Costa Rica – COAST – ✼ LENKITA'S world ✼

I love the law of attraction. When I thought about what my biggest travel dream is, it was definitely visiting a real jungle in the last few years. The closest I’ve come to it was in Madeira in September, but I had no idea then that I’d be visiting Central America in 4 months. And finally it happened! Although the trip didn’t go quite as planned, I’m still endlessly grateful that I had the opportunity to make this dream come true.
It took me 15 hours to get to Costarica from Berlin via New York. I was so excited to be on the American continent for the first time in my life, even if it was just in New Jersey. I didn’t like Newark airport very much. Everything seemed like it was just a ” substitute”. Anyway, we met up with Lee and Aun there and headed to San Jose. From there we were headed to the south of the island – to the Osa Peninsula in the jungle. This article is focused only on the coastal jungle. About the primary forest I write here.

We slept in a lodge that was right in the middle of the jungle and was gorgeous. We all shared a room and got A LOT of food. It cost a total of $400. This surprised me a lot and made me wonder if CostaRica is super expensive or if we just bought super fancy food. I found out pretty quickly that Costa Rica is generally an expensive destination, ala mostly because it’s pretty touristy. Then when I got to the non-touristy places, it was cheaper than Berlin.
The first day we worked in the morning and I couldn’t get enough of the beauty and greenery. So many animals everywhere! Crabs with all different shapes of shells, super hard working ants and the sound of screaming monkeys. I was quite scared of the monkeys when I slept in a hammock outside one day in the jungle.
On the first day we went to a beautiful local beach where I had my first more fun with Aundrey and was very excited to share my passion for nature, living things and especially sponges. Aundrey is one of the few people who loves mushrooms as much as I do. And she knows a lot about them too! I loved it.

Work and Yoga spot in the middle of jungle. Honestly the most beautiful accommodation I’ve ever stayed in.

Private beach because there was literally no other way how to get there than from our house. We woke up before 5 a.m. for the sunset and swam straight towards the sun.

First beach discoveries. I absolutely lved the local vibe of this place.

On the way to the Osa Peninsula we visited the small town of Uvita.

OSA PENINSULA

UVITA

A beautiful beach, which you pay about 2 euros to enter. Otherwise, I think it’s a pretty nice town full of yogis and young people. I also met people on the road afterwards who said that there are cool communities to live in. But we were only there for the sunset, which was probably one of the best I’ve ever seen. I was completely mesmerized by the beach.

DRAKE BAY

Drake Bay is a beautiful place, relatively local with a beautiful beach and river. It was the first time I felt the power of the rainforest there, especially when I was walking alone and just listening to the sound of insects and monkeys. I was amazed by the ficus trees and then also by the local people just chilling. The sea was very warm there and I saw a beautiful sunset again. First we were together with A. and L. and then I was alone and I really enjoyed it. I just listened to the forest and the cicadas, explored the campsites and the local homes and just observed.

Birdwatchers are just EVERYWHERE in Costa Rica and I loved it SO MUCH! I actually talked with a professional birdwatcher in the airplane back to Germany and he told me that Costa Rica is really really unique for its bio diversity

This trip confirmed me that my favorite organism on the planet is fungi and their mycelium. There were so many of them in Costa Rica! I have a whole album.

My first hanging bridge when I was hanging out by myself in the Drake Bay

CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK

Corcovado National Park is a must-see destination for any nature lover (like meeeeee) visiting Costa Rica. Located on the Osa Peninsula in the southwest of the country, the park is home to an incredible array of wildlife, including jaguars, tapirs, monkeys, and over 370 species of birds. The park is famous for holding 3% of the biodiversity on this side of the planet. We only visited the secondary forest (i.e. the one that has been cleared for agri-culture and replanted), but it was still beautiful. On the way, A. and L. got lost and our tour guide was nervous about it. He was very nice and respectful in the end though.
The park can be accessed by boat or by a hike on a seaside. We first wanted to visit the park by boat but the number of visitors that can access the park during one day by the boat is limited, so we took a tour by land. L. booked the tour through some fancy lodge and it was great The whole place was beautiful and I loved seeing where the super rich people spend their vacation. I think the thing that excited me the most on the tour was the sloth-like animal. It slept cutely and we could watch it through binoculars. I also saw a lot of parrots and thought it was beautiful that they are monogamous and live in pairs.

