Parque Nacional Carara

Costa Rica

　　Carara is the famed home of one of Costa Rica’s most charismatic bird species, the scarlet macaw. While catching a glimpse of this tropical wonder is a rare proposition in most of the country, macaw sightings are virtually guaranteed at Carara. And, of course, there are more than 400 other...

Maquenque Eco-Lodge

Costa Rica

　　Set on 80 glorious bird-filled hectares, 20 unique bungalows (including five gobsmacking tree houses) overlook a lagoon and tropical garden; additional tree houses are perched in nearby rainforest. To get here, you'll have to cross the San Carlos River in one of the lodge's boats; arrange your boat crossing ahead...

Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro

Costa Rica

　　This remote, 102-sq-km refuge has long lured anglers seeking that elusive 18kg snook, and birders hoping to glimpse rare waterfowl. During the dry season water levels drop, concentrating the birds (and fish) in photogenically (or tasty) close quarters. From January to March, when migratory birds land in large numbers, avian...

Playa Ventanas

Costa Rica

　　Tucked behind a grove of coco palms, this crescent-shaped, black-sand-and-pebble beach has elaborate rock formations at either end, and is called 'Ventanas' ('Windows') because on the northern side there are a couple of caves large enough to walk into. The ocean roars and crashes through the caves as the tide...

Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio

Costa Rica

　　The park's heavenly blue river, waterfalls and lagoons are among the most spectacular natural phenomena in Costa Rica; as a result, the park is known to locals simply as Río Celeste (though it's officially named after the soaring 1916m Volcán Tenorio). From El Pilón ranger station at the park entrance,...

Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja

Costa Rica

　　Given its proximity to Liberia, this park (about 160 sq km) feels surprisingly uncrowded and remote. Named after the steamy main attraction – the active Volcán Rincón de la Vieja (1895m) – the park includes several other peaks in the same volcanic range, including Volcán Santa María (1916m). The park...

Parque Nacional Tortuguero

Costa Rica

　　This misty, green coastal park sits on a broad floodplain parted by a jigsaw of canals. Referred to as the ‘mini-Amazon,’ Parque Nacional Tortuguero is a place of intense biodiversity that includes more than 400 bird species, 60 known species of frog, 30 species of freshwater fish and three monkey...

Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste

Costa Rica

　　Las Baulas national marine park encompasses the entire beach at Playa Grande, as well as the adjacent land and 220 sq km of ocean. This is one of the world's most important nesting areas for the critically endangered baula (leatherback turtle). In the evenings from October to March, rangers lead...

Wilson Botanical Garden

Costa Rica

　　The world-class Wilson Botanical Garden is internationally known for its collection of more than 2000 native Costa Rican species. Species threatened with extinction are preserved here for possible reforestation in the future. A trail map is available for self-guided walks amid exotic species such as orchids, bromeliads and medicinal plants....

Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal

Costa Rica

　　From 1968 until 2010, Volcán Arenal was an ever-active and awe-striking natural wonder, producing menacing ash columns, massive explosions and streams of glowing molten rock almost daily. While the fiery night views are gone for now, this mighty mountain is still a worthy destination. Part of the Area de Conservación...

Parque Nacional Isla del Coco

Costa Rica

　　Around 500km southwest of the Costa Rica mainland, Isla del Coco is a natural wonder that teems with wildlife, including the largest schools of hammerhead sharks on the planet. For that reason, divers descend from all corners, often venturing out on liveaboard trips with companies like Aggressor and Undersea Hunter....

Punta Uva

Costa Rica

　　Off a dirt road marked by Punta Uva Dive Center is a quiet, idyllic cove that could double for a scene in the film The Beach. When the water is calm, it makes an excellent spot for swimming. There is a cluster of fantastic restaurants nearby when you've worked up...

Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica

　　Featuring lush jungle, picture-perfect beaches and craggy headlands, this tiny park (1680 acres/680 hectares) absolutely brims with wildlife (and often visiting humans). As you wander its lovely trails, you'll catch a glimpse of dangling sloths, squawking toucans and playful monkeys, and stumble on breathtaking views of the sea and nearby...

La Paz Waterfall Gardens

Costa Rica

　　This polished storybook garden complex just east of Volcán Poás offers the most easily digestible cultural experience in the Central Valley and is the largest animal sanctuary in Costa Rica. Set aside at least two hours to experience the gardens, but you could easily spend an entire day exploring the...

