which makes travelling around carbon-free an easy and enjoyable experience. This has also reduced air pollution and helps keep the population healthy and happy.

Pura Vida - Philosophy of conscious living

At its core, the Costa Rican approach to life is summed up in a simple phrase: Pura Vida. This translates as ‘pure life’ and can be used as a greeting, goodbye, thank you or in any situation you like.

Pura Vida encapsulates the Costa Ricans’ love and passion for their country, their wildlife, and the happiness we can feel when we protect nature and watch it grow and provide for us.