Economical Explorations

06/09/2021

Restaurante Mirador Tiquicia 🇨🇷✨

This is this place to be for stunning views of the Central Valley and the best typical food! After a day of hiking, this hit the spot! You have to see these views for yourself 👀 it’s hard to believe panoramic views like this are possible. Believe me, this place does not disappoint!
📍San Antonio, Escazú, Costa Rica

04/09/2021

Typical breakfast…with a twist
✨ Tortipinto (veggie version) has scrambled eggs, pinto, platantos, cheese, and avocado sandwiched between two homemade tortillas with cafe con leche and a cas smoothie on the side 😋 🇨🇷🌪

For us, weekend mornings are all about taking it slow and savoring the little things, at its finest.

We love Taco a Taco in Santa Ana for many reasons: the food, the authenticity, the outdoor seating, the service, the affordable price…it just can’t be beat! Comidas Típicas Taco a Taco

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12/07/2021

Playa Biesanz is a perfect place for the money-conscious traveler. We packed a cooler with snacks and drinks, hiked down the rocky path to the cove, and spent our last day of this trip enjoying the weather and swimming in the sea.

We are deliberate about what we spend money on while traveling, which helps us to splurge on the good stuff. This beach is free to enter, which allowed us a little extra for activities. We rented beach chairs with an umbrella and kayaks for 7000c total (approx $11). Even though a wave flipped us at the end and I lost my sunglasses, it was still a blast!

We had to cut the day short so we would make our bus back to San José @ 2:30, but we didn’t mind. We loved squeezing in this last excursion before heading back home. Hasta la próxima vez, te amo playa! 😎🌊🌞
📍Playa Biesanz, Quepos, Costa Rica

22/06/2021

Breathe and take it all in 🧘🏼‍♀️ ☯️
Meditating in front of this massive waterfall is a gift in and of itself, but the rejuvenation this practice gives back to the mind&body is what it’s really all about. The power of nature is so grand, it’s an honor to stand amongst a site like this one.
📍Nauyaca Waterfall, Costa Rica

16/05/2021

Hope your weekend is *rainbow over a waterfall* great! 🌈✨🦄
📍Arenal Observatory Hike, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

12/05/2021

Jungle friends 🦥🦜🦉🐤✨

Ok, full disclosure, all of these photos were taken through a scope, I wasn’t actually this close to these animals. But that’s a good thing...let the animals stay wild while we observe from afar. Keeps everyone happy! 😄

We had a great time at the sloth watching trail and saw much more than just sloths. When we called for information, they told us the tour would be more than $40 a person (the gr**go price), so we were hesitant about this one. With some extra time on our hands before our bus headed back to San José, we took a taxi to the attraction for only 700 colones (about $1), and negotiated a much better price for the tour, settling on 12000 colones each, or about $20pp. Never hurts to ask for a deal!
📍La Fortuna, San Carlos, Alajuela, Costa Rica

01/05/2021

Kill nothing but time ⏰✨
Leave nothing but boot prints 🥾✨
Take nothing but pictures 📸✨

Hiking to the Arenal Observatory and the surrounding area was the unexpected high point of our time in La Fortuna. We were able to get a unique view of the volcano from the backside at a finca that was seemingly empty, apart from us. We saw rainbow Eucalyptus, cracked open macadamia nuts fresh off the tree, saw pineapples growing in the wild, jumped into a waterfall, crossed hanging bridges, and saw the sunset in line with the volcano. This was a gem of an experience we would have never known about if it weren’t for our lovely guide Errol at Arenal Jungle Tours. We spent $40 each on this tour, but with a car and clear directions, you could easily go yourself and just pay the entrance fee. In my opinion, having a guide to point out so much I would have otherwise missed was worth the extra $. Either way, don’t skip this hike!
📍 La Fortuna, San Carlos, Alajuela, Costa Rica

01/05/2021

Spent the day kayaking at Parque Ecológico Volcán Arenal 🛶✨ Although it’s covered by some clouds, you can see the volcano peeking through in the distance 👀🌋☁️ We saved a few bucks by taking a collectivo to the park, paying the entrance fee, and then paying a small amount to kayak. In all it cost about $16 each instead of the $50 the tour company wanted to charge us.

