Costa Rica Travel Insights

Family Tour of Wetlands & Caribbean Beaches - 6 Days

Boating, hiking, snorkeling, cycling—all outdoor activities await travelers on this family-friendly 6-day tour around Costa Rica's beaches and wetlands. Beginning and ending in San José, and you'll get to know the historic city on a walking tour before heading into the wilderness of Tortuguero National Park for a nighttime wildlife hike and a boat trip along jungle canals. Spot monkeys in the wild and baby turtles on the sand before continuing onto a snorkeling excursion in Cahuita National Park and the stunning black, golden, and white sand beaches around Puerto Viejo.

Family Trip to the Cloud Forests, Rivers & Beaches of Costa Rica - 6 Days

Venture into Costa Rica's pristine landscapes on this 6-day itinerary featuring boat tours, jungle hikes, and wildlife viewing. An excellent choice for families, the adventure begins with a day of cultural sightseeing in historic San José. Then you'll move onward to the cloud forest of Monteverde, where you'll trek to waterfalls and visit the country's largest butterfly garden. Base yourself in Tamarindo for the last part of the trip, enjoying a sunset catamaran tour and a safari-style float down a jungle river to spot crocodiles in the wild.

Active Family Adventures & Wildlife Spotting Around Arenal Volcano - 6 Days

Spend six thrilling days exploring the natural wonderland around Costa Rica's Arenal Volcano. On this family-oriented itinerary, you'll spend a day sightseeing in San José before moving on to the rainforest. Base yourself in La Fortuna as you head out on daily excursions to hike around the volcano, spot sloths in the wild, observe nocturnal insects on a night hike, soar through the forest on a zip line, and feel the spray of the beautiful La Fortuna Waterfall. Blending educational activities with adrenaline-pumping adventures, this trip plan is fun for all ages.

Outdoor Family Adventures in Costa Rica - 6 Days

Explore the natural beauty and biodiversity of Costa Rica on this 6-day adventure around the country's beautiful landscapes. The itinerary begins with a hike around La Fortuna Waterfall Reserve and a walk along the famous Arenal Hanging Bridges. Enjoy views of volcanoes and relax in natural hot springs before continuing to Manuel Antonio National Park, where you'll interact with sloths at a wildlife sanctuary and boat through a unique tidal landscape around Damas Island. Offering a mix of active excursions and relaxation, this trip is perfect for families.

Essential Costa Rica: Waterfalls, Jungles & Volcanoes - 8 Days

This relaxed, 8-day itinerary immerses you in the unspoiled nature of Costa Rica. Starting from the capital of San José, a scenic drive takes you to the Caribbean coast to discover the spectacular wildlife of Tortuguero National Park. Then it's on to the magnificent landscapes of Arenal National Park, where the iconic volcano towers over lush rainforests and tumbling waterfalls. Spend your days hiking through the forest canopy, soaking in natural hot springs, and swimming in jungle rivers—ending your adventure on a sweet note with an unforgettable chocolate making and tasting experience.

The 7 Best Hotels with Views in Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio perfectly mixes sandy ocean beaches with hilly rainforests, so it’s no surprise that many travelers head to the region for its exceptional views. When staying in the area, make the most out of this perk by booking one of kimkim’s recommended hotels with the best ocean and jungle views.

The 6 Best Beach-Access Hotels in Manuel Antonio

If you’re staying in Manuel Antonio, you probably already know about the area’s exceptional beaches. Don’t miss a moment in the sand and surf by booking one of kimkim’s recommended hotels with beach access, a surprisingly unique amenity for the area.

The 5 Best Mid-Range Hotels in Manuel Antonio

Whether you’re traveling to Manuel Antonio for the beaches or national park, you have plenty of options for accommodations. Try one of kimkim’s recommended mid-range hotels in Manuel Antonio. Although you’ll find plenty of luxury lodgings that fit perfectly into this beautiful region, you don’t have to break the bank to find exceptional views, comfort, and those upscale amenities.

The 5 Best Standard Hotels in Manuel Antonio

Blending ocean and jungle, Manuel Antonio offers a slew of activities to enjoy, including sea kayaking, snorkeling, mangrove boat tours, wildlife hikes, foodie tours, and more. Budget-minded travelers might want to save on accommodation to splurge on adventures. If that’s you, check out kimkim’s recommended standard hotels in Manuel Antonio, which offer reasonable pricing without compromising quality.

