Around the World in Reality: Back to Costa Rica

After a busy fall semester, I decided to sneak in a quick trip before our next extended adventure. During my usual search, I came across an amazing points deal on Delta to Costa Rica. It was likely because it was still the rainy season, although at the tail end. We visited Costa Rica in September 2024 and had a great time even with the rain, so we figured a weekend getaway would be perfect.

Travel Day – Friday, November 14

I considered canceling the trip because of the flight disruptions caused by the government shutdown. In the end, I decided to stick with the plan. The day went smoothly. We arrived early to the airport, moved through quickly, and spent some time in the Sky Club.

After a short flight to Atlanta, we stopped by another Sky Club before heading to our gate. We were upgraded to First Class on the next flight. I never expect upgrades now that I am only Gold Medallion, so it was a treat. Dinner was salmon with spinach and mushrooms. The salmon was incredible. I am not sure what was in the sauce, but it was delicious. The dessert was not my favorite. I took full advantage of the comfortable seat and slept for at least two hours.

We arrived in San Jose and breezed through immigration. On the walk through the airport, we passed artwork that I really enjoyed. Toucans are one of my favorite birds, so it was fun to see them along our path.

Since we were arriving late, I pre-arranged a driver who picked us up and took us into the city. We stayed at the Gran Hotel again since I had a credit to use. I only paid about two hundred dollars out of pocket, and it included a one hundred dollar food voucher and breakfast. As mentioned before, it’s a beautiful hotel in a great location. After check-in, we headed up to our cozy room and got some rest so we’d be ready for the next day’s adventures.

Day 1 – Saturday, November 15

HIGHLIGHTS: Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Delfines Con Amor and San Jose By Night: Farm to Table Dinner, Cooking & Cocktail Class

On Saturday morning, I woke up early and had breakfast at the hotel. The buffet was well laid out with plenty of options, just as I remembered. I went heavy on the carbs with gallo pinto, plantains, and potatoes, plus eggs on the side. I always enjoy breakfast here. The big windows, natural light, and beautiful views make it easy to take your time and slow down.

While Donnell slept, I went for a walk to find an ATM to get some cash. It turned into a bit of an adventure, as it took me three tries to find an ATM that actually worked. I’m still not sure if the issue was my card, the machine, or user error. Along the way, I spotted a beautiful mural. I’m not sure who the character is, but the colors and the design really stood out.

To officially get the day started, we made our way to the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Admission also included the Numismatic Museum. It was incredible to see so many gold artifacts and the intricate details crafted hundreds of years ago. There were also exhibits woven throughout that focused on native Costa Ricans and women, which I really appreciated.

There was also a moving exhibit on immigration. Each piece of art told the story of an unnamed person migrating to another region to escape the perils of their homeland. The exhibit was very well done and made me think about immigration in ways I hadn’t considered before.

For lunch, we went to Delfines con Amor. We sat upstairs and it was the perfect place to people watch. To start, I ordered fresh mixed juice that was absolutely amazing!

To eat, I ordered the garlic seafood platter with slaw and rice, and it was delicious. The seafood was full of flavor, and the rice soaked up the sauce perfectly. The slaw was unique, sweet with raisins, and I actually enjoyed it. Donnell ordered the pescado empanizado, a breaded fish filet, served with tuna salad and fries which he enjoyed.

Before our next tour, we had drinks at the hotel bar. I told the bartender I wanted something light, like a spritz. He made me a Passoa Spritz with Passoa, lime, and Prosecco, and it was perfect. Donnell kept it simple with an Old Fashioned.

Our evening activity was the San Jose By Night Farm-to-Table Dinner, Cooking, and Cocktail Class. I chose this company because we had done another tour with them last year that we really enjoyed. We started with a walking tour and learned several interesting facts about San Jose and Costa Rica. A few highlights included the founding of San Jose in 1737, the history of the Central Market which opened in 1880, and how coffee taxes helped fund part of the National Theatre.

The second half of the tour focused on food and drink. We learned how to make traditional cocktails using Cacique, a Costa Rican spirit similar to rum. The first cocktail we made was Morenito, a shooter with coffee, evaporated milk, and Cacique, topped with whipped cream. We also made a mojito variation with Cacique, sugar, mint, lemon juice, and mango juice. Both were very good.

