So that you’ve settled on Central America…now what?
It’s a jungle on the market…particularly in Central America. The place else are you able to hop from cloud-shrouded jungles that spill proper onto the seashore to concrete jungles with scrumptious bites on each nook. Costa Rica and Mexico each have all of the components for an ideal vacation: picture-perfect seashores, culturally important cities and world well-known eats… however how are you supposed to decide on between the 2?
We’ve damaged down the highlights of those two tropical locations so you may cease overthinking and begin practising your Spanish. Prepared? Vamanos!
Landscapes
Costa Rica is without doubt one of the world’s greenest international locations — each in color and sustainability. Over 25% of the nation is protected land comprised of nationwide parks and conservation areas, and it’s a postcard-worthy, jungle-lover’s paradise. Costa Rica is widely known for its ecotourism, and you are able to do your half by selecting a sustainable tour firm (ahem, Intrepid Journey) to discover canopied jungles, misty forests (each rain and cloud), and palm-lined seashores.
Well-liked locations for nature lovers to take a look at are Arenal Volcano Nationwide Park, the new springs of La Fortuna and the world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Organic Reserve, whereas energetic adventurers can simply fill the times with mountain climbing, biking and rafting. Preserve your eyes peeled for unique wildlife like howler monkeys, tapirs and even jaguars, and be sure to have room in your telephone for the tons of of pictures you’ll be snapping alongside the best way.
With the phrase “coast” within the identify, it ought to come as no shock that Costa Rica’s obtained a variety of seashores…over 1200 kilometeres price, the truth is. And the seashores are really unmatched. With lush jungles that spill proper out to the ocean and secluded swimming coves, you’ll really feel such as you’ve been stranded on a distant island…in one of the best ways, after all. Though technically it’s one of many nation’s smaller nationwide parks, Manuel Antonio is stacked with rainforests, coral reefs and wildlife. Hike on one of many surrounding trails to search for three-toed sloths, white-faced monkeys, anteaters and iguanas.
EXPLORE BEACHES, JUNGLES AND HOT SPRINGS ON A CLASSIC COSTA RICA TRIP
Mexico is a primary vacation spot for a coastal getaway, and its loooooong, sugar-white sand seashores are slightly bit flashier than its neighbour to the south. Well-liked spots like Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum are rather more developed, making them incredible choices in case you’re searching for leisure over solitude. The seashores are sometimes lined with eating places, golf equipment, retailers and resorts, so that you’ll discover loads of on-shore actions (and undoubtedly a frozen drink or two) in case you’ve had your fill of sunbathing. Heat Caribbean currents and clear, shallow waters make Mexican seashores supreme for snorkelling and turtle-watching.
TREAT THE KIDDOS TO A TROPICAL GETAWAY ON A MEXICO FAMILY HOLIDAY
Cities
San José is the capital metropolis and cultural hub of Costa Rica, making it an amazing start line for any seashore, rainforest or volcano journey. Town centre is filled with bustling markets that includes artisan items and native meals stalls, and also you’d be remiss in case you handed up a refresco (recent fruit smoothie) or cup of iconic Costa Rican espresso as you wander the avenidas.
Downtown San José is gloriously compact — an enormous plus in case you’ve solely obtained a day or two to discover the town. The centrally positioned Plaza de la Cultura is flanked by the ornate Nationwide Theater of Costa Rica and the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, a powerful underground exhibit of indigenous gold artefacts, jewelry and cash. When you’re museum-ed out, you may at all times seize a espresso and partake in my favourite exercise… good old school people-watching.
ENJOY A DAY IN SAN JOSE ON AN URBAN ADVENTURES CITY TOUR
Mexico’s complicated and sprawling capital metropolis is the right start line to discover the highlights of Central America’s largest nation and past. In huge distinction to Costa Rica’s petite capital, Mexico Metropolis is big… to place it calmly. As the most important metropolis in Mexico and the third largest within the Americas, Mexico Metropolis has A LOT to soak up, so in case you’ve obtained the time, you’ll undoubtedly wish to spend a number of days exploring the numerous neighbourhoods right here. The good thing about visiting such a large metropolis is which you could tailor your actions to your wants, so whether or not you’re into museum hopping and historical past or salsa golf equipment and tequila tasting, you’ll undoubtedly discover your groove right here.
