nature & adventure | cultural exchange | wellness & sustainability | food experiences
Costa Rica
Travelers choose Costa Rica because of the beauty and tranquility that are so abundant across its wild, beach-blessed landscape. But they also choose it because of what isn’t found there—namely the breakneck pace of everyday life. In the absence of nagging phone notifications, Costa Rica keeps travelers grounded with the steady hum of rainforest life and birdsong. Instead of rushed—or even absent—human interactions, travelers to Costa Rica can look forward to thoughtful, unhurried exchanges with friendly locals. Unexpected experiences—from star-lit cloud forest hikes to unpretentious food tours—inspire mindfulness, naturally. Costa Rica travel is inherently a wellness experience; geothermal hot springs soaks, sunset breathwork and guided meditation sessions just amplify its healing effects.
For anyone craving connection—to nature, to loved ones, to self—Costa Rica is the place to find it. Here are some experiences to foster that feeling on your journey.
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Monte Verde Cloud Forest Reserve
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Nature & adventure
Cultural exchange
Wellness & sustainability
Rincón de la Vieja National Park
Grand military macaws
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Las Chorreras Waterfall
Pura vida
Red-eyed tree frog
Arenal Volcano
Dancers performing the Punto Guanacasteco, Costa Rica's national dance
Surfers on Guiones Beach
Curi-Cancha Wildlife Reserve
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Sustainable travel
On top of Costa Rica's commitment to protecting its natural lands through its network of 28 national parks, the country generates over 98% of its electricity from renewable sources, including geothermal, hydroelectric, wind and solar. By choosing Costa Rica for your trip, you are supporting a country that's made a serious commitment to creating a greener world. You can take that one step further by choosing Sustainable Tourism Certified hotels, taking part in all the low-carbon-footprint outdoor activities that are so abundant in Costa Rica and leaving no trace as you visit natural areas. Enjoying locally grown and organic foods during your travels is just one more way to connect with the environment and to align your visit with Costa Rica's commitment to sustainability.
Unique experiences by starlight
There's a new wave of nighttime mindfulness experiences emerging in Costa Rica, though many of them are rooted in ancient traditions. In the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world's Blue Zones, local practitioners offer evening meditations, sunset breathwork and full-moon circles intended to help travelers ground and reset their internal clocks. In Caño Negro in the Northern Plains region, those seeking to connect with wildlife in a truly authentic way can join a guide-led night walk to protected wetlands. Participants will be treated to the sight of the stars reflecting on the water while nocturnal species awaken and move through their habitat. Night hikes offer a fresh view of the Monteverde Cloud Forest as well. Starry skies appear through the moonlit mountain mist as owls, frogs, fireflies and other creatures become active. The Irazú Volcano region, meanwhile, is a top destination for guided stargazing, thanks to its high elevation and clear skies.
Learn from local surfers
Spend some one-on-one time with a local surf expert when you book a lesson. You'll not only pick up on a sport that's integral to many of Costa Rica's coastal communities, but you'll get to connect with your instructor as you do so. Tamarindo, Jaco, Santa Teresa and Nosara are all beach towns known for beginner-friendly waves (especially December through April) and each has surf schools with patient professionals who can help you get vertical. If you're really set on hanging ten, a multiday package will give you the best opportunity to develop your skills.
Support local markets and arts
Shopping at independently owned shops and markets in Costa Rica is not just a way to support the local economy; it's also a great way to form connections. At the San José Central Market, for example, you can meet local chefs, artists and vendors, plus dine alongside residents and fellow tourists. Soda Tala is one particularly famous stop for traditional breakfasts, which can be purchased for the equivalent of a few dollars. Catching shows at the National Theatre and visiting San José's museums are just a few more ways to connect to Costa Rica's culture in its capital.
In Guanacaste, the Tamarindo Artisanal Market mixes the work of local artists, delicious foods and even workshops in one creative space. Mercado de Artesanos La Fortuna, meanwhile, offers handmade crafts and traditional Costa Rican art, plus jewelry and paintings. Support Indigenous people of Costa Rica—and take home truly meaningful pieces—by purchasing pottery created by Chorotega artists or masks by the Boruca people.
Discover an underwater world
Multifaceted Costa Rica is a top destination for divers of all experience levels, with stunning dive sites on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. Beginners and even snorkelers can immerse in the vibrant underwater world around Tortuga Island off the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, where abundant reef fish, turtles and rays are on view. The Caribbean coast's Cahuita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo are also spots where new divers can "get their feet wet," so to speak, with shallow reefs, small wrecks and a variety of tropical fish. Take a guided day trip from Uvita to Caño Island, a biological marine reserve teeming with rays, sharks, turtles and vibrant coral reefs. Intermediate divers can book excursions to the Catalina Islands, an archipelago off the northwest Pacific coast that's famous as a home to giant manta rays.
Rainforest exploration
Costa Rica's vibrant and abundant rainforest is part of what makes the country so special, and it offers the ideal setting for rekindling a connection with nature. Over half of the country is forested, and 30% of its land is designated as protected parks or reserves.
You can immerse in Costa Rica's lush wilderness with rainforest hikes. In the Monte Verde Cloud Forest Reserve, there's the Las Pailas Trail at Rincón de la Vieja National Park (where you'll find geothermally heated springs and mud baths along the way). The remote Cordillera de Talamanca mountain range is home to Costa Rica's highest peak, Cerro Chirripó, which presents a challenging, multi-day hike for sporty adventure travelers. Costa Rica's immense biodiversity means you may spot sloths, anteaters and monkeys from the trail. Bring your binoculars to watch the trees for macaws, toucans, quetzals and over 900 other bird species.