The 5 Best Luxury Hotels in Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio is one of the most beautiful regions in Costa Rica, as it blends dense jungle hillsides with the scenic coastline of the Pacific Ocean. Many hotels and resorts use the hillside to offer some of the country’s best scenery overlooking the jungle and ocean. Elevate the beauty by staying in one of kimkim’s recommended luxury hotels in Manuel Antonio.

The 5 Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio is a family-friendly destination, chock full of activities and perks adored by all ages. Kids and adults alike will love hiking through the national park and time spent on the beach. Luckily, kimkim recommends quite a few family-friendly hotels in Manuel Antonio, so you can ensure everyone is happily entertained.

The 5 Best Mid-Range Hotels in La Fortuna

Like many travelers to Costa Rica, you might want to visit Arenal/La Fortuna, one of the most beautiful regions in the country. The main site is Arenal Volcano, which sits in the lush Arenal Volcano National Park. To take advantage of your time in the area, consider staying a night or two at one of our recommended mid-range hotels, which offer affordable yet comfortable stays.

The 7 Best Standard Hotels in La Fortuna

Arenal/La Fortuna is a popular Costa Rican region, mostly known for the country’s most famous volcano. You’ll also find a sprawling national park and several thermal pools to enjoy. For the budget-minded, choose from one of kimkim’s recommended standard hotels, which still offer a comfy stay without breaking the bank.

The Best Turtle Nesting & Hatching Experiences in Costa Rica

One of the most popular experiences in Costa Rica is observing the mighty sea turtles. For thousands of years, several turtle species have used Costa Rican beaches to safely lay their eggs, with each turtle laying roughly 60 to 100 eggs at a time. About two months later, baby turtles wriggle out of the sand and make their way to the surf. Two of the best places to observe nesting and hatching are Guanacaste and Tortuguero, and kimkim provides details on which tours to choose.

The 5 Best Family Hotels in La Fortuna

Arenal/La Fortuna is an ideal location for families. Area activities, such as horseback riding, hiking near the Arenal Volcano, soaking in hot springs, river rafting, and touring coffee plantations, appeal to all ages and let you dive deep into the region’s natural environment and culture. To make your trip to the area even better, check into one of kimkim’s recommended family-friendly hotels.

The 8 Best Hotels with Hot Springs in Arenal/La Fortuna

One of the biggest appeals of Arenal/La Fortuna is the geothermal hot spring network, heated naturally by Costa Rica’s famous volcano, Volcán Arenal. Although great for day trips, many of the hot springs in the area have overnight lodgings, so you can fully take advantage of your time soaking in the pools. Kimkim has several recommendations for hot spring hotels in La Fortuna, ranging from standard to luxury.

Where to Eat in Puerto Viejo

Because it's a popular spot on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, you have plenty of foodie options to keep you going throughout your stay in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. As a coastal beach town, the restaurant scene includes the expected staples, such as incredible seafood dishes and traditional Costa Rican grub. But you'll also find lively and colorful beach bars, plus trendy cafes serving international breakfast dishes.

The 6 Best Mid-Range & Luxury Hotels in Monteverde

Monteverde is well known for its misty cloud forests, hills with exceptional views, and a nearly endless list of activities to enjoy. You can easily plan your visit with a comfortable mid-range or luxury hotel, and kimkim has quite a few to recommend.

The 6 Best Boutique Hotels in Monteverde

Known for its cloud forests and wildlife—and as the birthplace of ziplining—Monteverde is one of the more popular regions in Costa Rica. Hilly, misty, and dense with rainforest, this area has no shortages of exciting and relaxing experiences to enjoy. And why not pair hiking across hanging bridges, touring coffee plantations, or searching for wildlife with a boutique accommodation?

The 5 Best Standard Hotels in Monteverde

Many travelers head to Monteverde for its cloud forest excursions, including ziplining, wildlife viewing, and hiking across hanging bridges. Many hotels offer accommodation right next door to these forests or within private reserves, so you can feel like you’re part of the serene environment, even as you sleep. If you’re on a budget or prefer something a bit more rustic, consider one of our recommended standard hotels in Monteverde.

