Liz Picurro, Author at Shared Adventures

Spotlight On: Costa Rica

June 20, 2025 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. This small country in Central America packs a lot in, and is the perfect place for an eco-luxury adventure! With jungles, cloud forests, volcanoes, beaches, rainforests, and lots of wildlife, it’s one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. You can find more than 500,000 different species in Costa Rica. These include colorful macaws, howler monkeys, sloths, dart frogs, sea turtles, and humpback whales. On top of that, the people are incredibly friendly, the beaches are pristine and the natural springs are relaxing.

Have you ever considered an adventure to Costa Rica? Here’s our intro guide with everything you need to get you started.

Eco-Travel Destination

Costa Rica is home to more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity and 26% of its land is protected! With 30 national parks and reserves, Costa Rica is a perfect place to enjoy nature and wildlife and contribute positively to the environment.

This country takes its mission to care for and protect the land seriously, with about 98% of its energy coming from renewable sources. The government focuses on conservation and preservation, choosing to spend a large portion of its budget on the cause. This makes it a great place to travel if you’re looking to make a positive environmental impact with your adventure.

Best For

Couple on a steel bridge in the middle of the jungle in costa rica

Costa Rica is great for travelers who want a mix of adrenaline adventure and laid-back beachy relaxation. There’s no shortage of things to do and see but there’s also plenty of room to sit back and relax. If you’re a nature lover, this is a must-see destination.

[Photo Credit: Steve and Julia via Shared Adventures – read about their Costa Rican honeymoon here! ]

Minimum Stay

Of course, you could spend forever in Costa Rica and never run out of new adventures to enjoy. But realistically, we recommend no fewer than 5 days to enjoy the country. An ideal amount of time is between 10 days to 2 weeks.

Accommodation

Plunge pool & forest on the Nayara Springs deck

Accommodations will be your biggest expense on your Costa Rican adventure, but you have a wide variety of styles to choose from. You can stay in a lodge nestled in the heart of the rainforest, or a beachfront resort with all the bells and whistles. Choose a luxury retreat with pools, beaches, and spas, or a simpler lodge with beautiful porches and hammocks.

Most of the lodges, hotels, resorts, and villas incorporate sustainable design, including solar energy, water conservation, and sustainably sourced construction materials making them top notch eco-luxury stays.

Wherever you stay, we recommend splitting your stay across at least two locations so you can experience different aspects of this stunning country during your adventure.

[Photo Credit: Ellen and Mike via Shared Adventures – read about their honeymoon in Costa Rica here! ]

Geography

On one side is the rugged and less developed Caribbean coast. Here you will find the beautiful Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero. On the other side is the Pacific coast which is more developed for tourism with places like Guanacaste and Manuel Antonio.

Wherever you go in Costa Rica you will find lush jungles and rainforests, bursting with life and brilliant colors. Both coasts boast sandy beaches, but the Caribbean coast has white sand and placid water, while the Pacific side has dark volcanic sand and waves that are great for surfing.

In the interior, one of the best areas to stay is La Fortuna, home to the conical Arenal Volcano and natural hot springs. The Monteverde Cloud Forest boasts misty skies and unique flora and fauna. Manuel Antonio and Tortuguero are small national parks with pristine beaches and lots of ocean life.

Best Time to Visit

View of the bay framed by trees in Costa Rica

December to April is the nicest time of year with very little rainfall. Naturally, in the high season, you will see more crowds and higher prices.

October to December is the low season because it has the most changeable weather, with frequent downpours. Some places are prone to flooding.

The shoulder months are November and May – usually a more peaceful experience with fewer crowds.

If you’re looking for a particular wildlife experience like sea turtles or humpback whales, you’ll need to base your time around those specific months.

[Photo Credit: Katie and Oliver via Shared Adventures – read about their Costa Rican honeymoon here!]

Activities

[Photo Credit: Steve and Julia via Shared Adventures – read about their Costa Rican honeymoon here! ]

Adrenaline Based:

Canyoning
Rappelling
Quad Biking
Ziplining
Surfing
Scuba Diving
White Water Rafting
Volcano Climbing

Wildlife Based:

Guided Jungle Walks
See sea turtles hatching
Humpback Whale Watching
Birding

Relaxation Based:

Laying on beautiful beaches
Relaxing in hot springs
Enjoying luxury resorts
Leisurely hikes to waterfalls

Culture

Costa Rica is known for their laid-back “pura vida” lifestyle. They are renowned for their inclusivity and you’ll find lots of colorful streets and markets celebrating life at every turn. They are known for being a very warm and welcoming culture.

