From Cloud Forest to Coast: Exploring the Many Ecosystems of Costa Rica
After an incredible week exploring the jungle and soaking up the surf in the southern part of the country, my Costa Rica adventure continued with a journey into the mountains near San José. The shift in landscape was immediate and breathtaking. The air grew cooler, and the land felt even more alive.
The view from Soda y Mirador Cinchona, Costa Rica
The mountains are a haven for incredible birds. We visited a restaurant suspended on the edge of a hillside where we were able to watch the birds flitter between the trees, stopping in for a snack on the fruit that had been set out for them. In the distant view was a beautiful cascading waterfall, thick with the runoff from the rainforest. It was here that the true scale of the landscape was obvious—a lush, green blanket stretching as far as the eye could see.
Silver Throated Tanager, Costa Rica
Catarata San Fernando Waterfall and the view from Soda y Mirador Cinchona
One of the many species of Hummingbirds found in Costa Rica
After our time in the cool, misty mountains, we made our way to the Pacific Coast, to the sleepy surf town of Playa Grande. Our friends at Frijoles Locos Surf Shop were the perfect hosts, with a comfortable apartment, board rentals, and a pool for cooling off in the afternoon. Playa Grande is a dream for surfers, and we spent our days walking the beach, watching the sun rise and fall in spectacular fashion, and catching some incredible waves. This part of the trip was about rest, reflection, and, of course, a little more surfing. The mornings were filled with the soft, golden light that seems to live only in the tropics, and the evenings were a symphony of color as the sun melted into the Pacific.
Sunset at Dante’s Rock, Playa Grande, Costa Rica
Even here, away from the cloud forest, nature was never far away. Tucked into our friends’ backyard, we watched a family of howler monkeys high in the trees—a mother and her tiny, wide-eyed baby clinging to her as they crossed through the nearly bare branches. Their calls and presence were a powerful reminder of how close you are to nature in this country. We were also lucky enough to spot a Motmot, with its striking colors and long, racket-tipped tail, perched briefly on a branch.
The beauty of Costa Rica is its incredible diversity, and this second week truly showcased that. From the fiery sunsets of the coast to the misty, green mountains teeming with life, the country offers a new experience at every turn. It was a week of quiet moments and wild discoveries, and it was a perfect way to close out this incredible trip.
Surfing in Playa Grande
Playa Grande is the kind of town where your friends say “Meet us at the big palm trees.”
If you missed the first parts of this adventure, you can catch up on my time at surf camp with Surf with Amigas here: The Rhythm of the Tide: Surf with Amigas and see more of the lush landscapes in Photographing Where Jungle Meets Ocean. For the film lovers out there, I also shared my experience with my Minolta Weathermatic and a roll of Kodak Gold in Costa Rica on Film.
