CNN “Destination Adventure” Takes a Costa Rica Vacation During Rainy Season

For ten days in July, CNN reporter Andy Brook took an action packed Costa Rica vacation. Travelling the length and breadth of the country, Brook and his buddies discovered the benefits of visiting Costa Rica during low season with far few tourists and cheaper rates. The reporter explains, “Even if there is a lot of rain, chances are that it will come down during your afternoon nap and clear up just in time for cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m.”

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Potholes in paradise, tackling the Costa Rica roads are worth it.

Like many international tourists, Brook points out that many Costa Rica roads are perhaps best tackled with 4×4. Keep this in mind if you are planning to rent a vehicle.

The CNN reporter arrived at San Jose airport and took a familiar tourist path, first visiting La Fortuna and the hot springs of Volcano Arenal en route to the beautiful beaches on the North Pacific Coast.

Brook and his team then travelled to the Nicoya Peninsula and checked out Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa positioned close to the world famous surfing hotspot of Playa Tamarindo. “The water was calm, warm and clean. This was some of the best swimming we had the entire visit. Just swimming casually we saw a skate shark and a puffer fish,” said Brook in his CNN Destination Adventure report.

Heading to the Southern Nicoya Peninsula, sunsets, treetops and turtles

Brook and his friends then made the journey down towards the Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula and checked out Playa Carmen which was,

“Beautiful and full of young, fun people from all over the world. There’s excellent surfing there. We saw the most amazing sunset from Carmen, one of those where the sun dips into the water at an alarming speed.”

They then hit Playa Samara and signed up for the exciting canopy tour which Brook highly recommends, “We swept between peaks on zip lines to see views of the ocean. We heard a variety of birds and saw a blue-crowned motmot, one of the most amazing birds I’ve ever seen. Our guides, brothers Manu and Yasha, were warm, smart people who loved nature. They also set us up with a guide to the nearby nature refuge at Rio Ora, where we went the next night to see green sea turtles lay eggs on the beach.”

Returning back to San Jose and visiting the Poas Volcano.

Aside from the beautiful beaches and abundance of tropical flora and fauna Costa Rica is also home to five active volcanoes including the Poas volcano. On a clear day the drive up the Poas Volcano National Park is spectacular with brilliant views of the surrounding landscape filled with coffee plantations. Several trails through the Poas Volcano National Park lead you to the main crater and on to the beautiful acid blue Botos lake.

In his report, Brook concludes, “I loved the Costa Rican refrain “La Pura Vida,” which means “Pure Life.” It’s sometimes used sarcastically, like when yelled at a passing motorbike. But its honest meaning is taken to heart in Costa Rica. The land is pure, the people are healthy. Wildlife is revered and respected. They watch “Animal Planet” in all the bars and restaurants. The people have good health care and the best free education system in Latin America. They seem happy, what can I say?”