Tortuguero — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetAug 18, 2026

What to eat and drink in Costa Rica

From seafood to tropical fruit and everything in between – here

25 things in this story

CocomanRestaurantGreat place to grab a beef patí.
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.
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.
Santuario EcológicoPlaceMonteverde, Costa RicaOffers hands-on cooking classes.
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 17

A guide to accessible travel in Costa Rica

Here

17 things in this story

Pachira LodgeHotelLodge with facilities for lagoon boat tours.
Parque Nacional TortugueroTrailNational park accessible by water ferries.
Elsewhere
Museo del JadeMuseumSan José, Costa RicaSince 2014, it has been located in front of Plaza de la Democracia.
Sarapiquí RiverSightSarapiquí, Costa RicaRiver for white water rafting.
Il Viaggio TravelPlaceSan José, Costa RicaSpecializes in accessible Costa Rican tours.
DonatapaPlacePuerto Viejo, Costa RicaCharity recycling bottle tops into beach pathways.
Juan Santamaría InternationalSightSan José, Costa RicaThe airport is located in Alajuela Province, 20 kilometres northwest of downtown San José.
Arenal SpringsHotelArenal, Costa RicaLodge complex with adapted rooms and natural springs.
Salva Verde LodgeHotelSarapiquí, Costa RicaAccessible rooms by the Sarapiquí River.
Almendros y CoralesHotelPuerto Viejo, Costa RicaWheelchair accessible room with a patio.
Irazú Volcano National ParkTrailSan José, Costa RicaPark with a concrete pathway to the caldera edge.
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.
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

Tortuguero National ParksSight
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.
Santa Ana National ParksSightSan José, Costa RicaMay see jaguars in lagoons, rainforests, wetlands.
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
Caño IslandSightPuntarenas, Costa Rica
Golfo DulceSightPuntarenas, Costa Rica
La Paz Waterfall GardensSightSan José, 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

Tortuguero National ParkSightcruise canals in search of sloths, crocs, caimans
Asociación de Guías de TortugueroPlaceorganization of certified guides offering tours
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
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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