Costa Rica Is All About Surf, Sloths, and Suspended Hikes

There’s something about Costa Rica that feels like stepping into a live action Jurassic Park. Hiking the slopes of a volcano in the rainy darkness, the light from my headlamp bobs over giant, wet jungle leaves as I scan for poisonous creatures. Badass local guides point out the wonders the rainforest holds, while monkeys howl in the trees above, toucans with multicolored beaks swoop by, and neon blue- and orange-hued frogs peer up at me with their red beady eyes. Maybe I won’t find any velociraptors this time, but the lush, wild landscape makes it easy to see why the classic dinosaur franchise took place right here in Costa Rica.

Over 1,500 types of orchids bloom in this country, some as big as the size of a fist and others as tiny as a pinhead, all pollinated by teeny tiny bees. Trees literally grow on top of other trees, and what appear to be vines hanging down from above are actually thick roots reaching for the ground. The biodiversity is so in-your-face that the call to protect the forests is as loud as the cicadas' siren song, and pretty damn hard to ignore.

“We traded in the rifle for the telescope—point and shoot,” says Andrés Valverde, co-founder and director of curated forest immersion company SAVIA Monteverde. Costa Rica got rid of its military in 1948, shifting into a peaceful country focused on sustaining natural abundance. And there’s a whole lot of beauty worth fighting for. In lockstep with all the other guides, Valverde slings his tripod on his shoulder and sets up his lens at different points along the route, capturing sloths climbing so very slowly upside down, lizards skipping over water, and birds with iridescent feathers shining metallic in the sunlight.

In Costa Rica, you can watch the sunrise over the turquoise Caribbean Sea, then see it set over the deep blue Pacific Ocean—all in one day, since the drive from the east to the west coast only takes six hours. The journey in between is packed with rolling green mountains and volcanoes, cloud forests, caves fit for spelunking, and verdant valleys ideal for zip-lining.

You can lounge on the numerous black sand, pink sand, and micro-seashell beaches stretching down both sides of the narrow country, or you can head to the more overgrown inland area to see what the good life—known colloquially as “pura vida”—is all about. Bring your refillable water bottle to load up on the pristinely drinkable tap water and buckle your seatbelt for the bumpy ride across the wild roads of Costa Rica—here are all the jungles, beaches, and possible dinosaur sightings that await along the Rich Coast.

Between the curious monkeys and natural wonders, Costa Rica has plenty to offer first timers—especially those in search of adventure. Sign up for surf lessons at Playa Grande, or grab a paddle in La Fortuna for some intense white water rafting. Soak in natural hot springs, heated by the Arenal Volcano, at Tabacon Resort. Zipline above the clouds in Monteverde, snorkel the 600-acre reef at Cahuita National Park, or go horseback riding in Jacó.

The country’s landscape ranges from mountains to volcanoes, beaches to rainforests, across all seven provinces. Unless your next tropical vacation involves helicopters or puddle jumper planes, it’s important to narrow your focus on the region that most appeals.

If you’re looking for top surf spots or a beach paradise, you’ll want to head to Papagayo, Tamarindo, Playa Conchal, or Playas del Coco along the stunning Pacific coastline of Guanacaste. Puntarenas is a port town with plenty of beach access and surrounding islands covered in dry tropical forests.

Inland, you’ll find Alajuela, with its historic buildings, mighty volcanoes, and lush coffee farms—including the Doka Estate coffee plantation on the slopes of Poas Volcano. The province of Heredia, known as the City of Flowers, is known for its verdant hills, charming villages, and wildlife reserves like the INBioparque, Toucan Rescue Ranch, or Monte de la Cruz. 

San José, the bustling capital and largest city in Costa Rica, blends urban chaos with rich cultural heritage and clusters of museums. To the east, Cartago offers a glimpse into Costa Rica’s past with ancient ruins of Santiago Apostól Parish and a shrine of the patron saint of Costa Rica, La Negrita. On the Caribbean coast 90 miles to the east of Cartago sits the province of Limón, which encompasses roughly 125 miles of pristine shoreline between Nicaragua and Panama. It shares its name with a major city that has lots to offer in terms of Afro-Caribbean influence.

