San José — 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

Mercado CentralMarketoffers informative walking tours
La ManchaCaféknown for special blend of cold-brewed coffee and cascara
EscalanteNeighborhoodtrendiest neighborhood, buzzing with youthful energy
Calle 33Neighborhoodline of classy coffee shops
Cafeoteca Coffee ShopRestaurantoffers tastings, tours, and coffee-making workshops
Chepecletas Coffee TourPlacewalking tour of city's history, culture, and architecture
Modo CaféRestaurantowned by a two-time national barista champion
Elsewhere
Café MonteverdeCaféMonteverde, Costa Ricasample top-notch coffee produced at its farm and roastery
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

Mercado CentralMarketGallo pinto served here.
Soda TapiaRestaurantServing traditional dishes since 1965.
Maxi's By RickyRestaurantDoes a great rondón soup.
Alma de AmónCaféSells meat- and fish-free rondón vegano.
El Social SabanaRestaurantEnjoy quality chifrijo and a relaxed vibe.
Museo de InsectosMuseumServes mealworms and crickets.
Elsewhere
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 KaweRestaurantCahuita, Costa RicaReasonably priced gallo pinto and casado.
Papaya RestaurantRestaurantPlaya Chuquita, Costa RicaOffers beautifully presented gallo pinto.
Santuario EcológicoPlaceMonteverde, Costa RicaOffers hands-on cooking classes.
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.
Casona de LalyRestaurantEscazú, Costa RicaSan José favorite; order chifrijo.
Fiesta del MaízRestaurantCosta RicaFestival of Corn.
Feria Nacional de PejibayeFestivalCosta RicaNational Peach Palm Market.

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Lonely PlanetAug 17

A guide to accessible travel in Costa Rica

Here

17 things in this story

Museo del JadeMuseumSince 2014, it has been located in front of Plaza de la Democracia.
Il Viaggio TravelPlaceSpecializes in accessible Costa Rican tours.
Juan Santamaría InternationalSightThe airport is located in Alajuela Province, 20 kilometres northwest of downtown San José.
Irazú Volcano National ParkTrailPark with a concrete pathway to the caldera edge.
Elsewhere
Sarapiquí RiverSightSarapiquí, Costa RicaRiver for white water rafting.
DonatapaPlacePuerto Viejo, Costa RicaCharity recycling bottle tops into beach pathways.
Arenal SpringsHotelArenal, Costa RicaLodge complex with adapted rooms and natural springs.
Salva Verde LodgeHotelSarapiquí, Costa RicaAccessible rooms by the Sarapiquí River.
Pachira LodgeHotelTortuguero, Costa RicaLodge with facilities for lagoon boat tours.
Almendros y CoralesHotelPuerto Viejo, Costa RicaWheelchair accessible room with a patio.
Mistico Park Hanging BridgesSightArenal, Costa RicaOffers an accessible path into the rainforest.
Paco’s Horseback RidingPlaceArenal, Costa RicaOffers rides with a lift and supportive saddles.
Parque Nacional TortugueroTrailTortuguero, Costa RicaNational park accessible by water ferries.
Vida CampesinaRestaurantArenal, Costa RicaOffers Tico (traditional Costa Rican) cooking classes.
Glenda’s Caribbean Cooking ClassPlacePuerto Viejo, Costa RicaOffers Caribbean cooking classes.
Playa Manzanillo beachSightManzanillo, Costa Rica
CieneguitaSightLimón, Costa Rica

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Lonely PlanetAug 15

Where to see wildlife in Costa Rica

Follow this guide to see the most captivating wildlife in Costa Rica, from endangered tapirs to elusive jaguars.

17 things in this story

Santa Ana National ParksSightMay see jaguars in lagoons, rainforests, wetlands.
La Paz Waterfall GardensSight
Elsewhere
Sloth Watching TrailAttractionLa Fortuna, Costa RicaJoin our sloth watching trail in La Fortuna, Costa Rica: guided rainforest walk near Arenal Volcano spotting 4‑6 wild…
Jaguar Rescue CenterSightPuerto Viejo, Costa RicaThe center is dedicated to the rehabilitation of mistreated, injured, orphaned, and/or confiscated animals.
La Perica Sloth GardenSightLa Palma, Costa RicaFamily-run reserve for seeing sloths.
Divine DolphinPlaceDrake Bay, Costa RicaSpecialized tour operator with marine biologist guides.
Corcovado National ParkSightLa Palma, Costa RicaBest chance to see Baird's tapir on trails.
Centro de Rescate y Santuario Las PumasSightCañas, Costa RicaCares for two jaguars that can't be returned to wild.
Los Santos areaNeighborhoodSan Gerardo de Dota, Costa RicaQuieter experience for spotting hummingbirds.
CorcovadoSightLa Palma, Costa RicaMonkeys are ubiquitous in this national park.
Manuel Antonio National ParksSightManuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Tortuguero National ParksSightTortuguero, Costa Rica
Caño IslandSightPuntarenas, Costa Rica
Golfo DulceSightPuntarenas, Costa Rica
Mistico ParkAttractionLa Fortuna, Costa Rica
Miriam's QuetzalsPlaceSan Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica
Quinta Galeon LodgeHotelSan Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica

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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

Mercado CentralMarketstart any great day with a traditional breakfast
Teatro NacionalTheatrevisit after breakfast at Mercado Central
La ManchaCaféstop for a caffeine fix
Museo del JadeMuseumlearn about pre-Columbian history
Barrio EscalanteNeighborhoodstroll for dinner at a bistro and drinks
Elsewhere
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
Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso MonteverdeSightMonteverde, Costa Ricahome to 425 species of birds
Finca Modelo EcológicaSightMonteverde, Costa Ricaclimb a giant strangler fig
Café de MonteverdeRestaurantMonteverde, Costa Ricatour a sustainable coffee farm
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 TravelerJan 29

27 Adult Spring Break Destinations That Might Surprise You

Off-peak destinations with mild weather and fewer crowds, from Antigua to Holland.

15 sights in this story

Costa RicaSightIt borders Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean…
Elsewhere
Vancouver IslandSightVancouver, CanadaThe island is 456 kilometres (283 mi) in length, 100 kilometres (62 mi) in width at its widest point, and 32,100 square…
Puerto RicoSightSan Juan, Puerto RicoLocated about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Miami, Florida, between the Dominican…
Grand Canyon National ParkSightGrand Canyon Village, United StatesThe park's central feature is the Grand Canyon, a gorge of the Colorado River, which is often considered one of the…
BoliviaSightSucre, BoliviaIts geography primarily consists of an Andean region to the west and tropical lowlands to the east and north.
BelizeSightBelmopan, BelizeIt is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south.
St. ThomasSightCharlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin IslandsAfter a remodel and reopening in 2019, the Ritz-Carlton’s St.
Samaná BaySightSamaná, Dominican RepublicThe Yuna River flows into Samaná Bay, and it is located south of the town of Samaná and the Samaná Peninsula.
AnguillaSightThe Valley, AnguillaIt is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, lying east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin…
Alentejo RegionSightÉvora, Portugalsampling the finest wines
HollandSightAmsterdam, The NetherlandsFrom the 10th to the 16th century, Holland proper was a unified political region within the Holy Roman Empire as a…
AntiguaSightSt. John's, Antigua and BarbudaIt is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and the most populous island of the country of Antigua and…
Texas Hill CountrySightAustin, United States
Alabama's Gulf CoastSightGulf Shores, United States
PugliaSightBari, Italy

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