Locals call it ‘pura vida’. You’ll feel it everywhere when you’re in Costa Rica: in the welcoming smiles, the symphony of rainforest sounds at dawn, and the lazy rhythm of life that encourages you to slow down and take it all in. Whether you’re visiting for a week or a month, this captivating destination will ensure you feel pura vida long after you fly home.
But before you do head home, here are some places to experience while you’re on holiday here.
Backpacking in Costa Rica: Snake World, Grecia and Zoo Ave
The Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna
Rising sharply out of the northern lowlands, the Arenal Volcano hasn’t erupted since 2010, but its presence still feels electric. Base yourself in La Fortuna, the nearby town that buzzes with adventure and geothermal energy.
Spend your mornings ziplining through the rainforest canopy or abseiling down hidden waterfalls. In the afternoon, reward yourself with a soak in the thermal hot springs. Tabacón and Ecotermales are local favourites, each surrounded by lush greenery and natural rock pools.
You can also walk the Arenal Hanging Bridges trail to spot toucans and howler monkeys among the treetops, or take a boat across Lake Arenal for breathtaking views of the volcano.
Manuel Antonio National Park
If you’ve ever imagined a place where jungle seamlessly meets beach, it’s Manuel Antonio. Just a few hours from San José on the Pacific coast, this national park offers some of the most photogenic scenery in Central America. Think white sand beaches bordered by palm trees and forested hills cascading into the sea.
Start early to hike the main trail before it gets too hot. You may spot white-faced capuchin monkeys, sloths, and iguanas. When the heat rises, head straight to Playa Espadilla Sur for a cooling dip. Bring snorkelling gear if you have it. There’s plenty to see even close to the shore.
Having a drink with Deacon Blake in the Hemingway Inn, San Jose, Costa Rica.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Monteverde feels otherworldly. When you head here on your Costa Rica holiday, you’ll find that the cool temperatures and ethereal atmosphere are a world away from the coast. You can reach it via winding mountain roads from the Pacific lowlands, and once you arrive, the
The reserve’s network of trails and hanging bridges lets you explore every layer of this cloud forest. Bird lovers come from around the world to catch a glimpse of the quetzal, a vibrantly feathered symbol of Central America. Visit the Monteverde Butterfly Garden or take a guided night tour to see frogs and bats come alive after dusk. It’s a quiet, contemplative place, ideal for slowing down.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Over on the Caribbean coast, Puerto Viejo pulses with reggae rhythms, salt air and spice. It’s a world apart from the rest of Costa Rica.
The surfing is world-class at Playa Cocles, while Playa Chiquita offers calm waters and shady palm groves. For something wilder, head to Cahuita National Park. The coral reef offshore shelters tropical fish and sea turtles, and the jungle trail onshore is ideal for spotting monkeys, sloths and colourful crabs scuttling across the sand.
Corcovado National Park
The remote Corcovado is the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national parks. Located on the Osa Peninsula in the southwest, this protected area holds an astonishing 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity. If you want to see jaguars in the wild, hear howler monkeys call across the treetops, or watch macaws flash through the canopy, this is where you go.
Access isn’t easy. You’ll need a local guide and must enter via boat or charter flight, followed by a hike through thick forest. But the effort pays off.
Costa Rica offers far more than snapshots and souvenirs. It invites you to connect with nature, with the people, and with a rhythm of life that runs deeper than most holidays ever reach.