Though Costa Rica has lots of fresh seafood for hungry travelers, its national dish is gallo pinto (rice and beans). And while foods may vary depending on the region, the heart and soul of the country beats behind the lunch counters of a Costa Rican soda. These establishments are typically run by locals serving up simple, traditional, and hearty food. It’s customary to order the casado—a Costa Rican meal consisting of rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, and a choice of protein—anywhere you go. 

If your vacation takes you to La Fortuna, two must-visits are Pollo Fortuneño and Soda Vizquez. For seafood, La Palapa in Tamarindo and Marisqueria y Restaurante Manolo's in Monteverde both come highly recommended. 

Those hoping to experience more than plantains, beans, and rice should make the time for a meal at Sikwa, a restaurant inspired by Indigenous cuisine in San José. Yes, there’s still plantain, but it’s ground into flour and transformed into an empanada with pickled vegetables. You’ll also find purple corn, smoked palm, cacao nibs, and a peachy palm fruit called pejibaye. For a more modernized version of Costan Rican cuisine, make your way through Restaurante Silvestre’s many creative recipes. The Octopus Ceviche is a tingly treat for the tongue, and the banana-wrapped fish elevates tradition. Save room for the Osa Sphere come dessert, a devilishly delicious greenish ball of guava, caramelized corn, cashew butter, and chocolate.

And let’s not forget the drinks. The chiliguaro shot is made with tomato juice, hot sauce, lime juice, and guaro, a clear sugar cane alcohol similar to vodka. This spirit is used in other traditional cocktails like the fruity Pura Vida, mixed with orange and pineapple juice, triple sec, grenadine, and lime juice. For those in search of caffeine, Costa Rica is also known for its high-quality gourmet coffee, so there’s really no wrong place to seek a cuppa.

Flying into San José is standard operation procedure, since the centrally located capital makes it easy to set out for Monteverde and Arenal or jet over to the Pacific or Caribbean side. But don’t make the mistake of not setting aside a day or two to explore the city.

Travelers are often anxious to get past the sprawl that spans the outskirts of San José—since, of course, the call of the jungles and beaches is strong. But central San José is full of some of the best restaurants and bars in the country, not to mention beautiful old buildings influenced by neoclassical, baroque, and tropical Victorian styles from the 1800s. After checking out museums downtown, grab food and drinks in San Pedro and Escalante, both excellent neighborhoods to discover by foot.

And if there’s one thing you should do before departing San José, it’s grab a cocktail, as the city is tops for local mixology. Start at happening speakeasy La Yerbatera—while you no longer have to text a mysterious Whatsapp number for reservations, it’s still pretty private. Once you manage to find it, you’re treated to a dimly lit apothecary-like interior, which makes sense since the cocktails here make good use of herbal infusions. Stick to the theme by hopping a couple blocks over to Apotecario, a brick-and-wood bar plastered with plants and dry flowers, plus the occasional miniature skeleton or voodoo doll hanging from the ceiling. They brew their own beer and kombuchas, and concoct mixed drinks spiked with smoked whiskey and healthy doses of zesty ginger.

Guanacaste is a fairly touristy and developed area. This Pacific-side oasis is where you're most likely to find all-inclusive resorts, golf courses, and celebrity sightings. But there's a reason for that: the million dollar views. Beaches here are hugged by lush hilly coves, with a smattering of tall rock islands jutting out of the ocean.

But its appeal extends far beyond touristic draws—the entire peninsula is an official blue zone, meaning it's one of the densest areas in the world where locals live to be over 100 years old. There's either something in the water or residents are genuinely happy enough to stick it out for the long haul.