Food

The food is a lovely blend of simple fresh flavors. Rice and beans are a staple. Often joined by fresh seafood and tropical fresh fruits like mango and papaya.

Typical Dishes to Try:

Casado: Fried tortilla chips, maize or corn salad, black beans, rice, and a stewed leg of chicken or a slab of pork.

Tamal: A stuffed into a banana leaf and is usually served as a breakfast snack with black beans on the side.

Gallo pinto: The national dish of Costa Rica. Rice and black beans with spices and a bit of chili pepper.

Coffee and chocolate are big exports in Costa Rica and you can take tours to see the production and taste the local product.

Beaches

There are over 300 beaches in Costa Rica and they’re all incredible in their own way. Some of our favorites include:

[Photo Credit: Katie and Oliver via Shared Adventures – read about their Costa Rican honeymoon here!]

Punta Uva in Puerto Viejo for soft white sand and hanging palms.

Tamarindo Beach in Guanacaste for surfing and watersports.

Marino Ballena in Uvita – Whale Tail Beach. A bit of sand and good for beach spotting humpbacks. (January – March or October)

Conchal Beach in Guanacaste – for soft white sand and beautiful coral reefs.

Flamingo Beach in Guanacaste – named for the pink undertones of the white sand. For a relaxing beach day and stunning sunsets.

Manuel Antonio Beach in Manuel Antonio – A costal rainforest full of wildlife and hiking trails for adding a bit of adventure to your beach day.

Money:

No longer a cheap destination, you’ll find prices similar to the US. While many places do accept USD, it’s a good idea to get some cash in the local Colon currency. You’ll be able to use a card for bigger purchases and cash for small transactions, tipping, and taxis.

Generally, tipping is not expected as there is often a 10% service charge and a 13% tax added to restaurant bills. But if you feel your guide or server went above and beyond you can give them a bit extra.

Getting Around:

It takes time to get around Costa Rica, whether you’re traveling by rental car or public transport. This is not a fast-moving country. The shuttle buses from the resorts or the regular public buses all work well and are generally reliable. The roads, however, are often damaged by the rains so if you decide to rent a car you should get 4WD and never try to take a shortcut.

To Pack

Happy honeymoon couple in front of Costa Rica waterfall

Pack for all kinds of weather because the country has microclimates — you can experience 90F hot and humid to thunderstorms to a chilly 50F all in a day.

Bring water shoes – especially for exploring the waterfalls.

Between the humidity, beach, and rain make sure you pack quick-drying clothing.

Pack high-SPF, reef-safe, water-resistant sunscreen, and bug spray

Pack a dry bag, waterproof phone case, and waterproof camera.

Wildlife spotting is a must since there’s so much to see – be sure to pack a good camera with a telephoto lens. And, of course, binoculars.

[Photo Credit: Katie and Oliver via Shared Adventures – read about their Costa Rican honeymoon here!]

Top Tips

The tap water is generally safe and clean but always check as it can vary from area to area.

Mekatelyu, Bribri, Patois, and Spanish are the official languages, and although English is widely used in tourist destinations, having some basic Spanish is always a plus.

When surfing or swimming look out for rip tides and warning flags (red means danger and black means stay out of the water.)

For a low-key local meal go to the Sodas (mom-and-pop restaurants)

Book tours in advance to avoid scams.

Keep in mind that the amazing national parks will each cost between $12-20 to visit.

[Photo Credit: Robin Bennet via Unsplash]

Ready to plan your amazing adventure to Costa Rica? Let us know – we’d love to help you plan the perfect vacation!

6 Tips for Traveling Sustainably Without Sacrificing Luxury

June 19, 2025 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

When we travel, we know that we should think about the impact we have on the environment. At the same time, this is our vacation and we know we can only be our best selves if we have the opportunity to relax and enjoy! So how do you combine eco-travel with luxury travel? It’s easier than you think! Here are our top 6 ways to travel sustainably without sacrificing luxury:

#1 Reframe What “Eco Travel” Means to You

With a little bit of reframing, you can expand what sustainable travel means. Comfort is more about just the luxury amenities. It’s about your overall level of relaxation, good sleep, amazing food, and feeling connected to your destination.

Green or Eco travel is asking you to slow down and really experience the places you’re in. Connect with the locals, prioritize environmental responsibility and waste reduction when choosing providers, and focus on that deep connection.

