Costa Rica: Still Pura Vida the Second Time Around?

We are back from our second trip to Costa Rica!

My family first visited Costa Rica in March 2020 just before Covid shut everything down. We flew into Liberia airport and stayed 5 nights at Hyatt Andaz Papagayo in the Guanacaste province (see my review here). Four years later (last week), we returned to Costa Rica to experience a different part of the country. This time, we flew into San Jose and stayed at Tulemar Resort in Manuel Antonio.

Overall, we had a great time, and more detailed posts are forthcoming. Until then, these are my main takeaways from our trip.

Manuel Antonio is Worth the Trip

The ride from San Jose to the Manuel Antonio area is about 3 hours. So, it’s not as convenient at some other areas of Costa Rica. But, from my perspective, it’s worth the trip. Compared to Guanacaste, which is fairly dry, the Manuel Antonio area is lush and green. The variety of flora and fauna was amazing to see!

Seeing Sloths in the Wild is Amazing

I’ve seen many sloths in zoos and aquariums, but seeing them wild in their natural habitat was heartwarming to me. We saw our first sloth literally the minute we arrived at Tulemar Resort in the tree across from our rental. I was so excited to see more during a guided walk. By the last day, I even spotted one on my own.

We Saw More “Real Life” Costa Rica This Trip

On our last trip to Costa Rica, we were a bit sheltered in the Papagayo resort area. This trip, we stayed in San Jose for 2 nights to explore potential retirement areas and also saw more towns on the 3-hour drive to Manuel Antonio. In addition, Tulemar Resort is not isolated, and we could comfortably walk throughout the town. One of my kids commented that the town looked “sketchy”. We explained that this is just how towns look in Costa Rica. They are not all new construction suburban bubbles like our area in Texas.

Pura Vida Vibe is Still Strong

“Pura Vida”, or pure life, is Costa Rica’s national slogan. To Ticos, this means living a simple, stress-free happy life. This vibe was still evident to us on this trip, just like it was on our first trip. Even in the non-touristy areas, we found that residents seem happy and grateful. I like that Costa Rica has a good balance between relaxation and adventure.

Visiting Costa Rica is Easy (for most)

I love that we have nonstop flights from DFW to both Liberia and San Jose and it takes less than 4 hours to either city. The time zone is only one hour different from Dallas, so adjusting to Costa Rica time was easy. We’ve only been back home for a day, but even with a layover in Houston, we have already “recovered” from the trip.

However, Costa Rica would not be easy for people with mobility challenges. It’s extremely hilly, and many attractions and activities require steps and hiking.

Overall Thoughts

We enjoyed our second trip to Costa Rica, and I don’t think it will be our last. It was the perfect place to relax after the school year ended and a great way to start the summer. And, as always, I’m thankful that my family could fly there for almost free with miles and points.