Monteverde — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetAug 18, 2026

8 of the best places to drink coffee in Costa Rica

If you like your coffee, you’re going to love Costa Rica. Here are the best places in the country to try it.

16 things in this story

Café MonteverdeCafésample top-notch coffee produced at its farm and roastery
Elsewhere
Mercado CentralMarketSan José, Costa Ricaoffers informative walking tours
La ManchaCaféSan José, Costa Ricaknown for special blend of cold-brewed coffee and cascara
EscalanteNeighborhoodSan José, Costa Ricatrendiest neighborhood, buzzing with youthful energy
Calle 33NeighborhoodSan José, Costa Ricaline of classy coffee shops
Cafeoteca Coffee ShopRestaurantSan José, Costa Ricaoffers tastings, tours, and coffee-making workshops
Chepecletas Coffee TourPlaceSan José, Costa Ricawalking tour of city's history, culture, and architecture
Modo CaféRestaurantSan José, Costa Ricaowned by a two-time national barista champion
Santuario EcológicoPlaceSanta Elena, Costa Ricaoffers sensual coffee rituals and lessons in mindfulness
Café ColibríRestaurantSanta Elena, Costa Ricatiny cafeteria with delicious coffee and visiting hummingbirds
Monteverde Cloud Forest ReserveSightSanta Elena, Costa Ricanearby hiking destination
La Casona del CafetalRestaurantCachí, Costa Ricarestaurant and hotel with outdoor seating and lake views
Lago de CachíSightCachí, Costa Ricalakeside setting perfect for a coffee break
Red Frog Coffee RoasterRestaurantLa Fortuna, Costa Ricaspecialist coffee shop with fresh-roasted coffee bean aroma
Finca Rosa BlancaHotelSanta Barbara de Heredía, Costa Ricaluxury inn in lush surrounds of coffee plantation
Feria del CaféFestivalFrailes, Costa Ricacountry's most important celebration of coffee

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Lonely PlanetAug 18

What to eat and drink in Costa Rica

From seafood to tropical fruit and everything in between – here

25 things in this story

Santuario EcológicoPlaceOffers hands-on cooking classes.
Elsewhere
Mercado CentralMarketSan José, Costa RicaGallo pinto served here.
Plaza FeriasMarketAlajuela, Costa RicaFarmers market in a mango-growing area.
Tamarindo Farmer's MarketMarketTamarindo, Costa RicaBuy fresh guanabana here.
Soda El PattyRestaurantPuerto Limón, Costa RicaRustic restaurant famous for its patí.
Taylor's Dine & GrillRestaurantPuerto Limón, Costa RicaServes patí and other Caribbean dishes.
CocomanRestaurantTortuguero, Costa RicaGreat place to grab a beef patí.
Sheriff RusticRestaurantSámara, Costa RicaBeachside view for gallo pinto.
Soda TapiaRestaurantSan José, Costa RicaServing traditional dishes since 1965.
Soda KaweRestaurantCahuita, Costa RicaReasonably priced gallo pinto and casado.
Papaya RestaurantRestaurantPlaya Chuquita, Costa RicaOffers beautifully presented gallo pinto.
Maxi's By RickyRestaurantSan José, Costa RicaDoes a great rondón soup.
Alma de AmónCaféSan José, Costa RicaSells meat- and fish-free rondón vegano.
Lizzie 1879RestaurantPuerto Limón, Costa RicaSample rondón on the Caribbean coast.
SelvinRestaurantPunta Uva, Costa RicaTop restaurant since 1982.
Café LiberiaCaféLiberia, Costa RicaEsteemed for its fresh ceviche.
Restaurante OrquideasRestaurantParaíso, Costa RicaServes excellent ceviche and shrimp.
SAGE @ Playa 506RestaurantPlaya Cocles, Costa RicaCoastal location for mahi-mahi ceviche.
Mr Maxi’s RestaurantRestaurantManzanillo, Costa RicaEnjoy ceviche with a Caribbean view.
La VentanitaRestaurantEl Castillo, Costa RicaSells the best chifrijo for miles.
El Social SabanaRestaurantSan José, Costa RicaEnjoy quality chifrijo and a relaxed vibe.
Casona de LalyRestaurantEscazú, Costa RicaSan José favorite; order chifrijo.
Museo de InsectosMuseumSan José, Costa RicaServes mealworms and crickets.
Fiesta del MaízRestaurantCosta RicaFestival of Corn.
Feria Nacional de PejibayeFestivalCosta RicaNational Peach Palm Market.

