Known for its extraordinary natural diversity and welcoming pura vida culture, Costa Rica ranks among the world’s top destinations for “green” tourism. Opportunities abound for eco experiences and adventure activities, but perhaps the most captivating aspect of the country is its people. If you are lucky enough to visit, follow this guide for a culturally and environmentally immersive experience.
Overview: From the airport in San José, we head south to the town of Uvita and work our way north through coastal villages to the Nicoya Peninsula. We then cut across to visit the Monteverde Cloudforest before returning to San José for our flight home.
Duration: 1 month
Airports: Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José is recommended for this itinerary.
Transportation: In terms of price and eco-friendliness, public buses and ferries are the best options for traveling between destinations. However, if you have time restrictions, group shuttles and minibuses can peel significant time off your trip. If necessary, taxis, rental cars, and private transfers are fairly common in larger tourist areas.
Central Coast
1. Uvita
Take the road less traveled to this gem on Costa Rica’s southern coast. Uvita and neighboring Bahía Ballena offer remarkable natural beauty and authentic, small town Tico vibes.
Main Attraction: Uvita is home to one of Costa Rica’s most intriguing natural oddities: Cola de Ballena (Whale’s Tail). This fascinating landmark is distinguished by a whale tail-shaped peninsula that just so happens to be the calving grounds for hundreds of humpbacks every year. You can walk the whale’s tail at low tide by paying a small fee of $6 to enter Marino Ballena National Park.
Please note: due to evidence that boat tours affect wildlife behavior, I do not recommend whale watching tours by boat especially during the critical time of calving.
Recommendations:
- Hotel Luz de Luna is a laid back, locally-owned hotel in the heart of Uvita. Enjoy free breakfast in the open air restaurant surrounded by gorgeous gardens, and walk to nearby beaches and restaurants.
- Environmental awareness, community engagement, and spiritual awakening are at the heart of Bodhi Surf + Yoga‘s mission. Attend one of their surf and yoga camps for an enlightening experience.
- Take a stroll through town, and learn about Bahía Ballena’s culture and natural history on a Turismo Cultural Costa Rica walking tour. This is a great opportunity to soak up knowledge from the local guides and engage directly with the community.
2. Jacó
With over 2.5 miles of black sand beach and peeling waves, Jacó is one of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist towns on the Pacific Coast. The lengthy stretch of beach break makes Jacó one of my favorite spots to learn and develop your surfing skills. Get out in the lineup for sunrise, and you might just happen upon a friendly sea turtle or witness a flock of rainbow macaws gliding over the bay. Easily walk to town for restaurants, surf shops, and beach bars. In fact, Wednesdays are famous for reggae night at many of the clubs where you can enjoy a cold Imperial or sip a guaro cocktail. Of course, practice particular caution when drinking in a foreign place, and always go out in groups!
Main Attraction: One hour south of Jacó, you’ll find Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, which is often touted as of one the world’s most biodiverse parks. The park encompasses multiple habitats from dense rainforest to teeming coral reefs, so you can expect to encounter sloths, snakes, iguanas, agoutis, and hundreds of species of birds. Beware of the sticky-fingered monkeys (capuchin, howler, and squirrel), and be sure to keep your distance from all wildlife. I recommend hiking the trails with a professional naturalist to get the most out of your wildlife experience.
Recommendations:
- DO NOT leave Jacó without trying your hand at surfing. I highly recommend Carton Surfboards for lessons and rentals. Also, visit Piko Surf Shop, and you might be lucky enough to meet one of Jacó’s original residents.
- Drool over life-changing poke tacos at Caliche’s Wishbone located on the main drag in town.
- For a more luxurious option for lodging, Jaco Laguna Resort and Beach Club offers a relaxing ambiance slightly farther from the bustling town. Step right outside your hotel room to catch waves at sunrise, and end the day with cocktails in the pool at sunset.
Nicoya Peninsula
3. Santa Teresa/Malpaís
Unwind on “Tico time” in this slow-paced town, or kick it up a notch with adrenaline inducing adventures. This seaside village is known for its world-class waves, laid back culture, thrilling outdoor adventures, and even famous tattoo artists.
Main Attractions: Forbes Magazine once named the beaches of Malpaís among the “ten most beautiful in the world.” In addition, the town is surrounded by rainforest and rivers with a multitude of breathtaking waterfalls. Take a motor bike northeast of town to find Montezuma Waterfalls. Hiking up from the bottom, you’ll encounter three separate cascades where you can swim or cliff jump.
Recommendations:
- You can’t visit Costa Rica without zip lining right? Soar upside down through the jungle treetops with Canopy Mal País. The knowledgable and friendly guides are experts in local biodiversity, and they’ll leave you in stitches (of laughter).
- Get a nice paddle board workout with Andy Seidensticker and Edith of Freedom Riding SUP Costa Rica. They’ll take you out to spots that most other tourists can’t even access.
- Catch a fútbol game at Nativo Sports Bar where you’ll mingle with both locals and tourists alike. The exuberant atmosphere makes Nativo my favorite place in town to meet people.
- Not only do my friends at Ollie’s Adventures have all of your surfboard, bicycle, and ATV rental needs covered, but they’ll also hook you up with a remarkable horseback riding tour along the beach. The owner, Adrian Nunez Tenorio, is a wealth of knowledge considering his family is native to the area and he has seen the town transform over his lifetime.
- Join a REVIVE Surf + Yoga + Writing Retreat with my dear friend Tara Ruttenberg for a transformative experience of self discovery and spirituality.
Northern Coast
4. Parque Nacional Santa Rosa
Certainly the most remote stop along this route, Parque Nacional Santa Rosa is not for the faint of heart in terms of both beauty and adventure. As the country’s first national park, Santa Rosa holds historical significance as the location of one of Costa Rica’s most important battles, and it is a great source of national pride. Moreover, the park protects some of the last remaining tropical dry forest in the world as well as mangrove forests and sea turtle nesting beaches. The conservation success of this park is apparent in its abundant wildlife and thriving vegetation. Visitors have the option to camp in the park or stay in the nearby town of Tamarindo.
Main Attraction: Witch’s Rock. Steeped in Costa Rican lore, this mystical landmark boasts one of the best surf breaks in the country, and due to its remote location, the lineup is rarely crowded. Located within the park on Playa Naranjo, the consistent beach break is suitable for experienced surfers who can handle large outside sets and beginners who prefer small inside waves.
Recommendation: I cannot recommend Eladio’s Place highly enough for your Santa Rosa experience. Camp within steps of Playa Naranjo, and enjoy homemade Casado after your surf sessions. In addition to being expert Witch’s Rock guides, Eladio and his staff manage everything for you from transportation to tent building. With his infectious enthusiasm and joy for life, Eladio will truly make your visit unforgettable.
Inland
5. Monteverde
Although the beaches and waves of the coast are difficult to leave behind, you cannot miss the surreal cloud forests of central Costa Rica. Characterized by a constant misty precipitation, cloud forest is one of the rarest habitats in the world. Monteverde’s Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is home to a few of Costa Rica’s most well-known species such as the red-eyed tree frog, the endangered jaguar, and the illusive quetzal. Discover the astonishing biodiversity of the forest with a naturalist, or even opt for a guided night hike to witness the nocturnal world come to life.
Recommendations:
- Costa Rican coffee is famous for a reason. There are many coffee plantations in the region, but Café de Monteverde holds several certifications for environmental mitigation and sustainable agricultural production. Visit their plantation to discover where your coffee comes from, learn about international ecological responsibility, and taste some unbelievable coffee.
Remember that you leave a mark on every community that you are fortunate enough to visit, so make it count.