Largely thanks to rip tides on much of the Pacific coastline that make swimming a cautious activity, there's not all that much to do here other than laze around on the beach. If you're looking for action, you could learn to surf, check out the mud baths and geysers in Rincon de la Vieja National Park, hike to a practically glowing-turquoise waterfall at Rio Celeste, or try out one of the zipline tours advertised all over the country. You can basically zipline anywhere in Costa Rica, with formations ranging from two-person tandem rides to the solo superhero head-first style.

Beaches abound in Guanacaste. Set your sights on the pinkish sands of Playa Flamingo, the white micro-seashell Conchal Beach, the busy shop- and restaurant-filled Tamarindo, or Samara, with its calm, waist-high waters extending 600 feet out. For a luxe dining experience, snag a table at Latitude 10 Norte at the W Costa Rica - Reserva Conchal in Guanacaste and get your fill of ceviche, tartare, paella, tacos, and expert cocktail pairings. Or to eat with the locals, check out Patagonia del Mar for an extensive menu and beach views, plus a shallow wading pool where you can sip drinks in splashy style.

Whether you’re talking about the town or its eponymous national park, Manuel Antonio is a lovely destination. Who was Manuel Antonio? Honestly, no one knows. Might've been a pirate. No matter the case, the man had good taste.

The town of Manuel Antonio sits up in the hills overlooking the ocean. You'll find Indian, Thai, vegan, and falafel restaurants alongside choice cocktails here, in addition to typical Costa Rican food. A favorite is Emilio's Cafe, which has a fun Pop Art-meets-Victorian aesthetic, a scenic open-air balcony, and an excellent Caribbean-style fish dish smothered in a coconut-tomato sauce. Closer to the park, Restaurante Puerto Escondido hawks some of the most inventive recipes around (don't sleep on the Almond and Mandarin Orange Salad). Igloo Beach Lodge sports an excellent mix of modern dishes (many of which are vegan) and a stellar breakfast spread. It’s also conveniently located next to both the beaches and entrance to the national park, and spending the night in one of the igloo guest rooms is always a fun time.

Manuel Antonio National Park is a patch of forested cliffs jutting into the sea that’s pinched in the middle, forming a strip of long, secluded beaches. The main trail leading to the beach is short, flat, and often full of sloths and trickster monkeys (don’t carry food and keep an eye on your belongings). There are a few offshoot trails that lead up wooden stairs to lookout points, which you’ll want to do first so you get a sense of the layout—and so you can earn your lounge time by sweating it out over each monstrous staircase.

Guides aren’t really necessary in Manuel Antonio, but you’ll need to make a reservation in advance online. It takes about three or four hours to traverse all the trails combined—a very small park with a big sandy, aqua-blue payoff. Still, the little park captures tons of attention, with the adorable sloth population stealing the spotlight from noted admirer Barack Obama.

This is a two-for-one, as Cahuita and Puerto Viejo sit right next to each other. The towns are on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, a more laid-back expanse with reggae bars and a slower-paced, island life mantra.

Puerto Viejo is artsy, hippie, and rowdy, all at the same time. You'll find hostels with hand-painted signs and bar after bar lining the sand under the palm trees. Keep going south along the coast for Caribeans Chocolate and Coffee, where you can sip mighty fine espresso while looking out at the beach across the road, fully understanding why Costa Rica was a wealthy coffee republic for centuries. Since the cacao plant is another big economic force here, don’t be surprised to find a lot of chocolate on menus, such as the one at Bread and Chocolate. The Caribbean Pancakes stand out with toasted coconut and, of course, a sweet brown chocolate sauce drizzled on top.

You’ll find bungalows and backpacker hotels dotting the roads, but the real move is to book a stay in a treehouse. Tree House Lodge is a fun and colorful option, while many other locally owned operations are available via Airbnb.

Cahuita, on the other hand, is less populated, with just a smattering of restaurants and quieter beaches. It’s also where you’ll find the entrance to Cahuita National Park, a gorgeous preserve boasting an incredible protected coral reef. On the way there, make sure to stop off at Playa Negra, a long beach with dazzling stretches of black sand that are definitely worth a stroll.