Our guide hunting some coconut to share. He was really nice, shared his apple with us when we were starving.

The cutest animal I have seen during that trip

Entrance to the Corcovado National Park – accessible only with an official guide

View from the lodge with which we booked the tour

I remember, that during this exploration of the lodge I really connected with A.

NICOYA PENINSULA

From the Osa Peninsula we took a small private plane to the Nicoya Peninsula. It was my first time on such a small plane and it was a great experience. The scenery below us and to fly enclosed in such a small space! It will definitely stay in my memory for a long time. It was great to see the landscape change below us. First a lot of green, then a lot of palm plantations. It was also wonderful to fly above the clouds and in the misty clouds. In such a small space it was an incomparably different feeling than in a regular big plane. We landed at Tambor airport, which is about 40 minutes away from our final destination. We rented a car and drove to Santa Teresa. The scenery was quite different from the south. It reminded me a little bit of Tuscany in Italy.

SANTA THERESA

Santa Teresa, located far from airports and city lights on the tip of Costa Rica’s Nicoya, is a jungle-backed beach town that, despite its remote location, is anything but dull. With hip restaurants, shared workspaces, beach parties, and a growing number of young expats, it is emerging as the next big trend. It’s a great city for anyone who just wants to have a great time and has the money to have a great time. It’s a pretty expensive city and you don’t get much real Costarican culture in my opinion. In fact, even a lot of the shops sell people from all over the world except CostaRica. I actually found the place a bit like Berlin, Germany. More English than Spanish, sexy tanned young people with style everywhere (lots from America and Israel). A city where you just feel great and I could imagine living and working there for a while. Going for a run before 6am really made me feel like I was in a dream. Watching the beach, the happy people, the animals. The sun coming up and warming my skin.

I absolutely loved this tiny house that was net tou our place on the way down to the city

Rocamar Beach Bar – during the day DJs and an amazing sunset

Me driving ATV for the first time. SOOOO much fun!!

This was probably the most colorful sunset I’ve ever seen. The last one with everyone before I went on my way alone.

MONTEZUMA

Earlier, Costa Rica was known for its rugged dirt roads that led intrepid travelers to picturesque beaches and lush jungles. While many destinations have transformed greatly over the years, Montezuma has managed to preserve its off-the-beaten-path appeal. Montezuma is a remote destination that’s still relatively untouched. The town attracts a mix of backpackers, families, and couples seeking a romantic escape. What makes Montezuma special are its serene beaches, lush forests, and diverse wildlife such as monkeys, butterflies, and birds. The town has a quirky, bohemian vibe, comprised of like-minded expats and locals.I went to this place because my friend Bunny recommended it to me and I am so grateful! First I went with A. who missed her flight and we visited a beautiful waterfall together. I was so happy and felt completely at peace and in the right place. It was great that A and I were still together and I could kind of close one chapter and look forward to the next.

Last picture with this beautiful angel <3

My office (was actually pretty much dying of the hot weather)

Wonderful waterfall where we were just alone cause it was almost sunset. And finally got matching anklets!!

My new jewel from Osa Peninsula with Onyx stone

Reserva Natural Capo Blanco

The Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, located at the southernmost point of the Nicoya Peninsula, boasts breathtaking natural scenery and holds a significant place in Costa Rican history. It was the first location designated for nature preservation in the country and the first National Park of Costa Rica established in 1963. I was in the park twice and never once went through the 12 euro entrance gate. Mostly because I was late both times and unknowingly walked off the main entrance. The park was closing at 4 pm and I always got there at 2 or even just at 5. But I managed to walk all the trails I could. The second day when I went to the beach 5 km away I had to run to be faster because I was afraid of getting stuck in the jungle in the dark and being eaten by an animal (I’m not exaggerating, I was even lucky enough to see a small jaguar from my car one night – not even the locals I was hanging out with could do that!).

The oldest and biggest Ficus Tree on CostaRica

After A. left, i started to pet all animals and loved it so much

Home of a guy who owns a café and a small chocolate factory.

On the way to Cabo Blanco. I parked my car right in the middle of a small bridge and caused a small traffic jam because I couldn’t start it.

These cute termite nests were everywhere on the coast.

I ended my stay on the coast with my favourite dish there – ceviche – a fresh raw fish cured in lemon juice. Before leaving I went for a run and saw a beautiful beach where turtles are born and birds nest.