#2 Stay in Eco-Luxury Accommodations

What is an Eco-Luxury Accommodation? These are hotels, resorts, and boutique hotels, that offer all the comforts you expect from a luxury hotel experience. And, they also integrate sustainable practices into their operations. You may see an effort to reduce waste, reduce consumption, and minimize their impact on the local environment.

This may show up in eco amenities like refreshing locally-produced water instead of plastic bottles. Or restaurants that feature made-to-order dishes to reduce food waste, using only locally produced ingredients. You can see sustainable luxury in the details of the hotel as well. Whether it’s stunning exhibitions of world-renowned glass artists creating sculptures from upcycled bottles, or using local, sustainably sourced high-quality wood or stones to build their structures.

How can you tell if the accommodation is eco-friendly? It will take a bit of research ( or you can ask your friendly neighborhood travel advisor to do it for you! ) You want to see if they are transparent about how they are measuring their positive and negative impacts. Look for locally owned hotels rather than the big global hotel brands. And check for scientifically backed certifications from EarthCheck, Green Globe, LEED, and Greenview.

#3 Focus on Supporting the Locals

Everyone is looking for those “hidden gems” to avoid the crowds and have a unique adventure experience. But there’s an extra benefit to beating out the crowds – supporting local economies. Shop at small locally-owned stores, and get your souvenirs from local artisans and markets. This way, you are putting money back into the town or city you’re visiting and getting a unique item for yourself!

If you decide that you want to go to a more popular destination, traveling in the off-season is a great choice. Shoulder season travel will put less strain on local resources.

a woman taking cooking lessons in Thailand

The last thing you can do is take time to learn about the culture and make small connections. One of our favorite experiences while traveling in Italy is going back to the same café each morning for a coffee. In Thailand, connecting with the locals through cooking classes and their cuisine is unforgettable.

[Photo Credit: Marissa & Derek via Shared Adventures Travel – read about their adventure in Thailand here!]

#4 Start At Home While Packing

Maybe you feel that eco-luxury accommodation isn’t the right fit for you and your calendar requires you to go to a big famous city in the high season. You can still enjoy eco-luxury travel by bringing the finest eco-travel items in your suitcase. Invest in a stylish reusable water bottle. Check that your toiletries, bug sprays, and sunscreens are eco- and reef- friendly. Pack light to avoid extra baggage and use travel containers or reusable utensils when visiting delectable street markets!

#5 Take a Close Look at the Animal Welfare

If you’re excited for your adventure to Southern or Eastern Africa, Southeast Asia, or Central America you are probably looking forward to some animal-focused activities! Of course, the best way to utilize eco-luxury for these incredible experiences is a bit of research (or using your travel advisor!) Look for the following:

– Keeping a safe distance from the wildlife and keeping any interactions respectful.

– Ask if the guides are trained to avoid or minimize any stress and what their long-term plan is for the animals and local communities.

– Stick to small tours that are less visited and not over-crowded

– If you are going to have an interaction with the animal, focus on sanctuaries that work towards sustainability and release. And sanctuaries that clearly prioritize the welfare of the animals over the enjoyment of the tourists.

A lot of this information you’ll be able to find on their website, or through trusted third-party operators. Take a look at their socials and see how the animals are being treated and interacting with guests if at all. And remember, you can always email and ask questions – any truly ethical tour won’t have anything to hide.

Ann had an incredible experience in Chiang Mai Thailand. She was given special clothing to wear and walked gently with the elephants. It was clear that the elephants were able to exhibit normal behavior and had a large area to roam.

Ann next to an Elephant at the sanctuary in Thailand

#6 Consider Your Emissions

We’ve all been told to consider our carbon emissions but what does that have to do with luxury travel?

Because the most climate-expensive part of a flight is take-off and landing, splurging for those direct flights is a great way to reduce your emissions. Plus, a direct flight will be much more enjoyable for you!

The best way to see a city is to bike or walk and with a thoughtful local guide, you can enjoy unique experiences while producing minimal emissions.

The interior of a sleeping car in the Venice Simplon Orient Express train - couch, seating are and bed with dark polished wood and gold trim

Similarly, there are some incredible train trips to take now! You can stay in a luxury carriage on the Orient Express. Or, travel through incredibly beautiful landscapes without contributing too much to pollution on the Bernina Express. This is the new-old luxury.

Try also some farm-to-table dining, focused on food that is produced in the local area surrounding the restaurant! This reduces emissions and lets you taste some of the most incredible food of your life.

