
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Daniela navigates Cartago's bustling Mercado Central in the days before Mother's Day, books a table for Marcela at a real local restaurant, and reflects on the city's August pilgrimage season, the ongoing TEC protests, and the slow grind of her DIMEX application.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Costa Rica: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Costa Rica guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 11 of Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Daniela Rojas. Daniela Rojas is in Cartago, Costa Rica.
Places in this episode: Mercado Central de Cartago, El Café de Chumi, Restaurante 1910, Ruinas de Santiago Apóstol, Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, TEC campus.
Covered: Mercado Central shopping, Mother's Day planning and traditions, Cartago ruins and basilica in August, TEC student protest, DIMEX application waiting, Daily cost of living, Cartago safety.
Chapters:
00:00 El Café de Chumi
02:23 Ruinas de Santiago Apóstol
04:16 TEC campus
05:52 Restaurante 1910
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#Cartago #CostaRica #MercadoCentral #Mother'sDay #LaNegrita #TEC #DIMEX #ExpatLife #TravelCostaRica #GreenSeason #CartagoRuins #BasilicaDeLosAngeles #PuraVida #CostaRicaTravel #SlowLiving
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/costa-rica/
On day three in Cartago, Daniela explores the Mercado Central, checks out the local soda scene, deals with a rainy afternoon, and starts planning a Mother's Day dinner for her friend Marcela, all while keeping an eye on the TEC student protests and the DIMEX backlog.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Costa Rica: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Costa Rica guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 10 of Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Daniela Rojas. Daniela Rojas is in Cartago, Costa Rica.
Places in this episode: Mercado Central de Cartago, Ruinas de Santiago Apóstol, Museo Municipal de Cartago, Garden Café, Jardín Botánico Lankester, Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels.
Covered: Mercado Central, Lankester Gardens, Sloth sighting, Mother's Day planning, TEC protests, DIMEX update, Cost of meals.
Chapters:
00:00 Mercado Central de Cartago
02:02 Ruinas de Santiago Apóstol
03:39 Garden Café
05:06 Jardín Botánico Lankester
05:52 Garden
07:51 Room
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#CostaRicaTravel #Cartago #MercadoCentral #LankesterGarden #Sloth #MotherDayCR #GreenSeason #TravelPodcast #CostaRicaPodcast #DIMEX #TEC #PuraVida #RainyDay #Foodie #CentralValley #TravelGuide
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/costa-rica/
Daniela takes the winding road up Volcán Irazú, stands at the edge of its green crater lake, and comes back down to Tierra Blanca to see how the highland farms actually work. Plus, the cost of a day up the mountain, the closed road to avoid, and a quiet evening in a city that still hums with protest and politics.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Costa Rica: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Costa Rica guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 9 of Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Daniela Rojas. Daniela Rojas is in Cartago, Costa Rica.
Places in this episode: Volcán Irazú, Tierra Blanca, Mercado Central de Cartago, Ruinas de Santiago Apóstol, Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, Plaza de los Mangos, El Café de Chumi, Bocadito de cielo.
Covered: Irazú volcano day trip, highland agriculture, chayote farming, costs, bus fare, casado, rent, TEC student protest, route 417 road closure, Mother's Day plans, Marcela.
Chapters:
00:00 Tierra Blanca
01:24 High mountain crater, wind over volcanic rock
02:39 Highland farm road
04:28 Restaurant interior, kitchen clatter
06:00 Ruinas de Santiago Apóstol
10:06 Night city street in rain
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#CostaRicaTravel #Cartago #VolcanIrazu #IrazuVolcano #TierraBlanca #CostaRicaHighlands #Chayote #CentralValley #GreenSeason #Casado #CostaRica #CartagoMistica #TEC #StudentProtest #Tapanti #CostaRicaNature #PuraVida #RentalCostaRica
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/costa-rica/
Daniela moves to Cartago, takes in the basilica and ruins, deals with the DIMEX wait, and eats a proper casado. She also hears about the TEC student occupation and the road closure, and plans a trip to Irazú.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Costa Rica: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Costa Rica guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 8 of Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Daniela Rojas. Daniela Rojas is in Cartago, Costa Rica.
Places in this episode: Plaza Mayor, Ruinas de Santiago Apóstol, Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, Mercado Central de Cartago, Sueños del Irazú, Café Blue, Jardín Botánico Lankester, Restaurante 1910.
Covered: Cartago arrival and first impressions, Apartment hunting and rent costs, Basilica and ruins visited, Mercado Central and local food, TEC student protest observed, Lankester Orchid Garden visit, Irazú volcano trip planned, Route 417 closure update.
