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.
stroll for dinner at a bistro and drinks
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