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Costa Rica

Costa Rica Travel Destinations includes Veragua Rainforest in the mountains of the Caribbean region. The world needs a paradigm shift, that Veragua Rainforest exemplifies at the heart of the progressive travel industry, offering Ecotourism. Their foundation, established in 2013, promotes the research of flora and fauna in the 77-hectare (190 acre) tropical rainforest of Veragua.

They offer public tours, while maintaining partnerships with renowned academic institutions such as the University of Costa Rica. This facilitates publication of findings and sharing them with the world community. Furthermore, they uncovered eleven new animal species at Veragua Rainforest.

Overall, I enjoyed my day tour here with a good conscience, knowing we contributed to their funds. Along with a Naturalist Guide, we explored a variety of habitats, such as, day & night frogs, butterfly garden, Insectarium, Serpentarium and research center. Lastly, it culminated in a tram ride through the tree canopy and a small hike to Puma Falls.

    Monteverde Costa Rica
    Costa Rica

    Monteverde, Costa Rica’s Fun Eco Adventures – Zip-lining, Hanging Bridges & Naturalist Hikes

    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac April 13, 2025
    written by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac

    The pristine Monteverde cloud forests are a wonderland for both nature lovers and adventure seekers.  It is one of the most popular regions in Costa Rica for a reason.  In this lush environment, you can go zip-lining and walk in the jungle canopy on hanging bridges all in one day.  Or if you just want to go on a leisurely naturalist walk and learn about the rich flora and fauna that’s great too.  I spent 2 days enjoying my Monteverde Costa Rica adventures and love sharing.  So, read on to learn more about Monteverde and why it’s one of the most popular areas in Costa Rica.     

    About Monteverde

    Monteverde is a region meaning the ‘green forest” in northwest Costa Rica.  It’s lush landscapes of cloud forests on mountaintops is one of the most popular areas in Costa Rica for ecotourism.  The biodiversity and wildlife is a nature lovers paradise.  It offers many ways to interact with the environment through hanging bridges in the jungle canopy, zip-lining and naturalist hikes. 

    The weather at Monteverde is very unpredictable and quick to change from being sunny, windy or rainy.  But this also means its amazing for rainbows.  As visitors it’s important to dress smart and in layers for any weather types.  Ponchos are a wise choice because umbrellas do not fare well in the wind.  The dry season is February to May. 

    My 2-Day Experience in Monteverde

    I was with Intrepid Travel and organized my time to see as much as possible.  The first day I did a combination tour at 100% Aventura Adventure Park for Zip lining and Hanging Bridges Canopy Walk.  Then, the next day I did the naturalist guided walk at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.  Overall, I enjoyed it but we did catch some rainy days.  It is a rainforest after all, so glad I was prepared.  I am from Seattle, so this felt like home to me.

    Monteverde Costa Rica Adventures
    Top Things to Do

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    Zip-Lining and Hanging Bridges
    Monteverde Costa Rica Adventures

    IMG_7053

    Zip Lining – 100% Aventura Adventure Park offers 9 zip lines, including the longest line in Costa Rica stretching 1590 meters.  They also offer a rappel jump and the biggest Tarzan Swing in Costa Rica, plunging 45 meters (148 feet). I enjoyed my morning here and appreciated that you experience a couple short lines first to practice, before taking the long stretch across the valley.  For the first time, I tried the superman line and flew through the air face down like superman.  

    I did the combined tour with 100% Aventura Adventure Park for both the Zip Lining and Hanging Bridges.  Their roundtrip shuttle picked us up at the hotel and took us to the sites then returned us. 

    Hanging Bridges – 100% Aventura Adventure Park offers a guided tour on 8 hanging bridges up in the jungle canopy along a 1.9-mile (3 km) hiking trail.  This is one of the best ways to experience the cloud forest high in the trees and get that amazing bird’s eye view.  Plus, a naturalist guide points out flora and fauna along the way.    

    Monteverde Cloud Forest

    The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the smallest reserve in the area, however, the most popular because of its virgin forests and biodiversity.  Scientists recognize this reserve as having the highest number of orchids on Earth.

    Quetzal Bird by Alecsandar Popovski – Unsplash.com

    We enjoyed our walking tour here with a naturalist guide. I found it amazing for birding and the guide was helpful with the high-powered lens to get a better view.  We saw the colorful (through the lens) and elusive Quetzal bird, hummingbirds, white capuchin monkeys, tarantulas and frogs.  Plus, all the incredible, lush plant life is omnipresent.

