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The best things to do in Costa Rica; beaches, cities, national parks, places to stay, food and drink. | Centering yourself on a surfboard or yoga mat, descending into bat-filled caves or ascending misty volcanic peaks, hiking, biking or ziplining – your only limit is your return date.

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description The best things to do in Costa Rica; beaches, cities, national parks, places to stay, food and drink. | Centering yourself on a surfboard or yoga mat, descending into bat-filled caves or ascending misty volcanic peaks, hiking, biking or ziplining – your only limit is your return date.
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Costa Rica Travel Guide Central America Lonely PlanetSearch Planet SearchDestinationsBest in TravelFeaturedAfricaAntarcticaAsiaCaribbean IslandsCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaPacificSouth AmericaSee all destinations VideoAcross the PlanetFeaturedGlobe TrekkerPlanet FoodTreks a Wild WorldEat Drink amp TravelAcross PlanetLonely ShortsVideosBrowse more shows StoriesCovid travel updatesFeaturedAdventureFamily holidaysRomanceBudgetFoodieBeaches coast and islandsRoadtripsArt cultureView stories BookingsLonely ExperiencesFeaturedInsuranceHotelsFlightsMulti-day toursTickets activitiesCar rentalShopLonely MembershipFeaturedDestination guidesPictorial giftsPhrasebooksLonely KidsSign inCentral RicaCosta Rican col n US dollar Spanish Englishattractions experiences guidebook places Welcome to RicaCentering yourself on surfboard or yoga mat descending into bat-filled caves ascending misty volcanic peaks hiking biking ziplining your only limit is return date Read More Select points of interest plot map by typeTop AttractionsTop HotelsTop RestaurantsTop EntertainmentTop NightlifeTop ShoppingParque Nacional Isla del CocoSouthern Pen nsula de OsaNational ParkVenado CavesNorthern LowlandsCaveTeatro NacionalSan Jos Notable BuildingReserva Santa ElenaMonteverde AroundWildlife ReserveCataratas NauyacaDominicalWaterfallParque Volc ArenalParque ArenalParkWilson Botanical GardenSan VitoGardensMuseo JadeSan MuseumMontezuma WaterfallsMontezumaWaterfallCloudbridge Nature ReserveSan Gerardo RivasNature Reserve see attractions Highlights White-Water RaftingThe dedicated adrenaline junkie could easily cover some heart-pounding river miles span few days this compact country For those not burning do them pick any Pacuare Reventaz Sarapiqu Tenorio Any are fun runs with rapids ranging from Class I V have smooth stretches that allow rafters take luscious jungle scenery animal life amid glorious gorges All you need lifejacket helmet chutzpah Explore Arenal Hot SpringsWhile molten night views gone mighty perfectly conical giant still considered active worthy pilgrimage Shrouded mist bathed sunshine has several beautiful trails explore at its base you’re just short drive away many hot springs Some these free local can point way Others range inexpensive Tico favorites pricier over-the-top resorts isolated ecstasy dip toes romantic Eco Termales for starters Southern Caribbean CoastBy day lounge hammock cruise bike snorkel off uncrowded beaches hike waterfall-fed pools visit remote indigenous territories Bribr K k ldi By zesty cooking sway reggaet open-air bars cooled ocean breezes The villages Cahuita Puerto Viejo Talamanca Manzanillo outposts unique mix Afro-Caribbean culture perfect laid-back home bases such adventures s southern Wildlife-WatchingWorld-class parks long-standing dedication environmental protection mind-boggling biodiversity enable harbor scores rare endangered species Simply put it one best wildlife-watching globe Visitors hardly make an effort no matter where branches overhead alive critters lazy sloths mischievous monkeys brilliant spectrum tropical birds And case there happen miss replete rescue centers as Jaguar Centro Rescate Po RegionAn hour northwest capital fairy-tale land verdant mountains hydrangea-lined roadsides Although activity closed volcano itself it’s spectacular sulfurous behemoth well worth look even distance particularly cloudless mornings winding approach takes past strawberry farms coffee plantations over La Paz Waterfall Gardens visitors storybook waterfalls encounter rescued wild cats including three jaguars Mal Pa TeresaIn little surf towns Teresa sea wildlife waves near-ideal shape color temperature hills lush coastline long providing backdrop pink orange sunsets From bustling dusty intersection divides head north yogic paradise foodies’ bliss south less hectic old-school vibe Malpa ending fishing village hidden zipline gateway Rica’s original national park Parque TortugueroCanoeing canals Tortuguero boat-borne safari here thick meets water get up close shy caimans turtles crowned herons In right season under darkness watch awesome millennia-old ritual building nests laying their eggs black-sand Sandwiched between extravagantly green wetlands Sea among premier CorcovadoMuddy muggy intense vast largely untouched rainforest Corcovado anything but walk Here travelers flexible agenda sturdy pair rubber boots thrust themselves unknown come out other side story lifetime further go better gets most desolate vivid lie down seldom-trodden MontezumaIf dig artsy-rootsy beach enjoy rubbing shoulders neo-Rastas fiends always wanted spin fire study sugar-white