This is the story of our Costa Rica Adventure.
Please leave comments and ask any questions about our trip. We would love to chat and share additional information.
It was a chilly morning as we excitedly hopped in the car and darted to the Tulsa International Airport around 4:30 A.M. We had a full day of the typical international airline processes, baggage checks, security checkpoints, lines, more lines before finally arriving in the wonderful country of Costa Rica. We scheduled plenty of travel time so it went smoothly. Delta vacations took good care of us.
We landed at the Liberia airport and a shuttle was waiting for us upon arrival. The countryside was beautiful, so green and lush.
After our enjoyable shuttle ride we arrived at Riu Palace. After a quick greeting and check in process we were up exploring our gorgeous room. We expected it to be great but it was greater than we initially imagined.We had a Jacuzzi bath tub, a comfy bed, plenty of space, a liquor dispenser, mini fridge and balcony with gorgeous view just to name few of the wonderful amenities.
For more information about RIU check out our 5 Reasons to Choose RIU!
After exploring the resort and eating some delicious food we walked down to the beach. It was only 5 P.M. and it was already dark outside. That didn’t stop us from taking a dip in the ocean at Playa Matapalo. We were originally thinking the ocean was going to be cold due to it being November and night time but the water temperature felt great! After some swimming and talking we decided to call it a night and get some rest so we could enjoy our first full day well rested.
Exploring Playa Matapalo and the wilderness surrounding the resort was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Most people stayed around the bars and the many pools, few ventured to the beach, we were the only ones going farther than that. The beach had dark black sand from the volcanic rocks, and the ocean steadily rolled up the shore. The sound of the water passing through the sand sounded like the sizzling of pop rock candy. After enjoying the views of the mountains and black sand of Playa Matapalo we hiked on. We had heard that if you follow the beach left towards the large volcanic rocks you would pass a Monkey Bar and Monkey Trail on the left, or if you continue over the rocks we would reach a white sand beach. We were eager to see some wild monkeys so we stopped at the monkey bar to have a few beers and talk to the locals. They kindly informed us that we were too early and that the monkeys were all up in the trees sleeping, we would not be able to see them at that time. We walked the trail and saw many small lizards and large iguanas but no monkeys. The monkey trail took us back to the resort where we enjoyed water volleyball, swimming and drinking.
The next day we decided to climb over the rocks and explore the white sand beach. After climbing the rocks we reached the white sand beach. There were many sea shells, beautiful vines and plant life thriving in the jungle and the ocean seemed clearer. I dove in and was excited to see many blow-fish also known as puffer-fish scattered throughout the ocean. After snorkeling and collecting shells most of our group were tired and went back and enjoyed the lavish lifestyle of the Riu Palace Resort, but my cousin Erika, her boyfriend Rob and I continued exploring the beach.
Once we go near the far side of the white sand beach we started hearing loud intimidating howling. We walked into the rain forest to check it out. It sounded like it was coming from right above us but we couldn’t see anything. We continued deeper into the jungle until we saw 9 or 10 howler monkeys and a tiny baby howler. They sat in the trees and stared right back at us, except for the alpha male who was presenting his male organs dangling from the branch with his back was turned towards us as he howled. After snapping many photos we headed on our hike back to the resort.
Once we crossed back over the rocks we noticed something large floating in the ocean. We thought, “Is that a person? a sea manatee? What the heck is that?” Once we got closer we had to zoom in with our cameras to see what it was. It was two giant sea turtles “making love” in the ocean!
We waited to plan our excursions on the weekend because we had heard at Riu Palace more locals come to stay on the weekends. Luckily it never got overcrowded and the whole time we stayed at Riu Palace it was enjoyable. There are many options for excursion purchases. There are people in the front of the resort, on some days different travel companies such as Apple Vacations and Delta Vacations had booths set up in the lobby, and there was a constant stream of people selling excursions on the beach. We compared prices and types of excursions and the majority of them were very similar.
