Things To Do
Monteverde
Rainforest adventure, jungly animals. It has the longest rainforest zipline and the famous “Superman” lasting 40 seconds of pure adrenaline.
Volcan Arenal & La Fortuna
One of the most impressive volcanoes in Costa Rica. Very iconic, there is a lot to do in the area: hikes close to the volcano, rappel, rafting, wind surf.
Rio Celeste National Park
Famous for the turquoise river, waterfall and jungle hike.
Irazu, Barva & Poás Volcanoes
These 3 volcanoes are the “closest” from SJO. They are all national parks with great hikes. Best one if you have some time to kill in SJO is a quick visit to Poas. You can go easy by car or payed tour and walk 10 min to the amazing crater. Sometimes you get unlucky and its covered in clouds.
Playa Grande & Playa Tamarindo
“Tama” is a very tourist place with loads of restaurants, shops and party scene. Grande is a surfers dream, huge waves, long beach. It is also famous for its turtles (has to be the season and very rare to see)
Nosara & Playa Guiones
Surf town, very California hipster vibe but jungly. Awesome vibes, good nightlife.
Manuel Antonio, Bahia Ballena and Dominical, Central Pacific
Manuel Antonio is a hilly beach town with many monkeys, a cool national park but very busy and good places to eat and drink. Bahia Ballena National Park is famous for its “whale tail beach”. Since it is a National Park there is no beach front buildings, so the beach is very deserted and amazing for walking. Dominical is a very cute jungly beach town. Good place for boat tours to see whales and dolphins.
Corcovado, Drake and Golfo Dulce, Peninsula de Osa, Pacific South
If you want pure adventure this is it. Ecolodges, off the grid, and great for hike on pure nature, can be hours to 3 day hike staying on a shelter. In Golfo Dulce, Puerto Jimenez you can book boat tours for whales and dolphins.
Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, Caribbean Side
February not the best time for the Caribbean side, but its amazing as well. Cahuita National Park and Puerto Viejo vibes and flavourful food make it the classic stops on that side of Costa Rica.