Costa Rica is home to 29 national parks, 19 wildlife refuges, and eight biological reserves. Located on the country’s Pacific Coast, Manuel Antonio National Park lures travelers to its beautiful beaches and tropical ecosystem. The rainforest in this national park is home to several unique species of flora and fauna,  including white-faced, squirrel and howler monkeys, a variety of birds, sloths, iguanas, and more.

Tortuguero National Park is the Caribbean's premier nesting site for green sea turtles from June to August. It’s located in the Limón province, and is only accessible by boat or small plane. With 11 different habitats, this park is rich in wildlife, scenery, and activities: Visitors can take a guided boat tour, relax on the black sand beach, walk around a brightly colored village, or take a tour to see the wildlife.

The Osa Peninsula, considered to be the most adventurous and biodiverse corner of Costa Rica, is where you’ll find Corcovado National Park. The park is home to thousands of plant and animal species.

Costa Rica is home to six active volcanoes and 61 dormant or extinct ones. For the past 50 years, Arenal Volcano has been the country's most active volcano, and it’s truly worth a visit. Arenal itself is exactly what you’d imagine for a volcano—filled with lava, a plume of vapor escaping out the top. Don't worry too much about eruptions, though, as it's been quiet since 2011. The jungle has reclaimed much of its flank, but you can still see the deep rivulets the lava once carved into the sides. You can trek in the national park at the base of the volcano from the visitor’s center, gaze into the water-filled crater of Cerro Chato beside it, hike to the postcard-perfect La Fortuna waterfall, or kayak in the turquoise waters of Lake Arenal, rimmed in red-sand shores.

The hot springs are a huge local draw. Many choose to pay the entry fee at the numerous businesses that funnel the bubbling hot water into swimming pool-like structures, such as at Ecotermales. The amount of guests is limited, and the facilities are outfitted with bathrooms and sometimes restaurants. But if you want a decidedly local experience, head to the no-cost hot river. You can access the river next to the Tabacon Spa, just walk down the dirt path until you get to the rushing hot water, where natural pools are bordered by candles and steam drifts up into the hanging branches above.

Numerous spa resorts line the road around these parts, and though all these lodgings make for a pampered stay, none are better positioned than the Arenal Observatory Lodge. As the only hotel located inside the national park, it sits at the base of the mighty volcano overlooking Lake Arenal. You’ll feel like you've entered the unlocked cage of a T. rex as soon as you drive over the dirt road past the gates. Most hikes also start out from the Lodge, so you'll be right in the middle of all the action.

Thrill-seeking travelers should also make the time to rappel down Costa Rica’s La Paz or Rio Celeste waterfalls, or swim in the glowing bioluminescent waters of the Osa Peninsula. Enjoy splashing around in the magical glowing water or kayak through them with a guide to learn more about the marine life emitting this neon glow.

Many of Costa Rica’s most popular museums can be found in the capital city of San José. At the National Museum, exhibits span from pre-Columbian relics to more recent cultural artifacts. Elsewhere, the Gold Museum, Jade Museum, and National Theater are home to architectural marvels and galleries dating back thousands of years. 

Outside the capital, community museums focus on the realities of rural life and the Indigenous experience. The Museum of Popular Culture in Heredia is dedicated to preserving the nation’s agricultural traditions while on the Caribbean Coast, museums like the Regional Museum of Limón showcase the Afro-Caribbean community’s rich heritage and deep cultural influence.

Costa Ricans are known for their geniality, and that attitude translates to a slate of country-wide commemorations toasting everything from oxcarts and cowboy culture to patron virgin La Negrita and Army Abolition Day. In the small Alajuela town of Sarchí, oxcart-building has become a national symbol of pride and tradition, reflecting the region’s century-old means of transporting coffee beans and sugar cane. To this day, oxcarts throughout the country are painted in extravagant patterns and bright colors to represent their owners. They’re also the center of attention at the National Oxcart Parade, which takes over the streets of San José every November. 

