Costa Rica and Panama: Jungle antics and island stay!

You've got a tingling in your stomach and a pillow behind your head as your plane takes off for the tropical paradise of Costa Rica. As you glide over the endless blue expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, your destination draws ever closer. The deep green colour of Costa Rica's untouched jungle shines out at you from afar, and you can feel the excitement within you building to no end.

Ready for the jungle? Hello, San José! Your plane lands, and then it's time to put up your feet in your accommodation. You settle in in peace and quiet and dream of all the adventures that await you over the next few days. Tomorrow, you're off into tropical paradise!

¡Buenos días! Before you know it, you're whizzing through a tropical sea of green on the bus. Dense vegetation stretches out in every direction and shines in your astonished eyes with a thousand radiant colours! By now, you're no longer surprised that almost a third of the country is a nature reserve.  One ferry ride across the Gulf of Nicoya later and you're finally on the last leg of today's journey. 

The scent of the sea fills the air as you slowly approach Montezuma or Santa Teresa. No matter where you stay, you can feel Costa Rica's chill vibes everywhere! Check in then enjoy an evening stroll through the alleyways and listen to the colourful soundscape. The best part of it all: the beach is just a stone's throw away! So, grab your favourite drink and end the day with the sun in your heart and your feet in the warm sand. 

Rise and shine! If you happen to be here on a Saturday, start your day with a stroll through the local farmers' market. Let the Boho vibes whisk you away as you check out the handicrafts and fresh food and listen to local bands' live impromptu jam sessions. What a perfect start to the day! Then set off on the Montezuma Waterfalls Trail. Hike through the dense greenery of the jungle as you take in the unfamiliar sounds, sights and smells and watch playful capuchin monkeys frolic in the treetops. Follow the trail past dense bushes and vines to its namesake waterfalls. Already wearing your swimwear? Then jump into the natural pool at the base of the falls for an unforgettable dip!

A steaming coffee in your hand, your feet in the sand and a view of the vast sea while the morning sun bathes the landscape in golden red light – it's the perfect morning. But enough relaxing; now you want to experience something! Nearby is one of the most popular places for day trips for both travellers and locals: Tortuga Island. Your boat departs directly from the shore in Montezuma and takes you to the beach paradise in no time at all (optional, bookable in advance or payable on site). Whether it's snorkelling, swimming or kicking back on the sand, in Tortuga, you can do it all! For the rest of the day, you just take it easy. And should you be staying in Santa Teresa, make sure to turn your gaze towards the horizon in the evening. Thanks to its perfect location on Costa Rica's west coast, you're in for a spectacular sunset over the Pacific!