Our menu for the evening included an empanada that we made ourselves at the beginning of the class, and it was fantastic. I always enjoy trying empanadas in different Latin American countries. They often vary so much, but are always tasty. To round out the menu, we had green soup served in a bread bowl, a starchy taco, and a tamale. It may not have looked like much, but there was so much food that I couldn’t finish everything. I was a little disappointed in myself because I had the tamale the last time, and it was fantastic.

Day 2 – Sunday, November 16

HIGHLIGHTS: Hacienda Orosi and Cultura5

The day started off a bit hectic at breakfast. A group was trying to get in before it officially opened, and our bartender from the night before was managing the demanding crowd. I only wanted a coffee, so I sat back and waited patiently until it was time to open. I complimented him on how he handled the guests, and he made me a fresh cappuccino. It was lovely. I also enjoyed a glass of cas juice, since I can never pass up the fresh juices in Costa Rica.

After breakfast, we were picked up for our excursion of the day. We made our way to Irazú, one of the most active volcanoes since the 1600s. Its last major eruption was in 1963, and it remained active for five years, even erupting while JFK was visiting Costa Rica. Although I had been there before, I was excited to visit the highest viewpoint this time and see Turrialba, the twin volcano. We were lucky to see steam rising from Turrialba, and as we were leaving, clouds rolled in and covered it. The timing could not have been better.

We also stopped at the Basilica de Los Angeles, a beautiful basilica in Cartago. I had visited before, but this time we were able to go to the back of the basilica and explore the museum.

Afterward, we headed to Hacienda Orosi, a nearby hot springs. This was the main reason I chose this excursion. I wanted to visit a hot spring, but didn’t want to travel as far as La Fortuna. This location was perfect. Travel is rarely uneventful, and we had to wait about 30 minutes due to an accident just ahead of us. Thankfully, everyone was okay.

We arrived and went straight to lunch onsite. We both started with fresh juice. I had blackberry, and Donnell had either pineapple or cas juice. All were delicious, and I almost finished mine before my food arrived. For our entrees, Donnell had the fish tacos, and I had the fish empanizado. Both were much better than we expected, and we cleaned our plates quickly. For dessert, we had a cold rice pudding that was just the right amount of sweetness for my sweet tooth.

After lunch, I spent some time practicing photography on the property. There was also a small greenhouse filled with a variety of beautiful plants. The subjects really did all the work.

Then we spent a couple of hours relaxing in the hot springs. There were three pools with varying temperatures, from warm to very hot. It wasn’t crowded, which made it even more peaceful. The springs also offered a spectacular view of the Orosi Valley that I couldn’t get enough of.

There is also a coffee farm on the property, but we skipped the tour so we could spend more time in the hot springs. I did buy some coffee that I’m excited to try.

Back at the hotel, we went straight to dinner at Cultura5. I tried an Agua de Sapo, a traditional Costa Rican drink whose name translates to toad water. Luckily, it didn’t taste anything like its name and was actually pretty good. For dinner, I ordered the tuna medallion with rice, and Donnell had the catch of the day with rice and beans. Both were filling and flavorful. To end the night, I tried the daiquiri, said to be JFK’s favorite drink when he stayed here. It was a bit sweet for my taste, though.

Travel Day – Monday, November 17

We had an early morning flight home. At the airport, we stopped by the VIP Saltaña Lounge using my Priority Pass and grabbed breakfast while we waited. The eggs and gallo pinto were excellent.

The crew on our flight was amazing. They were out of a snack pack I wanted, but they made up for it in a thoughtful way. Whenever I get frustrated with some of Delta’s program changes, I remind myself how consistently good the overall experience is.

Final Thoughts

This weekend was the perfect getaway. It was a great way to change the scenery in a country that I enjoy spending time in. The best part of the week was hanging out at Hacienda Orosi. The place is beautiful and tranquil. I would dare say our best meals were there was as well. I’m not sure when we’ll return to Costa Rica, but on our next visit, we plan to explore the Caribbean coast.