Slow Travel in Costa Rica: One Month, One Beach, Endless Sunsets

Welcome to Puerto Viejo, a small Caribbean town near the Panama border. For four weeks, I worked a few hours at a beachfront hostel and had the rest of the time to explore at my own pace.

The result? A taste of Costa Rica that's all about connection: connection with nature, with the town, and with myself.

Wake up on the black sand beach

Our hostel was right on the water at Playa Negra, a dramatic black sand beach just north of town. Mornings meant wandering the shoreline for seashells, responsibly of course, and evenings were all about sunset views from the hostel restaurant.

It was so magical to feel soaked up into the present, gazing out at the ocean and the sky that changes color every day.

Local tip: barefoot is mandatory. Bonus points for morning shell-hunting.

Monkeys, sloths, and wildlife up close

If you want more wildlife immersion, Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge are right nearby. Howler monkeys, capuchins, sloths, and colorful birds roam freely, curious but unbothered by humans. Just walking the trails feels like stepping into a nature documentary.

Local tip: go slow, stay on the trails, and keep your eyes up. The wildlife is often closer than you think.

Jungle hikes and waterfalls

Escape the beach for a few hours and you'll find lush waterfalls tucked into the rainforest. BriBri Waterfalls and Volio Waterfall are perfect for a refreshing swim in natural pools, surrounded by dense jungle. Hiking through these paths is easy, peaceful, and full of surprises: tropical birds, monkeys, and the gentle roar of cascading water.

Local tip: wear water shoes if you plan to swim. Rocks can be slippery.

Tripals makes it easy to plan slow trips with your pals, so if Costa Rica is calling your name, pack light, leave the itinerary at home, and let the town, the beach, and the wildlife set the pace.