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With over 25% of protected land hosting 6% of the world’s ecological diversity, Costa Rica’s beauty is unlike anywhere else on Earth. On my recent trip with U30X, Extended Costa Rica, I was blown away by the diversity of plants, animals, landscapes, and experiences the country has to offer.
In today’s society, among all of life’s responsibilities, many people struggle to find personal joy and meaning at the end of each day. On my trip to Costa Rica, I was able to transcend my problems and ground myself in pura vida in this little slice of heaven-on-earth.
From the tropical rainforests of La Fortuna, through the misty mountains of Monteverde, to the sandy beaches of Manuel Antonio, I describe the five most grounding experiences I had on my trip to Costa Rica.
See my 9-day itinerary in Costa Rica here.
Table of Contents
- Rancho Margot Organic Farm
- La Fortuna Waterfall
- Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs
- Monteverde Night Walk Tour
- Manuel Antonio Beach
Rancho Margot Organic Farm
How it grounded me:
- Outdoor yoga
- Awe-inspiring plant diversity
- Mindful living on sustainably organic farm
On my first night in Costa Rica, I found myself at an organic farm hotel called Rancho Margot. This hidden retreat, just a few minutes away from Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna, was the perfect introduction to the trip. We were enveloped in darkness when we first arrived, so it was hard to see anything, but the chirps, clicks, and peeps all around painted the picture as I slept with an open window.
The next morning, I felt like I was in a movie – an amazing variety of flora and fauna saturated my senses and pulled me into a brand new world. I could’ve spent the whole morning looking at plants, but instead I walked a few minutes to a yoga class hosted on the farm.
The yoga hut is perfectly nestled up against a placid pond, and it’s the perfect place to cultivate inspiration and ground yourself. Flowing through various vinyasa poses, amidst the chortling stream, I discover new levels of bodily rejuvenation and restoration.
When class is over, I head to the small buffet-style cafeteria where I gratefully consume fresh fruit sourced directly from the farm. After breakfast we go on the farm tour, and I learn just how eco-friendly and sustainable Rancho Margot really is:
- On-site composting facilitates a practical, no-waste, circular way of living.
- They practice companion planting, a traditional alternative to the destructive farming method of monocropping.
- On-site streams are used for washing, drinking, and generating hydropower — allowing the farm to be off-grid and self-sustaining.
As a farm worker describes the seasonal workings of the farm, he pauses for a moment and forgets what month we’re in! Sometimes I forget what day it is, but it must truly be a pleasure not to know the month!
I felt inspired at the reality of living on an organic farm, and I realized just how grounded the way of life is in Costa Rica.
La Fortuna Waterfall
Our tour guide Daya says La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Costa Rica. I’m taken aback as I walk up to the magnificent view of the falling water amidst the expansive rainforest.
The bottom of the waterfall is about 500 steps down, the crashing water a dull roar in the distance. Once at the base, the raw power of nature is immediately felt. Water falls from 230 feet high into a clear turquoise pool, and it looks, feels, and sounds like a never-ending explosion. Mini waterfalls form on the surrounding rock faces, and leaves shimmer from the wind 50 feet away. Mist fills the air and coats every surface with moisture.
I jumped in and tried swimming as close as I could to the base of the waterfall, but the waves constantly pushed me away and crashed over my head. I retreated and tried sitting on a rock in the water, but it’s basically a wave pool, so it wasn’t easy. Eventually I gave up and just admired nature’s splendor from the rocky shore as the waterfall grounds me in the present moment.
Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs
In what universe do hot springs not make you feel grounded? As we entered the gates – before we even stepped into the hot water – the Termalitas del Arenal vibes sent a calming wave of energy through my whole body.
Palm trees stretch overhead alongside winding paths, hot pools range in size, temperature, and features, and colorful and varied vegetation promote comfort and deep relaxation. In the back are small slides with people of all ages and sizes going down backwards, superman style, freestyling, even spinning!
I started by going down the slides, but soon I was looking for a hot tub I could melt in. Through the foliage I spot my travel buddies in the 122°F (50°C) tub – the hottest one. It starts raining as I slowly wade in, and it sets the perfect hot springs vibe.
I leave the hot springs with relaxed muscles, a calm mindset, and soul-reviving downtime, and I'm feeling very grounded so far on my trip to Costa Rica.
Learn more on this Solo Travel Guide to La Fortuna and Arenal, Costa Rica.
Monteverde Night Walk Tour
Monteverde, the “green mountain,” although cloudy and wet most of the time, bursts with life everywhere you look. This diversity was most obvious to me when we went on a Kinkajou Night Walk Tour. With flashlights at the ready, we began our march on the hunt for anything and everything we might find.
Just fifty yards past the building – before we even reached the woods – we spotted a kinkajou running through the treetops! We’re told kinkajou sightings are rare, and after seeing one 10 seconds out of the gate, it felt synchronistic.
I have no idea the degree that other animals will be out and about tonight, so I’m on high alert. As we enter the woods, I aim my flashlight at everything close to where I'm walking.
Out of nowhere, our night walk tour guide starts ribbiting, and I crack a smile. Then I start laughing as we hear a frog ribbit back! The calls go back and forth until we find the male frog in a small pond calling for what he thought was a female frog.
It only gets crazier from there – spiders, snakes, sloths, and birds are found in almost every direction we look. My parents warned me about going on a night walk tour, and their warning became evident once we encountered a pit viper! This one’s a juvenile, but still not to be messed with.
A brown frog blends in so well it’s hard to see him amongst the leaves, and a glass frog, barely as big as my thumbnail, seems to pose for us as we check him out.
People sometimes forget that a whole new world wakes up when the sun goes down, and this night walk tour clearly highlighted that fact. I’m grateful to have seen such a wide range of plants and animals so far, each one unique in its own way, on my trip to Costa Rica.
Manuel Antonio Beach
Last, and certainly not least when it comes to grounding, is the beach. When our toes touch Manuel Antonio beach, we become more grounded than at any other point on the trip.
Grounding often gets disregarded in mainstream society as “wu-wu,” but those with intuition can instantly feel the healing power of connecting their bare skin to the Earth.
Humans are electric beings, and through physical motion and mental emotion, you generate a multitude of complex electrical signals that pulse throughout your entire body.
But if you always walk around on rubber-soled shoes, insulated from the Earth, this electrical energy wreaks havoc on your body – bodily inflammation, mental burnout, and loss of presence are just a few of the side effects of not grounding yourself.
Taking time to look at the sand, I noticed a mix of white and black particles shining a soft, silvery smooth color that stretched across the whole beach. I took pictures and videos, body surfed some waves, and finally enjoyed some much-needed down time.
Eventually the sun began to set, and if you were at the beach for the next hour, you were in for a real treat!
Manuel Antonio served as the perfect ending to my trip to Costa Rica, and the pura vida way of life left me feeling grounded physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Summary of My Trip to Costa Rica
In today's society, jobs, relationships, and personal needs all compete for valuable time, and it can be hard to find a healthy balance through it all.
But on my trip to Costa Rica, I discovered pura vida first hand. Rancho Margot organic farm inspired me. La Fortuna Waterfall demonstrated nature’s power. Termalitas del Arenal Hot Springs unlocked tension. The Kinkajou Night Walk Tour got me up-close-and-personal with nature’s nightlife, and Manuel Antonio Beach grounded me to the fullest.
Feeling ready to ground yourself in pura vida? Join the Extended Costa Rica trip with Under30Experiences and discover it firsthand.
