Best Costa Rica vacations

A Costa Rica vacation isn’t about lying on a beach with a watered-down piña colada (though you can do that too). It’s about getting out there – into rainforests that feel alive, where frogs glow and monkeys scream. You’ll sweat your way up volcanoes, cannonball into jungle waterfalls, and maybe question your life choices halfway through a surf lesson in Nosara. Good. That’s the point. Costa Rica isn’t here to pamper you – it’s here to remind you you’ve got a pulse. And if you need to recover from all that adrenaline? There’s always a hammock, a cold Imperial, and a sunset that doesn’t give a damn about your Instagram.

Why Costa Rica is the perfect vacation destination

Costa Rica doesn’t try to impress you – it just does. One day you’re watching a sloth inch across a jungle trail, the next you’re tearing down Class IV rapids in the shadow of a volcano. It’s compact enough to bounce between coastlines in a day, but wild enough that you’ll still feel like an explorer.

This is a country where you can surf the Pacific in the morning and snorkel the Caribbean by sunset. Hike through cloud forest in Monteverde, get drenched under La Fortuna waterfall, or spot scarlet macaws screaming through the trees in Corcovado. Wildlife here isn’t a sideshow – it’s the main event.

Looking for adrenaline? Go ziplining, white-water rafting, or climb into the crater of an active volcano (yep, that’s a thing). Prefer slow travel? Kick back in a hammock in Puerto Viejo, soak in natural hot springs, or wander farmers' markets picking out weird fruits you can’t pronounce.

And the best part? Costa Rica takes sustainability seriously. Over 25% of the land is protected, and eco-lodges here aren’t greenwashing – they’re the real deal. You can travel guilt-free, eat insanely fresh food, and still have a beer on the beach at sunset.

It’s not flashy. It’s not polished. But that’s exactly why a Costa Rica vacation works. It’s real, it’s raw, and it delivers – every damn time.

Best time for a Costa Rica vacation

Let’s get this out of the way: there’s no bad time for a Costa Rica vacation, but there are trade-offs.

• The dry season (mid-December to April) is prime time. Beaches are sun-soaked, roads are passable, and you won’t spend your hike dodging downpours. It’s also the busiest and most expensive – especially around Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter. If you hate crowds, this might not be your moment.
• The green season (May to November) gets a bad rap, but it’s underrated. Yes, it rains. But not all day – think hot mornings and dramatic afternoon storms that clear the air and send the jungle into overdrive. Everything’s greener, prices drop, and you’ll actually hear birds instead of tourists.

For wildlife lovers, timing matters. July and August bring a mini dry season on the Pacific, and it’s turtle nesting time on the Caribbean coast. Want whales? Head to the Pacific between August and October. Into birds? December to April is peak migration.

Still wondering about the best time to visit Costa Rica? If you want guaranteed sun and don’t mind paying for it, go in dry season. If you want fewer people, lower prices, and a lusher landscape, the rainy season’s your friend – just pack a poncho and embrace the mud.

What type of vacation are you looking for

Costa Rica doesn’t do one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re chasing five-star service, herding kids through the jungle, or looking to perfect your hammock-to-ocean ratio, there’s a trip here for you. It’s all about knowing your style – and picking the right slice of the country to match it.

Luxury vacation

A luxury Costa Rica vacation isn’t about chandeliers or butlers – it’s about location, immersion, and serious comfort. Think open-air suites in the jungle where toucans wake you up, or private villas with plunge pools overlooking the Pacific. No high-rise resorts. No buffet queues. Just you, a handcrafted cocktail, and the sound of monkeys in the canopy.

Head to the Papagayo Peninsula for top-tier beach resorts that still feel wild – Four Seasons-level pampering meets raw coastline. Over in Arenal, eco-lodges like Nayara take “luxury in the rainforest” to another level, with outdoor tubs, gourmet dining, and private trails through hummingbird territory.

Want privacy? Charter a helicopter, book a boutique lodge in the Osa Peninsula, and disappear into the jungle with a personal guide, private chef, and zero reception. Prefer laid-back luxe? Santa Teresa’s beachside bungalows and barefoot-style villas cater to the yogi-surf crowd who still want 800-thread-count sheets.

