Limón to San José

     We spent our final day in Costa Rica driving from the Villa Toucan to San José. Here, only one major highway connects two large cities in the country; San José and Limón. By our standards in the United States, this road would be considered a secondary surface street, but to Costa Ricans, this route is vital. As the highway winds it way through the mountains east of San José, the road alternates between two lanes on one side and a single lane on the other. During the inclines, you are often stuck behind large semis huffing and puffing their way up the hill while you patiently await the next two-lane passing zone. On the other side of the road, huge trucks come barreling down the mountainside at speeds that seem less than comfortable. However, it is important to remember that these truck drivers traverse this route multiple times per day and they have gotten used to driving it regularly. The key strategy on this highway is to stick completely to your lane and pass only when it is safe and permitted. A few unofficial overlooks provide scenic vistas of the jungle-coated mountains.

     Reflecting upon the entire trip, I realize how Costa Rica truly is the ideal destination for nature-lovers, beach goers, and photographers; in my mind, the country falls somewhere between a completely foreign destination like Columbia and a mainstream tourist location like France. Costa Rica offers a little bit of everything while providing travelers with an authentic central-American experience (without feeling unsafe). The country relies heavily on the tourism industry as part of its economic growth. People here are kind and welcoming to foreigners. Costa Ricans live a relatively simple life and they make the best out of what they are given; a beautiful, unspoiled country.