#san lucas treetop dining experience

[thesingletraveller]

Ascend and Dine with Treetop Dining at San Lucas in Monteverde, Costa Rica

[beckyandrick]

One month in Costa Rica…first weekend trip, second temporary apartment and a work trip to Panama.

This was the sunset that welcomed us to the Monteverde Cloud forest for our first weekend trip. Two weekends ago, after we had signed a lease on a house, found cars for each of us, gotten Kai successfully started in school and generally figured out the basics like groceries and gas we decided we had earned our first weekend trip. We left mid-day on a Friday and drove 3 hours out of San Jose on beautiful winding, hilly roads to the Monteverde Cloud forest.

The hotel was so fun…up a dirt road into the hills we got this amazing view. Kai couldn’t wait to try out the swinging couch and outdoor tub.

It’s going to take a while until our Spanish is good enough to navigate daily life comfortably…but we’re working on it. Kai has daily Spanish class at school, Rick and I are each getting tutoring a couple days a week and we all stumble through interactions daily which helps us to get better every day. Thankfully everyone we have met has been so kind as we try and fail…and with simple words and gestures we all figure it out. But in places like Monteverde…where lots of tourists visit, English is widely spoken so we could relax a bit. Don’t get me wrong…we want to learn and speak the language of the country we are living in. But it was nice to have a bit of a mental break.

Rick planned ahead and booked a canopy tour for Saturday morning. Unreal! The tour was just the 3 of us and one other couple so we felt like we had the forest to ourselves. The tour started by winching ourselves up to the canopy. So proud of our strong and brave little person…all the rock climbing paying off!

Our guides had so much to share…we all learned a ton and had fun playing in the treetops.

That night we took some great advice and booked dinner at San Lucas which bills itself as a ‘treetop dining experience’…and that’s exactly what it was. Like nothing we have ever done. The location was incredible…a treetop dinner and the experience…every course…had a cool story, connection to the local community, was beautiful and soooo good!

We headed back to San Jose early the next morning to beat the traffic. Such a fun first weekend trip!

Last weekend we unexpectedly had to change apartments. Not ideal, but we needed to extend our temporary apt until the lease on our house starts and our initial apartment was already booked. So we took the opportunity to move closer to my office and Kai’s school. It was a whirlwind as we made the move within 24 hours of learning that we couldn’t extend our initial apartment. But I needed to fly out early Monday morning for my first work trip and didn’t want to leave Rick and Kai with dealing with the pack/move alone.

So we finally got unpacked in the new apartment as the sun went down but Kai had to check out the new pool. ;) Being able to swim all year long was a big selling point for her of our move so she’s soaking it up. She’s also made a good friend…a classmate who also lives in the new complex so that has definitely made the move worth it.

I spent the week in Panama…a first for me. Our office (check out that office view!) is less than 10k from the Panama Canal so I’ll have to check that out next trip!

So…one month down. Kai said to me tonight as we walked over to the Mas x Menos (similar to a small format Walmart) to pickup a few things as Rick started dinner….“Costa Rica is starting to feel more like home.” And I agree. We’re getting there. ❤️

[aaatourcostarica1]

Planning Your Summer Vacation in Costa Rica

As you anticipate the warm sunshine and turn of seasons, there's no better time to start planning your summer vacation in Costa Rica!

The most popular tourist destination in Latin America, Costa Rica offers an immense variety of things to do during your getaway. From a relaxing and rejuvenating retreat to an action-packed adventure of a lifetime, you can design the perfect personalized vacation in this tropical paradise. Here’s your all-inclusive checklist for your Costa Rican summer vacation:

Find the Best Place to Stay in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, the most biodiverse country in the world, is jam-packed with adventurous opportunities to sprinkle throughout your vacation. Whether you want to relax by the turquoise waters of the Pacific, go on a culinary exploration of Latin dishes, or sail through the rainforest canopy on a zipline - there is a perfect Costa Rica destination waiting for you.

La Fortuna

Located at the base of the Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna provides natural world luxury for your getaway.

Hotels and resorts offer guests geothermal hot springs experiences, hikes amidst the gorgeous local waterfalls, and open-air dining. For a matchless adventure, try spelunking in the Arenal Venado Caves.

Manuel Antonio

Stay near Manuel Antonio National Park for a true tropical escape. Manuel Antonio provides endless adventures and excursions around the rainforest and on pristine beaches. Say hello to the sloths and monkeys as you soar through the canopy on a zipline or float by on a whitewater raft.

Monteverde

Costa Rica is a world leader in ecotourism, and Monteverde is the ideal destination for celebrating and exploring biodiversity. Plant yourself amidst the stunning Monteverde Cloud Forest and plan some invigorating hikes or a tour of the canopy via hanging bridges or ziplines.

Jaco & Los Sueños

If you’re looking to surround yourself with more commercial infrastructure or a bit of luxury on your Costa Rican vacation, the Jaco and Los Sueños area is for you. The town of Jaco has become a tourist destination for surfers, sport-fishers, and backpackers. Los Sueños offers a world-class resort community featuring plenty of tours and activities to keep you occupied.

Book Your Transportation

When traveling to Costa Rica, you’ll fly into the capital city of San Jose to the Juan Santamaría International Airport.

From the airport, decide if you will rent a car or rely on other methods of transportation across the country. San Jose is in a central location with easy access to the best travel destinations throughout Costa Rica. You can hire private transport, use a ride-sharing service like Uber, hop on public transportation, or use a shared shuttle service to whichever town or city you are staying in.

Reserve Your Accommodations

Once you have chosen which location will host your Costa Rica summer vacation, it’s time to choose your accommodations. Hotels, resorts, rental homes, and condos are popular choices for vacationers.

Use AAA Tours Costa Rica’s Tropical Paradise Bungalows for your perfect lodgings!

Don’t Forget the Food

Food is an important part of cultural identity. To make the most of your Costa Rican vacation, plan to stop at highly rated and delicious restaurants featuring the local fair. There are plenty of world-class culinary experiences such as the San Lucas Treetop Dining or Rancho La Cascada to thrill your palate!

For affordable Costa Rica vacation packages for families, contact Costa Rica’s

dependable travel advisor

AAA Tour Costa Rica

.