The 5 Best Boutique Hotels in Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a beautiful stretch of shoreline on the southern side of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Accommodations are spread out between the towns of Puerto Viejo and Punta Uva, meaning the location caters to the jungle and beach. If Puerto Viejo is known for anything, it’s the unique environment created by the mix of jungle, sea, and reef, plus its African-Caribbean influence, so it’s the perfect place to relax in a boutique hotel.

Ultimate Guide to Puerto Viejo Beaches

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a beautiful stretch of coastline along the southern edge of Costa Rica and near the border with Panama. You'll find gentle beaches protected by vibrant coral reefs—perfect for snorkeling and swimming—next to some of the best waves in the region, attracting surfers from around the world. Whether you want an adventure or a relaxing getaway, read on for the best beaches in Puerto Viejo.

The 3 Best Boutique Hotels in Tortuguero

If you’re heading to Tortuguero, you’re probably looking for remote solitude surrounded by jungle and wildlife. Getting to this unique region of Costa Rica is half the fun, and you can make it even more enjoyable by staying the night in one of the area’s boutique hotels. These are a great option, as they tend to have little perks, like lush gardens, individual wooden huts, and/or upscale cuisine.

Ultimate Costa Rica Packing List: What to Bring

Packing for your trip to Costa Rica is an exciting part of the adventure but can be challenging. Costa Rica is a beautiful country with various weather patterns and activities, so creating a packing list is essential in the planning process. Whether you're going north or south, to the Pacific or the Caribbean, we've compiled the ultimate packing list for Costa Rica so that you'll know what to bring and what to leave behind.

The 11 Best Hotels in San José

Culture, nightlife, haute cuisine—travelers are discovering the virtues of San José. And with plenty of lodging options, you can take your pick of style, neighborhood, and amenities on offer. Make your decision easy with this list of the best hotels in Costa Rica's capital.

24 Hours in San José, Costa Rica

Many travelers use San ​​José as an overnight stay when flying in and out of Costa Rica, and nothing more. But you'd be amiss to skip exploring this culturally and historically rich capital, which mixes customs and traditions from across the country. In San ​​José, you can taste regional delicacies and mingle with residents as you peruse markets, visit museums to learn more about the city's origins, enjoy aperitifs with rooftop city views, and more.

The Ultimate Guide to Costa Rican Coffee: How to Choose the Best Experience

Through hands-on coffee plantation tours, you can learn how Costa Rica's climate and environment are ideal for coffee production—and taste the country's award-winning java. Whether using San José as a hub or visiting Monteverde or Arenal/La Fortuna, you can tour coffee farms, production facilities, and even an ecolodge offering coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane tours, plus add wildlife viewing into the mix.

How to Choose the Best Arenal Volcano Experience

Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica's best-known and most popular volcano, and travelers can experience it through hikes, horseback riding, and walking across hanging bridges. These activities create the perfect combination of lake views, hardened lava flows, and dense rainforests, all waiting to be explored.

Monteverde Zip Lining—Ultimate Guide to Selecting the Best Option for You

As the birthplace of modern zip lining, Costa Rica's Monteverde region is the prime location to zip through the jungle. With four main zip lining companies to recommend, you'll find adventure parks suitable for any traveler, including beginners, families with children, adventure-seekers, and nature lovers.

How to Choose the Best Hot Springs in Arenal/La Fortuna

The Arenal/La Fortuna region in Costa Rica offers 12 different thermal pools. Each hot spring has a unique character making it ideal for different travel tastes, from romantic, luxurious, budget-friendly, family-friendly, to adventurous, and more. Whether you're looking for peace and relaxation or hot springs with exciting waterslides, our list has them all.

Top Nature Experiences in Manuel Antonio

It's no surprise that many nature enthusiasts make their way to Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio region. Located on the central coast, you get a little bit of everything here: white-sand ocean beaches, lush rainforests, mangrove estuaries, islands, nature parks, waterfalls, and more. Discover Manuel Antonio's nature with hiking, boat tours, snorkeling, wildlife safaris, and more.