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Lonely PlanetAug 15

4 Classic Itineraries for Costa Rica

These four itineraries tap into all of the big things tiny Costa Rica offers, from water sports to beachside yoga retreats to mountain adventures.

17 things in this story

Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso MonteverdeSighthome to 425 species of birds
Finca Modelo EcológicaSightclimb a giant strangler fig
Café de MonteverdeRestauranttour a sustainable coffee farm
Elsewhere
Mercado CentralMarketSan José, Costa Ricastart any great day with a traditional breakfast
Teatro NacionalTheatreSan José, Costa Ricavisit after breakfast at Mercado Central
La ManchaCaféSan José, Costa Ricastop for a caffeine fix
Museo del JadeMuseumSan José, Costa Ricalearn about pre-Columbian history
Barrio EscalanteNeighborhoodSan José, Costa Ricastroll for dinner at a bistro and drinks
Tortuguero National ParkSightTortuguero, Costa Ricacruise canals in search of sloths, crocs, caimans
Asociación de Guías de TortugueroPlaceTortuguero, Costa Ricaorganization of certified guides offering tours
Volcán ArenalSightLa Fortuna, Costa Ricahike, bike, or horseback ride on its slopes
El Salto waterfallSightTilarán, Costa Ricastop for lunch, stretch legs, and take a dip
Parque Nacional Manuel AntonioSightManuel Antonio, Costa Ricahike through rainforest to pristine beaches
Río PacuareTrailPacuare, Costa Ricawild river rafting trip with Class III-IV rapids
Pacuare LodgeHotelPacuare, Costa Ricafabulous place for an overnight stay
Parque Nacional CahuitaNature reserveCahuita, Costa Ricamarvel at the vast variety of life
Playa CoclesSightPuerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Ricabeach for hopping

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Condé Nast TravelerAug 4

Birdwatching Is Only Getting More Popular—Here Are the 11 Best Places to Experience It

Spanning from the hills of Scotland to the jungles of Sri Lanka.

