If you thought the first two days of our Costa Rican adventure were packed, buckle up. Today was an absolute whirlwind of misty volcanic landscapes, local flavors, rich history, a sudden tropical deluge, and some incredibly cool nocturnal creatures.

From the majesty of Arenal Volcano to tasting raw cacao straight from the pod, Day Three completely delivered on that classic Pura Vida magic.

Morning: Trekking through Arenal Volcano National Park

We woke up early to the soothing, rhythmic sounds of the rainforest just outside our cabin windows. After a quick, hearty breakfast and packing plenty of water, we laced up our hiking boots and headed straight for the crown jewel of the region: Arenal Volcano National Park. The energy in the group was buzzing. Arenal is one of those legendary places you see in travel magazines, but seeing it looming through the morning mist in person is a completely different story. The volcano itself dictates the weather around here, keeping its peak shrouded in heavy clouds as if guarding its secrets.  This is the second visit to Arenal and I could still recall the first one more than 25 years later.

Step by Step through the Jungle

Our trek began on an incredibly scenic trail cutting right through the dense secondary rainforest. Walking through this environment feels like stepping back in time. The sheer scale of the flora is mind-boggling. Our group lined up along a moss-covered path heavily enveloped by thick canopy leaves and towering trees draped in vines. The air was thick, humid, and smelled beautifully of damp earth and wild green life.

One of the coolest parts of hiking with a great group and knowledgeable guides is that you don’t just walk past nature, you actually see it. Every few minutes (and even more often for some people), we’d stop to inspect something incredible.

When we finally reached the bottom, we stood at the edge of Lake Arenal. Fun fact: while it looks entirely natural nestled into the volcanic landscape, Lake Arenal was actually expanded to its current massive size by a hydroelectric project in the 1970s, making it a man-made marvel that provides a huge chunk of Costa Rica’s green energy! We hopped onto a boat for a short, refreshing ride across the water, feeling the cool breeze on our faces after a sweaty, rewarding hike.

Spotting the Locals: The Ultimate Sloth Encounter

Of course, you can’t walk through a Costa Rican rainforest without keeping your eyes glued to the upper canopy. We were incredibly fortunate to have some spotting scopes and other gear with us. Between the use of the scopes and meticulously cross-referencing field guides and taking field notes to identify the species hidden high above, the trip to the lake was both productive and informational. 

One of the absolute “look for things” is the sloth – now these creatures hug the tree closely, do not move, and blend in – our guide say they look like an amorphous blob and part of the tree.  He however was successful in locating one for us to take a look at. It looked completely unbothered by the world, giving us that classic, serene “sloth smile.” Seeing one so clearly in the wild is an absolute core memory for everyone on this trip.

Midday: A Proper Costa Rican Lunch at a Local Soda

By the time the boat docked, our stomachs were collectively growling. If you want an authentic taste of Costa Rica, you don’t go to a fancy tourist resort, you head straight to a Soda. For the uninitiated (which included me prior to stopping at this point), a soda is a small, typically family-run restaurant serving traditional, home-cooked Costa Rican meals. They are the heart and soul of the country’s culinary scene.

We pulled up to an open-air soda down the road from the park, and the vibe was instantly welcoming. The restaurant featured a casual setup under a corrugated metal roof with dark wooden picnic tables, tiled floors, and a bright yellow counter in the back where the magic happens.

Most of us ordered the classic Casado, a massive, comforting plate piled high with rice, beans, sweet fried plantains, a side salad, and your choice of protein (like beautifully seasoned chicken or pork). I could get it without cilantro (which is the absolute bane of my food existence in Costa Rica). This wonderful food was washed down with cold bottles of Coca-Cola (for me) or fresh fruit juice and it was exactly the kind of fuel we needed. We sat around chatting about the sloth sighting, comparing photos, and enjoying the easygoing, bustling atmosphere of local life moving around us.

Afternoon: Siestas and Secrets of the Cacao Tree

With full bellies and tired legs, we headed back to our cabins for a highly anticipated, much-needed short break. Taking an hour or two to just lay back, listen to the distant birds, and decompress is a crucial part of surviving a busy travel itinerary.

Once we were fully recharged, it was time for our next big event: a deep-dive tour of a local chocolate plantation.

We all know chocolate as a neat wrapper you pick up at a grocery store, but seeing the actual agricultural and artisanal process behind it is mind-blowing. Our guide walked us through rows of cacao trees, pointing out how the large, colorful cacao pods grow directly out of the tree trunks rather than the branches.

We learned about the entire labor-intensive journey: harvesting the pods, scooping out the white, slimy pulp-covered beans, fermenting them for days under banana leaves to develop the flavor profile, drying them in the sun, and finally roasting them to perfection.

Late Afternoon: Surviving a La Fortuna Torrential Downpour

After satisfying our sweet tooth, we planned a short trip into the heart of La Fortuna town to explore the local shops, pick up some souvenirs, and check out the vibrant street life as well as grab a quick dinner before heading to an evening presentation.

Costa Rica’s rainforests aren’t famously lush for no reason, they require a lot of water. And just as we wandered into the center of town, the skies absolutely opened up. We aren’t talking about a light, romantic drizzle here; we’re talking about a classic, cinematic, tropical torrential downpour.

The streets quickly turned into rushing streams, and the sound of thunderous rain hitting the metal roofs echoed everywhere. Instead of letting it ruin the afternoon, we leaned into it. We ducked under the awnings of local boutiques, dashed into artisan souvenir shops, and watched the sheets of rain transform the town square into an impressionist painting.

Evening: The Fascinating World of Bats

Once the rain calmed down to a manageable spray, we made our way back to our base camp for our final activity of Day Three: an educational presentation on bats.

Now, bats often get a bad rap in popular culture, but out here in the rainforest, they are absolute environmental superheroes. We gathered around as a local expert walked us through the incredible diversity of bat species native to Costa Rica complete with mist nets (I think that is what he called them) and the opportunity to see several bats that were caught up close and personal (which was still cool for even though I often have this opportunity at home).

We learned that far from being scary pests, these tiny flying mammals are essential to the ecosystem. They act as natural pest control (eating thousands of mosquitoes an hour, something we were profoundly grateful for!), crucial seed dispersers that help regenerate deforested areas, and vital pollinators for many of the plants we had spent the day admiring. It was the perfect, intellectually stimulating way to cap off a day deeply rooted in the natural wonders of Arenal.

Final Thoughts on Day Three

By the time we crawled back into our beds, our feet were tired, our hair was probably still a little damp from the La Fortuna downpour, and our minds were absolutely full of incredible memories. Today showed us every side of Costa Rica: the majestic wildlife, the rich volcanic landscapes, the warmth of a local diner, the sweetness of its agriculture, and the raw, untamed power of its weather.

• Trek through Secondary Rainforest Completed ✓
• The Three-Toed Sloth Spotting Completed ✓
• Arenal Overlook Group Photo Completed ✓
• Lake Arenal Boat Transit Completed ✓
• Lunch at a Local Soda Completed ✓
• Chocolate Tour Completed ✓
• La Fortuna Town Visit and Rainstorm Completed ✓
• Bat Ecology Presentation Completed ✓