Costa Rica is my favorite place on the planet. This is the only place where you can experience waterfalls, oceans, cloud forests, wildlife, along with a range of activities in an eco-friendly environment. I lived in Costa Rica for 6 months and went back several times to visit. There is truly no where else in the world that feels so pure and magical as Costa Rica.
If you love nature, warm weather, and environmentally friendly cultures, Costa Rica is for you. There are plenty of extreme sports to choose from as well as relaxing and rejuvenating experiences to enduldge in. In this article I’m going to recommend the top places to visit.
My favorite places are Guanacaste, Puerto Viejo, Santa Teresa, and Monteverde. Each offer a completely different experience. Guanacaste is known for its sunny weather, luxury resorts, and beautiful Pacific beaches with incredible sunsets, while Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast has a colorful, laid-back vibe influenced by Afro-Caribbean culture, reggae music, and vibrant local food. Santa Teresa is a relaxed surfer town on the Nicoya Peninsula with a bohemian atmosphere, stunning beaches, and plenty of outdoor activities like surfing, yoga, and ATV riding. In contrast, Monteverde sits high in the mountains and is famous for its misty cloud forests, where visitors can walk across hanging bridges, go zip lining through the canopy, and discover incredible biodiversity including monkeys, birds, and rare plants.
Monteverde is an amazing rainforest located about 4-6 hours drive from San Jose. Once you’re there you will see dense forests and greenery. This area is in high elevation, between 1,200 and 1,800 meters (roughly 3,900 to 5,900 feet) above sea level. There is almost always mist in the air and clouds in the sky and very high humidity.
I stayed at Hostel La Suerte, which is an affordable hostel centrally located by restaurants, grocery stores, and activities. Once there, you can choose from several guided excursions such as waterfall canyoning, walking through the cloud forest, taking a guided rainforest hike, bungee jumping, and visitng incredibly unique bars and restaurants.
How To Get There:
I recommend taking the public bus. It’s not going to be a luxurious as renting a car, but the drivers are locals so they are familiar with the road laws and terrain. The terrain is difficult because of the intense amount of elevation gained.
Public Bus $8 one way from San Jose to Monteverde.
Shared Shuttle $60 one way from San Jose to Monteverde
Rental Car $100 per day
Where to Stay
There are lots of hotels and hostels in the area as this is an area frequented by tourists. I stayed at a hostel and I had a wonderful time. Staying in shared hostels is an excellent way to meet other travelers and share stories. The hostel was spacious enough to have room to eat and lounge without feeling like I was in someone else’s space.
However if you are looking for something more private there are plenty of hotels in the area that can offer a comfortable getaway.
Hostels: Hostel La Suerte $11 per night
Hotels: Marr Inn Bed & Breakfast $100 per night
Activities
Treehouse Restaurant & Cafe– This restaurant was truly magical. Visit to see an actual tree growing throughout the dining area.
Sky Walk Suspension Bridges– Take a walk through the clouds in the rainforest
Monteverde Brewing Company – Enjoy a craft beer and amazing food in a relaxed environment
Monteverde Waterfall Canyoning – Cascade down a waterfall
Puerto Viejo is one of the most vibrant and unique destinations in Costa Rica, known for its laid-back Caribbean atmosphere and beautiful variety of beaches. In this area you can find both black sand beaches and soft white sand beaches, each with its own personality and scenery. Some beaches are perfect for swimming and relaxing, while others have waves that attract surfers from around the world. One of the best things about Puerto Viejo is that there are so many beaches close together, making it easy to bike or drive along the coast and explore a new one every day.
The town itself has a strong Caribbean influence with colorful buildings, reggae music playing from local restaurants, and a relaxed rhythm of life that instantly makes you slow down and enjoy the moment. Small beach bars, cafés, and local food stands line the roads, and the atmosphere feels welcoming and full of energy.
One of the most memorable experiences near Puerto Viejo is visiting the local wildlife rescue center. Costa Rica is famous for its biodiversity, and this rescue helps care for injured and orphaned animals before they can hopefully return to the wild. When I visited, I saw so many baby sloths being cared for, which was incredibly special. Seeing these tiny animals up close and learning about how they are rehabilitated made the experience unforgettable and reminded me just how important conservation is in a place as naturally rich as Costa Rica.
How to get there:
Fly into San Jose. Take the public bus ($10) to Puerto Viejo. This bus ride is about 5 hours with mutiple stops throughout the journey. Expect locals to be driving and to be on board. This is a public transportation system that is well used by the community and quite affordable.
Where to Stay: Pagalu Hostel – $11 per night – They do hostels right! Large and beautiful common area with a shared, spacious and equipped kitchen.
You can enjoy the garden and terraces with hammocks and seating areas, also a deck where you can do yoga, workout or relax…
WIFI connection throughout the hostel and free parking.
They also have a night security guard to make you feel safe and enjoy quietly.
Activities:
Beach hopping! There are so many unique beaches across the coast. From black sand beaches to white sand beaches to toasted yellow sand beaches. It’s truly magical. Rent a bike for the day and experience different beaches along the coast.
Jaguar Rescue Center – The Jaguar Rescue Center is a wildlife rehabilitation center near Puerto Viejo that cares for injured, orphaned, and displaced animals found along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the rescue process and see animals like sloths, monkeys, birds, and reptiles up close. One of the most memorable parts of visiting is seeing the baby sloths being cared for before they are strong enough to return to the wild.
