Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula – More Than A Little Disappointing

Beach at Santa Teresa, near the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula
This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Costa Rica

The old saying, “Expectations are resentments waiting to happen,” is perhaps the best way to describe my recent trip to the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. For years I’d heard tales of the beautiful beaches around Montezuma and Mal Pais, so when I won a nine-day tour of Costa Rica, I decided to go a … Read more

Costa Rican Rodeo – A Drunken Brawl Where People Are the Targets

Costa Rica rodeo
This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Costa Rica

Attending a rodeo seemed like an opportunity to witness a bit of local culture in an otherwise culture-less visit to the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica, so I agreed to split the $60 round-trip taxi fare from Santa Teresa to Cobano with five other people. The bull riding was routine, except for the fact that … Read more

A Nine Day Tour of the Top Tourist Sites in Costa Rica

White-headed Capuchin Monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Costa Rica

Following a disappointing week at the beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, I hopped on a bus back to San Jose, where I met up with a group of people for a nine-day tour. As an independent traveler who wanders with no set schedule, I have never been on an organized tour, however … Read more

Lizano Sauces – the Best of Costa Rica

Costa Rica's national culinary pride, Lizano Salsa and Chileno
This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Costa Rica

Though I was sorely disappointed by the touristy nature of Costa Rica, I did return with one bit of true Tico culture, a giant bottle of the Costa Rican national condiment, Salsa Lizano. No kitchen or serving table in Costa Rica is complete without this slightly spicy, slightly sweet brown sauce, which usually stands side-by-side … Read more