OutsideMay 28Why Life Is Just Better In Costa RicaThis tiny Central American country serves up a special blend of wellness, adventure, and nature—and it all adds up to “pura vida” for locals and visitors alikeRestaurant for dinner in San José16 things in this storyThe RetreatHotelOffers packages for food and sleep transformationArenal Nayara GardensHotelProvides cacao ceremonies and treetop yogaArenal VolcanoSightVolcano at the base of Arenal Nayara GardensMonteverde Cloud Forest ReservePlaceMisty ridgelines with orchidsSanta Elena Forest ReservePlaceForest reserve with monkeys and slothsTortuguero National ParkPlacePark with canals, monkeys, caimans, turtlesSan JoséSightOffers markets, restaurants, museums, musicPre-Columbian Gold MuseumMuseumMuseum to visit in San JoséRestaurante SilvestreRestaurantRestaurant for dinner in San JoséArenal Volcano National ParkSightPark with ziplines through primary forestNayara Hot SpringsSightHot springs near Arenal VolcanoPoás VolcanoSightVolcano with one of world's largest cratersPacuare RiverSightRiver for Class III-IV whitewater raftingTalamanca MountainsSightMountains for hiking with Indigenous guidesguanábanasRestaurantcloud forest canopySightRead the full piece at Outside →