We ended up doing our full excursion day with Alejandro from Costa Rica Unique Transfers and Tours. He had greeted us on the beach our first full day, confirmed where to find the monkey trail and how to get to the white sand beach. He had recognized us day by day and remembered our names. The people of Costa Rica were very friendly and spoke good English. You could tell they truly loved their country and were glad to share anything they could about their homeland. We enjoyed getting to know some fellow travelers and got to know some of the staff pretty well. We became friends with Johan from the anamacion team even though he kicked our butts in the various sports and activities such as volley ball and water polo that he runs day by day! He even hung out with us at the Discoteca a few nights and showed us some Costa Rican dance moves.
Grievin was another great member of the anamacion team, he was hilarious and always knew how to bring a smile to your face! He participated and ran many activities. He often wore many interesting costumes and even acted in many of the evening shows!
The waiters and bartenders were also very amazing. They knew how to make many delicious drinks and foods. We really enjoyed the company of David who works the bar to the right of the stage. Ask him to make you some unique special shots! He knows some delicious and hilarious named ones. If you end up at Riu Palace Costa Rica please tell Alejandro on the beach, Johnan with the water sports,Grieven with the activities and David at the bar that Dylan and Kayla from Oklahoma say hi!
The fellow travelers were also fun to hang with. We met an awesome couple from Canada who we would catch up with and have drinks together.They joined us in many matches of water volley ball and water polo and we even ended up on the stage with them during the pre-show one night! We plan to visit them in Canada someday!
Our first excursion was going out to Coco Beach also known as Playas del Coco to check out the night life. First stop was the Hard Rock Cafe Guanacaste which I did not even know existed! I have always been a lover of Hard Rock Cafe and did not even think there would be one around where we were. After visiting the Hard Rock we ended up doing some souvenir shopping at a local vendor before arriving at the Lizard Lounge Restaurante. We had drinks and danced to the music. The atmosphere was great, there were locals, fellow travelers and we even saw some of the hotel staff! One local taught some of us Costa Rican dance moves with the ladies. It was a great night! After a few more relaxing days enjoying the resort our big excursion day had arrived! Thanks to Alejandro from Costa Rica Unique Transfers and Tours were able to do all we had wished and dreamed of doing. Alejandro picked us up on the beach and we were on our way.
First stop was Congo Trail Canopy Tour where we enjoyed 11 zip lines, and I zip-lined for my first time! Kayla and I got to zip line upside down and superman style! It was so much fun, Alejandro zip lined with us and took many videos and photos of us throughout our day.
After zip lining we went to the animal refuge where we saw many wild animals and some in captivity due to their health needs. The animals were well kept, you could tell they were taken care with love.
When we were all done at the Congo Trail Canopy Tour we headed on our way to Llanos de Cortez Waterfalls where we hiked through the jungle to the amazing falls. The hike was not the easiest but it was beautiful, and we saw many spectacular plants and animal wildlife. We were able to swim in the waterfalls and many of us climbed behind the big one and jumped through it! The water was cool and refreshing and the area was very clean.
Alejandro did such a great job, we never felt rushed, he was very knowledgeable and took many photos of us throughout the day. After the waterfalls we headed to Miravalles Volcano.
Once arriving at the volcano we enjoyed a delicious and I mean an amazingly delicious organic and natural lunch.
Then we got to Las Hornillas Volcanic Activity Center where we hiked around the secondary crater of the Miravalles volcano and Alejandro told us the science and history behind the volcano and the details about it. We saw the smoke rising out of the volcano, and boiling mud and water pits.
After the walk around the crater we relaxed in the natural sauna that used the heat from the volcano, then took a mud bath and enjoyed the hot springs all hooked up to the volcano. It was like being in heaven, we could have relaxed in that hot spring forever.
After the amazing experience at Las Hornillas Volcanic Activity Center we headed to Coco beach for some souvenir shopping before returning back to the resort. We were so blessed to have Alejandro as our guide. He was helpful, personable and by the end of the day it was hard to tell him goodbye. He had become part of our family. We recommend finding him for any one staying at Riu Palace and we will be back to have him take us on more excursions in the future.
