Horseback riding
where the rainforest meets the sea
I ended up being the only one booked which led to a more hands-on atmosphere with the guide going above and beyond to create a memorable experience.
I have impeccable luck with this happening and often attribute it to my pro travel tip: Book early in the morning! Most people on vacation prefer to sleep in and relax so if you’re up and ready to go first thing in the morning, you have a better chance of fewer bookings if any.
horseback riding on the beach
My guide and I spent a beautiful afternoon with the rainforest to the left of us and the Caribbean Sea to the right.
We galloped along the shore of Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva, and Manzanillo, each beach prettier than the last. As a guide and a local, her ear was trained to easily identify the sounds of wildlife so she was great at pointing out howler monkeys in the rainforest.
She was also great at spotting ripe coconuts so when she asked if I wanted to try one, I jumped at the opportunity. She shook a coconut loose from a nearby palm tree and with our coconuts in tow, we rode our horses back to the barn where her boyfriend cracked them open with a machete, an actual machete! which was as impressive as it sounds.
Rainforest and Beach Package
A private guided tour, typically 2.5 hours but unique to your desires. Your guide will explain many types of flora and fauna, even tasting a few, as you weave in and out of the jungle to the beach. Sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and birds are almost guaranteed to be seen.
Wildlife sanctuary
vising a rescue sanctuary
There’s a lot of controversy surrounding “wildlife tourism”, however, The Jaguar Rescue Center is dedicated to the rehabilitation of mistreated, injured, and orphaned animals, and does its best to rehabilitate and return the animals to their natural habitat as quickly as possible.
We were never able to touch, hold, or take photos with the animals. The safety of the animals is their number one priority as they prep them to return to the wild.
Jaguar Rescue Center
Although the center is called Jaguar Rescue Center, no jaguars were being rehabilitated when I visited (which is a positive thing). I did, however, see a cheetah, sloths, birds, a pelican, and a giant anteater, among other animals.
I watched adorable monkeys play and was introduced to Annie. Her mother, sadly, was reported by locals as poached, and Annie was left stranded before the center was called. She was picked up and taken to the Jaguar Rescue Center to be cared for until she can care for herself back in the wild.
Chocolate tasting
organic artisan chocolate
I spotted Caribeans on my bike ride back from the animal sanctuary. Anything chocolate catches my attention so I tied up my bike and went inside.
It turns out Caribeans is one of Costa Rica’s first bean to bar chocolate company, all handmade in Costa Rica with only pure cacao and organic cane sugar.
• Chocolate tasting with amazing ocean views
• Watching the bean to bar process at their chocolate workshop
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