Family vacation

A Costa Rica family vacation is basically nature’s theme park – with better snacks and no plastic mascots. You’ve got beaches safe for splashing, wildlife that comes to you, and activities that actually wear the kids out.

Start in Manuel Antonio. It’s got everything: a national park crawling with monkeys and sloths, kid-friendly beaches, and hotels with pools and family-sized rooms. Bonus: restaurants don’t blink when you show up covered in sand and dragging a tired toddler.

Arenal is another hit. Ziplining, hanging bridges, chocolate tours, hot springs – it’s all here, and all doable with kids in tow. Most guides are great with children, and safety is taken seriously (no sketchy jungle swings here).

If your crew likes adventure, head to Monteverde’s cloud forest for guided night walks and butterfly gardens. More into downtime? The Nicoya Peninsula offers chill beach towns like Samara, where you can build sandcastles in the morning and spot howler monkeys in the afternoon.

Traveling to Costa Rica with kids doesn’t have to be stressful. You can hire private drivers, book group-friendly villas, and even find hotels that throw in kids’ meals and activities. A Costa Rica family vacation is the rare combo of fun for them and sanity for you.

Beach vacation

If your dream Costa Rica beach vacation involves clear water, cold beer, and a board (surf or cheese, your call), you’re in the right place. With coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean, the only real challenge is picking your vibe.

The Pacific side is the show-off. Tamarindo has surf, nightlife, and endless options for beachfront stays – great for first-timers. Farther south, Santa Teresa and Mal País bring laid-back surfer energy, yoga studios, and beach bars slinging ceviche and guaro sours at sunset. Nosara? Still mellow, still magical, and home to some of the best beaches in Costa Rica – just don’t tell everyone.

Want something quieter? Head to Nosara. You’ll get long stretches of beach, excellent surf, and enough wellness retreats to make your chakras spin. Or go luxe in Papagayo, where you’ll find private beaches, upscale resorts, and not a backpack in sight.

On the Caribbean side, Puerto Viejo has reggae beats, Afro-Caribbean flavors, and a totally different rhythm. The beaches here are more relaxed, more local, and great for swimming and snorkeling – not just surfing.

Whichever coast you pick, a Costa Rica beach vacation isn’t just about lounging (though you’ll do plenty of that). There’s snorkeling, paddleboarding, boat tours – and sloths that sometimes photobomb your beach day. Just pack reef-safe sunscreen and leave the schedule behind.

Best places to go during your vacation

Costa Rica isn’t one experience – it’s a dozen, packed into one tiny country. One day you’re hiking near lava flows, the next you’re drinking guaro on the beach while a sloth eyeballs your snacks. Some places bring surf and sunsets, others bring jungle and jaguars. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure destination, and the choices are all solid. If you’re searching for the best places to visit in Costa Rica, this is the list that cuts through the noise.

Arenal and La Fortuna

Arenal is Costa Rica’s high-adrenaline playground. Centered around a picture-perfect volcano, this region brings the goods: ziplining, white-water rafting, hiking over lava flows, and soaking in hot springs. La Fortuna, the small town at its base, is tour central – with good places to stay and plenty of food that isn’t just rice and beans (though the gallo pinto still slaps).

The area’s well developed but still wild enough to remind you you’re deep in Central America. It’s ideal if you want action, dramatic views, and zero chance of being bored.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde trades beach for altitude and throws in mist, moss, and surreal wildlife encounters. This is the land of hummingbirds, hanging bridges, and the occasional glowing mushroom. Day hikes are all about canopy views and surprise monkey sightings.

At night, you’ll spot frogs, insects that look prehistoric, and mammals you didn’t even know existed. The town is tiny, and the vibe is low-key. You’ll find eco-lodges, decent food, and a break from the heat. It’s remote, lush, and full of things that blink, chirp, or crawl. Perfect if you like your adventures with a side of cool mountain air.

Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio makes things easy: wildlife, beaches, and a proper sunset bar scene – all in one tight package. The national park is small but ridiculous: monkeys, sloths, raccoons, toucans, and trails that spill out onto white-sand beaches. Swim, hike, spot animals – repeat. Some of the Manuel Antonio best beaches are actually inside the park, like Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Espadilla Sur, where you can swim with rainforest at your back and monkeys stealing your snacks.

Outside the park, you’ll find boutique stays tucked into the hills, solid restaurants, and panoramic ocean views. It’s busy for a reason. If you're looking for a no-stress introduction to Costa Rica’s coastal life, this one nails it.

Santa Teresa and Mal País

This stretch of the Nicoya Peninsula is all about surf, sunsets, and sand in your hair. Santa Teresa pulls in the barefoot elite – people who wake up for dawn patrol, crush smoothie bowls, and run startups from jungle villas. It’s stylish but not fussy.

Mal País is its quieter, more rugged neighbor, with tide pools and fishing boats instead of boutique shops. The roads are rough, the beaches go on forever, and it’s easy to lose track of time here. You come for the waves, and next thing you know you’re doing yoga on a rooftop and never checking your email again.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Puerto Viejo moves to its own rhythm. Reggae blares from beachfront bars, coconut milk scents the air, and the whole town runs on island time – without the island. It’s the Afro-Caribbean capital of Costa Rica, where the food, music, and language bring a different flavor entirely.

The beaches nearby each have a vibe – Playa Cocles for surf, Playa Negra for black sand, Playa Chiquita for privacy. Add Cahuita National Park to your plans for easy wildlife watching and coastal trails. Puerto Viejo isn’t polished, but it’s real. Come for the beach, stay for the culture.

Osa Peninsula

This is the wildest corner of Costa Rica. Osa Peninsula doesn’t mess around – it’s thick jungle, muddy trails, and serious wildlife. Corcovado National Park is the headline act, home to tapirs, monkeys, and scarlet macaws. You’ll need a guide, proper boots, and a real sense of adventure. Getting here takes time, but it filters out the crowds. Lodges are remote and eco-minded, and you’re more likely to wake up to howler monkeys than honking cars. No all-inclusives, no cruise ships – just raw nature and total immersion.

Nicoya Peninsula (Nosara and Samara)

Nosara and Samara offer a different kind of beach vibe – slower, softer, and easier on the senses. Nosara’s big with the yoga and surf crowd: longboards in the morning, fresh fish at lunch, and sunset classes under the palms. The crowd skews international and relaxed. Samara’s sleepier, with calm water and local flair.

You can paddleboard, spot dolphins, or just claim a hammock and not move for hours. Both towns serve up good food, great beaches, and zero pressure. Come here to switch off and slow down – without sacrificing comfort.

Travel tips to keep in mind

Costa Rica might be easy to love, but it still helps to show up prepared. Roads can be rough, wildlife doesn’t pose for selfies, and “on time” is a flexible concept. From transport quirks to local etiquette, these Costa Rica travel tips will save you stress – and possibly your phone from a surprise dip in a jungle river.

• Don’t rely on travel times from Google Maps. A 3-hour drive can easily become 5 thanks to potholes, rain, or surprise sloth crossings.
• Pack for both sun and rain. Dry season doesn’t mean no rain, and green season doesn’t mean non-stop storms.
• You won’t need much cash, but bring some. Many places take cards, but rural shops and bus stations often don’t. Colones > dollars for local purchases.
• Don’t touch the wildlife. Not the monkeys, not the sloths, not even the colorful frogs. Admire, don’t interfere.
• Use WhatsApp. Locals, tour operators, and even hotels use it more than email or phone.
• Respect the Tico pace. Things move slowly. Tours leave late. Dinner takes time. Go with it.
• Rent a 4x4 if you’re exploring beyond the main routes. Not essential everywhere, but on the Nicoya or Osa Peninsula, it’s a lifesaver.
• Tipping isn’t required but always appreciated. Restaurants usually include service, but feel free to leave extra for good service.