    However, at this reserve I experienced overtourism.  This beautiful country is popular for a reason.  But, in my opinion, there was too many people at this reserve.  There were groups of about 8-10 people every 20 feet.  We had to move on for the next group quickly and felt rushed.   Overall, in my opinion, Costa Rica is getting to the tipping point in some regions of overtourism which negates its whole point of sustainability and ecotourism.  

    Unique Opportunities for Night Tours or Bungee Jumping

    Red eyed Tree Frog Costa Rica
    Red eyed Tree Frog by Zdenk Machacek – Unsplash.com

    Night Tour – With about 80% of the wildlife in the cloud forests being nocturnal, doing a night tour is a unique opportunity.  For nature lovers this is a must to possibly see frogs, sloths, snakes, tarantulas or lizards.  Once the sun dips it gets chilly in the cloud forest, so come prepared.  

    Bungee Jumping – For the adrenaline junkies, there is The Extreme Bungee Jumping in Monteverde Tour.  As the highest jump in Central America, this plunges over 460 feet (140 m).  I didn’t do this, but it comes highly recommended for outdoor extremists.

     Where to Stay
    Monteverde Costa Rica Adventures

    The main hub for tourism in Monteverde is Santa Elena along with the nearby neighborhood of Cerro Plano.  We stayed at the charming Hotel de Jardines de Monteverde in Cerro Plano.  It was about a 20-minute walk up and down a very steep hill to the town center. It has a nice restaurant and bar along with rustic, quaint rooms. There was also nice restaurants and stores nearby.  Just a couple blocks away, we enjoyed a group dinner at the popular Thomas & Thiago. 

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    Monteverde Cloud Forest

    Enjoy Monteverde!

    Monteverde is a green paradise in so many ways.  It provides people an opportunity to immerse themselves in the heart of the rainforest with even a bird’s eye view.  And the adventure is also there for the thrill-seekers.   If your travels bring you to Monteverde, please share any tips below in the comments. 


    Read More!

    Amazing La Fortuna – The Heart of Costa Rican Wellness Travel
    Veragua Rainforest Ecotourism and Best Place to See Frogs in Costa Rica

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    April 13, 2025 0 comments
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    Costa Rica Adventures in 6 Days- Monteverde, La Fortuna & San Jose

    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac April 13, 2025
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    Pura Vida from Costa Rica! This country is a paradise filled with sustainable and eco-friendly destinations. In March 2024, I ended a monthlong trip in Central America here. I enjoyed six days …

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    White Water Rafting & Capsizing in Costa Rica’s Pacuare River

    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac April 13, 2025
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    The Costa Rica Pacuare rafting experience offers adventure like no other. National Geographic has recognized Costa Rica’s Pacuare River as one of the top 10 rivers for rafting in the world. Its …

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    Veragua Rainforest Ecotourism & the Best Place to See Frogs in Costa Rica

    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac April 13, 2025
    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac April 13, 2025

    Veragua Rainforest offers ecotourism at its best, with a sustainable biodiversity of flora and fauna. Plus, the lush park is home to 52 frog species, the highest number of species in Costa …

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    Amazing La Fortuna – The Heart of Costa Rican Wellness Travel

    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac April 10, 2025
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    Surrounded by tropical forests and volcanoes with geothermal hot springs is a wonderful blend for a healing destination.  La Fortuna offers a plethora of mineral-rich hot springs, resorts, spas, gardens and wildlife …

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    San Jose, Costa Rica One or Two Day Itinerary

    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac April 10, 2025
    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac April 10, 2025

    San Jose is the gateway to Costa Rica for many visitors with its international airport.  There is so much to do in the capital city and day trips nearby.  There are incredible …

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  • Costa Rica

    Costa Rica’s Amazing Jaguar Rescue Center Tours with Sloths, Monkeys, Birds & Other Wildlife

    by Trudy Wendelin, L.Ac February 1, 2025
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    Costa Rica’s Wildlife Rescue missions give tourists opportunities to get up close and personal with rescued animals. In the Costa Rican-Caribbean region, there is a haven for animal lovers called the Jaguar …

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Hello, Hola, Namaste, Ni hao, Ciao and Bonjour! My name is Trudy and I have been traveling like everyday is my last, over the last 10 years. I've visited 105 countries and still counting! As an Acupuncturist and traveler, I love sharing my experiences and tips on travel and wellness. Feel free to join below my community for coupons and latest travel guides.

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On the Vracar plateau, the Church of Saint Sava is On the Vracar plateau, the Church of Saint Sava is the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans and second largest in the world. Saint Sava is the founder of the Serbian Orthodox church. The church’s construction lasted from 1935 to 1989. It became delayed by WW II and the Yugoslavian communism, that didn’t allow for building churches. 

