Travel Journal by Interior Architect Carolin: Costa Rica

The itinerary

Costa Rica in a nutshell:

• Geography: Central America, between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, with Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south
• Capital: San José
• Official language: Spanish
• Meaning: In Spanish «Costa Rica» means «rich coast»
• Nickname: «The Switzerland of Central America» (for its neutrality and natural beauty) 
• Special features: Progressive environmental policy; Goal: 100% renewable energy
• People: Costa Ricans call themselves «Ticos» 
• Currency: Costa Rican colón (after Christopher Columbus)
• Motto: «Pura vida» – a lifestyle, a greeting, a reply, an outlook on life

In November and December 2024 my boyfriend and I travelled through Costa Rica. We were drawn there by the mix of tropical plants, exotic animals, rainforests, mountains and beaches. As an interior architect I was especially curious about the connection between the architecture and distinctive environmental policies. We hired a car so we could see as much of the country as possible, starting on the Caribbean coast, traversing the interior and ending on the Pacific coast – two weeks of «pura vida».

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: Bioclimatic architecture

Our first stop was Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast. Known for its relaxed vibes and gorgeous beaches, it was the perfect place to unwind for the first time on Costa Rican soil. We stayed in a cabin suite in the middle of the jungle – an oasis for daydreaming, listening to the sounds of nature and observing animals in the area. In case you were wondering, we did not need to set an alarm during our stay there – the howler monkeys woke us up around 5 o’clock every morning.  
 
The place where we stayed was an inspiring example of bioclimatic architecture, which harnesses the area’s natural elements for energy efficiency, comfortable temperatures and health, reducing the environmental impact and creating sustainable spaces in harmony with nature.  

None of the trees had been cut down in the tiny patch of jungle where our lodging was built. Instead, the design had been strategically adapted to work around them. It also took the 90% humidity levels on the southern Caribbean coast into account, with high ceilings and large openings that allowed the air to cross-ventilate. What’s more, the entire structure was built with natural and sustainable materials: the walls and floors were made of chukum, a highly resilient type of natural resin, and the carpentry and ceilings were made using locally harvested wood. I truly had the feeling of being one with nature there. 

Two other highlights in Puerto Viejo: 

• The Jaguar Rescue Center: A place where ill, injured or orphaned animals can either receive care temporarily or live permanently. 
• A cacao tour: We learned about cacao’s journey, from fruit hanging off a branch to chocolate bar on a supermarket shelf, and got to try some ourselves.

La Fortuna: Adrenaline rush guaranteed

From the Caribbean coast we moved inland to the so-called adventure capital of Costa Rica: La Fortuna. What jumped out at me on our ride to the centre of the town were the huge resorts with their opulent entrances. 

From our bungalow we had a direct view of the active Arenal volcano, and we bathed in one of the many hot springs. La Fortuna definitely lives up to its nickname, with numerous adrenaline-packed activities to choose from. We decided to take a guided suspension bridge tour through the rainforest, including animal watching and, unfortunately, continuous rainfall. One takeaway from our trip: some places do not have a dry season.  

Monteverde: The mystical cloud forest

From La Fortuna we headed to Monteverde, which is 1440 metres above sea level. Along the way we passed through many small villages. The houses tend to be quite small, usually just one storey with a large veranda in the entrance, which is generally used as a living room. Thanks to the warm climate, people naturally spend more time outside and need less indoor living space than we do in Central Europe. I rather liked the small, colourful houses – but unfortunately they were often «deformed» by fences and iron bars. The cemeteries in Monteverde also stuck out to me for their graves, which were raised and tiled. 

In Monteverde we slept in a transparent bubble suite right in the middle of the cloud forest. The vegetation was incredibly dense. Flowers, ferns, vines and mosses covered tree branches and trunks. With the thick fog and moisture everything in the place had a mystical feel.

Quepos – Manuel Antonio: A dazzling variety of flora and fauna

Quepos was our first stop along the Pacific coast. The Manuel Antonio National Park was the big highlight of this area. The breathtaking combination of beaches, rainforest, hills and coral reefs makes it one of the most frequently visited places in Costa Rica. The diversity of plants and animals is unique and, thanks to our guide, we were able to discover a lot about it again. We also felt the «pura vida» vibe here. Our lodging was a tiny house in a backpacker community. From there we could watch a small squirrel monkey and birds every morning. 

Jacó: City life and traces of art

We also spent the last four days of our trip along the Pacific coast in Jacó, which is well-known for its long surfing beaches and spectacular sunsets. One day we hiked up to the El Miro lookout point, where there is an unfinished manor house covered in colourful graffiti and fantastic murals that exude pura vida. These works of art create a bold contrast to the lush greenery of the surrounding jungle. Along the path to the lookout point there were also the remains of the building’s archways draped in vines – impressive proof of how nature has taken over the landscape once more. 

On the last day before our departure we did a bout tour of Tortuga Island. The white beach, lined with palm trees, was an idyllic setting for our farewell to Costa Rica. Activities there included snorkelling, hiking and sunbathing.

Architecture in harmony with nature

Costa Rica enchanted us with its awe-inspiring nature, sustainable architecture and unique culture. The trip was not only inspiring, but showed me, as an interior architect, how ecology and design can be artfully blended together. While we faced some challenges – such as the rain and difficult road conditions in some places – the positive experiences of our trip far outweighed the negative ones. For me, Costa Rica remains a place full of magic and richness to which I would happily return at any time to soak up some more «pura vida» again.