We have lived through two years of Covid-19, and we know for a fact that the notorious virus is not leaving us anytime soon. No matter how hard Corona may have affected all parts of our life, there is still one thing that has not taken a back seat, even in these times of despair. With the world's end seeming like a close possibility, couples and their parents aren’t waiting any longer to get married. The onset of Corona has made it evident that one has to slow down and take time for their loved ones, and so many couples and parents have decided to take the leap in 2021, especially the ones who had to cancel or postpone their weddings that had been planned for the year 2020.
Though the wedding industry may have taken a hard hit, with people opting for smaller and more intimate weddings, particularly because of the various governmental restrictions; weddings still continue to be the top event even in the times of a pandemic.
Where there is a wedding on one hand, along comes the honeymoon on the other hand. The pandemic that has forced people to remain confined into their homes for too long, and has become a source of frustration for regular travelers, as it is. Adding to it, the restrictions on honey mooning, may have led to a wave of despair among the newly weds.
Though many spots are still not available for travel and tourism purposes, there is one country which is considered one of the safest in the world for travel in 2021. This country is Costa Rica, which can be the perfect honeymoon destination for our Corona couples.
Nestled in the region of Central America, Costa Rica is considered to be the 12th Happiest Country in the world according to the World Happiness Report. The country usually experiences a tropical climate, year round. The country has a vast variety of flora and fauna. Costa Rica is considered to be the pioneer of eco tourism, owing to its extensive series of national parks and other protected areas. Costa Rica is equally famous for its rich culture, varied cuisine and scenic beauty.
Before we find out the wonderful immersive experiences that are offered by Costa Rica, let us take a look at the Covid 19 protocols in Costa Rica
One of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica, this gem of a beach borders the Manuel Antonio National Park. It comprises a coastal rainforest full of wildlife. The park is ideal for those looking to explore the rainforest, and it has many paths for hiking that lead to other beaches around the park. The Manuel Antonio also frequently hosts parties and festivals, and is also an ideal destination for those who like to surf. The two main beaches are Espadilla Sur Beach and Manuel Antonio Beach, which are a 30 minute hike from the main entrance. To beat the crowds, one can walk further into the trail of the Playa Espadilla Sur. Due to environmental restrictions the hotels in the area are set cliff-side, instead of beach front.
There are several other things to explore within Manuel Antonio. You can book an early morning guided tour to avoid crowds, and sight the wonderful wildlife of Antonio, which comprises various animal species like Capuchin, Howler and Squirrel monkeys. You can also sight sloths, iguanas, agoutis, and hundreds of species of birds. You can explore Quepos Town, on the way to Manuel Antonio. It is famous for its restaurants, souvenir shops and bars. It is a mix of local shops, markets and cafes and presents the laid back life of Costa Rica.
The Espadilla is a popular beach location for the purpose of surfing. The Manuel Antonio provides surf boards on rent and also offers surfing lessons.
In the vicinity of the Quespos, is located another travellers paradise, known as the Damas Island Estuary, which can be explored through the waterways, by boating or kayaking. One can observe animals like monkeys, snakes, sloths, and crocodiles in their natural habitat, in the presence of a professional guide.
Slightly further away from the Quespos is the Santa Juana Mountain Village, which offers the unique opportunity of experiencing the campesino rural lifestyle of Costa Rica. While touring the village one can try the local cooking, Tilapia fishing and horseback riding.
If you are adventurous at heart this is the beach for you. This beach provides surfing opportunities for beginner surfers. This beach displays a plethora of activities like swimming, surfing, fishing and water sports during the day, along with a buzzing nightlife at sunset. Most people choose to explore Guanacaste over a couple of days. The vicinity of Tamarindo hosts several other beaches such as Langosta beach, which is famous for its white sand, relaxed atmosphere and lack of development. This beach has a secluded vibe and is perfect for spending some alone time together, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. There are two more beaches nearby, namely Coconut beach, Hermosa beach and Avellana beach.
About 30 minutes north of the Tamarindo beach lies the Grande Beach which is famous for the Leatherback Sea Turtles, who come there to lay their eggs. These large sized turtles can be observed at night during the months of November and April, when they come to visit the beach.
