My husband and I were planning our first vacation of the year. We knew after all this cold weather here in Maryland, we wanted to go somewhere warm. We knew we wanted beaches, sun, tall margaritas, and some excitement! My husband and I love activities and excursions while on vacation. Many islands offer similar opportunities, but Costa Rica stood out amongst them all. We had few contenders when deciding where to go this Spring Break. And we decided upon the beautiful county of Costa Rica. Costa Rica is a popular vacation destination for many reasons. Here are seven reasons we considered when deciding Costa Rica for our next vacation:

1. Beautiful Country

There is an abundance of diversity to the land of this majestic country. Costa Rica is known for its stunning natural beauty, including lush and lively rainforests, active volcanoes, and beautiful beaches. Depending on what part of the country you are visiting, you can experience a little bit of all this. We stayed in Guanacaste, Costa Rica during our visit. We had an opportunity to experience some of this diversity. No worries if you decide to visit areas like the capital San Jose. This metropolitan area is just a few hours’ drive to your nearest rainforest or volcano.

2. Wildlife

Despite its small size, Costa Rica is home to an incredible range of wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, toucans, and jaguars. One thing that I had to get used to is the sweet howling of monkeys every morning. Although I did not hear it while sleeping in my hotel room. When I stepped out on the balcony every morning, I was greeted by the warm sun and howler monkeys saying ‘good morning’ to one another. One morning, I was even greeted by the tiniest reptile I’ve ever seen. I would look up to the sky and see such beautiful birds flying by. Iguanas walked the streets and various species of raccoons would pass by at night. We had no negative experiences with any of the animals and it was such an amazing experience to see the animals so close.

3. Activities & Excursions

Now I did mention that my husband and I like excursions... and Costa Rica definitely did not disappoint when it came to adventure! Costa Rica is a haven for adventure seekers, offering activities such as zip-lining, white-water rafting, and surfing. While on our trip, we drove ATVs to white sand beaches, attended a beach BBQ and ate some delicious grilled fish, zip-lined, crossed the hanging bridges, rode horses, and slid down a natural water slide. You can learn more about things to do in Costa Rica here.

4. Sustainability

One thing that I learned about when researching Costa Rica was that it is a pioneer in sustainable tourism. There are many eco-lodges, wildlife reserves, and national parks dedicated to preserving the country's natural beauty. Sustainability for a country is defined by the United Nations as "managing human and natural resources and energy to meet human needs today while preserving options and opportunities for future generations." At its core, sustainability is about creating a society that can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Costa Rica has embraced this philosophy, and as a result, they have become one of the most sustainable countries on Earth. I absolutely appreciate a country that values the land they live on.

5. The Culture

My husband and I can get a little nerdy when it comes to learning about other cultures. Costa Rica has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and Spanish traditions. Visitors can explore local markets, festivals, and historic sites. We had the opportunity to learn about how sugar was made years ago in Costa Rica and how a small village is still making the same kind of hand-made pottery they have been creating for generations.

6. The Lifestyle

A phrase that we heard and seen countless times while on the trip was “Pura Vida”. The phrase "Pura Vida" is ubiquitous in Costa Rica and encapsulates the country's laid-back, friendly, and relaxed lifestyle. You will see this phrase all over the airport, on t-shirts, the side of vehicles and most definitely shouted at a party. One night, we all went out for drinks and dancing and I’m pretty sure we said “Pura Vida” every time we took a shot of tequila. Drinks aside… My experience of the people of Costa Rica let me know that they truly live a friendly and relaxed lifestyle.

7. Great for the kids!

One thing we kept saying on this trip was “the kids sure would like this…” Although Costa Rica was planned as a couple’s trip, it was a great place for families. Costa Rica is a great destination for families, offering a range of activities and accommodations suitable for all ages, from beach resorts to adventure lodges. Our resort alone had so many accommodations that our whole family would enjoy. You can learn more about our resort and accommodations here. Chris and I will be coming back with the kids one day.

These were just a few of the many reasons we decided to vacation in Costa Rica. If you do your research, you will find reasons to book your stay in Costa Rica. Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Costa Rica has something for everyone. If you are interested in learning more about Costa Rica, do not forget to check out my other posts.