Saturday we went on an ATV tour where we drove through many mud pits (You could drive around them if you wanted but we plowed through them) and past many beautiful houses before arriving at a beach with a bar and restaurant. We took turns driving the 4 person ATV while many other drove with us on one or two person 4 wheelers. It was a ton of fun.
Sunday was our last full day at the resort and we were starting to soak it all in and say our good byes to some of the staff. We had one final mini excursion, a horseback ride through the jungle and across the beach. I am not much of a horse rider but I really enjoyed it!
We saw a giant tree that was home to many monkeys and got to ride into the ocean and along the beach with the horses. They were well taken care of and the guide was very helpful.
He took many photos for us and you could see he really cared for the horses.
We are so thankful we got to explore Guanacaste Costa Rica and we plan to come back to explore more of the amazing country in the near future. Please do not hesitate to comment or ask any questions, we would love for you to have an amazing Costa Rica Adventure as we did and are willing to help. You can find more photos from this trip on our Instagram . Thank you for reading.
Below is a map showing many of the places we visited while in Costa Rica!
Have you visited Costa Rica? What was your experience like?
For more Pura Vida check out our other Costa Rica Posts!
Wow, looks like an absolutely fantastic holiday! I’ve wanted to go to Costa Rica for years, your post is definitely making me want to go! The giant tree is incredible and the monkeys adorable, did they mind people being around? The zip line looks like great fun, I love doing them! So lucky that Alejandro took lots of photos and videos of you guys, I bet you’ve got some great ones there 🙂
It was amazing! You should definitely go there! One group of monkeys we found did not want us around because they were protecting their baby. They hollered at us so we took some photos and gave them their space. It was my first time zip lining I loved it! Yes I was very happy with Alejandro he took good care of us! Thanks for your comment! ?
What a fabulous place, you clearly had the best time! Funny that you said ‘intimidating’ about the sounds of the monkeys: I remember feeling the same way when I heard them in Guatemala and their scream staying with me for a long time even after coming back – haunting!
Haha it was intimidating their howls made them sound much bigger and meaner than they were. But I could understand it they were protecting their little ones. It was an amazing experience! Thanks for your comment!
Thank you for sharing. I have no idea why my previous posts are not showing up. I ope to get to Costa Rica one day in the near future.
Thanks for reading! You should definitely check out Costa Rica someday it is a beautiful place!
Dylan & Kayla,
Your trip sounded absolutely amazing! My husband and I are heading to Costa Rica for 2 weeks for our honeymoon in February 2016.
We are staying 1 week at Riu Guanacaste & then the 2nd week at the Dreams Las Maraes.
Reading your thoughts and comments about the resort, the staff & the excursions definitely assures that we made the right decision in picking our ultimate honeymoon vacation.
Were the excursions far from the resort area that you stayed at? I understand the “Pura Vida” way of life in Costa Rica, did you find that you guys were trying to fit too many activities into only a certain amount of days?
Any tips on where else to go/ do while at the Riu (playa matapalo) area?
Thanks for sharing your vacation with us!
Tara, We are extremely glad you enjoyed our post!
Congratulations on your marriage! Costa Rica is quite an amazing place, I believe you will really enjoy it.
The excursions were not too far, the ATV’s and horses were extremely close to Riu. Our big excursion day we started with the monkeys and zip lining which were probably 15 minutes away, then rode 30 mins to the waterfalls, then another 30 mins or so for the Miravalles Volcano.
It did not seem like we tried to squeeze to much in, we spend most of the week relaxing and playing around the resort. We saved most of our excursions for the weekend because we had heard the resorts get busier on weekends.
There is a cool monkey bar/restaurant if you continue left down the beach. If you pass it and continue walking over the rocks you will reach a white sand beach that I really enjoyed because there was more wildlife and it was more secluded.
Also if you guys want to get out and see the nightlife go to CoCo beach (I think its only 20 or 30 mins away) there are many clubs, bars and restaurants, we had fun at the Lizard Lounge.
I hope you have an amazing time in Costa Rica!