We were also able to walk over to the Natural Hot Springs River, a free attraction, and spend some time relaxing in naturally heated water. No pictures of that though, since we were advised not to take any stuff with us to avoid theft. I think La Fortuna is shaping up to be one of my favorite places in Costa Rica.
📍La Fortuna, Alajuela, Costa Rica

08/04/2021

Vamos pa’ la playa! Today is the day before our wedding and we are settling in at the most beautiful boutique hotel in Tamarindo, ✨ The location, the ambiance, the service, the lush gardens 🌿 it’s unreal. We are feeling so overjoyed and so blessed for this experience and we cannot wait for tomorrow!
📍Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

01/04/2021

Economical Explorations offers travel consulting services specializing in Costa Rica, but venturing across the globe. Whether you are coming for a short vacation or planning to relocate, I can help you figure out the details. Remember, traveling doesn’t have to be expensive...See the world, on a budget. 🌍🌿💚

31/03/2021

Are you coming to Costa Rica and looking for a local to show you around? Do you want to want to hike and explore the Central Valley but are nervous to do so on your own? My fiancé Dixon is offering a guided tour experience in both English and Spanish through Airbnb. He is Tico and would love to show you some of the hidden gems of Escazú. Check it out here!

https://abnb.me/Rrlc0L7T2eb

Unforgettable trips start with Airbnb. Find adventures nearby or in faraway places and access unique homes, experiences, and places around the world.

31/03/2021

Some days this life feels like a vacation. Watching the sunset has become one of my favorite things to do. So calm, so serene, so pura vida.
📍Rio Oro, Santa Ana, CR

31/03/2021

Jobs fill your pockets, but adventures fill your soul ✨

Today’s adventure took us to La Ventolera, which lived up to its name, meaning *a lot of wind*. While the hike was fairly short, only about 2.5km each way, it packed some pretty tough inclines. But hey, that’s how you get the best views, amIright? 👀⛰You can see all of San José and parts of Heredia from up here. The views feel endless.

La Ventolera is a short drive/bus ride from Escazú centro, and it is a completely free hike. What are you waiting for? Go check it out!
📍La Ventolera, San Antonio, Escazú, CR

31/03/2021

The absolute best way to travel around the Nicoya Peninsula? ATV! This vehicle was built for these roads! Potholes and uneven terrain don’t stand a chance against this monster. We rented an ATV for a whole day and took it beach hopping, from Montezuma all the way to Playa Hermosa, and then over to Cobano. For only $70, we had private transportation and adventure! 💨
📍Santa Teresa, Nicoya Peninsula, CR

31/03/2021

Come take it easy in Puerto Viejo 🌊✨

The carribean side of the country has a much different vibe, and this tree swing encapsulates all those feels. We popped over to this spot during sunset and even though the tide wasn’t exactly low enough, we made it work. The shipwrecked boat in the background really sets the scene here. I wish I could swing life away every day in Puerto Viejo.
📍Playa Cocles, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, CR

31/03/2021

San José gets a bad rap, but it has some pretty cool parts. While I stay far away from downtown San José unless I need to take a certain bus, Parque La Sabana is a great place to spend an afternoon. And this tourist trap, I mean cool sign, is an added bonus.✨
📍La Sabana, San José, CR

31/03/2021

Tamarindo sunsets are unreal 🌅✨

Standing on the beach watching the sky change colors with a group of strangers all collectively appreciating the marvelousness of our great Earth...this is

The sunsets in Tamarindo are some of the most spectacular that I’ve ever seen...one of the many reasons we chose this spot to get married in April 💕
📍Tamarindo, Guanacaste, CR

31/03/2021

Hey there, little guy! 🌿🐞✨

Costa Rica is home to nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity, and so many of those little creatures are insects!
📍Hacienda La Chimba, Santa Ana, CR

31/03/2021

Floating in the falls ✨

📍Cerros de Escazú, CR

31/03/2021

Go ahead and love on some nature 🌳💓✨

We won’t blame you for getting all warm and tingly when you see the beauty and majesty of this country. Heck, feel free to get out there and hug a tree if you feel so inclined! Check out the variation in color on this tree...it’s incredible! 🤗💚
📍Bamboo Forest behind Mochapan, Guachipelín, Escazú, CR

31/03/2021

Experience the magnitude and brilliance of Mother Earth 🌍✨

These falls at San Salvador de Baru are simply breathtaking. Standing at the base, hearing the water fall and feeling it splash on our skin was unreal...a true blessing from Pachamama. 🙏🏼💫

For only $25, we received admission to the falls, transportation to the trailhead, a typical Costa Rican hot lunch, and an unforgettable experience we’ll cherish por siempre.

