Costa Rica is becoming one of the trendiest travel locations for the adventure seeker, beach goer, or the the typical curious tourist. Before preparing for my trip with one of my friends, I found the locations that I wanted to visit and the activities that I wanted to take part in. However, I had trouble navigating how to do this efficiently.
I decided to do some research on how to prepare for my trip to Costa Rica, but to my slight surprise I did not see a lot of blog posts from Black travelers regarding travel to Costa Rica.
Was Costa Rica a location suitable for Black folks to visit? I knew why I wanted to visit the country. I wanted to experience adventure in a lush green jungle environment. I had my mind set on one destination in particular and that was La Fortuna. From the beautiful mountainous views to the thick green forests, La Fortuna was the best place for the adventurous activities that I wanted to do for my birthday trip. I then decided to end the trip by visiting Jaco Beach to experience some much needed tropical vibes in January.
This post will focus on the essentials and things to keep in mind before traveling to La Fortuna and my overall experience in Jaco Beach. Here are 8 things from my check-off list that helped me prepare for my trip to La Fortuna.
1. Athletic Wear
When it comes to athletic wear, athleisure has become a staple for travel wardrobes. For La Fortuna it is so important to carry a range of biker shorts and athletic leggings. There are so many athletic clothing sets that come with cropped tops and biker shorts, or athletic leggings, which are perfect for the everchanging weather of La Fortuna. The climate in La Fortuna during dry season is still very wet and humid. Athletic sets are perfect for the wet and humid climate in a lush jungle. It is definitely a plus to find water resistant biker shorts, leggings, crop tops, and tank tops. While on a typical day, the temperatures can be as low as 65 degrees Fahrenheit accompanied by clouds and rain, the humidity and excess moisture trapped in by the thick jungle makes wearing athletic wear ideal. Biker shorts are perfect for these weather conditions and I strongly suggest bringing multiple pairs. I also found biker shorts to be ideal for white water rafting. And of course, water resistant athletic sets are a plus!
2. Rain Jacket
Although I went to La Fortuna during the dry season, it was relatively much wetter than I expected. It rained everyday during my trip. The day I went on the hike to the Arenal Volcano it rained on again and off again. But as stated earlier it was also very humid. I ended purchasing a light North face rain jacket. This was perfect since it was so humid in the jungle and as stated earlier the temperatures ranged from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. A light rain jacket can be worn when it rains and can easily wrap around the waist when it gets too warm.
3. Hiking Boots
La Fortuna includes a number of adventurous activities within the region. I was prepared to have a full fledged adventurous experience which included hiking and white water rafting. I was so glad to have my no slip hiking shoes and my day bag with a water bladder. My friend and I hiked down to the La Fortuna Waterfall and hiked up the Arenal Volcano. We went up some steep trails on our way to the Arenal Volcano, and making sure we were prepared for the strenuous hike was essential. I also packed a smaller hiking bag in case I needed to downgrade a size. The smaller bag did come in handy for the white water rafting trip.
4. Bug Repellant and Anti Itch Cream
The mosquitoes were vicious even during dry season. Me and my friend utilized our mosquito nets every night before bed. This is why it is so essential to purchase bug repellent once you arrive. I also made sure to bring Cortisone anti itch cream because I was warned that I would have some mosquito bites. I had multiple mosquito bites after my stay in La Fortuna, and I was very thankful to have Cortisone on deck for instant relief.
5. Water Shoes
I cannot stress how important water shoes are for this trip! There are several waterfalls and waterways throughout La Fortuna. During the hike that I went on, we were able to swim near the La Fortuna Waterfall, and I would not have been able to take a dip in the tranquil waters if it was not for my water shoes. The water shoes were also necessary the white water rafting excursion. I purchased mine a while back from Walmart, but Amazon also has some more up to date water shoes for your liking. I would pack them for any excursion that you plan to go on because you never know when you’ll need to cross water on your adventure.
6. Bathing Suit
This may be a no brainer, but bringing multiple bathing suits on this trip is a must! Before we got started with our hike to the Arenal Volcano, we were able to change into our bathing suits because this excursion came with a trip to the waterfall. Regardless of the activity you plan on being apart of, make sure to pack a bathing suit in your day bag.
7. Digital Camera
Spotting sloths, monkeys, parrots, or any exotic animal is definitely a must-see when visiting Costa Rica. I was lucky to have an up close and personal spotting of two adult sloths and a baby during the 8 hour hike tour. Unfortunately, a smartphone does not capture the details of the sloths or any animals that are spotted in a tree, but thankfully my digital camera was able to capture so many beautiful photos of the sloths. I even went on a sloth tour a few days after. If possible, try to purchase a waterproof camera due the inconsistent rain patterns.
8. Shuttle
Getting to any other city from the San Jose International Airport (SJO) other than San Jose requires planned transportation. La Fortuna is about 4 hours from the airport, and the roadways are winding and narrow for an average American. Since my friend and I were going to Jaco Beach after our stay, I was able to book multiple shuttles for our trip a month before visiting Costa Rica. There are many shuttle services in the area but I booked a driver with these companies after reviewing numerous reviews:
- Interbus
- Ride CR
For the transportation to the airport from the hotel in Jaco, I was able to book a shuttle through Viator.
Jaco Beach
Unfortunately, my visit to Jaco was very underwhelming. Because I am a Jersey girl I need my fair share of beach therapy when I travel! The Jaco area had fairly decent beaches with beautiful Pacific sunsets. I also thoroughly enjoyed my hotel. But the city is not Black girl friendly, and the tourists and locals made it very apparent that we were different. A man at a bar touched our hair, and there was also an indication from some of the locals that Black women visited the city as sex workers. We were also referred to as “la negra” during unnecessary moments of dialogue from white people. I did like my experience kayaking in the ocean and snorkeling for the first time. We were also able to see pairs of flying macows and enormous iguanas at our beach hotel section. If you’re interested in a vibrant night life and pleasant beaches, then Jaco may be a desired location to visit. However, I did not find this city diverse or Black people friendly.
Conclusion
If you are up for an adventurous trip in diverse and lustrous environments, Costa Rica is a perfect country to explore! From hiking in the thick forests, to traveling in rapid waters, to eating the best seafood ever, and learning about the rich history and cultures of the land, Costa Rica is an ideal travel destination. I definitely hope to visit more locations within Costa Rica because the country has so much to offer!