Guest Post||'Costa Rica: Where the Unparalleled Luxury Meets the Purest Nature'

Credit: Oliver Hyde

You haven't seen true beauty, until you walked the trails that lead to waterfalls, and listened to thousand of birds singing simultaneously. Truly, Costa Rica is the place where Mother Nature unleashed all of its creativity and passion, and created a unique place where you can take a deep breath and absorb all of its gifts. Up until recently ''The Rich Coast'' was considered to be the ideal place for backpacker adventures, but with the growing popularity and earning ''the badge'' of the new tourist hotspot, this country started meeting the needs of more ''high-profile'' tourists. Here are some tips for a true luxury experience in Costa Rica. I personally tested. 



Stay in a luxury resort

Credit: Oliver Hyde

This is, of course a no-brainier. Costa Rica has some of the finest luxury resorts in the world, offering not only premium hotel experience combined with spa facilities, golf courses and private chefs, but also private beaches and incredible rain forests. Some of the most famous, and frankly, the most fascinating resorts are Finca Rosa Bianca (located on a sustainable coffee plantation, so if you are a coffee-freak like me, you'll love it). Hotel Arenas Del Mar (Manuel Antonio National Park) and Gaia Hotel and Reserve (by far, the most delicious breakfast). 


Find ''a place of Your Own''

Credit: Oliver Hyde

Luxury resorts are amazing, but if you decide to stick around for a while to explore all the beauties of the country, they really tend to desolate your budget (trust me on this). Still if you came to Costa Rica with the intent to have a world class vacation, you don't want to stay in backpacker bungalows. I solved this problem by renting a fancy apartment. This is quite easy to do, even in the middle of your trip. My local friends explained to me that if you are living in Costa Rica you can find virtually anything- from a cell phone to a two-storey house-online. 





Get a Taste of the Premium Cuisine

Credit: Oliver Hyde

People usually view the Costa Rican cuisine as nothing more than beans and rice served on the streets and markets. Well, sorry to ''disappoint'' you, but there is so much more. When used well, the exotic local ingredients can create an incredible treat for your taste buds. If you are staying in San Jose, you should definitely stop by Restaurante Grano de Oro, where the chef prepares European dishes with local ingredients. And just wait till you taste the wines.  The other two dining places that I tested (and loved) are El Mirador Bar and Restaurant in Arenas Del Mar resort and El Tigre Vestido Restaurant and Bar Buho in Finca Rosa Blanca. 

Explore with Style 

Credit: Oliver Hyde

The fact that you came into Costa Rica expecting the ''high life'' doesn't mean that you should miss out on all of the fabulous adventures this destination has to offer. Private beaches in luxury resorts are fantastic, but if you look just a bit further, you will find other world class stretches of sand, such as the Whale-shaped Playa Uvita. Tortuguero, Jaco, etc. Also, to say you have been to Costa Rica, and you haven't visited some of its famous volcanoes would be foolish, so take a hike to The Irazu and The Arenal, Who knows, perhaps you could run into some of the 2000 butterflies, 880 birds or 200 mammals? With more than 60 national parks, 12 ecological areas and a number of wildlife refuges, you will surely find something that matches your taste. Remember that exploring is not only observing, it is also participating, so don't be afraid to embark on an unforgettable adventure. There are so many activities to choose from- from the ones intended for adrenaline junkies, like bungee jumping from Arenal (not for the faint of heart) to the more serene, like Rainforest hiking.

 I'm the first one in line when it comes to travelling with nothing but a backpack and surfboard, but this time I wanted to experience the ''new'' Costa Rica- where the tourism infrastructure evolved into a true luxury giant. And truly, it can complete with some of the most famous glamorous vacation destinations, such as Bora Bora and Fiji. So, if you are searching for a premium vacation destination, which is also ecp-friendly and beautiful in every sense, look no further- ''Rich Coast'' is the place to be. 



This post was written by Guest Contributor Oliver Hyde.