Of course, Costa Rica has long been a destination for wellness retreats, with specialized luxury resorts earning nods from publications like National Geographic for their restorative programs. There are also numerous yoga resorts and hotels where classes, workshops and meditation sessions are woven into each day's activities. The lush, less-traveled Osa Peninsula is home to several of them. But it's also entirely possible to craft your own healing getaway, no matter where you stay. Visit hot springs like those in Rincón de la Viejo National Park or at day spas around the country. Cycle through your own asanas on the sand or in the forest. Book a relaxing massage or sound bowl session with a local practitioner. Tuning into the calls of wildlife as you hike is a simple way to practice mindfulness on your journey.
Wellness-focused getaways
From traditional to progressive to sustainability-focused, Costa Rica's festival scene has become another major reason to go and another way to connect with like-minded people. Costa Rica's Pride celebration (June 29) brings rainbows, banners and performance artists to the streets of San José each summer. Thousands flock to the two-week-long Palmares Festival (January 2027 dates TBD) each year to witness traditions like a horse parade, open-air concerts and the Festival de la Luz, a light-infused nighttime parade. The seaside Puntarenas Carnival (February 2027 dates TBD) is a longstanding and popular event, celebrating culture and community with parades, food vendors, music and dancing into the night. Costa Rica has also become a hub for electronic music fans, thanks to events like the Ocaso Festival (2027 dates TBD), near Jaco. The Envision Festival (2027 dates TBD) in Uvita, meanwhile, focuses on unity and connection through yoga, music, arts, mindfulness, ecological awareness and other holistic practices.
Experience authentic festivals
The soothing sound of rushing water, the cooling spray of mist on your skin, the earthy smell of the surrounding forest and the spectacular sight of the falls rushing over slick rocks—visiting Costa Rica's waterfalls offers many sensory rewards. La Fortuna is the most famous example, but there are over 600 others to visit across the country. Rio Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park is known for the vibrant hue of its water. Llanos de Cortez in Guanacaste offers the chance to swim in the pool at its base. Adventurous types can join a guided tour to experience these geologic wonders in a new way: by rappelling down them.
Of course, in a country with both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, plus hundreds of waterways in between, there are many ways to enjoy the water. Join a whitewater rafting tour of the Pacuare River, as one example, which flows past canyons, waterfalls and rainforest. Or kayak through mangroves for a laid-back experience.
Find your zen at—or on—the water
Jaco Beach
San José
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Arenal La Fortuna
La Fortuna Waterfall
Tabacón Hot Springs
Rio Celeste, Tenorio Volcano National Park
Food experiences
Cacao and chocolate tour at Finca La Amistad
Visit cacao and coffee farms
Coffee culture runs deep in Costa Rica, and the country's high-quality beans are a source of national pride. There is even a law in place that prohibits the cultivation of lesser-quality plants. Experiencing coffee production up close is an opportunity you will not want to miss on your trip. Visit the mountain town of Santa Maria de Dota, about 40 miles outside San José, for example, where small, family-owned farms produce some of the world's tastiest, shade-grown varieties.
There's another bean that's vital to Costa Rica's culture and economy: cacao. The country's rich volcanic soil and ample rainfall create the ideal environment for the crops, particularly in the Caribbean lowlands. Take a tour with the Bribri Indigenous community to learn about sustainable growing practices and traditional chocolate production methods.
Try traditional favorites
Costa Rica's cuisine is satisfying, unfussy and healthy, often featuring the national dish gallo pinto (made of rice, beans, vegetables, herbs and seasonings) and fresh produce, alongside chicken, beef or fish. Try tangy ceviches, often served with chips or plantains—an ideal meal after a day at the beach. Or pick up some gallos, a taco-like snack, from street vendors. Costa Rica's version is stuffed with shredded beef, chicken or other fillings, then rolled into a cylinder and deep fried. Tamales—meat- or vegetable-filled corn dough, steamed inside banana leaves—are another popular snack. Served mainly on the Caribbean coast, coconut milk- and seafood-based rondón is a soup that packs delicious flavor. On any Costa Rica trip, you'll more than likely have a chance to try casado, a word that can describe many different combinations of food—chicken, beef or fish and sides like cabbage salad, tortillas and gallo pinto, all served on a banana leaf. All pair wonderfully with a batido (smoothie) made with locally grown tropical fruits.
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Why
Female sloth and her baby
Tucancillo collarejo
Bajos del Toro Waterfall
Manzanillo National Park
Manta ray
National Theatre, San José
Coffee tour at Finca La Amistad
Chocolate and cacao nibs
Bearth Spa at El Mangroove, Autograph Collection
Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort
Hot Springs, La Fortuna
Guanacaste
Batidos
Gallo pinto
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Many journeys to Costa Rica begin or end in San José, home to one of the country's main airports. Use this time in the vibrant capital as an opportunity to explore its most exciting culinary hub, Barrio Escalante. Take a food tour through this charming neighborhood and enjoy tastings across three restaurants, with a spotlight on both traditional Costa Rican dishes and innovative, experimental flavors. You'll interact with chefs as you go, and get the backstory on each dish. For example, try the savory pork dish called costillitas plus a classic casado, both prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Then, at a vegetarian restaurant, try cassava-based, cheesy croquettes called enyucados quesosos. The tour also includes a visit to a large food hall, where all kinds of dishes, beverages, coffees and desserts can be purchased and enjoyed at communal tables. Afterwards, hang out at buzzy local bars to further immerse in the local scene.
Take a neighborhood food tour
Silvestre Restaurant