In the southernmost province of Puntarenas, Diquís Delta holds an architectural mystery: a spread of 300 stone spheres scattered across more than 24 acres of land. Attributed to the extinct Diquís people, Las Bolas, some weighing as much as 30,000 pounds, is said to have been carved by human hands between 500 and 1500 CE.

Over on the slopes of Costa Rica’s Turrialba Volcano, the historic ruins of the Guayabo National Monument make up the largest pre-Columbian city ever discovered in the country. Home to an ancient civilization tens of thousands of years ago, the site features 43 stone foundations, three aqueducts, several tombs and hundreds of relics. Archaeologists believe that these remnants reveal an advanced and organized society, yet no history of the city has ever been recorded.

Though Costa Rica is comparable to the size of West Virginia, the small country prides itself on its commitment to eco-tourism—and this really stands out when it comes to accommodations. One shining example is Monteverde’s Hotel Belmar, which makes a strong case for the best hotel around. While many hotels talk about sustainability efforts, Belmar lives and breathes environmental protection without losing an ounce of luxury. The gorgeously rustic interior employs 100% reforested wood, the soaps are biodegradable, and solar panels heat the shower water. The cocktails, on-site brewery, and chef’s tasting menu source produce from their own gardens and local farmers, and the grounds exclusively host native plants. Plus, the views from each room’s private wooden balcony look out onto glowing sunsets that light up the swirling, fast-moving clouds, like a mini aurora borealis whipping across the sky.

Visitors venturing beyond Monteverde can opt for trendy eco-lodges like Pacuare Lodge, rainforest bungalows like Tulemar Resort, or small boutique hotels near sandy beaches like Le Cameleon Hotel Puerto Viejo. If you’re looking for a secluded destination, an adults-only escape, a resort on the beach, or one in the trees, Costa Rica is well-versed in blending chill vacation vibes with luxury living. Botánika Osa Peninsula bodes itself in its close proximity to the water and accessibility to deep sea fishing charters as well as its commitment to biodiversity. Nayara Springs, located in the Arenal Volcano National Park, surrounds guests with protected wildlife and a wonderfully serene environment. Elsewhere, Hacienda AltaGarcia is perched above the cloud line in rolling hills of the San Isidro Valley, offering plenty of family-friendly amenities alongside truly unbelievable views.

You’ll want to book your vacation during the dry season, which runs from December to April. While you might still experience a shower here and there being so close to the rainforest, you’ll still be able to relish in the sun and work on your tan. 

Costa Rica observes the Central Standard Time Zone (CST), which translates to one hour behind New York’s Eastern Standard Time and two hours ahead of California’s Pacific Standard Time.

Costa Rica is based in the tropics and even though the country has various terrains, temperatures do not differ greatly across the seven provinces. The country’s Pacific-facing side is its warmest and driest, with temperatures ranging from 70 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The Caribbean-facing and northern regions typically receive more year-round rain and humidity. Regardless of when you go, pack an umbrella and rain jacket because you’re probably going to need it. 

Costa Rica’s official language is Spanish; however, people you encounter in the more touristy areas are likely proficient in English. If you decide to venture off to remote areas of the country, it might be in your best interest to brush up on your Duolingo.

From reef to rainforest, traversing Costa Rica is sure to be an adventure. For shorter distances or large groups, a car rental, private shuttle, or taxi will be your best option for getting from place to place. If you’re looking to rub elbows with locals, public transportation is always an option, with the country’s extensive bus routes reaching even the farthest-flung areas. 

Chartered boats are a quick and efficient—albeit costly—way to get from mainland Costa Rica to destinations like Tortuguero National Park or the Nicoya Peninsula. Of course, if you’re only in town for a few days, the best way to travel is by plane. Most major airlines fly into San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport, and from there you can cross the street to the regional airport where a smaller plane can take you to your destination in under an hour, saving you half a day of traveling. 

Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican colón (CRC) and each colón is worth 100 centimos. As of March 2024, $1 USD exchanges for 511.43 CRC.

Costa Rica uses plug types A and B, the same as the United States. The standard voltage is 120V with a standard frequency of 60Hz.

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