Chapters:
00:00 Plaza Mayor
01:14 Ruinas de Santiago Apóstol
02:26 Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles
04:12 Jardín Botánico Lankester
05:40 Restaurante 1910
06:56 Quiet room
08:01 Bocadito de cielo
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#CartagoCostaRica #LivingInCostaRica #CostaRicaTravel #GreenSeason #Romería #LaNegrita #IrazuVolcano #LankesterGardens #TECStudents #CostaRicaCostOfLiving #PuraVida #CartagoRuins #MercadoCentral #Casado #CostaRicaHighlands #DIMEX #SlowTravel
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/costa-rica/
On her final full day in San José, Daniela ties up loose ends, savours the city's quiet corners, and reflects on what the capital has taught her before heading to the highlands. Practical notes on costs, transit, and the slow rhythm of Costa Rican life.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Costa Rica: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Costa Rica guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 7 of Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Daniela Rojas. Daniela Rojas is in San José, Costa Rica.
Places in this episode: Barrio Amón, Mercado Central, Banco de Costa Rica, La Sabana, Costa Rican Art Museum, Estadio Nacional, La Criollita, Barrio Escalante.
Covered: Last day in San Jose, Mercado Central breakfast and coffee, Spirogyra Butterfly Garden and sloth sighting, Costa Rican Art Museum visit, Cost of meals and coffee in San Jose, Preparing to leave for the highlands.
Chapters:
00:00 Barrio Amón
00:56 Mercado Central
02:28 La Sabana
03:57 Barrio Escalante
04:57 Spirogyra Butterfly Garden
06:06 Jardín de Lolita
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#SanJose #BarrioAmon #CostaRica #TravelCostaRica #PuraVida #BarrioEscalante #MercadoCentral #LaSabana #CostaRicanFood #Casado #CloudForestTour #Spirogyra #CostaRicaTravel #GreenSeason #TravelDiaries #CostaRicaLife #CentralValley #TicoTime
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/costa-rica/
Daniela spends her final full day in San José soaking up the city's rhythm—a morning at the Mercado Central, a last look at the Gold Museum, and a quiet evening in Barrio Amón. She reflects on the practicalities of settling in, from SIM cards to DIMEX backlogs, and gets ready for the next leg of her journey.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Costa Rica: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Costa Rica guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 6 of Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Daniela Rojas. Daniela Rojas is in San José, Costa Rica.
Places in this episode: Barrio Amón, Mercado Central, Soda Tala, Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, National Theatre, Alma De Cafe, Barrio Escalante, Calle 33.
Covered: Market food, Museum visit, Cost of living, City rhythm, Reflection.
Chapters:
00:00 Barrio Amón
01:35 Mercado Central
03:20 Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
06:08 Barrio Escalante
08:24 Quiet room
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#SanJose #CostaRica #TravelCostaRica #SanJoseCostaRica #MercadoCentral #GoldMuseum #BarrioAmon #BarrioEscalante #CostaRicaLiving #PuraVida #CentralValley #CostaRicaTravelTips #CostaRicaBudget #DIMEX #SlowTravel #CoffeeLovers #TravelPodcast #CostaRicaVibes
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/costa-rica/
On day five in San José, Daniela takes a morning run through La Sabana park, wrestles with the DIMEX backlog over coffee, checks on the Mother's Day buzz, and learns that in Costa Rica, pura vida means letting the city set the pace.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Costa Rica: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Costa Rica guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 5 of Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Daniela Rojas. Daniela Rojas is in San José, Costa Rica.
Places in this episode: La Sabana, Cafeoteca, Restaurante Nuestra Tierra, Museo del Jade, Café Miel Garage, La Esquinita de la Abuela, Banco Nacional de Costa Rica, UCR.
Covered: La Sabana park, DIMEX backlog, Specialty coffee scene, Bus transit details, Cost of meals, Café culture, Mother's Day season, San Pedro district.
Chapters:
00:00 La Sabana
01:49 Cafeoteca
04:01 Banco Nacional de Costa Rica
05:23 UCR
07:18 Café Miel Garage
08:41 City night
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#SanJoseCostaRica #LaSabana #CostaRicaTravel #PuraVida #DIMEX #CostaRicaResidency #BarrioEscalante #Cafeoteca #MuseoDelJade #CostaRicaFood #TicoLife #GreenSeason #SanJoseAdventures #CostaRicaBus #CafeMielGarage #MotherDayCostaRica
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/costa-rica/
Daniela dives into San José's transit system on day four, rides the INCOFER train to Cartago, and tackles the DIMEX residency backlog. She shares practical costs, a soda lunch, and what it means to settle into Costa Rica's capital.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Costa Rica: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Costa Rica guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 4 of Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Daniela Rojas. Daniela Rojas is in San José, Costa Rica.
Places in this episode: Estación Atlántico, Cartago, Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, San Pedro, University of Costa Rica, La Sabana, Estadio Nacional, Museo de Arte Costarricense.
Covered: Public transit, Residency process, Day trip to Cartago, Daily costs, San José neighborhoods.
