Costa Rica and Panama: Road adventure to the cloud forest!

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.

More than ready to hit the jungle, it's hello, San José! Your plane lands, you pick up your hire car right at the airport and then drive to where you're staying. After safely parking your trusty new companion for the next few weeks, it's time to check in and put your feet up. You settle in in peace and quiet and soon find yourself dreaming of all the adventures to come. Tomorrow, you're off into tropical paradise!

Buenos días! Before you know it, you're cruising through a tropical sea of green. 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. You roll down the window, feel the warm rays of sun on your skin and enjoy the breeze to the fullest.  A little tip: drive your hire car to Puntarenas and take the car ferry from there to Playa Naranjo (optional, payable on site). This will save you the long journey around the Golfo Colorado, which is currently even longer due to the bridge closure.  

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!