The northern part of Tamarindo also hosts a maze of estuary waterways. This fascinating ecosystem can be explored with the guidance of a professional guide, and one can look out for crocodiles, sunbathing on the river banks and a wide variety of birds too.
If you are keen on fishing, Tamarindo offers the option of sport fishing, with their 5 hour and 7 hour a day options of inshore fishing, where one can reel in Roosterfish, Snapper, Billfish and Amberjack.
Apart from the more popular beaches in Costa Rica, Nacascolo is a sort of hidden gem. While most of the beaches in Guanacaste are open for surfers, the beaches in the gulf of Papagayo are protected which make them a great place for couples, who want to spend some alone time. The Nacascolo, is a golden stretch of sand that sits between the Four Seasons Resort and the Andaz Papagayo Resort. If you plan to stay in either one of these two resorts,you can even plan to go for a picnic to the beach, and go kayaking there. The chances are that you will be the only ones around, and there are ample possibilities of swimming, stand up paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling here.
This place can be called a therapeutic natural spa, a kind of private oasis. This is a small family owned Hot spring that not only provides one an opportunity for thermal healing, but also, allows the guests to explore hundreds of yards of trails in the rainforest, watching the wildlife and providing ample photo opportunities. One can relax by the pool and sip on tropical drinks and devour delectable delicacies. The temperature of this hot spring is 99-106 F.The springs are located at Laa Fortuna, which is in the vicinity of the Arenal Volcano, which make the thermal waters here rich in magnesium and other minerals that are beneficial for the human body and may heal stress, fatigue, anxiety and skin irritations.Eco Termales has six natural thermal pools of varying sizes and 2 fresh water pools. Situated within the rainforests, the settings have been created in such a manner that they have waterfalls along the hot springs. The whole setup has an extremely romantic vibe.
Unlike the Ecotermales, the Tabacon is a part of a resort, and so you can also plan your stay in this resort. This is an eco friendly and carbon neutral resort, which is the only spring that is 100% natural without the use of any pumps, recirculating, re-heating, mechanical systems. This spring is noteworthy for its adult’s only section known as the Shangrila Gardens. Lush with greenery and scenic beauty, this place provides an intimate and romantic experience. The Temperature of the springs is 77-122 F. The resort grounds are watered by small streams and various waterfalls too.
Hidden in the interior lowlands of the Guanacaste, Rio Perdido is another naturally heated water body, heated by Miravalles Volcano. An overnight stay at this remote sanctuary is a good way for newly married couples to rejuvenate and revitalize after the madness that is wedding planning. Ideally, it can be described as a maze of trails and spring-fed pools.The trail is surrounded by beautiful Heliconia flowers and other forms of rainforest greenery. This spring has a calmer and more quaint vibe. The temperature here is between 83-104F.
Tallest and the most spectacular waterfalls of the country, with a 300 feet drop, Tel Doro is a hidden gem, snuck between the Poás and Rincon de la Vieja Volcanoes. To get the full experience of Tel Doro, one can stay at El Silencio Luxury Lodge. One can take the help of a guide to go down the windy trail, at the base of the waterfall. Across the stream and the waterfall, an observer can look at the beautiful Costa Rican plants and animal species. This place is not heavily populated by tourists and so it flaunts a vast variety of wildlife from blue morpho butterflies to armadillos, and plenty of hummingbirds. The most famous waterfall in Tel Doro is Catarata del Toro. With a drop of 270 feet, this waterfall absolutely takes your breath away. The waterfall drops into an extinct volcano crater and is surrounded by heavy and lush forestry.
Fed by the Tenorio river, the La Fortuna, a sight to behold, is a location situated near various touring routes around the Arenal Volcano. The waterfall spills from a cliff at the base of the dormant Chato volcano, and falls over 230 feet before it hits a tropical pond that is surrounded by thick and lush rainforest, making it an awe inspiring experience. The La Fortuna can be viewed from two different locations offering a varied perspective to its view. The water falls into a cold pond which is great for swimming on a hot summer day. The Hike around this waterfall is considered to be one of the most scenic experiences to look at, while on a trail, in Costa Rica.
