Here's Why A Trip To Costa Rica Will Make You Instantly Happier

Costa Rica has once again received the number one ranking on the Happy Planet Index for 2016. The Happy Planet Index measures sustainable wellbeing for all people living in a particular country. It takes a look at things like life expectancy, quality of life, and the collective ecological footprint. While this isn’t necessarily a call to pack up and move to Costa Rica, a visit to this beautiful and happy country will surely have a positive effect and will inspire a glowing and joyous feeling within.

A chance to reconnect with Mother Earth

Costa Rica is one of the most bio diverse countries on the planet, and 25 per cent of the country is protected by national parks and reserves. Most visitors come from places that aren’t necessarily teeming with wildlife and ancient and magnificent plants, so for that reason a trip to Costa Rica is a chance to experience something completely different. This is an opportunity to leave the concrete jungle in exchange for the rich and captivating beauty of the natural world. Spending time outdoors and in nature has therapeutic benefits and can instill a sense of peace, wellness, and happiness for those who take the time to embrace it.

An abundance of fun activities

Wellness, workshops, and retreats

For those seeking a more holistic and healthy vacation, Costa Rica has an abundance of wellness-oriented options, such as yoga retreats, sustainable living-related workshops, and exquisite spas. All along the Pacific coast in particular there are places to indulge in such healing, growing, and learning opportunities. Playa Santa Teresa, Playa Nosara, and the Osa Peninsula are three hotspots for these types of getaways. Taking time to take care for yourself is one of the most important things you can do for your own happiness. It is invaluable to de-stress, detox, and dedicate some time to just relaxing; your happiness is dependent on it.

Happy bellies

Traditional Costa Rican food is truly divine. The best places to score a home cooked Costa Rican meal is at a soda. A soda is a small, family-owned restaurant that serves up a variety of must-try Costa Rican dishes; gallo pinto, pico de gallo, arroz con pollo, patacones, casados, chifrijol, sopa negra, and ceviche, just to name a few. All sodas are different and half the fun is trying a variety of them. Eating this way is also very budget-friendly. Happy bellies equal happy people.

The warm and friendly people

In general, Costa Ricans are incredibly warm and welcoming people. Tourism is a major component in their economy and, more often than not, they are happy to receive visitors in their country. Costa Ricans are typically eager to help in any way that is needed. They are great hosts and guides. It makes a big difference when you are traveling in a foreign country, where you might not be fluent in the native language, when you are received with open arms. One piece of advice, though, is that if you don’t speak Spanish, at least greet and give thanks in Spanish as a sign of respect and that you are at least trying. “Hola” is hello and “gracias” is thank you.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.