Costa Rica Uncovered: Bucket-List Adventures You Simply Can't Miss!
Celebrated for its incredible natural beauty, Costa Rica draws tourists from across the globe with its remarkable landscapes, endless adventures and its welcoming “pura vida” spirit. Although small in comparison to some of its neighbors, Costa Rica offers some of the most extensive tourist infrastructure as well as one of the most worry-free environments for travelers in Central America. With everything from lush rainforests and towering volcanoes to trendy towns and pristine beaches, no two visits to this Central American gem are ever alike! So, whether you’re looking to zip above the verdant cloud-forest at high speed, chase after the ever-elusive wildlife or simply sit-back and relax at the beach, Costa Rica has got you covered! Check out some of our favorite things to do in Costa Rica HERE!
Getting to Costa Rica
Getting to Costa Rica is relatively straightforward as there are nonstop flights to Costa Rica’s main airports from most major cities in the USA. The two main airports in Costa Rica are Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) located in San Jose and Guanacaste Airport (LIR) in Liberia. Both airports offer international flights, are small and easy to navigate, and offer the expected amenities. Customs and border patrol protocols are standard at both airports however be prepared for lengthy waits after you deplane as lines can be long and slow moving.
Exiting Costa Rica is similarly slow as security lines can take anywhere from 60-80 minutes to clear depending on the time of day so make sure to account for this if flying during the mid-morning or early evening times. Personally, our experience at SJO was shockingly slow on entering, taking just over an hour to clear customs. Departing was a dramatic easier as there were almost no lines at security thanks to our ungodly 7 am flight for which we had to arrive at the airport at 5AM!
Consider flying into San Jose and out of Liberia if you plan on crossing from the highlands to the coast while in Costa Rica as this is a huge time saver that can dramatically enhance your trip!
Getting Around Costa Rica
There are several great ways to see Costa Rica including via tours, hiring private drivers, taking taxis or using RideShares like Uber. For shorter trips around major cities like Tamarindo and San Jose, Uber works incredibly well and was, in fact, recommended to us by our hotels over using local taxis both for convenience and transparent pricing. We personally found Uber to be safe, readily available and affordable while in San Jose. While these options are all good ways to travel through Costa Rica, we found that renting a car was the best and most efficient way to truly see the country. But what’s driving in Costa Rica like?
Having heard lots of stories about the questionable condition of the roads in Costa Rica, we were ready for just about everything from unpaved, bumpy roads to giant potholes and road flooding. So much so that we did something we almost never do; buy rental car insurance! Leaving the rental car agency in San Jose for our long drive to La Fortuna, we quickly learned that the roads in Costa Rica were actually in good condition and that the information we had read previously was likely very outdated. Now, we’re not saying that the roads were perfect; there were certainly potholes in many areas, but most of the intercity roads were paved and well maintained.
We encountered small sections of unpaved road primarily in the Monteverde region however these were obviously in the process of being paved. The only other notable times that we found ourselves on bumpy, gravel roads were when driving through smaller villages to avoid traffic on the main highway. That being said, we do see how the windy, sometimes unpaved mountain roads could be a challenge in wet conditions, so we do recommend renting a high clearance, all-wheel drive vehicle if you intend to drive extensively through Costa Rica.
Driving is done on the right-hand side of the road in Costa Rica and international driver permits are not required.
When to visit Costa Rica
It’s best to visit Costa Rica in the dry season as it is significantly easier to explore the natural wonders and spot wildlife. The dry season extends from December to April and is known for clear, sunny days with minimal rain. February and March are considered the high season and visitors can expect higher flight and hotel costs and more crowds during this time. Depending on where you choose to stay, the weather can be quite variable in Costa Rica. For example, San Jose and La Fortuna are consistently warm with partially cloudy days and frequent, often short bouts of rain whereas the pacific coast tends to remain hot and sunny as is befitting any good beach area. The most unique climate in Costa Rica exists in Monteverde where the cloud forest works to keep the region pleasantly temperate with cool, misty, cloudy days. Because the climate can vary so much from place to place, we suggest packing light layers and a reusable poncho for your visit to Costa Rica.
Where to Stay in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is divided into 7 provinces, each with something unique to offer. Whether it’s the vibrant culture of San Jose or the misty volcanoes of Alajuela or the genteel beaches of Limon, there’s something incredible awaiting you in just about every province of Costa Rica. Although the country is small and the cities are not terribly far from each other, the mountainous terrains and windy roads greatly increase the time it takes to travel between them. For example, La Fortuna and San Jose City are only 80 miles apart but the travel time between these cities is almost 3.5 hours!
