Costa Rica

373 miles, 6 days.

Monteverde

Entering Costa Rica wasn't quite as breezy as other border crossings. Let's just say we weren't welcomed with open arms. To put it simply, we were unavoidably scammed out of $50 to provide an onward ticket out of the country.  Not only was this rule enforced an unfair one, but it was made further ridiculous due to our exit being the same day, back to where we came (this was the cheapest exit ticket available). We were clearly not crossing the border to then return to Nicaragua. The only highlight was our realisation of our competence to argue in Spanish. They got their money, we got our stamp.

After our frustration subsided we continued to Monteverde into the jungle cloud forests. It was a long day of buses, involving an unfortunate string of rude or simply unhelpful locals. However, we arrived happy to find the town more hospitable. The place is pretty touristy, built up with restaurants and hostels galore. However, the cool temperatures were a refreshing contrast.

We visited the Santa Elena cloud forest nature reserve to hike all the trails and spot some wildlife. The butterflies here are very impressive, and we passed some unique viewpoints on our paths. The forest was chilly and damp with all of the lushious green vegetation intertwined with moss and vines. 

In the heart of the cloud forest.

Peering through the dense jungle canopy.

Puerto Viejo

Our second and final stop in Costa Rica was Puerto Viejo, a beach town on the southern Caribbean coast. Again, we were a bit overwhelmed with tourism and slightly higher prices, but the area was decent overall. The beaches were golden with an abundance of palm trees. 

Los Cocles beach found on our bike ride.

We rented bikes for the day to take a look at the beaches further along the coast...then it happened. Finally, after almost giving up on Costa Rica, we completed our mission. We found sloths! They were curled up or hanging in the high branches above us. We even saw one carrying a baby. Fascinated by them, we spent the rest of the afternoon searching for them whilst cycling around or strolling along the beach.

The sloth that mesmorised us for far too long.

Mother and baby.

Casually dangling from branches.

Another 12 hour nap.

Overall Costa Rica had a very different vibe to the rest of Central America. It definitely seems more suited to the 2 week holiday rather than backpacking.

Practical Information

Accurate as of December 2013.
£1 = 750 colones.

Border crossing details found in Nicaragua tab.  Have 'proof' of onward travel.

Everything is a bit more expensive.

Border crossing to Panama - from Puerto Viejo the bus to Sixaola runs hourly, is 1700C and takes 1.5 hours. Get stamped, cross the old railway bridge and enter Panama. $3 tax for the Bocas province to get another stamp. Onward flight ticket out of Panama is required. Our fake flight to Atlanta worked fine. For buses here are easy connections to Changuinola then Almirante where the $5 boat yaxi takes you to Isla Colon.

A double room will cost $20 and up.

Complete budget example £20 per person, per day.