Live the Pura Vida in Costa Rica
One of our travel industry favorites, Javier Echecopar, decided to share the magic of Costa Rica with the world by starting Journey Costa Rica. We chatted with him to learn what makes Costa Rica so special, for a trip in early 2024 and beyond. . .
Javier of Journey Costa Rica enjoying the wilds of Costa Rica (photo courtesy of Javier Echecopar)
POE TRAVEL: Why Costa Rica? What made you decide to embark on this exciting journey?
Javier & family in Costa Rica (photo courtesy of Javier Echecopar)
JAVIER ECHECOPAR: I traveled to Costa Rica in 2021 with my family, and we spent three weeks driving from San José across the mountains to the remote Osa Peninsula, all over the coast and past volcanoes, ending on the gold coast of Guanacaste. We fell in love with the country—from the moment I saw my kids running wild on a remote beach, I understood that Costa Rica was an incredible model for a sustainable future. Around 25% of land is protected, there’s a strong relationship with nature, and it’s one of the happiest countries in the world. It's exciting to see a real-world model proving that prioritizing the right things can increase happiness while having a sustainable, thriving relationship with nature.
PT: Who is the perfect traveler to Costa Rica?
JE: Costa Rica is perfect for somebody looking for a mix of adventure and relaxation. Adventure could be anything from a thrilling zipline session and wildlife tracking on a challenging hike to an easy-going stroll observing nature on a trail in the cloud forest. After some adventure, you unwind. I love unwinding on a sailboat, opening a bottle of chilled wine at sunset after spending the afternoon watching the kids find seashells on the beach.
PT: What is it like traveling to Costa Rica from January to March?
JE: It’s a great time! The rains stop in December, so January is lush and green. Throughout most of the country, it’s the time with the highest likelihood of sunshine and beautiful weather, perfect for enjoying the things Costa Rica is known for: exploring, sailing, beach time, hiking, and biking.
Hacienda AltaGracia (photo courtesy of Journey Costa Rica)
PT: Which hotels in Costa Rica really light you up?
JE: Hacienda AltaGracia encompasses three of my favorite types of travel: adventure, community-focus, and wellbeing. Set in the Talamanca Mountains with a river running through, you can hike through rainforest, bike, swim in waterfalls—all the iconic Costa Rican adventures on-property. AltaGracia hires local people, sources food from nearby farms, and creates experiences to meet the locals. Plus, it has my favorite spa in Central and South America.
Pacuare Lodge is possibly the only luxury lodge in world where you can raft in and out via one of the best rafting rivers, adding a sense of adventure from the get-go! Once you’re in, you’ll enjoy incredible food and ziplining through the treetops.
I love the town of Santa Teresa, combining it with a luxury stay at Nantipa’s beachside bungalows, for the best of both worlds: quick access to the beach and tidal pools in a tranquil setting plus proximity to all the fun things to do in town.
Photo courtesy of Journey Costa Rica
PT: Tell us about some of the experiences you curate for Poe Travel guests in Costa Rica.
JE: We’ve been researching and developing non-stop with relentless exploration. We’re creating brand-new experiences to take Costa Rican travel to a new level. Some of my favorites include exploring the Pacific coast’s remote wild beaches by boat or chartering a luxury yacht to navigate coves and small islands. We love using boats to explore the coastline and have beach BBQs where you’ll find hardly any other humans! It’s an amazing way to experience Costa Rica’s vibrant marine life too—fishing, whale watching, snorkeling, and watching dolphins follow along.
We also have access to hike to a private deep pale blue waterfall. In the spirit of Indiana Jones, we hike along a river, swimming along the way. Once we reach the waterfall, it’s time to jump in and relax, enjoying a gourmet picnic with no one else around.
We create a lot of experiences around wildlife, a key element to Costa Rican culture. This could be learning the behavior and challenges of sea turtles and releasing them in the Osa Peninsula, tracking tapirs at night around the mountains of Tenorio Volcano, or behind-the-scenes access to one of the wildlife rescue centers.
We also love connecting our travelers with Costa Rica’s culture and friendly people. Learning the history behind a 150-year-old hacienda or having dinner at a local home and making tortillas with a charming family are experiences that stick with you.
"I know that working with our friends at Poe Travel, we can create not just a great vacation, but core memories that will stay with you forever.”
If you would like to Go Away to Costa Rica, contact us. We will design a completely customized itinerary to set you on your way.