25 hotels in this story

Aguas ClaraHotelIdeal for a birdwatching beach break.
Senda MonteverdeHotelStay up in the dense cloud forest.
Casa Coyota HotelHotelSpacious stay in Monteverde.
Elsewhere
Taru Villas Villu WilpattuHotelWilpattu, Sri LankaStay near the lesser-used gate of Wilpattu National Park.
Hilton YalaHotelYala, Sri LankaSleep within the jungle on the opposite side of the island.
The Rainforest Eco LodgeHotelSinharaja, Sri LankaStay in Sinharaja.
The Datai LangkawiHotelLangkawi, MalaysiaStellar programming and hornbill conservation efforts.
The Ocean Residence LangkawiHotelLangkawi, MalaysiaSeaside stay with amenities.
The St. Regis LangkawiHotelLangkawi, MalaysiaRainforest stay with over-water villas.
Great Plains Mara Toto Tree CampHotelMaasai Mara, KenyaLuxury canvas suites with a bird checklist upon arrival.
Mukima ManorHotelMount Kenya, KenyaWild cabins in forestland.
Mara Intrepids Tented CampHotelMaasai Mara, KenyaGlamping near unforgettable wildlife.
Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife ResortHotelBandhavgarh, IndiaOne of India’s newest wildlife retreats.
Samode Safari LodgeHotelBandhavgarh, IndiaPrime position amidst a vast swath of wildlife rich forest.
King's LodgeHotelBandhavgarh, IndiaAmenities mixed with culture and birdspotting.
Anjajavy le LodgeHotelAnjavay, MadagascarBucket-list stay, part of Relais & Châteaux.
Oceanview rental with poolHotelNosy Ambariovato, MadagascarTrusted villa in Nosy Ambariovato.
Avana villa AirbnbHotelNosy be, MadagascarSpacious, beloved rental in Nosy be.
Spean LodgeHotelSpean Bridge, United KingdomCozy stay, close to mighty Ben Nevis.
Corriegour Lodge HotelHotelSpean Bridge, United KingdomCharming inn with a private beach.
The Swallow's Nest rentalHotelSpean Bridge, United KingdomAirbnb near all of nature's action.
Banyan Tree Lang CoHotelThua Thien Hue Province, VietnamChampion of birdwatching in many forms.
Affordable rental for twoHotelThua Thien Hue Province, VietnamSimply fantastic Airbnb.
Angsana Lang CoHotelThua Thien Hue Province, VietnamAmenity-forward birding oasis.
Salt of PalmarHotelBras d’Eau, MauritiusExcursions straight into the center of Bras d’Eau forest.

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Condé Nast TravelerJul 22

Sleep Among the Trees at These Idyllic Tree House Airbnbs Around the World

These woodsy gems will bring you closer to nature.

23 things in this story

Monteverde Cloud Forest ReserveSighthome to this two-bedroom home
Hotel BelmarHotelfive-minute walk to this hotel
Elsewhere
Georgia AquariumAquariumAtlanta, United StatesThe aquarium exhibits hundreds of species and thousands of animals across its seven major galleries, all of which…
Atlanta History CenterMuseumAtlanta, United StatesThe Museum was founded in 1926, and has a large campus featuring historic gardens and houses, including Swan House,…
El PilonNeighborhoodVieques, Puerto Ricoquiet neighborhood on Vieques island
Finca VictoriaHotelVieques, Puerto Ricoprivate extension to this eco-luxe hotel
TourefortSightTournefort, Franceold, quaint village
French RivieraSightTournefort, FranceThere is no official boundary, but it is considered to be the coastal area of the Alpes-Maritimes department, extending…
BairolsSightTournefort, Francecharming medieval village nearby
Kent Downs National LandscapeSightElham, United Kingdomheart of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Elham ValleyTrailElham, United Kingdomhike or cycle
Rose and CrownPubElham, United KingdomElham is a delightful Kentish village nestled in the heart of the Elham Valley, a popular destination for walkers and…
SpringlakeNeighborhoodAtlanta, United Statesresidential village in Atlanta
High Museum of ArtMuseumAtlanta, United StatesLocated in Atlanta, Georgia, the High is 312,000 square feet and a division of the Woodruff Arts Center.
Black Sand BeachSightVieques, Puerto Rico
Sunbay BeachSightVieques, Puerto Rico
EsperanzaSuburbVieques, Puerto Rico
Pont de ClansSightTournefort, France
Margaret's BaySightElham, United Kingdom
FolkestoneSightElham, United Kingdom
Elham Valley VineyardSightElham, United Kingdom
Kings ArmsPubElham, United Kingdom
CanterburySightElham, United Kingdom

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Lonely PlanetJul 14

16 things to know before visiting Costa Rica

Plan your visit to Costa Rica with these essential travel tips.

3 sights in this story

Arenal VolcanoSightLa Fortuna, Costa RicaPicture-perfect cone, surrounding national park.
Lake ArenalSightLa Fortuna, Costa RicaOffers kayaking and windsurfing.
Playa HermosaSightNicoya Peninsula, Costa RicaCentral America's first World Surfing Reserve.

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