Are you ready to plan a luxurious eco trip? To stay in the best accommodation, with incredible local experiences? Finding those hidden gems and getting to brag to all your friends that it’s a sustainably responsible trip to boot? Let us know! We love to do the research for you to help you get the most out of your eco-luxury adventure.

Packing Tips for Multi-Country Travel

May 13, 2025 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

If you’re planning a multi-country adventure, from the sunny Italian seaside to the snowy French Alps, or through Austria, Germany, and the UK, some amount of packing and unpacking along the way will be unavoidable. So, what is the best way to pack and prepare your suitcase to ensure it doesn’t become a cumbersome part of your adventure? And how should you pack for multiple climates? Here are our top Multi-Country Packing Tips:

WHAT TO PACK

a rainbow across the rainy green hills of Snowdonia Wales

Check The Weather Forecast

It’s easy to have a preconception of what the climate will be like in a given destination. Then, you pack, only to find out when you arrive that they are having some unseasonably hot or cold weather. Before you start packing, take time to look up the forecasted weather in your destinations. Then you can focus on packing only what you need.

Pack Versatile Layers

When packing light or for multiple climates, layers are key. Bring versatile clothing that you can dress up or down, that can easily mix and match, and that can be worn as second or third layers depending on the weather. Consider a lightweight jacket that is also waterproof – something you would wear on a cloudless night out but also in a light rain shower.

Consider a Travel-size Steamer

If you’re packing to save space, rolling thinner clothes, and compressing thicker items, then a little travel steamer is an easy way to go wrinkle-free. Just remember you’ll probably also need an electrical converter/adaptor.

HOW TO PACK

A Bag For Everything and Everything In Its Bag

people walking down the cobblestone streets of Bologna with carry-on luggage

Normally, travel gurus tote compression bags as the best way to save space – and they’re not wrong! BUT compression bags and packing cubes serve an even more important purpose when you have a lot of unpacking/ packing to do – keeping everything organized.

Don’t spend time digging through your suitcase every time you need a specific shirt. And don’t unpack your whole suitcase at each destination. Sort your bags/cubes by destination and activity. When you arrive in a new location, all you need to do is pull out one specific bag and leave the rest of your suitcase already packed and ready to go!

Finally, when we say a bag for everything, we mean everything! Think beyond just clothes and get a little bag for electronics, airplane essentials, day-trip items, a compression bag for laundry, a shoe bag, and a toiletry bag.

Ditch the Nooks and Crannies Process

It’s so tempting to try to maximize space by storing smaller items like sunglasses, phone cables, and jewelry in the nooks and crannies left in your suitcase after you’ve packed all your clothing. If you’re traveling to multiple countries and destinations, ditch this method! It’s only a recipe for losing or forgetting things. Keep everything in its proper bag and ensure you put it back in the same place every night. The only exception is socks – they can go in your shoes. Make it easy to see if anything small is missing.

a backpack with three small bags in order to better organize your carryon

Don’t Forget to Organize Your Carry On

We have a PDF checklist of what should go in your carry-on, but make sure that it stays organized in there as well. You want to ensure your essentials and valuables stay with you, and you can easily reach for what you need without too much digging.

Create a Checklist for the Most Important Items

When you’re on the go every few nights, it increases the chance you’ll leave something behind. Things like phone cables, passports, medication, jewelry, and wallets should be on your out-the-door list that you check before you leave. Put your hand physically on the item and say aloud, “ I packed my X” to ensure you really have it, and you remember later that you did.

If you feel ready to embark on a fabulous multi-destination adventure – Let us know! We’re always excited to help our clients create the best vacation possible.

Multi-Country Train Travel

May 6, 2025 by Liz Picurro Leave a Comment

Train trips are back in fashion and we think they’re fantastic! They’re a great way to see the scenic countryside, and to easily move between multiple countries and destinations. Plus, they’re an adventure in themselves and eco-friendly! What more could you ask for?

In the U.S. we don’t have as extensive a passenger rail network as you’ll find in other parts of the world, so you might not be tuned in to the beauty of using train travel to your advantage while on vacation. If you have considered train travel, or if you know you’d like to see many countries in one adventure and aren’t sure how yet – this is the perfect beginner’s guide to multi-country train travel.

There are four main types of train travel, particularly in Europe. The first step to your multi-country adventure is figuring out which style of train trip you’d like to take!

Point-to-Point & Night Trains

Best For: Confident travelers or those working with a travel advisor. Flexible schedules or when you have a very specific list of places you want to see.