Shop sustainably – Check out local shops along the downtown of Puerto Viejo. Grab some souvenirs and support local artists and crafters. There are really amazing shops and talented people all throghout the strip!
Santa Teresa is one of the coolest beach towns in Costa Rica, especially if you love surf culture, wildlife, and laid-back tropical energy. Located on the Nicoya Peninsula, this small town has a relaxed, bohemian feel that instantly makes you slow down and appreciate your surroundings. The roads are dusty, the sunsets are unforgettable, and everywhere you go you’ll see surfers heading toward the waves with boards under their arms. Even if you don’t surf, the atmosphere is infectious and welcoming.
One of the most magical things about Santa Teresa is the wildlife. You’re almost guaranteed to encounter animals in Costa Rica no matter where you travel, but Santa Teresa makes those moments feel especially close and personal. During my first visit, I had the incredible privilege of watching sea turtles make their way toward the ocean. Seeing these tiny creatures instinctively crawl across the sand toward the waves was one of those travel moments you never forget. On another trip, I woke up to the deep, echoing calls of howler monkeys somewhere in the jungle canopy. Their voices travel surprisingly far and sound almost prehistoric, reminding you just how wild Costa Rica really is.
Wildlife encounters don’t just happen in the jungle either—they can happen right where you’re staying. One morning during breakfast, a curious howler monkey climbed onto the patio railing and calmly sat nearby as if he belonged there. We ended up sharing a small piece of apple with him while enjoying the morning sunshine. Moments like that make Santa Teresa feel incredibly special, because nature is truly woven into everyday life.
The town itself has a charming downtown area with a distinctly bohemian vibe. You’ll find small surf shops, yoga studios, beachy boutiques, smoothie bars, and cozy cafés tucked along the main road. It’s the kind of place where you can start your morning with fresh tropical fruit and Costa Rican coffee, spend the afternoon exploring the beach, and end the evening watching the sunset before grabbing dinner at a local restaurant. Santa Teresa has that rare balance of adventure, nature, and relaxation that makes it easy to fall in love with.
If you’re traveling through Costa Rica and want a place that feels wild, beautiful, and effortlessly cool, Santa Teresa is a destination that truly captures the spirit of the country.
How to get there:
Public Bus: Fly into San Jose- $5. Take a public bus to Puntarenas. Walk across the board walk to the port. (20 min walk / 5 min taxi). Take a ferry to Santa Teresa ($4).
Where to Stay:
Don Jons Lodge -Surf & Yoga – $130 a night
Activities:
ATV Riding – ATV riding is one of the best ways to explore Santa Teresa because many of the roads are dirt paths through the jungle and along the coast. Riding between beaches like Playa Hermosa and Mal País lets you see ocean views, tropical forests, and even wildlife while feeling the adventurous, laid-back spirit of the town.
Surf Lessons – Surf lessons are one of the most popular activities in Santa Teresa because the beaches have consistent waves that are great for beginners and experienced surfers alike. Local instructors make learning fun and approachable, often starting with basics on the sand before heading into the warm Pacific water to catch your first wave.
Zip Lining – Zip lining near Santa Teresa is an exciting way to experience Costa Rica’s jungle from above, soaring through the treetops with incredible views of the forest and ocean. As you glide between platforms, you might even spot monkeys, birds, and other wildlife moving through the canopy below.
Sky Diving – Skydiving near Santa Teresa is an incredible adventure where you can jump from thousands of feet above the Nicoya Peninsula and see breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, jungle, and coastline. The rush of freefall followed by a peaceful parachute glide makes it one of the most unforgettable ways to experience Costa Rica’s natural beauty.
Visiting Playa Conchal in Guanacaste feels truly magical. Instead of sand, the beach is made up of tiny crushed shells that sparkle in the sunlight and meet some of the clearest turquoise water in Costa Rica. It’s the perfect place to swim, snorkel, relax on the shore, and watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean while enjoying the peaceful beauty of the coast.
The nightlife in Guanacaste is lively and fun, especially in the popular beach towns along the Pacific coast. After the sun sets, many restaurants, beach bars, and clubs come alive with music, dancing, and tropical cocktails, creating a relaxed but energetic atmosphere. Whether you’re enjoying live music by the beach, watching the sunset with a drink, or dancing late into the night, Guanacaste offers a perfect mix of laid-back beach vibes and exciting nightlife.
How to Get There:
I would recommend flying into Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport — also known as Guanacaste Airport and Liberia International Airport. From there you can easily get to Playa Conchal and the town of Guanacaste.
Airport Transfer directly from the airport to Playal Concha $100
Where to Stay
Stay at Conchal Hotel for a comfortable stay on a budget. Rooms are about $150 a night and incredibly close to the beautiful beach. The hotel also offers a shuttle to the airport.
Activities
Visit National Park Rincon de la Vieja – This national park is one of the most bio-diverse parks in the world! The park also offers horseback riding, hiking, and kayaking. Admission is $16.95. It is a bit of a drive of about 2.5 hours, so this will take a least a day.
Visit local shops – In the town of Guanacaste there are multiple local shops to find souvenirs and jewlery.
Beach Day – Spend at least a full day enjoying the beach. The magical beach has crystal clear waters, sandbars, and millionsl of sea shells and hermit crabs.