Shaped like a Greek Cross, the facade consists of white marble and granite in a Neo-Byzantine style. Its dome is one of the largest in the world. The mosaics are spectacular, with the central mosaic in the dome depicting the Ascension of Jesus.

To learn more about Belgrade, check out my blog:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/belgrade-serbia-top-attractions-in-2-days/

#belgrade #serbia #serbiatourism #churchesofinstagram #templeofsaintsava #balkans #europetravels #easterneurope #belgradephoto #belgradeserbia #travelblogger #wanderlust
Just 15 minutes from Mostar is the Blagaj Dervish Just 15 minutes from Mostar is the Blagaj Dervish Monastery. It sits at the source of the Buna River which flows out of a cave beneath a canyon wall. The beautiful tekke (lodge) displays Ottoman Sufi architecture from the 15th century. 

The white building reflects on the turquoise river. Inside you’ll find a small mosque, guest rooms and mausoleums. Dervishes of the Sufi orders stayed here for spiritual retreats over the centuries. Today, it is open for tourist of all faiths to learn about this sacred site and the Sufi tradition. 

We explored the riverside and view of Blagaj from across the river. Also, with our shoes off, we enjoyed an indoor tour of the monastery. 

To learn more about Mostar, check out my blog:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/mostar-tour-highlights/

#blagaj #dervish #monastery #mostar #bosniaandherzegovina #balkans #instatravelling #i̇nstatravel #easterneurope #europetravel #bosnia #traveladdict #retreat #wanderlust #solotraveling
Mostar is a gorgeous gem of the Balkans. Its uniqu Mostar is a gorgeous gem of the Balkans. Its unique blend of cultural diversity, riveting history and natural beauty offers an inspiring escape. I traveled solo in Mostar for 2 days, exploring the Old Town along with day trips. Mostar's main attraction is the bridge jumping tradition.

The iconic Stari Most is the symbol of Mostar and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in Balkan Islamic architecture in the 16th century, its height is 24 m (78 ft 9 in). The bridge connects the two sides of the city divided by the Neretva River. During the Balkan War, the bridge was destroyed. However, it became rebuilt in 2004 with the stones from the original bridge. The bridge is steep and slippery with crowds often on it. So, wear good shoes and be aware when taking in its incredible views of the city and river.

The main attraction in Mostar is watching the tradition of locals jumping off the Stari Most into the river. This began in 1664 as a rite-of-passage for 16-year-old boys. Today, young men from the Mostar Diving Club take the plunge. Leading up to the plunge, assistants gather donations from the crowds.

To learn more, check out my blog:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/mostar-tour-highlights/

#mostar #mostarbridge #mostarbridgejump #mostarbosnia #bosniaandherzegovina #balkans #bridgejump #bridgejumping #instatravelling #instatravel #europetravels #easterneurope #wanderlusting #wanderlust #travelgirl #solotravel #travelblog #travelblogger #solotravel
After 3 days in Sarajevo, I wholeheartedly get why After 3 days in Sarajevo, I wholeheartedly get why National Geographic named it Top Destination for 2025. Here, east meets west with a fascinating blend of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences. However, wounds from the 90’s Bosnian War are still healing. Afterall, Sarajevo suffered the longest siege (almost 4 years) in modern warfare by the Bosnian Serbs. Thankfully, its citizens’ resilience prevailed otherwise.

To learn more, check out my blog:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/sarajevo-travel-destination-highlights/

Photos:
Abandoned Olympic Bobsleigh Track
Sarajevo '84 Winter Olympics
Tunnel of Hope during Sarajevo Siege
Sarajevo Rose Memorial (Where more than 3 people died in Siege)
Eternal Flame Monument - Honoring WW II victims
Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Old Bazaar

#sarajevo #sarajevobosnia #bosnia #bosniaandherzegovina🇧🇦 #bosniatravel #europetravels #balkans #europedestinations #solotraveler #solofemaletravel #wanderlusting #wanderlust #travelbloggers #nationalgeographictopdestination2025 #nationalgeographic #instatravel #europehistory
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in cen The Plitvice Lakes National Park is located in central Croatia’s mountainous karst area. It’s the largest national park in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is world-famous for its 16 turquoise, tufa lakes connected by 90 cascades and waterfalls. A confluence of many rivers and subterranean karst rivers created these lakes. 

Check out my blog/video:
https://truewindhealingtravel.com/plitvice-lakes-planning-tips/

#waterfallsofinstagram #croatiatravel #croatia #waterfalls #waterfall #adventuretravel #wanderlust #europetravels #cascade #travelingram #naturelovers #naturegrams #traveladdict #solofemaletravel #solotraveler
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