The Best Things In Life Are Free

Today marks my favorite day in Costa Rica to date. We went to a free local spot called El Salto. Translated in English, El Salto means ‘The Jump’. El Salto is a popular swimming spot among the locals. It is located under a bridge just outside the town of La Fortuna. There is a Tarzan-style rope where you can launch yourself into the deep clear blue river pool below. It is surrounded by lush rain forest, small waterfalls, and boulders where you can relax. El Salto is about an hour walk from our Airbnb, so we opted to Uber there and would walk back.

Face to Face With the Coolest Local

As we were walking down to the river we were greeted by a sloth! I could not believe how close it was. It was so fun to see it just hanging out. It truly looked like it was smiling at us!

We stood there watching it for a long time. They really do move incredibly slow. The sloth might be my new favorite animal!

The Jump

After watching the sloth, we made our way under the bridge and over to the rope swing. The surroundings were absolutley stunning! We watched locals swing off the rope and fly through the air into the pool below. Alexis quickly decided to give it a try! She got braver over time and swung super high towards the end.

Dave and I were up next. Dave loved it! I was beyond nervous and completely shaking the entire time, but I did it. Dave and Alexis did it numerous times and even jumped off the adjacent cliffs. I did it once more and called it a day! Braxton was too nervous, but enjoyed watching and exploring all the creatures in the tide pools amongst the boulders.

This is definitely a place we will be visiting again before we leave La Fortuna. After the hour long walk back home we were all hot, exhausted and hungry. The walk went fast though, as we rode the excitement of an amazing experience that didn’t cost a thing!