📍Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park, San Salvador de Baru, Perez Zeldon, CR

31/03/2021

Looking for a great way to welcome in the new year? Take a trip to Parque Eolico del Valle Central in Santa Ana to see the windmills at sunset. I went yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to be surrounded by wild horses on the mountainside.

It’s a steep drive up the mountains and a short hike through the valley to reach this spot, but the views make it worth the trek. Free to enter, this is a great stop for the economically conscious traveler.
📍 Parque Eolico del Valle Central, Santa Ana, CR

31/03/2021

La Mano del Mantra at Hacienda La Chimba is not to be missed. ✋🏻✨

Located in Rio Oro, Santa Ana, just 30 minutes from San José, this picture perfect spot can be found after a moderate 5km hike through the mountainside ⛰

The hike offers a number of photo ops as you move through the trails, including a stop at a giant Buddha statue. The entire trail is 9k, but we dipped out early and took a shortcut back to the restaurant for lunch. Overall, it was a wonderfully exhausting day and I was truly blown away by all that Hacienda La Chima has to offer.
📍Hacienda La Chimba, Santa Ana, CR

31/03/2021

It’s the simple things 🌴🌊☀️

The Nicoya Peninsula is one of the most beautiful parts of Costa Rica...truly untouched, undeveloped, simple beauty. If you’re looking for the real experience, look no further.

We started in Jacó, then took a speed boat across the Gulf of Nicoya to Montezuma via , then rode an ATV around the coast to explore all the Nicoya Peninsula has to offer.
📍Montezuma, Nicoya Peninsula, CR

31/03/2021

Sun, sand, and a drink in my hand! 🍹✨ Piña coladas and strawberry margaritas are perfect beach drinks...so refreshing after a day in the sun!

Super ready to get back to the temperate weather after 11 days of winter in New York. December is no joke! ❄️ I forgot what this weather feels like, and for sure I prefer the warmth and sunshine.
📍Jacó, Puntarenas, CR
̃acolada

31/03/2021

Costa Rica has six active volcanos and another 61 dormant or extinct ones 🌋

The teal water at the Irazú Volcano may look nice enough to swim in, but taking a dip in this sulfuric lake is definitely not advised! 🚫 🏊🏻‍♂️

Fun fact: In 1963, the same day that President John F. Kennedy visited Costa Rica, the Irazú Volcano erupted, ending a 20 year long period of inactivity. The volcano remained active for two more years after this date, spewing lava and showing off its force. It’s last eruption was in 1994, but you never know when it might become active again...
📍Irazú Volcano, Cartago, CR

31/03/2021

When you can’t tell where the ocean ends and the sky begins...✨

Uvita is best known for it’s famous ‘whale’s tale’ which is a strip of sand connecting ocean on both sides. It’s magical to swim in two sides of the same sea. This wonderous site is located at Marino Ballena National Park and is worth the $6 entrance fee. For the best experience, check the tide schedule and make a point to come for low tide. You don’t want to miss this!
📍Uvita, Puntarenas, CR
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31/03/2021

The Carribean coast is special place. The beaches are nicer, the weather is hotter, the bugs are bigger, the food is more flavorful, and the air is sweeter 💨💚😉

and I wanted to maximize the sights we saw (on a budget of course!), so we borrowed bikes and started pedaling the 13km from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo for a little beach hopping. Playa Negra, Punta Uva, Playa Cochles, Playa Chiquita, Playa Grande, we stopped and tried them all!

Many hours later with sun down approaching, we called it and headed back to the hotel feeling sunburnt and defeated that we couldn’t reach Manzanillo. BUT, the next day the beach gods were with us and we hired a tuk tuk to get us to there (such a fun way to get around!) Manzanillo was unreal and well worth nearly missing our bus back to SJO in order to see it fully. Adventure is always worth it!
📍Puerto Viejo, Limon, CR

Tag someone you’d like to travel with 👇🏻✨
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31/03/2021

Orchids are the national flower of Costa Rica, with more than 1400 species of this beautiful flower growing in this country 🌸 While in Monteverde, we were able to stop and check out and take an educational tour of hundreds of orchids in bloom - simply incredible. I highly recommend checking it out the next time you’re in town!

This particular bunch of orchids is very close to my heart because it was harvested by for me as a gift. And by that I mean, he pulled it off a tree and potted it for me 💓✨While this plant is currently sans flowers, it’s still very much alive with green leaves and roots that are growing long. Considering my track record with keeping orchids alive, flowers or not, this feels like a win!

Have you ever owned an orchid plant? Were you able to keep it alive? 🌱 Share your secrets in the comments below 👇🏻
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