There are few places on earth like Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica.  In fact, the “last frontier” of the Osa Penisula is literally the most biodiverse place in the world!

The Peninsula is estimated to house 2.5% of the biodiversity of the entire world – while covering less than a thousandth of a percent of its total surface area – truly earning its title as the most biological intense place on earth.

It’s quite a journey to get there, but in my opinion, it’s the gem of this country and worth the effort.

I met Lenny from Germany and Patrick from Austria at Capital de Ciudad in San Jose and we decided to make the adventure together.   We elected to go in from the west and an 8 hour bus ride, followed by a boat ride and then a Taxi got us as far as Puerto Jimenez where we spent the night.  The nexxt day we got up early and made our way to the little village of Dos Bravos where the basecamp for The Bolita Rainforest Hostel is located.  We weren’t done yet though…

The website had said we needed to hike into the rainforest and that it was about a 30 minute, “somewhat strenuous hike.”  In fact, you have to do it during the day because otherwise it can be very dangerous.  Well, for this old guy it was a bit more than “somewhat strenuous!”  We forded a river, hiked up slippery switchback trails covered in mud and after about an hour, I finally arrived and could see the hostel!  What made it even more difficult is that we not only had to carry our packs filled with gear, but we also needed to bring food and suplies for the 3 days we were going to be there.

Bolita is a unique Hostel for several reasons..

First, it’s literally in the middle of the rainforest and is an open design with no electricity or refrigeration.  It’s not quite as rough as camping, but it’s nowhere near “glamping!”  It’s got about 15km of beautiful trails and lots of streams, waterfalls and overlook viewpoints and best of all,  it  backs right up to the National Park!  Oh, and did I forget to tell you?  It’s a “clothing optional” Hostel!    Yep, you heard that right!

I was a bit uncomfortable at first to be honest but the reality is that you’re living in the rainforest… you’re damp and wet 100% of the time as is everything you own.  After a few days of walking around in wet clothes, mmost people just say, “Fuck it” and take them off and by then, nobody even notices.  Definitely an experience!

The Hostel itself is fantastic and everywhere you cast your eyes you see the natural beauty of the land.  Showers are open to the rainforest and as you’re getting clean in the water heated by the sun, you’re gazing out into the wild and watching birds and monkeys.   But that’s not all…  the bedrooms also are!  Each has a curtain on the front, a wall on either side and then the back is literally empty and open and so you fall alseep to the sounds of the rainforest and wake up to see it.  It was an absolutely mind-blowing experience!

Every morning we got up and went hiking through this paradise and I even started heading down to one of the smaller waterfalls and actually took my showers there!  There is just nothing like being deep in the wilderness and the peace it brings to your soul is unmeasurable.

One of the best things also was night time…  there’s not much you can do after the sun goes down but one of the best things is to just sit and look at the stars as you listen to the wildlife.  There is literally no light pollution anywhere near this place and in all my years of travel, I have never seen the stars like this!

The people there were different too.  This isn’t your run of the mill hostel beccause it’s so difficult to get there.  Everyone we met was hardy and travel experienced which was honestly kind of refreshing!  All in all, it was one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had and if I didn’t need the internet to make my living, I may have just stayed there forever!

If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, listen to old Quinn…  make the extra effort and go spend a few days at Bolita!  You will not regret it!

How it all started…

@quinntheeskimo6 Should I roll with Patrick? #damnyoungins #oldmanproblems #costaricatrip #costaricapuravida #digitalnomadlife #hostellife #sanjosecostarica🇨🇷💞 ♬ Pieces (Solo Piano Version) – Danilo Stankovic

Day 1: Making our way to Puerto Jimenez!

@quinntheeskimo6 The Trek to Corcovado National Parque! #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #sanjosecostarica #corcovadonationalpark ♬ Inspiring Emotional Piano – Metrow Ar

Day 2: The Hike to Bolita!

@quinntheeskimo6 The Trek to Corcovado National Parque! Day Two #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #sanjosecostarica #corcovadonationalpark ♬ Inspiring Emotional Piano – Metrow Ar

Quinn finally makes it to the top!

@quinntheeskimo6 The Trek to Corcovado National Parque! #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #sanjosecostarica #corcovadonationalpark ♬ Inspiring Emotional Piano – Metrow Ar

Coffee by Candlelight…

@quinntheeskimo6 Corcovado Coffee! #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #rainforestcoffee #corcovadonationalpark #morningcoffee ♬ Three Little Birds – Bob Marley & The Wailers

The Hiking Paths 

@quinntheeskimo6 Corcovado National Parque! #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #sanjosecostarica #corcovadonationalpark ♬ Inspiring Emotional Piano – Metrow Ar

Hiking with Patrick and Lenny

@quinntheeskimo6 Corcovado National Parque! #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #sanjosecostarica #corcovadonationalpark ♬ Inspiring Emotional Piano – Metrow Ar

Look at these amazing flowers!

@quinntheeskimo6 The Trek to Corcovado National Parque! #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #sanjosecostarica #corcovadonationalpark ♬ She Share Story (for Vlog) – 山口夕依

Time for my shower!

@quinntheeskimo6 The Trek to Corcovado National Parque! #costarica🇨🇷 #costaricatiktok #puravida🇨🇷♥️ #digitalnomadlife #hostelvibes #hostellifestyle #jungleshower #corcovadonationalpark ♬ Paradise – Ikson