This is the most complex way to use trains, but also the most flexible. That is because you’re booking multiple specific trains to multiple specific places throughout your trip. You can decide exactly which cities you visit and when with this kind of train trip. This style is easiest when you have your friendly neighborhood travel advisor to help you (ahem – reach out here!).

You can piece your itinerary together by utilizing the local train websites, or your travel advisor can do it for you. On some legs of the trip, you may want to consider a night train. You’ll need to visit specific night-train companies like Nightjet or European Sleeper.

Utilizing night trains will not only save you the cost of a hotel – they’re an efficient way to travel if you’re short on time. Instead of spending a whole day of vacation traveling, you arrive at a new destination after a good night’s sleep!

Popular night train routes:

Munich, Germany – Bologna, Italy
Vienna, Austria – Rome, Italy
Salzburg, Austria – Florence, Italy

Brussels, Belgium – Prague, Czechia
Copenhagen, Denmark – Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden – Oslo, Norway

Eurail Global Pass

Best For: Those who want to see as many places as possible in a shorter amount of time.

a red train traveling next to stunning blue lake through a mountainous valley in Switzerland

The Eurail Global Pass is another way to customize your train trip but with a bit more structure and regulation. It is essentially Interrailing for travelers living outside the EU. It lets you hop on and hop off the trains with an all-in-one ticket so you don’t have to buy a separate ticket for each leg of the journey. It’s important to note, however, that during peak times on popular routes you may want to pay extra for pre-assigned seats on certain trains.

There are several Pass options. From traveling every day within a given timeframe (i.e. each day of 2 weeks) to travel a certain number of days on a more flexible basis ( ie. Any 10 days within 2 months).

Popular Eurrail Routes:

European Capitals: London – Paris – Brussels – Amsterdam – Berlin – Prague – Vienna – Budapest – Belgrade – Sofia. (You can break this up into any section to hit just a few of these amazing cities.)

Food and drink adventure: San Sebastian – Barcelona -Lyon – Geneva -Bologna -Graz

Off the beaten path adventure: Helsinki – Tallinn – Riga – Vilnius – Warsaw – Krakow – Budapest

A mix of classic & new: Milan – Verona –
Venice – Trieste – Ljubljana – Zagreb.

Specialty Trains

Best For: Those who want a luxury train trip, where it’s as much about the journey as the destination.

These trains include our favorite luxury trains. They are an experience in and of themselves, and you can consider them a bit like a land cruise. Specialty trains are a single train with multiple stops or countries on its route.

These specialty trains include the Venice Simplon Orient Express. Which goes from Paris to Venice in one night ( a luxury sleeper),

The Eastern and Oriental Express which travels through Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. This unique train journeys through natural landscapes and parts of Southeast Asia that you rarely see in typical travel. The train is luxurious and there’s time to get off and explore at each stop.

And The Ghan, which travels across the continent of Australia from Adelaide to Darwin. A two-day mammoth journey through incredible landscapes.

Pre-Packaged Trips

Best If: You’ve never traveled outside the country before, or if you’re traveling in a large group.

The middle ground between Point-to-point and Specialty trains. Pre-packaged trips take different trains and have more flexibility a single special train, but they are still specific routes on specific dates. They’re a bit like your classic bus tour, only via rail.

There are several providers of these trips – which your travel advisor will work with. They pre-plan a route, hotels, and some activities for you so you don’t have to worry about any of the details. Sometimes they will have a guide who helps you every step of the way. And sometimes they are a bit more independent, without a guide but still with an assistance call line available.

a red train traveling through snowy mountains towards the matterhorn in Switzerland

Whether you choose an escorted tour with a guide or a pre-packaged tour on your own, you get the joy of traveling by train without worrying about multiple tickets, where you’re going next, or how you’re getting there. It’s all taken care of before you go.

The drawback of these kinds of trips is that they have specific dates and schedules already set. As with cruises and big bus tours, these trips have less flexibility and require you to fit with their itinerary instead of the other way around.

Popular pre-packaged trips:

London – Lille- Nimes- Valencia- Andalucia – Seville – Cordoba

Zurich -Lucerne – Interlaken – Zermatt

Rome – Venice – Salzburg – Munich

Madrid -Seville -Cordoba – Granada – Malaga – Barcelona

Zurich -St. Moritz – Zermatt -Basel

Which style of train travel appeals most to you? Once you decide the best style of travel for your perfect adventure – the rest falls into place! If you’re ready to enjoy an epic multi-country train adventure, let us know! We’re always here to help.