Our first stop in Costa Rica was La Fortuna in Alajuela Province to which we were drawn by the famous Arenal Volcano. Lush and picturesque, La Fortuna is undoubtedly a gateway to adventure offering visitors the chance to climb the foothills of Arenal Volcano, zip-line above the trees, hunt for sloths, dip in the numerous hot springs and so much more. Despite its small size, the city offers much in the way of lodging everything from luxurious, secluded resorts located just outside the city proper to boutique hotels and hostels right in the heart of the city.
As we wanted a somewhat more local experience, we chose Hotel Secreto La Fortuna, an eco-friendly, family-owned hotel located just far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the main strip. Small, peaceful and secluded, our hotel had well-appointed rooms, great AC and lush grounds with unobstructed views of Arenal Volcano. We particularly loved that we were central enough to walk to almost every restaurant and shop in under 10 minutes while still being in what felt like its own nature preserve with sloths just hanging out in the branches above us!
We recommend avoiding any local tours in La Fortuna as they tend to be rushed and crowded. Instead, select a few sites from our must-visit list below and drive to them yourself. Most of these sites are located within a 10–15-minute drive of the town and you can purchase your tickets and explore at your own pace!
Our second stay in Costa Rica was in the beautiful beachfront town of Tamarindo in Guanacaste province. Located along the Pacific Coast, the beaches of Tamarindo are well-known for their golden sands and barreling waves that attract beginner and expert surfers alike. Arriving in Tamarindo, we were surprised to find a somewhat upscale enclave complete with luxury shopping, artisanal dining, twinkling string lights, and swaying palm trees. Once again opting for a local hotel over one of the many fancy chains that are a dime a dozen in beach towns such as these, we chose Hotel La Palapa.
Our hotel, attached to an unaffiliated restaurant bearing the same name, was a quaint 7 room facility with a tree growing through its center! For a shockingly low price per night, we were afforded a well-equipped two-story room directly on the sand from which we could lay on our bed and gaze out at the water. Even more shocking was that our “front yard” was the beach itself and that we had our own hammocks and lounging area literally just 10 steps away from the water! In addition to the hotel, we also loved the beach itself in this part of Tamarindo as it was wide and walkable and the waves were gentle enough to allow swimming, or in our case lounging! We must admit that Tamarindo was our all-time favorite Pacific beach to date!
Many larger hotels and resorts in Tamarindo are not directly located on the beach but cost a pretty penny per night. If space is not an issue, we recommend going with the smaller hotels as these have more direct beach access and a more relaxed vibe.
Now, although we didn’t spend a lot of time in the city of San Jose itself, we did rather enjoy our hotel and thought we’d share that with you as well. Located in the canton of Belen, within a 15-minute drive of Juan Santamaria Airport, El Rodeo Estancia Boutique Hotel & Steakhouse was remarkably elegant. Not only were the extensive grounds gorgeously landscaped, private and secure but the rooms themselves were large and luxuriously appointed making this hotel a must-stay when in San Jose!
Pay particular attention to where you choose to stay in San Jose city as not all areas are safe for tourists. Consider avoiding neighborhoods like Los Guidos, Pavas and Desamparados.
Finally, although we only briefly visited it ourselves, we would be remiss in not mentioning it as Monteverde is one of the most coveted destinations in Costa Rica. Set in the Cloud Forest, Monteverde offers visitors high altitude adventure in a unique climate and ecosystem. If you’re a fan of swinging rope bridges, miles of zip-lining and hunting for colorful toucans and resplendent quetzals then this is the place for you! As far as hotels go, there are lots of fantastic eco-lodges and resorts to choose from such as Hotel Senda Monteverde or the one-of-a-kind Finca Sunset Monteverde!
Currency & Language of Costa Rica
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colon (CRC). Having a small amount of CRC on hand is a good idea if you plan to visit local markets and off-the-beaten-path restaurants however cash is not a necessity while in Costa Rica. We were pleasantly surprised to find that both US Dollars and international credit cards were widely accepted everywhere we went. In fact, we did not use a single Colon in the time we spent in Costa Rica!