The Plaza de la Cultura is a cultural and physical centre of San Jose located on Avenida Central. Located above the Museum of Post Columbian Gold, with the National Theatre in the north, this is the architectural gem of Costa Rica and is great for people watching and having some snacks off the street. The National Theatre is designed after the Paris Opera House, with a neoclassical vibe, and finds the newly renovated Gran Hotel, right next door to it. In the close vicinity is the newly renovated Jade Museum, i.e the archaeological museum, which throws light on Costa Rican culture and Pre-Columbian communities. The Plaza de la Democracia, and the Costa Rican National Museum are also located at a walking distance. All these wonderful places make downtown San Jose the Historical centre.
The best options to stay around this locality are Gran Hotel, which is the true face of elegance; or Hotel Presidente, which is unmistakable due to its modern mural facade. The best places to eat in the locality include Azotea Calle 7,POPS, Tin Jo and La Esquina de Buenos Aires.
Close to downtown this place attracts mostly business travellers. The locality is a commercial hub and at its heart resides the La Sabana Park, which is the largest green space dedicated in the city. Located right next to the country’s football stadium, this provides the locals a space to walk, bike, boat and play. To experience fine dining and gourmet delicacies, the best place to stay in this area is Hotel Grano de Oro. For other eating experiences in the area one can opt for the Park cafe that doubles as a furniture and antique store; or L’Olivio Restaurant, a quaint Italian restaurant, famous for its wine, or Aqui Es! which is famous for its Sangria and snacks.
Famous for its surfing and turtle nestling, Puerto Viejo is not touristy at all, and has a laid back vibe. The Reggae vibe and blending of Rastafarian religion, makes you want to just sit back here at a beach or a bar and just relax. The feel of this place is non-luxurious, so this place is one of the best locales to explore if you are travelling on a budget. Puerto Viejo is also popular for its nightlife, where there is usually some event or the other taking place in one place or another throughout the week, such as live music, karaoke, dancing and so on. Dining out in Viejo is a cultural experience. This region produces beloved, flavourful and delicious foods of the Caribbean. There are a variety of experiences that can be explored in Puerto Viejo, which include
Bird-watching
Boat Tours
Canopy Tour (zip-lining)
Cooking Classes
Food tours (i.e., chocolate tours)
Hiking Tours
Indigenous Community Tours
Kayaking Tours
National Park Tours
Night Tours
Rafting Tours
Scuba Diving Tours
Snorkeling Tours
Wildlife Center Visits
If an immersive Caribbean experience is on your mind, and you have leisure hours to spend, Puerto Viejo is the place for you.
The Southern Caribbean is also famous for its beaches and national parks with white and yellow sand beaches and tropical rainforests in the vicinity. One can go snorkelling and explore the protected coral reefs at Cahuita National Park or at the Punta Uva Beach. The jungles around these beaches and parks are home to sloths, monkeys, tropical birds, and more. The Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge at the Southern Caribbeans, an off track- shoreline, is a paradise of beaches, coves, islands, and an offshore coral reef backed by thick rainforest. Sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, and crocodiles can all be found at the reserve, which makes it the best place to quench your thirst for nature and its abundance.
This is the traditional centre of Panama, famous for folklore, handicrafts and ceramics in Pre-Columbian fashion. Travellers can see the local Panamanian costumes and masks, worn by the women, and can also witness the work that goes into crafting the Pollera costume by hand. One can also indulge in rum and sugar cane processing tours, clay pottery and arsenal bread manufacturing tours, along with the natural wonders of turtle and whale watching. One can visit the famous town of La Arena to shop for the finest pottery and ceramics of Panama. While strolling on the streets you may come across artisans making the pots in their traditional ways. Here you can pop into the panaderia (bakery) to sample breads, pastries and cookies, which is very popular for its artisanal breads.
Panama’s biggest and wildest event is the Las Tablas Carnival. It is a multi-generational family affair that attracts tourists from all over the world to witness 4 consecutive days of ornate carnival queens, parades, floats, fireworks, and traditional Panamanian cultural events, and to experience the non-stop dancing, music, food, and drinks, preceding Ash Wednesday. Though the Carnival for February 2021 was cancelled due to Covid 19 , it is expected to be back with full force in the near future.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, Panama Viejo was built in 1519 and since then has been featured in various TV series. Said to have been destroyed by the pirates in 1671, the archeological ruins of old Panama, mark the site of the former capital and oldest European settlement on the Pacific Coast of the Americas.
