With all of the snow and ice storms hitting Canada, a warm and sunny vacation is probably calling your name. If you stayed in Canada during the Holiday’s, this could be the perfect time to travel. If you’re looking for the perfect vacation spot, we recommend Playa del Coco, in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica.
As soon as you land, you will probably be pretty hungry. I suggest stopping for a bite to eat before you get to your sleeping accommodations. We stopped at the “German Bakery” near the Liberia airport for a bite to eat and I was pleasantly surprised.
I highly recommend eating as many bean and rice dishes as possible. Not only is it delicious, cheap, and satisfying, but the dishes also come with a variety of fruits and vegetables. What could possibly be better than eating fresh fruits and vegetables in Costa Rica?
We stayed in a condo about 10 minutes from Playa del Coco (Coco Beach) and had an amazing time. I recommend looking on AirBnb to find the perfect spot for you. Our condo was a 10 minute walk from the beach, and about a 15-20 minute walk to the main strip where all of the stores and restaraunts were located. You will quickly notice that this area is filled with other Canadians, so it feels like a home away from home. It was truly the perfect spot!
Next stop was the beach. This black sand beach is absolutely breathtaking, you will not be disappointed. Even though the beach is never overly busy, I recommend planning a beach day during the week to have an even more peaceful beach day.
If you are looking for some more serene activities by the beach, we were pleased to find out that there are free classes near the Coco Beach waterfront every weekday at 8 am. Since the yoga takes place on the grass and/or the beach, your beach towel will suffice as a mat. There is no cost to this activity, but there is an opportunity to donate to the Senior Citizen fund if you are able to.
If you’re looking to go on some adventures during your stay, you have come to the right place. There are many guided tours offered on the main strip. If you rent a car, you can even access some spots on your own, just be sure to check into details ahead of time to avoid possible disappointment. We took our own vehicle to the Cortez Waterfall and had a breathtaking experience. Be sure to pack your bathing suit, you can swim at the bottom of this 90 foot waterfall and get close to its glory.
Overall, Playa del Coco is absolutely breathtaking. Luckily enough, just in one day we were able to see various tropical birds (including a hummingbird feeding on a hibiscus flower), an iguana, and even a stingray and sea turtle, all at Playa del Coco. I hope these pictures and tips have inspired you to get out of your comfort zone and travel to Costa Rica. If you’re lucky, you may even be rewarded with a beautiful sea turtle as well.