Farmers Market

Quepos to Uvita

　　Held a short distance from the main entrance to Uvita, along the unpaved road, this sweet little farmers market on Saturdays is a good place to mingle with locals and longtime expats, and purchase psychedelic jewelry, locally grown fruit and vegetables, honey and home-cooked foods. ...

Rancho La Merced National Wildlife Refuge

Quepos to Uvita

　　Opposite the turnoff to Oro Verde, a few kilometers before Uvita, is this 506-hectare national wildlife refuge (and former cattle ranch), with primary and secondary forests and mangroves lining the Río Morete. Here you can go on guided nature hikes and birdwatching walks, horseback-ride to Punta Uvita or opt for...

Reserva Biológica Oro Verde

Quepos to Uvita

　　A few kilometers before Uvita is a signed turnoff to the left. A rough dirt road (4WD only) leads 3.5km up the hill to this private reserve on the farm of the Duarte family, who have lived in the area for more than three decades. Two-thirds of the 155-hectare property...

Cascada Verde

Quepos to Uvita

　　Around 2.5km inland and uphill (toward Cascada Verde hostel), this waterfall plunges into an inviting deep pool, perfect for a refreshing dip. Visitors may see daredevils lie down at the top and slide some five meters down the cascade. This isn't recommended; the official path to the top is in...

Church

Montezuma

　　This local landmark is on the north side of the soccer field. ...

Montezuma Bay

Montezuma

　　This pretty little beach is the centerpiece of Montezuma, as fishers, ferries and tourists come and go. Unfortunately, it's not really recommended for swimming, as some local residents and businesses dump their sewage into the stream nearby. ...

Montezuma Gardens

Montezuma

　　About 1.5km south of town, alongside the waterfall trail, you can tour this lush mariposario (butterfly garden) and nursery where the mysterious metamorphoses occur. You’ll learn about the life cycles and benefits of a dozen local species, of which you’ll see many colorful varieties. It's a long and steep trek...

Playa Montezuma

Montezuma

　　The best beach close to town is just to the north, where the sand is powdery and sheltered from big swells. This is your glorious sun-soaked crash pad. The water's shade of teal is immediately nourishing, the temperature is perfect and fish are abundant. At the north end of the...

Playa Grande

Montezuma

　　About 6km north of town, Playa Grande is the best surf beach in the area. It's a 3km-plus stretch of waves and sand, which never gets too crowded as it requires a 30-minute hike to get here. But what a hike it is, wandering along between the turquoise waters of...

Playa Cocolito

Montezuma

　　Here's your chance to see a waterfall crashing down a cliff, straight onto the rocks and into the ocean. El Chorro Waterfall is the pièce de résistance of Playa Cocolito, which is itself pretty irresistible. 　　It's a hot, two-hour, 12km hike from Montezuma: leave at sunrise to spot plenty of...

Montezuma Waterfalls

Montezuma

　　A 40-minute river hike leads to a waterfall with a delicious swimming hole. Further along, a second set of falls offers a good 12m leap into deep water. Reach the 'diving platform' from the trail: do not try to scale the slippery rocks! Daring souls can test their Tarzan skills...

Jacó Walk

Jacó

　　This pleasant outdoor shopping square is where many of the town's good restaurants are located. It's adorned with multicolored bricks, potted plants and pretty lights. The restaurants all offer outdoor seating and the whole thing is very family friendly, with fountains, bike racks and a children’s playground. There's a decent...

Playa Platanares

Puerto Jiménez

　　About 5km southeast of town, the long, secluded – and often deserted – Playa Platanares is excellent for swimming, sunning and recovering from too much adventure. The nearby mangroves of Río Platanares are a paradise for kayaking and birdwatching. Take the road that runs parallel to the airstrip. ...

Playa Blanca

Cahuita

　　At the entrance to the national park. A good option for swimming. ...

Playa Negra

Cahuita

　　At the northwestern end of Cahuita, Playa Negra is a long, black-sand beach flying the bandera azul ecológica, a flag that indicates that the beach is kept to the highest ecological standard. It's rarely crowded, so you can stretch out and relax as the Caribbean Sea laps at your feet....

Finca La Isla

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

　　West of town, this farm and botanical garden has long produced organic pepper and cacao, along with more than 150 tropical fruits and ornamental plants. Birds and wildlife, including sloths, poison-dart frogs and toucans, abound. Informative guided tours (minimum three people) include admission, fruit tasting and a glass of fresh...

