Welcome back, fellow adventurers! If you’ve been following our Costa Rica journey, you know it’s been a whirlwind of incredible sights and unforgettable experiences. We’ve already shared our magical time in the Monteverde Cloud Forest (Part 1/3: A Magical Costa Rica Journey: Monteverde Cloud Forest Adventure) and our thrilling Volcano Hot Springs Adventure in Arenal (Part 2/3: A Magical Costa Rica Journey: Volcano Hot Springs Adventure in Costa Rica). Now, get ready for the grand finale – Day 3 of our Costa Rica travel saga, packed with horseback riding hijinks, a surprising waterfall dip, and some truly memorable culinary moments.
Breakfast Buffet & Spa Resort Surprises
Our morning kicked off with a feast at the resort’s breakfast buffet. Seriously, this place had it all – juices, cheeses, meats, pastries, even churros! It was a spread designed to fuel any kind of day. What did catch me off guard, though, was seeing so many families with kids at a spa resort. Call me old-fashioned, but if I ever (and please, God, save me from that!) have children, a spa resort wouldn’t be my first thought for a family vacation. But hey, to each their own, right?
Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall: A Painful but Worthwhile Journey
After stuffing ourselves, we headed to the reception, buzzing with anticipation for our next tour. Soon enough, our ride arrived, and we were off to a horse farm. Now, I’m not going to lie, sitting on a horse for the first time was a super weird feeling. A mix of excitement and a slight fear of falling off, if I’m being honest! But we saddled up, got our helmets on, and began our 45-minute horseback ride towards the famous La Fortuna Waterfall.
Let me tell you, that ride was painful. My booty was definitely feeling it, and for our backs, it probably wasn’t the best idea we’ve ever had. Every bump felt amplified, and I was constantly shifting, trying to find a comfortable spot that didn’t exist. But despite the discomfort, it was also incredibly fun. The path wound through beautiful, lush forest, and and the scenery was just breathtaking. It was one of those moments where you’re a little miserable but also completely in awe of your surroundings. And as you’ll see, the payoff was more than worth it.
A Refreshing (and Surprising) Dip at La Fortuna Waterfall
Once we reached the top, it was another 15-20 minute walk down to the waterfall itself. We arrived, and honestly, we were shocked. There were so many people there! And here’s the kicker – we had no idea that you could actually swim in the waterfall. We had about 45 minutes before we had to head back, and there we were, probably the only ones without swimsuits, trying to figure out how to get into the water. The tour we were on didn’t allow us to use the main bridge, as that’s part of the national park and only accessible with specific tours. So, we had to wade through the water, trying to get closer.
We ended up completely soaked, our pants clinging to us. We were so lucky our phones and cameras didn’t take an unplanned dip! Navigating the water was a challenge, too, with all the rocks and people. But we made it! I even scraped my foot, and it bled a little later, but honestly, that was a small price to pay for the experience. After our quick, impromptu swim, we had to trek back up to our horses. By this point, the sun was blazing, and we were sweating buckets, regretting even more that we hadn’t brought our swimming clothes (though, to be fair, nobody told us about the swimming opportunity!).
The ride back was the same route, but with wet pants, it was even less comfortable than before. Still, we persevered. The journey through the forest was truly beautiful, and back at the horse farm, we even spotted some monkeys in the trees! They were too far away for a good photo, but it was amazing to see them in their natural habitat. This whole experience, despite the literal pains, was an unforgettable part of our Costa Rica travel adventure, leading us to some well-deserved relaxation later on.
Culinary Adventures (and Misadventures) in Arenal
Back at the resort, our first thought was food. We decided to try the Italian restaurant, but honestly, I can’t recommend it. My wife is lactose intolerant, and while they said at the entrance they could accommodate, the waiter was completely unhelpful. He refused to offer any choices or even suggest something she could eat. We eventually found something, but it wasn’t what we’d hoped for. My pizza was just okay, nothing to write home about. It was a bit of a sad lunch, to be honest.
Post-Horseback Bliss: Hot Springs & a Buggy Massage
After that less-than-stellar meal, we headed back to the hot springs for one last soak before our much-anticipated massage. Oh, that massage! It was absolutely fantastic. They really dug into our backs, which was exactly what we needed after that horseback ride. It was supremely relaxing, a perfect massage in a perfect ambiance. The only tiny hiccup? Some bugs decided to join us! My wife actually had to pause her massage for a moment while the masseuse dealt with the annoying little critters. But hey, that’s nature in Costa Rica, right? It’s all part of the experience, and it didn’t detract from how amazing the massage felt overall.
A Delicious Farewell: Authentic Costa Rican Cuisine
With our backs feeling much better, it was time for dinner at the Costa Rican restaurant. We ordered mole chicken on tamales and a few other dishes I can’t quite recall, but let me tell you, that mole chicken was super delicious. Definitely one of the best chicken dishes I’ve ever had! We also got some refreshing natural drinks. The restaurant was fantastic – delicious food, friendly staff, and a great ambiance, even if it was a little dark for my taste. But it’s absolutely worth a try if you’re in the area.
Wrapping Up Our Costa Rica Travel Adventure
After a full and satisfying meal, we headed back to our apartment and slept like babies. The next morning, we enjoyed one last breakfast buffet before meeting our transport guy at the reception to head back home.
Overall, our Costa Rica travel was a fantastic stay and an incredible time that we will never forget. Monteverde was magical, and the Arenal area was equally captivating. It was the perfect adventure for us to step out of our routine and discover some truly amazing places. Just a heads-up, these kinds of trips can be quite expensive, so make sure you do your calculations carefully. Costa Rica in general, is on the pricier side, but it is absolutely worth discovering every bit of it.
If you’re planning a trip or want more insights and details, don’t hesitate to reach out – we love sharing all our knowledge! And now, I’d love to hear from you: What’s the craziest or most amazing travel story you’ve ever experienced? Share it in the comments below!