Chapters:
00:00 Estación Atlántico
01:27 Cartago
02:49 San Pedro
04:48 La Sabana
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#CostaRicaTravel #SanJose #SanJoseCostaRica #CentralValley #Cartago #INCOFER #TuBus #PublicTransit #Residency #DIMEX #DailyLife #Casado #Cafeoteca #LaSabana #UniversityOfCostaRica #GreenSeason #PuraVida #SettleIn
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/costa-rica/
Daniela spends her third day in San José exploring the Mercado Central, mastering the TuBus card, and soaking up the city's everyday rhythm. From the cost of a casado to the quiet corners of Barrio Amón, she shares practical tips for making the capital work as a basecamp.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Costa Rica: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Costa Rica guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 3 of Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Daniela Rojas. Daniela Rojas is in San José, Costa Rica.
Places in this episode: Mercado Central, Soda Tala, Banco Nacional, Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Barrio Escalante, Restaurante Nuestra Tierra, Casa 69 San José, Costa Rican Art Museum.
Covered: Mercado Central food and prices, TuBus card and bus transit, Banking and DIMEX backlog, Gold Museum and art museum, Barrio Amón and La Sabana, Daily costs in San José.
Chapters:
00:00 City morning
00:29 Mercado Central
02:29 Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
04:56 Barrio Escalante
06:03 Casa 69 San José
07:17 La Sabana
08:24 Quiet room
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#SanJose #CostaRica #MercadoCentral #TuBus #BarrioEscalante #BarrioAmón #GoldMuseum #CostaRicanArtMuseum #Chifrijo #Casado #GalloPinto #Residency #DIMEX #CentralValley #PuraVida #TravelCostaRica #ExpatLife
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/costa-rica/
Daniela navigates the tail end of the Romería pilgrimage, finds refuge in a sodas and museums, and learns what it costs to live a day in San José — from bus fares to gallo pinto.
☕ Enjoying the show? Help keep every episode free — buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Plan your trip to Costa Rica: eSIM & data · Tours & tickets · Airport transfers · Car rental · Travel insurance · Hotels & full Costa Rica guide →
Some links are affiliate links.
Episode 2 of Costa Rica Travel Podcast with Daniela Rojas. Daniela Rojas is in San José, Costa Rica.
Places in this episode: Barrio Amón, Mercado Central, Avenida Central, Cartago, Basilica of Los Ángeles, University of Costa Rica, National Theatre, Pre-Columbian Gold Museum.
Covered: Day-to-day costs in San José, Romería pilgrimage aftermath, San José transit and TuBus card, Pre-Columbian Gold and Jade museums, SIM card and residency paperwork, San José neighborhoods and food.
Chapters:
00:00 Barrio Amón
02:25 San José
03:44 Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
04:59 Museo Nacional
06:03 Escazú
08:00 Tortuguero
A full transcript of this episode is available in supported apps.
#SanJoseCostaRica #CostaRicaTravel #Romería2026 #TravelPodcast #DigitalNomadCostaRica #LivingInCostaRica #SanJoseEats #CostOfLivingCR #PreColumbianGoldMuseum #MuseoDelJade #TuBusCard #GalloPinto #BarrioAmon #CostaRicaAdventure #GreenSeason #PuraVida #RainySeasonTravel #CostaRicaCities
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/costa-rica/
From the publisher's feed
Costa Rica Travel Podcast is a show about moving through the country the way a resident would: settling in one place, learning it, then moving somewhere connected to it. Travel here means negotiating coastal plains, rugged mountains and more than one hundred volcanic cones, while the dry season shapes the rhythm of the year.
The show's range moves from the capital, San José, to the central highlands, with the historic city of Cartago and the Irazú volcano anchoring the early episodes. It also pays attention to the cooler highland climate and the four volcanoes that rise near the capital, two of them active.
The show unfolds across dry and rainy seasons, returning to places after months away to see how the land and life have shifted. That slow accumulation of knowing somewhere properly is the point: what a mountain looks like in December, what a town feels like by August.
Daniela Rojas lives in Costa Rica and stays for two years, moving between cities, coastlines and smaller towns on a route that follows the seasons. Not a week-long visit — Daniela is there in every kind of weather, working out where to eat on an ordinary Tuesday, which train to take, what a festival actually feels like from the pavement.
A new episode arrives every day. Each one is short and specific: one neighbourhood, one journey, one meal, one museum worth the detour — with the practical detail that matters. What it costs. When it closes. Whether the queue is worth it. What to do when it rains. Every episode carries a full transcript and chapter markers.
☕ Enjoying the show? These episodes are free and stay that way because listeners chip in — if a coffee's worth it, support the journey: buymeacoffee.com/paris2tokyo
Part of Paris2Tokyo — one show for each of the world's hundred most-visited countries. Made for travelers, wherever you are going next.
#CostaRica #CostaRicaTravel #CentralAmerica #SanJosé #TravelPodcast #Travel #Paris2Tokyo
https://www.paris2tokyo.com/podcasts/costa-rica/