An adventure lover’s guide to Costa Rica

Words: Emma Blackmore

When nature thrives, it unveils its most spectacular side, and few places showcase this as warmly as Costa Rica. Here, sloths cuddle up on branches, fiery-throated hummingbirds call out in territorial displays and troops of monkeys cling to beach shores. It’s no wonder that more than half a million species – a staggering six per cent of the world’s – call this vibrant Central American country their home. Take advantage of direct flights to the capital San José with British Airways and spend a week or two ticking off its epic volcanoes and waterfall-strewn forests and lush coasts. You’ll be slipping into the country’s pura vida (pure life) philosophy in no time.

Dive into the heart of the jungle

Costa Rica’s national parks protect some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, and each offers a distinct experience. Tortuguero National Park, on the Caribbean coast, is best explored by boat or by kayaking through its canals, where rainforest meets water and wildlife appears on every meandering bend. On the remote Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park has twirling trails that encompass rainforest, rugged beaches and an unmatched concentration – two-and-a-half per cent – of the world’s biodiversity, including endangered Baird’s tapirs, jaguars and red-backed squirrel monkeys. For cooler temperatures and misty landscapes, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve offers self-guided trails through waterfalls, windswept peaks and suspension bridges, plus access to rare cloud forest habitats found nowhere else in the country.

Admire the wildest of creatures

Costa Rica is one of the easiest places in the world to spot wildlife in its natural habitat. Sloths are commonly seen in Manuel Antonio National Park in the canton of Quepos and hanging in roadside trees around La Fortuna, a small town northwest of the capital, sitting at base of the Arenal Volcano. Howler and capuchin monkeys thrive in Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero and Santa Rosa National Park. Birdwatchers should head to Monteverde for quetzals or Carara National Park for scarlet macaws. Marine life shines along the Pacific coast, where humpback whales migrate near Uvita’s Marino Ballena National Park and dolphins, especially bottlenoses, are frequently spotted offshore year-round.

Soak up the thrills

Adventure is woven into Costa Rica’s landscapes. For ziplining, Monteverde is the standout destination, offering long canopy cables that pass through cloud forest and above deep valleys. Rafting is best on the Pacuaré River, considered one of the world’s most scenic water routes, or the Sarapiquí River near the Caribbean lowlands. Hikes around Arenal Volcano National Park lead across old lava fields and rainforest trails under the watchful eye of expert guides, ensuring every step through this dramatic landscape is as safe as it is spectacular. Surfing hotspots include Tamarindo for beginners, Santa Teresa for intermediate surfers and Pavones, home to one of the longest left-hand waves in the world.

Unwind and pause

Pura vida is all about enjoying the simplicity of everyday moments, and even the wildest of adventurers should take a moment for restoration. In La Fortuna, unwind in geothermal hot springs fed by Arenal Volcano, including Tabacón and EcoTermales, where mineral-rich waters flow through lush gardens. Yoga retreats thrive in coastal towns such as Nosara and Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula, combining daily practice with sweeping ocean views and lush jungle. Indulge in the spa treatments in open-air pavilions, using local ingredients such as volcanic clay and tropical botanicals.

Experience a tale of two coasts

Costa Rica has not one, but two coastlines. The Pacific coast is a surfer’s dream with hotspots Tamarindo, Santa Teresa and Playa Hermosa. Then there’s the white sand of Playa Conchal made purely of crushed shells. The Caribbean coast feels more relaxed, with calmer waters at Cahuita and Punta Uva that are ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Manuel Antonio National Park uniquely combines white-sand beaches with jungle trails, allowing visitors to spot wildlife before cooling off in the sea – all within a protected natural setting.

Learn the local’s secrets

Costa Rican culture is best discovered through local experiences. Coffee lovers can tour plantations in the Central Valley, particularly around Heredia and Naranjo, to learn about bean-to-cup production. Chocolate enthusiasts should visit cacao farms near Puerto Viejo or in the Sarapiquí region, where traditional methods are honoured. In Talamanca, learn about medicinal plants and ancestral traditions, as well as one of Costa Rica’s oldest Indigenous people, the Bribri community.

Stay in immersive luxury

To stay in Costa Rica is to embrace pura vida. Whether you’re nestled in treetop cabins high above the jungle or unwinding at luxurious coastal resorts, the experience is one of total immersion in the beauty of the country. In Arenal and Monteverde, private bungalows and eco-lodges feature unparalleled indoor-outdoor living, where you wake up to the misty sight of the towering Arenal Volcano. On the Pacific coast, high-end resorts in Papagayo Peninsula, Santa Teresa and Manuel Antonio offer sweeping views of the ocean and infinity pools, finished off with superb service.