Aiko-logi

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

　　Nestled into the Cordillera de Talamanca, 15km outside Puerto Viejo, this private 135-hectare reserve is centered on a former finca (farm), on land fringed with dense primary rainforest. It’s ideal for birdwatching, hiking and splashing around in swimming holes. Day tours from Puerto Viejo (or Cahuita) can be arranged, as...

Catholic Church

La Fortuna

　　This prominent landmark oversees the central plaza of La Fortuna. The landscaped green is often dotted with outdoor art exhibits and souvenir stands, and the church is a good refuge when it suddenly starts to pour (as it does). ...

Mirador El Silencio

La Fortuna

　　Set on 22 hectares, this private reserve about 11km west of La Fortuna is a mix of primary and secondary forest, filled with life, from vibrant blue morpho butterflies to three species of monkeys, plus a wide variety of plant life. Four trails are marked with informative signs, not to...

Arenal Natura

La Fortuna

　　Located 6km west of La Fortuna, this is a well-manicured nature experience that includes frogs, turtles, snakes and crocs, all in their appointed places. The birdlife is also prodigious here. Excellent naturalist guides ensure that you don’t miss anything hiding in the trees, and there's a photography tour to help...

Catarata Río Fortuna

La Fortuna

　　You can glimpse the sparkling 70m ribbon of clear water that pours through a sheer canyon of dark volcanic rock arrayed in bromeliads and ferns with minimal sweat equity. But it’s worth the climb down to see it from the jungle floor. Though it’s dangerous to dive beneath the thundering...

Ecocentro Danaus

La Fortuna

　　This center, 4km east of town, has a well-developed trail system that’s excellent for birding, as well as for spotting mammals such as coatis and agoutis (racoons and rodents of unusual size). The admission fee includes a visit to a butterfly garden, a ranarium featuring poison-dart frogs, and a small...

Museo de Arte Costarricense

San José

　　This Spanish-style structure served as San José’s main airport terminal until 1955. The remodeled museum features regional art, a sculpture garden, a huge (150 sq m) bas-relief mural of Costa Rican history from pre-Columbian times to 1940 by French artist Luis Féron Parizot, and other exhibits. Located at the east...

Catedral Metropolitana

San José

　　East of Parque Central, the Renaissance-style Catedral Metropolitana was built in 1871 after the previous cathedral was destroyed in an earthquake. The graceful neoclassical interior has colorful Spanish-tile floors, stained-glass windows, and a Christ figure that was produced by a Guatemalan workshop in the late 17th century. On the north...

Feria Verde de Aranjuez

San José

　　For a foodie-friendly cultural experience, don't miss this fabulous Saturday market, a meeting place for San José's artists and organic growers since 2010. You'll find organic coffee, artisanal chocolate, tropical-fruit ice blocks, produce, leather, jewelry and more at the long rows of booths set up in the park at the...

Talentum

San José

　　This vibrant, quirky cultural space/gallery in a renovated mansion sports local artwork inside and out. There's cozy seating on vintage couches, plus tables made from old sewing machines and an outdoor deck; it's a fun place for a midday break. The ever-changing cultural agenda includes book signings, films, anatomical drawing...

Alianza Francesa

San José

　　The Alliance has French classes, a small library and rotating art exhibits in a Barrio Amón home. There are also cinematic and musical events. The classes, which include fees for enrolment and assessment, are held from 9am to 4:30pm Monday through Thursday, and until 3:30pm on Friday, and include three...

TEOR/éTica

San José

　　This contemporary-art museum is the brick-and-mortar gathering space for the TEOR/éTica Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports Central American art and culture. Housed in a pair of vintage mansions across the street from one another, each elegant room exhibits cutting-edge works from Latin America and the rest of the world....

Iglesia de la Merced

San José

　　A cathedral just east of the Hospital San Juan de Dios. ...

Parque Nacional

San José

　　One of San José’s nicest green spaces, this shady spot lures retirees to read newspapers and young couples to smooch coyly on concrete benches. At its center is the Monumento Nacional, a dramatic 1953 statue that depicts the Central American nations driving out North American filibuster William Walker. The park...

El Cuartel de la Boca del Monte

San José

　　This atmospheric old Barrio La California bar has long drawn cheek-by-jowl crowds for live bands. Friday is a good night to visit, as is Monday, when ladies get free admission and the band cranks out a crazy mix of calypso, salsa, reggae and rock. It’s popular with university students, who...