The Zócalo (the town’s big central sq.), is without doubt one of the metropolis’s most recognisable locations, that includes a mixture of colonial structure and Aztec ruins. This huge, open house is the right place to take in native tradition; it’s normally crowded with a mixture of locals and vacationers, and you’ll spend free time strolling across the numerous vendor stalls, listening to dwell music, watching road performers and having fun with the town’s famously dynamic meals scene. Current-day Mexico Metropolis was constructed on high of Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec Empire, and you’ll go to the ruins of the traditional metropolis centre on the Museum of the Templo Mayor. The positioning sits simply outdoors the Zócalo, throughout from the Metropolitan Cathedral.
A visit to the town is incomplete and not using a go to to the Frida Kahlo Museum, positioned in her brilliantly blue former residence. The museum options collections of her work, pictures and private objects. Throughout city, the Palacio Nacional and the Palacio de Bellas Artes each home some controversial albeit spectacular murals from painter Diego Rivera, former husband of Frida.
MAKE THE MOST OF MEXICO CITY WITH A SHORT BREAK ADVENTURE
Delicacies
Whereas not sometimes thought-about a foodie location, Costa Rica is famend for its espresso tradition, and the beans are thought-about a few of the greatest on the planet. Many areas completely develop Arabica beans, that are more difficult to nurture however produce richer, fuller-bodied flavours. Cafes and road carts are ample, and locals love ingesting espresso all day, so contemplate it a objective to strike up a dialog and order in Spanish! Repeat after me…café con leche.
When considering of Costa Rican delicacies, it’s pure to image rice and beans… it contains the ever present nationwide dish, Gallo Pinto, in any case! However Gallo Pinto is a lot greater than plain rice and beans; it normally options onions, peppers, cilantro and plantains and will be topped with cheese or a fried egg. Though sometimes served at breakfast, yow will discover it on menus all day lengthy.
RELATED: 5 MUST TRY DISHES IN COSTA RICA
Going to Mexico? Go hungry. Mexican delicacies is a feast for the senses and is legendary for good purpose. It’s daring, it’s different and above all, it’s deliciosa. If I can, I at all times attempt to hop on a meals tour to familiarize myself with the native delicacies. Exploring Mexico’s culinary areas and specialities could be very hungry work, however fortunately, there’s loads of flavour to gas the exploration.
Mexico Metropolis is a utopia of road meals, identified for al pastor tacos, churro carts and late-night bites, whereas Oaxaca, nicknamed the ‘land of the seven moles’, is a haven for sauce lovers. Center-eastern-inspired tacos árabes are the speciality in Puebla, residence to one in all Mexico’s largest Lebanese communities, whereas tamales are offered on almost each road nook in Mérida. Corn is highlighted in lots of meals, a nod to Mexico’s indigenous roots. Apart from the staples, just like the ever-present baskets of recent corn tortillas, don’t miss tejate (a calming corn, cinnamon and chocolate drink), huitlacoche (corn fungus) quesadillas, and road-side elotes and esquites (grilled corn on the cob or corn kernels slathered in mayo, chilli and lime). Is anybody else’s mouth watering?
When you’re tempted to scrub down your meals with a tasty grownup beverage, why not give mezcal a attempt? To make mezcal, the core of the agave plant is cooked in a wood-fired nonetheless, which results in the intensely smoky signature flavour mezcal is thought for. Go to a mezcaleria and return in time by sipping on one of many oldest spirits on the planet.
JOIN A MEXICO REAL FOOD ADVENTURE
Verdict
Though each locations have unbelievable seashores, Mexico presents a extra well-rounded vacation; city-slickers and foodies will benefit from the metropolitan cities, whereas historical past buffs can geek out over spectacular Aztec ruins. When you’ve obtained an urge for food for journey journey and wish to really feel such as you’ve gone off the grid, decelerate and embrace the Pura Vida life-style in Costa Rica. Higher but? Mix the 2 on a Better of Mexico and Costa Rica tour or go all out and be a part of our epic 47-day Central American Explorer journey by way of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica for an expertise you’ll always remember.
Take a look at Intrepid’s small group excursions in Costa Rica and Mexico
