Condé Nast TravelerSep 8, 2026
7 Best Places in Costa Rica for Surfing, Sloth Sightings, and Tico Cuisine
Where the adventures are as various as the flora and fauna
22 things in this story
- Rico Tico Jungle GrillRestaurantoutdoor deck overlooking the treetops
- Elsewhere
- Monteverde Cloud Forest ReserveSightMonteverde, Costa RicaNamed after the nearby town of Monteverde and founded in 1972, the Reserve consists of over 10,500 hectares of cloud…
- Hotel BelmarHotelMonteverde, Costa RicaSwiss-style chalet in the middle of the cloud forest
- Playa GuionesSightNosara, Costa Ricaone of the most consistent beach breaks on the planet
- La Fortuna WaterfallSightLa Fortuna, Costa Ricaa 200-foot cascade you can swim right up to
- Tabacón Thermal Resort & SpaHotelLa Fortuna, Costa Ricaoriginal hot springs resort with a natural river
- The Springs Resort & SpaHotelLa Fortuna, Costa RicaEighteen thermal pools terraced into a hillside
- Tierra MagnificaHotelNosara, Costa Ricastunning views and one of the best restaurants
- Sendero NosaraHotelNosara, Costa Ricaquick access to the beach and the heart of town
- Silvestre NosaraHotelNosara, Costa Ricahalf hotel, half condo, featuring luxe rooms
- Manuel Antonio National ParkSightManuel Antonio, Costa Ricadense populations of sloths, monkeys, toucans
- Arenas del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest ResortHotelManuel Antonio, Costa Ricaluxury, views, and direct beach access
- Makanda by the SeaHotelManuel Antonio, Costa Ricaromantic, adults-only, design-forward, boutique hotel
- Poás VolcanoSightSan José, Costa RicaIt has erupted 40 times since 1828, with a strong eruption in April 2017—causing the evacuation of visitors and…
- Gold MuseumMuseumSan José, Costa Ricaexplore the city's arts and culture
- National TheaterSightSan José, Costa Ricaresplendent 1897 theater
- Hotel Grano De OroHotelSan José, Costa Ricaluxurious converted mansion in the heart of downtown
- InterContinental Costa RicaHotelSan José, Costa Ricaquick access to best restaurants and shopping
- Finca Rosa BlancaHotelSan José, Costa Ricaworking coffee plantation with gorgeous architecture
- Irazú VolcanoSightSan José, Costa Rica
- Santa Elena ReserveTrailMonteverde, Costa Rica
- Curi-Cancha ReserveTrailMonteverde, Costa Rica