Top Wildlife Experiences in Costa Rica

As a world leader in eco-tourism and wildlife conservation, Costa Rica is known for its abundance of wildlife. With half of the country covered in forests, an intricate network of waterways, and nearly endless coastline, wildlife spotting alone draws travelers to Costa Rica. You can spot beloved sloths, monkeys, and frogs in the rainforest, watch turtles nest on the beaches, go birding in national parks, explore the jungles by night, and visit wildlife rehabilitation centers.

Top Nature Experiences in Costa Rica

With 28 national parks, nearly 800 miles of coastline, over 300 beaches, and more than half of its land covered in forests, Costa Rica's nature excursions are its biggest draw. Spend your time trekking through rainforests, hiking along hardened lava flows, finding blue-hued waterfalls deep in the jungle, boating along rivers, snorkeling above reefs, spotting wildlife, and kayaking or canoeing in national parks.

Top Family Experiences in Costa Rica

Costa Rica offers adventures suitable for all ages, making it an excellent choice for a family vacation. Kids and adults alike love spotting wildlife, ziplining through cloud forests, learning how to surf, touring organic farms, and much more. The unique experiences you can enjoy in Costa Rica—a country leading the world in eco-tourism and wildlife conservation—will leave a lasting impression on the entire family for years to come.

Top Cultural Experiences in Costa Rica

From vibrant cities to humble artisanal villages, protected jungles to stretches of farmland, and sweet chocolate to rich rum, Costa Rica is a country full of cultural experiences. You can enjoy cooking classes to discover traditional recipes; learn how farmers grow and process important exports like coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane; visit hamlets known for artisan crafts; or tour museums and beloved neighborhoods in the heart of San José.

Top Active Experiences in Costa Rica

Sporty travelers, adventure seekers, and outdoor enthusiasts will find endless active experiences in Costa Rica, a country filled with rainforests, beaches, coral reefs, volcanoes, national parks, waterfalls, rivers, and more—all waiting to be discovered. In Costa Rica, you can rappel into canyons, raft through whitewater rapids, mountain bike near active volcanoes, hike through national parks, surf at world-renowned beaches, snorkel above reefs, zipline through the rainforest, and more!

Top Active Experiences in Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica's Manuel Antonio region packs a lot of activity into one small area. It's a dream location for active travelers and adventure seekers, as you can combine coastal water sports with land-based excursions. Enjoy surfing at Playa Scull, scuba diving, kayaking, and snorkeling, all in one place. Then, take your adventures inland for activities like whitewater rafting, nature hikes, and horseback riding through the rainforests.

Top Wildlife Experiences in Arenal/La Fortuna

Packed with dense rainforests, national parks, nature preserves, rivers, and rehabilitation centers, Arenal/La Fortuna is an excellent choice for wildlife experiences in Costa Rica. Take advantage of the forests with wildlife hikes and birding excursions—some by day and some by night—plus visit butterfly gardens and wildlife refuges and learn more about local conservation efforts. Enjoy animals on the water, too, with boat and kayaking experiences.

Top Active Experiences in Arenal/La Fortuna

Thanks to its array of recreational opportunities, outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and those who prefer active vacations all make their way to Costa Rica's Arenal/La Fortuna region. Enjoy lively excursions with unique twists, such as trekking to aquamarine lagoons, rappelling down waterfalls, hiking along hanging bridges suspended in the air, or standup paddleboarding, biking, and horseback riding at the base of a volcano.

Best Things to Do in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Set your sights on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast, where you'll find coral reefs, white-sand beaches, rainforests, and agricultural lands. From active excursions to cultural experiences, you can snorkel in the sea, hike through jungles, spot wildlife, trek to waterfalls, explore the history of cacao, and learn how to surf at one of the world's most legendary wave breaks, all in one compact area.

Best Things to Do in Monteverde

Monteverde's cloud forests are certainly the area's highlights, and many visitors are surprised to discover there's more than one. Plus, you can experience these misty jungle and wildlife hubs in many different ways. Besides hiking through the forests, opt to visit the unique ecosystems via Latin America's longest zipline, on horseback, or with nighttime wildlife excursions. Monteverde is also a birding paradise and home to coffee, chocolate, and sugar cane farms.

