A two-hour shuttle and a ferry ride across Costa Rica's Lake Arenal weren't part of the plan. We misjudged the distance between Monteverde and La Fortuna.
Marnie Hunter/CNN
Monteverde Cloud Forest —
Costa Rica is extremely tourist friendly. Tours and activities are easily booked on the fly.
Marnie Hunter/CNN
Monteverde Cloud Forest —
Our guide in Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, recommended by our hotel, was a master bird caller. We were lucky to see a resplendent quetzal.
Marnie Hunter/CNN
Santa Elena —
We liked our guide so well that we took his night tour. This definitely would not have made the to-do list, but how often do you see one of these?
Marnie Hunter/CNN
Montezuma —
The beach town of Montezuma on the Nicoya Peninsula was so pleasant that we fit in an extra night by taking the fast route back to San Jose, adding an unexpected aerial sightseeing opportunity to our trip.