Costa Rica - A Jungle Beach Trip
Prologue:
You might think staying in a location far from any city would be quiet because there’s no street noise, no loud next door neighbors. The jungle is anything but quiet. The hum of crickets fill the air, an ongoing musical night beat. Branches sigh under the weight of nocturnal creatures as they creep through the canopy and rustle the giant foliage. Light taps pitter patter above, as small animals scurry along the rooftop of the hut. The jungle is alive and thrumming with activity at night.
Welcome to the Jungle!
Day 1:
This trip to Costa Rica will forever hold a special place in my memory because it was my first ever solo international trip, and a “bucket list” destination - a place I’d dreamed about visiting someday. Why the pull to visit Costa Rica, you might ask? I heard the country is not only a beautiful tropical place to adventure, but also that the people of Costa Rica have as part of their culture a deep care and respect for their environment.
I’m excited to share what it was like with you! Let’s jump in. :)
***
I booked my flight departing from Tijuana, Mexico to my destination in San Jose, Costa Rica. The prices were much better flying from Mexico to Costa Rica instead of from any of the southern Cali airports (San Diego, Orange County or Los Angeles). I’m glad an international airport is less than 30 minutes away from San Diego with pretty nice prices.
My friend dropped me off at the “CBX crossing,” a bridge that connects San Diego, California in the United States straight into the Tijuana, Mexico airport! Flying to Costa Rica went as smoothly as one could have hoped. Everything was on time. I made my connection flight at a hub in Mexico City, with ease. (I remember the layover airport in Mexico City as being a very large, very crowded and very confusing place. But I had no trouble there at all finding my connecting gate.)
After I landed in Costa Rica and cleared customs I went to grab a taxi. It was dark out, crowded and a bit hectic, with various people offering “Taxi!” And “You need a taxi? What you looking for?” All these people wore different outfits: some casual, some with a lanyard around their neck, some just holding a sign that said taxi and some rates, etc. I couldn’t tell which was the official taxi company just by looking. And I of course wasn’t about to take a chance on my ride.
So I found a security personnel and showed him where I needed to go and asked for the “aeropuerto taxi.” He directed me to the official airport taxi company. From there I could see a uniform fleet of cars lined up along the curb. Much better. Hopped in a taxi and had a smooth short ride to my bed and breakfast, about ten minutes from the airport. The bed and breakfast I stayed at is called the Cariari B&B.
Picture of the grounds and outdoor patio at the Cariari B&B.
I had a delicious and huge included breakfast of coffee with warmed milk, homemade sourdough with chive cream cheese, a giant fruit plate, bacon, plantains, and a mushroom onion cheese omelet with warmed salsa. The owner of the B&B sat with me for breakfast and we talked for over an hour; she shared about how the culture here is “family first, work second” (in terms of priority). I had a lovely stay at the B&B and would recommend it.
A comfortable place to rest
At the Cariari Bed & Breakfast, which is close to the San Jose, Costa Rica Airport
After I checked out I hopped in a shuttle and took an approximately four hour drive south toward Uvita, a jungle beach town, where I’d be staying for the week.
We stopped halfway along the drive for a bathroom break, to buy snacks, and to see some crocodiles. A local jokingly said it was “free” to swim in the river today!
In the evening light I arrived at my destination - The Bodhi Surf & Yoga retreat.
Photo Credit: By Bodhi Surf & Yoga
I picked Bodhi lodge for several reasons. They had amazing reviews from so many guests who gushed about their experience - from the accommodations, to the food, to the warm staff and the camaraderie with guests. Bodhi also had beautiful pictures of their facilities, and the reviews supported that the place is as nice/even nicer in person than the photos show. I also wanted an experience that would be safe and conducive for a solo traveler to take. Bodhi shined in meeting that requirement (and I’ll share more about how in future posts).
On that first evening at the Bodhi lodge, I went to a small welcome group dinner with my fellow travel mates for the week. It was a group of ten of us, including two children and eight adults, ranging in age from approximately mid-thirties to late-fifties. I ate a yummy shrimp tostada salad and had fresh margaritas while getting to relax and meet my fellow lodge mates.
After dinner I took a dip in the swimming pool with another fellow traveler. The stars were bright outside because there was so little light pollution.
If you’d like to see the Bodhi Surf and Yoga retreat, you can take a look at this Bodhi Wave documentary:
Cheers,
Lu
Keep an Eye Out for Future Blog Posts on Costa Rica, Including:
A Local Who is Crazy About Coconuts
The Dreamiest Waterfall Swimming Holes
Ways to Volunteer to Help the Local Community While In Costa Rica
A Review of My Stay At Bodhi Surf & Yoga