Best Things to Do in Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio attracts visitors across the globe for several reasons: pristine beaches, a rainforest that stretches down the coast, and an abundance of wildlife. With the scenic Manuel Antonio National Park as the backdrop, you can visit wildlife sanctuaries, discover organic spice farms, enjoy trekking excursions, take boats on rivers and through estuaries, plus kayak and snorkel in the ocean. End your stay with a sunset catamaran cruise or a surf lesson at one of the best surf spots in Costa Rica!

Best Things to Do in the Gulf of Papagayo

Enjoy the incredible scenery of Costa Rica's Gulf of Papagayo, a large stretch of coastline offering some of the best beaches in the country. Set along the Guanacaste region, you can enjoy water sports, including sailing, paddling, and snorkeling, or watch the famous Pacific green turtles nest on the beach at night. Explore natural parks with adventures like hiking, horseback riding, and soaking in hot springs, or view some of Costa Rica's most beloved wildlife, such as monkeys and sloths.

Best Things to Do in Arenal/La Fortuna

Explore La Fortuna, a small town in Costa Rica's Arenal area, set at the base of the country's most popular volcano. Its surrounding region offers some of the best hiking, zip-lining, canyoneering, and wildlife spotting in the country. You can hike atop lava fields and through rainforests, discover electric-blue waterfalls, and spot critters like sloths and monkeys. Get your adrenaline pumping with white-water rafting or walking the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Then, dive into the area's culture with a visit to an organic coffee farm or soak in a hot spring.

Best Things to Do in Tamarindo

Set in Guanacaste Province, Tamarindo is a dreamy coastal escape with long white-sand beaches known worldwide for surfing. It's idyllic for relaxing and offers several adventures, including snorkeling or diving in the nearby Catalina Islands, boating through the famed Tamarindo Estuary, and exploring dense wetlands teeming with wildlife. To make your visit a bit more cultural, try visiting a traditional hacienda and learn the secrets behind the region's rum-making techniques.

Best Things to Do on the Nicoya Peninsula

Known for world-class surfing, the Nicoya Peninsula is home to some of the best stretches of coastline for catching waves. But if you're not a surfer, you can still enjoy these idyllic beaches with horseback riding, relaxation, or stand-up paddleboarding. Then take your adventures inland to kayak through the mangroves, explore the jungles, and visit Costa Rica's famed Macaw Recovery Network, which is responsible for releasing over 200 of the colorful birds back into the wild.

Best Things to Do on the Osa Peninsula

Home to one of the largest rainforests in Central America (widely protected by Corcovado National Park), the Osa Peninsula is the wildlife and hiking jewel of Costa Rica. Dubbed "the most biologically dense place on Earth," you can see much of the country's famed wildlife by hiking through the jungle and watching whales and dolphins in Drake Bay. Then, take your adventures to the next level by surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving at Cape Matapalo and Isla del Caño Biological Reserve.

Best Things to Do in Tortuguero

Tortuguero sits on the northeast coast of Costa Rica on a rainforest-covered sandbar. This unique environment combines two of the country's biggest draws: powdery beaches and lush jungles. Tortuguero is also home to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, making it an ideal place to watch turtles nest and hatch. Explore the area's rich history and biodiversity with kayaking, boating, and hiking, all of which offer opportunities to see Tortuguero's famed wildlife.

Costa Rica's Natural Wonders: Tortuguero, Los Quetzales, Corcovado & Manuel Antonio - 11 Days

This 11-day itinerary celebrates Costa Rica’s remarkable biodiversity and highlights four of the country’s magnificent national parks. Traverse the coastal Caribbean waterways of Tortuguero, see the mythical quetzal bird in the cloud forests of Los Quetzales, and search for jaguars and tapirs in the remote habitats of Corcovado. After a day of snorkeling with colorful sea life at Caño Island, travel up the Pacific coast to the white sand beaches and lush jungles of Manuel Antonio.

Unique Costa Rica: Honeymoon Memories in Paradise - 9 Days

Spend an unforgettable honeymoon in Costa Rica on this nine-day trip that mixes adrenaline-rushing adventure with plenty of beach relaxation. You'll explore the jungle, go rafting and horseback riding, go snorkeling on the coast, and more on this whirlwind getaway.