Spanish is the official language spoken in Costa Rica, however, English is also surprisingly prevalent. We must admit though that there were several eateries and shops that we visited where the proprietors spoke no English. Armed without our slightly-better-than-basic Spanish skills, we got by just fine, but we encourage you to bring a good translation app as this would be a really handy tool in Costa Rica.
Is it safe to travel in Costa Rica?
Known as the “Switzerland of Central America” due to its political stability and ranked number 4 on the 2026 World Happiness Report, Costa Rica is perhaps the safest country for tourists in Central America. Additionally, the people of Costa Rica are generally friendly and welcoming, aiming to show great hospitality to visitors of the country. That being said, petty crimes such as pickpocketing and theft are common especially in larger cities. To avoid unwanted encounters while in Costa Rica, avoid walking alone at night, stay alert and aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings secured. Personally speaking, we traversed a large portion of Costa Rica on our own and felt quite safe and at ease!
How's the Food and Water in Costa Rica?
First, we’ll start by saying that tap water is same to drink in some but not all parts of Costa Rica so, for the sake of simplicity, we recommend relying on bottled water. As for the food in Costa Rica, well that’s a longer and much more exhilarating topic!
Reflective of the vibrant people and culture of the country, Costa Rican food is perhaps some of the best food we’ve had in our travels so far. Blending Spanish, African and indigenous cuisines, Costa Rican food is hearty and homey. The National Dish of Costa Rica is Gallo Pinto which is rice and beans. Now, we know that this is not particularly exciting but keep in mind that this is just a breakfast staple and that there is much more to Costa Rican Cuisine than just this! But what dishes should you try? As a nation that values food and bold flavors, there’s no shortage of local, fine dining and midrange restaurants to choose from. To start, we recommend trying the Comida Tipica or traditional cuisine at any “Soda” that piques your interest.
In Costa Rica, a Soda is a small, family run restaurant that showcases local cuisine. These restaurants are the most common type of eateries found throughout the country, serve some of the most top-notch food, are often open late and are the most affordable. But what should you order? Well, although you absolutely can’t go wrong, we suggest not missing any of the following: the Casado (a well-rounded plate consisting of a protein, salad, rice, beans and fried plantains), Olla de Carne (a savory vegetable beef stew), fresh Ceviche and the empanadas! To see what restaurants we loved in Costa Rica, check out our Food Page!
Top Things to do in Costa Rica
As may have mentioned once or twice before, no two trips to Costa Rica are the same and this is because there are just so many amazing adventures to choose from. While we’ve just begun to scratch the surface of everything that Costa Rica can offer, here are some of our favorite to-dos so far!
Hike to Arenal Volcano
Dominating La Fortuna’s skyline, Arenal is perhaps the most iconic volcano in Costa Rica. Although it is currently not actively erupting, the volcano is nevertheless one of the most picturesque spots in Costa Rica thanks to its symmetrical shape and its sloping, green foothills. As with many mountains of notable altitude, Arenal Volcano has its own weather system fed by the heat and humidity of the area and the airflow around the mountain. What does this mean? Well, on some occasions, said weather system can lead to Arenal Volcano being completely obscured from view. This means that hikers could walk right to its slopes and never lay eyes on the mountain!
There are several hiking trails leading to up-close viewpoints of Arenal Volcano, many of which are a short 10–15-minute drive away from downtown La Fortuna. One of the closest access points to Arenal Volcano is the Mirador El Silencio Nature Reserve located 12 km away from La Fortuna. Although primarily a wildlife reserve, there are several hiking trails with great payoffs. An entrance fee must be paid on arrival, and visitors can choose to begin their hikes right at the entrance or drive to the first parking area. There are at least 4 trails all leading to spectacular views of lava fields and Arenal Volcano so it’s hard to go wrong at Mirador El Silencio. Many of the trails climb steadily through lush rainforests where monkeys and toucans can be spotted overhead before exiting out to craggy, lava fields from which hikers are rewarded with expansive views of both the surrounding countryside, Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano.
Many of these hikes are short but include strenuous uphill sections so come prepared for a short but relatively intense climb. For those who cannot make the hike, consider renting an ATV as there are special ATV paths that will get you close to the summit. Finally, kayaking is offered at Lake Arenal right at the beginning of the trail so you can opt to simply enjoy the view of the mountain from the lake if you prefer.
Swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfalls
Located at the base of the Chato Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfalls is a gorgeous single drop waterfall that plunges 250 feet from the rocky face of the volcano to a pristine pool beneath. La Fortuna Waterfalls is also known as Catarata Fortuna and is situated 5 KM away from La Fortuna in Arenal Volcano National Park. On arrival at the park, there is a ticketing center where armbands must be purchased. Visitors can then make use of the spacious and clean bathrooms to change into swimsuits before beginning the climb down to the natural swimming pools at the base of the waterfalls. There is a viewpoint immediately before the descending stairs offering the best views of the waterfalls in the park. The descent to the swimming area is around 15 minutes and consists of stairs almost the entire way. Once at the bottom, there are two refreshing pools to choose from; the exhilarating lagoon where you can swim directly beneath the waterfall and another calmer pool just a few feet away where you can lounge. There are several refreshment stands as well as a souvenir shop at the park, however these are all located at the top of the stairs. We suggest planning on spending 1-2 hours at the pools and making sure to carry your refreshments down with you. If not, you may find yourself lacking the will to climb the 500+ steps back!
If you have a rental car, we suggest driving to the waterfalls on your own as it’s located very close to La Fortuna and is easy to navigate. Avoid taking a shared tour if possible as they tend to be crowded and you’ll end up spending more time on the bus than at the waterfalls.
Take a dip in the natural hot springs of La Fortuna
As the entirety of the area is volcanic in nature, it should come as no surprise that hot springs are common around La Fortuna. There are several to choose from with a few being comprehensive spa and hot springs retreats and others being just the hot springs themselves. Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa is one of the most popular and well-reviewed hot springs resorts in La Fortuna and offers a very upscale experience. If you’re looking to experience the hot springs like a local though, there is a much more affordable way to do so. Less than a quarter mile away from Tabacon, a short trail begins at the side of the road and leads down to a free area of the hot springs. Worried about finding this obscure trail? Don’t be! This is a popular drop off point for tours so just keep your eyes peeled for the enormous tour buses that appear to be dropping off passengers to no obvious destination just past Tabacon Resort!
Temperatures vary by hot springs so you may find yourself in anything from warm to searing hot waters at the various La Fortuna hot springs.
Go on a hunt for Sloths on the Bogarin Trail!
Located on the outskirts of downtown La Fortuna, the Bogarin Trail is a wildlife reserve that is a haven for sloths. Tickets are required for entry and include guided tours to help visitors spot wildlife easier. The tours often last 1-2 hours and guests are guaranteed to see Sloth as they make their way through the trail. In addition to the almost hourly tours, Bogarin Trail reserve also offers night tours for those looking for a more interesting experience when it comes to wild-life spotting!
Spend a day Zipling and more at Selvatura Adventure Park
Nestled in a private reserve in the heart of the cloud forest in Monteverde, Selvatura Adventure Park is aptly named for its high adrenaline, nature-centric adventures. Acres upon acres of lush rainforest outfitted with 13 exhilarating zip-lines and 8 staggering hanging bridges allow visitors an up-close look at the misty forest and its many treasures. In addition to the zip-lines and bridges, the park also offers a butterfly garden as well as a sloth sanctuary. Entry tickets are required at Selvatura Park and are sold in packages with each package providing access to different parts of the park. Each adventure in the park has a scheduled start time and is often guided so make sure to take that into consideration as you plan your visit. If you choose to do all the activities offered, then plan on spending the entire day in Selvatura Park. Seriously, the zip-lines alone are a 2-3 adventure while the hanging bridges can take up to 3 hours to explore! Honestly, our visit to Selvatura Park was the most unforgettable part of our Costa Rica trip and, while we’re sure the zip-lining is amazing elsewhere in the country too, we absolutely cannot wait to return to Selvatura to do it again!
Selvatura Park is set up well for full day adventure with a full restaurant and plenty of clean bathrooms. Bring a light, waterproof jacket as the weather stays cool and often changes from mist to light drizzle in a heartbeat!
Go Surfing in Tamarindo!
Recognized as a surfers’ paradise, the beaches of Tamarindo attract both experienced and fledgling surfers, enticing them to while-away the day chasing that perfect wave. Surprisingly, we found the beaches to be wavy enough for strong surfers to have a fun time yet genteel enough to allow amateurs like us to try our hand at surfing too, which is a hard-to-find combination if you ask us! We particularly loved that the water was not freezing cold and that the currents and waves were manageable for those who wanted to simply lounge or swim. If you’re looking to take up surfing or just want a fun beach day, then Tamarindo is exactly where you need to be the next time you are in Costa Rica!
