Traveling in Costa Rica: The Ultimate Guide
This post was last updated on March 10th, 2017 Why Visit Costa Rica Costa Rica receives a lot of hype. Frankly, it’s easy to see why. With captivating cloud forests, rich jungles, striking volcanoes, stunning beaches and 26 National Parks, there’s a little something for everyone. The country is teeming with wildlife and diversity, and the only problem for adventure seekers will be choosing between the myriad of thrills available. If all you want to do is relax at a boutique hotel or resort, If all you want to do is relax at a boutique hotel or resort, then, of course, there’s plenty of that too. What’s more, Costa Rica leads the way in sustainable tourism practices, so it’s easy to enjoy the highlights of Costa Rica while remaining eco-conscious. Yes, Costa Rica is touristy. It’s also the most expensive country to visit in Central America. But that doesn’t mean you should bypass the country altogether. There are numerous hidden gems to be explored and remote corners that reveal a Costa Rica before sprawling resorts and towering condos. If budgeting is your concern, there are a few easy ways to keep costs down. (We’ve included our tips in the guide below.) In short, our two months in Costa Rica were nothing less than magical. However, we encourage you to go and check it out for yourself! We’re confident you’ll find this small country leaves a lasting impression. Update: Since writing this guide, we made Costa Rica our permanent home base! We will continue updating this guide. Also, be sure to check out our other in-depth articles, travel tips and...
How to Hike Corcovado National Park: The Ultimate Jungle Adventure
This post was last updated on March 10th, 2017 The welcoming committee at Corcovado isn’t the kind you meet everyday… As our boat docked on the northwestern edge of the Osa Peninsula, a group of five White Capuchin Monkeys ran out from the trees, playfully greeting us as we disembarked. They would disappear moments later before anyone had time to take out their camera, but their appearance would set the stage for our visit to Corcovado—one that was teeming with life and wonder. Corcovado National Park has been dubbed by National Geographic as ‘one of the most biologically intense places in the world’. With thirteen different ecosystems and some 2% of the world’s biodiversity, it’s hardly any wonder why. What’s more, Corcovado National Park is the last remaining Pacific lowland rainforest of sustainable size, boasting the region’s densest population of tapirs, jaguars, and scarlet macaws. When we learned these astonishing facts, we knew there was just no way we could spend two months traveling around Costa Rica without experiencing the legendary park for ourselves. But it’s no easy feat to arrive at Corcovado National Park. A lack of infrastructure surrounding the park, the restriction of commercial development, and the necessity to obtain various park permits means that even the most intrepid of travelers must do some extra research prior to arrival. As such, we looked into all the different ways we could experience Corcovado. Below we outline the various options for accessing and hiking the national park, along with the pros and cons of each alternative. How To Hike Corcovado National Park In Costa Rica Stay With Style...
La Fortuna, Costa Rica: Navigating the Myriad of Adventure Activities
This post was last updated on March 10th, 2017 Arriving in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, we immediately found ourselves overwhelmed. This was our first stop after housesitting, where we had admittedly spent about 95% of our time indoors, glued to our computers. We were excited for a change of pace, and to get our adrenaline pumping via the outdoor adventures Costa Rica is so famous for. But our sluggish bodies were quite rudely awakened when we were met with seemingly a hundred different activities—and only four days to complete them. Where does a couple even start? Well, we headed to twitter and facebook, where we were thankfully given many suggestions to help us on our way. What follows are the activities we chose. We’ve rated them on a scale of 1 sloth to 5 sloths (5 being the best), depending on excitement, uniqueness, and price. Cerro Chato We decided to hike Cerro Chato on a whim. Little did we know, this ‘hill’ would take nearly 7 hours to hike, beginning and ending in the center of La Fortuna. The hike is easier if you start at the trailhead, the GreenLagoon Falls Park and Lodge. At $8 a person to enter the trail (without a guide), this is a very economical choice for the La Fortuna area. The hiking is intense—our legs were shaky and sore the following day—but the scenery makes it worthwhile. After passing through dense, primary forest, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views and a turquoise lagoon to cool off in. We give Cerro Chato 4 sloths. It is a rewarding and challenging hike, but...
The Ultimate DIY Guide to Cycling Vietnam
This post was last updated on June 21st, 2016It’s the question everyone keeps asking us: “Why in the world did you guys, two totally inexperienced cyclers, even want to bike the length of Vietnam?” It’s a valid question, and like most of the big challenges we throw ourselves into, the answer is perfectly straightforward. We decided to cycle Vietnam because it sounded like fun. That’s ultimately it. Our only prior cycling experience was a three-day jaunt down Taiwan’s East Coast, and obviously that was child’s play in comparison to six weeks of adventuring through Vietnam. But we did it. We opened ourselves up to new possibilities and embraced the challenge—both physically and mentally—and somehow, beyond any reasonable expectations, we succeeded. We cycled over 1,000 miles from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, and though it proved to be one of the most challenging endeavors of our lives, we wouldn’t have wanted to experience Vietnam any other way. If we can cross-country cycle Vietnam, then you can too. It takes a bit of physical strength and a whole lot of determination, but that’s about it. Of course, you might need some bikes and accessories and want to know where to go and how to do it. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered below. And really, those are all just added bonuses anyway. If you’re interested in seeing the world from the biker’s lane, then this is the guide for you. It’s designed specifically for Vietnam, but a lot of the tips are applicable for cycle touring anywhere! Good luck and happy pedaling! Before you go: Travelers from the U.S., don’t forget...101 Tips to Living in Taiwan: Our Free eBook, Released!
This post was last updated on February 1st, 2017We’re proud to announce the release of our first eBook! 101 Tips to Living in Taiwan is an easy-to-digest guide that teaches the ins and outs of living in Taiwan. 101 Tips to Living in Taiwan will streamline your transition to living in a new and foreign country while inspiring you to get out and explore all that it has to offer. You’ll have more confidence, less stress, and the knowledge you need to make the most out of your time in Taiwan. How This Book Will Help You * Get 101 of our best tips for living and traveling in Taiwan How to save money and take Chinese lessons for free (Tip 34) Where to see a 14-meter wooden ship ceremoniously set ablaze (Tip 80) What it really means when Taiwanese say, “Well maybe you could…” (Tip 50) …and much, much more! *Additional ‘Fast Facts’ throughout the book make everyday life easier-and more fun! *Over 40 high-quality photographs give you snapshots of what life in Taiwan really looks like! Why Trust Us? Before arriving in Taiwan we knew next to nothing about what to expect. It took us two years of exploring and a lot of deliberate effort, but we finally learned the ins and outs of expat life in Taiwan. Additionally, we’ve been blogging and answering readers’ questions about Taiwan for two years. We know what you want, and need, to know about living and traveling in Taiwan. This is a compilation of those things. We believe in this resource so much that we are offering it for...Hi! We’re Dan and Casey!
Lovebirds, world travelers, and adventurers extraordinaire.
A Cruising Couple is for those seeking adventure travel with a dash of class.
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