coves find Montezuma Strolling intoxicating town rugged re never far rhythm ll also easy access famed Cabo Blanco Cur reserves tremendous triple-tiered waterfall Oh when stomach growls restaurants Manuel AntonioAlthough droves pack Antonio popular smallest remains absolute gem Capuchin scurry across idyllic brown pelicans dive-bomb clear waters accessible It place introduce youngsters wonders splash around likely feel like kid There much privacy so lovely won t mind sharing Bosque Nuboso MonteverdeTurning backs Korean War Quakers came saw protected -sq-km cloud-forest straddling continental divide They’re teaching living modestly while Monteverde Cloud Forest neighboring preserves provide escape mysterious Neverland shrouded draped mossy vines sprouting ferns bromeliads gushing creeks blooming nurturing rivulets evolution Neighboring Elena provides mellower respite SurfingPoint break reef left if terms mean nothing worries patient instructors forgiving welcome beginner experienced challenges aplenty untamed Pacific named sorcerers Witch’s Rock yanqui military adventurers alike Ollie’s Point bath-like wetsuits required rental shops requisite gear Hey they didn’t film Endless Summer II dude ValleySarapiqu rose fame principal port nefarious old United Fruit dominance later sank agricultural anonymity be reborn paddlers mecca thanks frothing serpentine mocha magic namesake These rafters’ dotted fantastic ecolodges private forest will educate about pre-Columbian steaming looming muddy bring NosaraNosara heady jungled microclimates stunning stitched together network swerving rutted roads meander coastal after years promises road central peninsula finally being paved stay alluring enclave Playa Guiones fabulous drop-dead-gorgeous removed Pelada Thousands nesting invade nearby which appointment Paddling Golfo DulceGetting Dulce brings kayakers stand-up contact bay’s abundant marine orcas humpback whales calve warm spotted bottlenose dolphins breach surface Comprising landmass biome half country’s flora fauna four turtle area gulf’s maze mangrove channels another world completely offering chance glide crested caracaras snakes Quetzal SpottingConsidered divine cultures strikingly quetzal was sought iridescent-green tail feathers adorned headdresses royalty Guatemala’s bird name paper currency This unusual jewel-toned coveted modern times now bucket-list sighting birdwatchers Fortunately though conservation status listed near threatened commonly sighted San Dota lodges Mirador Quetzales especially during breeding April May S maraSome expat residents call mara black hole happiness something crescent sand spanning two rocky headlands opportunity paddle board cast fly above migrating ultra-light plane plethora all-natural foot via public transportation why becoming families who manifest ease tranquility Cerro Chirrip view windswept rocks icy lakes peak highest summit may resemble postcards two-day clouds satisfying excursions A pre-dawn expedition rewards hardy hikers real prize catch fiery sunrise both Ocean full panorama m heart lives university students intellectuals artists politicians While attractive does graceful neoclassical Spanish-colonial architecture leafy neighborhoods museums housing jade gold nightlife goes until dawn sophisticated Street art officially sanctioned guerrilla adds unexpected pops discourse cityscape seasoned traveler Chepe affectionately known charms Ziplining Rainforest CanopyCanopy tours literally let Steady knocking knees Few things purely joyful than clipping high-speed high-altitude cable zooming through teeming kids become daredevils adults Invented outfits quickly began cropping corners sample lines fine swirling afterglow savoring Coffee Plantations ValleyTake scenic curvy back Valley hillsides patchwork agriculture shrubbery If curious magical brew makes tour learn how golden bean plant cup couple Finca Cristina Orosi Caf Britt Barva although convenient caffeinated circuits sprung Fortuna moreExperience RicaDay ExperienceSan Jose Tapas Traditional Masks Escazu Visit Starting Book Now ExperienceLonely Experiences Private Tour ClassicSan Day Poas Volcano Trips ExcursionsCosta Trip ExcursionsArenal Baldi Springs Outdoor ActivitiesGuachipelin Adventure Zipline Horseback River Tubing Combo Tabac Cruises Sailing Water ToursSarapiqui Cruise Canopy NowExplore allMulti-day ExperienceCosta Panama Discovery ExperienceCentral American Journey ExperienceNicaragua ExperienceAmazing ExperienceBest ExperienceUltimate Explorer guidebooks fingertips Join today TVStream hours classic LPTVJoin todayFeatured videos Unforgettable honeymoon Recommended Top countries every goals Epic hikes solo travellers Introducing Journeys Recent storiesBeaches first-timers top spots must min read Published Nov Volcanoes natural planing trip seem daunting Don’t worry great start Wildlife nature Sloths poop once week plus facts know Oct life-or-death trips use bathroom cancer-curing fur fungus there’s lot don’t sloth What looks Sep Is safe We answer questions quarantine lockdown restrictions Beaches Aug grumpy volcanoes labyrinthine limestone offers never-ending array keep coming aren’t faint Renting car costly dangerous prepared what’s ridiculously good storiesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaCaribbean AmericaShopLonely MembershipDestination 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