Costa Rica

Jungles, beaches, adventure – this small country has it all for the active traveller

“La Pura Vida” (“pure life”) is Costa Rica’s motto, befitting this beautiful, welcoming, and exciting country. Costa Rica’s dedication to conservation is remarkable, and the gorgeous beaches, lush jungles, diverse wildlife, and sprawling national parks make this country a great destination. The people are friendly, and travel is easy. We can’t recommend a trip here highly enough.

Itineraries

Costa Rica Highlights

Costa Rica is a small country (roughly the size of Vermont and New Hampshire) but packed with attractions and activities. It is justifiably incredibly popular and well worth a visit. Many people just…

See

Manuel Antonio National Park

This small (683 acre) park is probably the most popular park in Costa Rica – with good reason. Great wildlife, gorgeous beaches, views, and jungles.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

In the 1950’s 11 Quaker families from Alabama moved to Monteverde to farm (and avoid the Korean War draft). Over the next 10-20 years they decided t set aside and preserve the native virgin cloud forest – at the time there were few preserves or national parks in Costa Rica. Today this gorgeous forest is […]

Tenorio National Park and Rio Celeste

Visit the amazing cerulean blue river in Tenorio National park – a lovely area for walking. The color comes from sulfur and calcium carbonate in the water from the Tenorio Volcano. This makes a great day trip from Arenal.

Catarata Río Fortuna

Not far from the town of La Fortuna (follow signs from town), park and hike 20 minutes down to a large (70m) waterfall in a jungle setting where you can swim in the large pool underneath. An iconic Costa Rica experience.

Tabacon Hot Springs

Arenal Area is popular for it’s hot springs – this one is probably the best. And the most expensive. The water here is free flowing and it arguably more “natural” than others in the area (the water is free-flowing). Soak in thermal waters, sit under hot waterfalls. Day pass includes a meal. Gorgeous garden setting.

Tabacon (free) hot springs

Right near the Tabacon commercial hot springs flows the Tabacon river, which continues to flow past the resort property, making the steamy river accessible and free located just 50m south of this property, This is an option for those on a budget or who don’t want to be bothered with large crowds and pricey entrance […]

National Theatre of Costa Rica

This old theatre sits on the Plaza de la Cultura and is arguably the prettiest building in San José. It was built in 1897 and has a lovely marble lobby and some beautiful paintings. Hourly tours are offered of the theatre. There is also a great cafe (with really fantastic local coffee) if you need lunch. If you’re grabbing a city walking tour, it may start here.

Do

Sarapiqui River Rafting

River rafting in Costa Rica is a great experience. You get Class II-III (or 3-4 depending on your courage and experience), but unlike many places the water splashing you is relatively warm, and you’re rafting through virgin rainforest.

Turtle nesting tours

The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica offers amazing views of nesting sea turtles. Tortuguero is the more popular area with tourist amenities, rain forest boat tours, beaches, and a large number of green sea turtles – especially from July to October. These massive creatures crawl up the beach at night to lay their eggs and you can arrange a guided night tour with a naturalist through any of the lodges in the area.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Zipline

In 1979 a US biologist invented the biplane to study the rainforest canopy in Sarpiqui Costa Rica. 18 years later in Monteverde the first commercial biplane was started. Since then it has become a global phenomenon but regardless of the history do a zip line when you are in Monteverde. It is amazing and fun […]

Horseback Tour Monteverde

Costa Rica is great horse country – Monteverde cloud forest is a great place to take a ride. There are various options we suggest the waterfall ride at 9 or 1PM with smiling horses

Rainmaker Night Tour

A privately-owned ecological preserve, Rainmaker is 1500 acres of spectacular rainforest. A fantastic option is to see it by night, where you’ll experience the sounds, smells, and sights of the deep jungle. The night tour focuses on reptiles; you’ll see frogs, toads, snakes, and much more.

Stay

Finca Rosa Blanca

This is a stunningly beautiful boutique hotel with amazing grounds on a coffee plantation. It’s actually a National Geographic unique lodge of the world. It offers coffee tours of their fair trade organic coffee, farm to table dining, lovely grounds and a pool. You’ll also be surrounded by mango, guava, banana, and other fruit trees. […]

Nayara Gardens

This gorgeous, sprawling resort near the foot of Arenal Volcano is nestled in the jungle. It offers a string of beautiful hot springs, delicious restaurants, and a world-class spa.

Pacuare Lodge

A truly magical spot in the remote jungle along Costa Rica’s Pacuare River, the Pacuare Lodge offers luxury accommodations in a stunningly beautiful spot. Be prepared for an adventure on the trips in and out, though; the lodge is primarily accessible by whitewater river raft or helicopter (thoug

Hotel Bosque del Mar

Right on the beautiful sandy Playa Hermosa beach

Finca Paraiso Mountain Retreat

This is a highly rate small inn about 30 minutes form the San Jose airport with lovely grounds and views. It also offers a hotel shuttle.

Tirimbina Lodge

Air conditioned rooms right next to the Sarapiqui outdoor center rafting with 9km of walks through a 350 acre reserve. You can takes one of several tours and don’t need to stay at the lodge to do that but it is certainly convenient to be right here.

Marriot Hacienda Belen

A four star hotel not far from the San Jose airport with all of the modern amenities you might expect including nice pools and views. Located in Heredia (a cute university town).

Mawamba Lodge

Lodge with all inclusive services including free tours. It offers a pool and access to the Caribbean beach (but swimming is not safe in the ocean due to currents).

Tortuga Lodge

This is a highly rated lodging offering tours (turtles, kayaking, fishing, visits to local villages) in Tortuguero. It’s set on a riverbank and surrounded by jungle and offers a beautiful pool. Breakfast is included and an on-site restaurant has good food.

Hotel Costa Verde

Admit it, haven’t you’ve always wanted to sleep in a 727 converted to two bedroom fancy hotel suite jutting out over the jungle? Well here’s your chance. They also have regular rooms, great views, nice pool.

Hotel Belmar

Swiss chalet feel with tropical hardwoods throughout, gorgeous cloud forest setting, farm to table restaurant and onsite microbrewery – what’s not to love

Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa

If you are really into hot springs you can stay at them (entry fee included). The lodging gets great reviews and the setting and grounds are great. And of course, no end to pools, hot waterfalls and general hot water decadence

Lirio Lodge

The reason to visit here is the Leatherback Turtles. The lodge is located north of Limon and south of Tortuguero on the Carribean Coast. You will be on the canals which are lowland waterways full of wildlife. From March to June the nearby beach is home to leatherback turtle nesting and the lodge can arrange […]