Costa Rica Travel Guide: The Best Places to Visit
BEST TIME TO GO IN
Any time of the year is a great time to visit this tropical paradise. For endless sunshine and perfect beach days, the Dry Season (December–April) is ideal. For a more serene, calm, restorative experience, the Green Season (May–November) offers vibrant, lush rainforests and powerful waterfalls.
LANGUAGE
Spanish
CURRENCY
Costa Rican Colón, ₡
TRANSPORTATION
The best way to navigate Costa Rica’s vibrant terrain is via private chauffeured transfers in an SUV or by taking domestic charter flights to skip the longer drives.
For those who prefer the freedom of the open road, renting an SUV is an excellent and highly recommended alternative, offering the flexibility to explore hidden gems at your own pace. For shorter trips within city centers or beach towns, Uber is a reliable and convenient option.
Note: The scenery is so breathtakingly green that you will likely find yourself stopping frequently to capture the incredible wildlife along the way.
WHAT TO TAKE ?
Some elegant resort wear and evening dresses for your romantic dinners, along with a few sets of your favorite activewear for your morning yoga or rainforest hikes!
Light, breathable fabrics like linen are essential for the intense tropical sun, while a stylish, lightweight rain jacket is a must for those refreshing afternoon showers.
Most importantly, bring a positive spirit and an open heart! You are about to visit one of the most breathtaking and peaceful countries you will ever see in your life—and the Pura Vida energy is really contagious.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO ?
The country has so much to offer! Try to make an effort to explore as many different landscapes as possible—from the volcanic peaks to the hidden turquoise waterfalls, golden beaches, and hot springs. While San José is a sophisticated culinary hub for fine dining and world-class coffee, the true magic of Costa Rica is found in its wilder corners where nature becomes your ultimate sanctuary for reconnection.
All of the exotic birds and towering ancient trees are also a dream, and you can only truly feel the "Pura Vida" energy once you are there!
BEST PLACES TO EAT
BREAKFAST & Lunch
Mantarraya cafe (Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa): the most aesthetic avocado toast in town and a must-visit for the impeccable design; stay for a refined lunch of traditional chicken, rice, and beans.
Cafe Social (Santa Teresa): delicious and charming, one of our favorite choices, take the roots vegetables as a side, sweet potato, yucca (a Costa Rican staple) and the sautéed spinach are incredible—the avocado toast, wraps, and salads are very good too.
Ani’s Bowls and Salads (Santa Teresa): great for breakfast, our favorite for bowls, sandwiches & wraps—order the mahi mahi local fish bowl!
Earth cafe (Santa Teresa): best açai bowls.
El patio cafe (Santa Teresa): very good for their fresh bowls, they also offer reliable delivery for slow mornings at home.
Kaukau (Santa Teresa): fresh and healthy beach food with a close-to-the-ocean vibe; perfect for slow mornings or a post-surf lunch of signature tuna poke bowls and fresh wraps.
Coyote Brunch (Santa Teresa North): seed oil free foods and specialty coffee.
The Bakery (Santa Teresa): simply wonderful for its artisanal breads.
Rocamar (Santa Teresa): beachfront cafe & surf lounge with stunning views and food.
Somos Café (Santa Teresa): great for anything, surfers paradise go-to—where surf community meets, best beans!
Sargo (Santa Teresa): peruvian cuisine.
Florablanca (Santa Teresa): fresh farm-to-table cuisine,very good food.
Zula (Santa Teresa): middle eastern restaurant.
Nami (Santa Teresa): the best all-day option for sushi, known for creative fusion rolls and a trendy, high-energy vibe.
Uma (Santa Teresa): lovely sunset, must go—nice for lunch and dinner.
DINNER
Sikwa (San José): ranked among Latin America’s 50 Best, this is a simply wonderful destination for a deep dive into ancestral flavors; an essential dinner spot to gather with friends and experience the country’s most refined culinary storytelling.
Katana (Santa Teresa): our favorite sushi in town, mainly fusion and great vibrant ambience! Order the tuna crispy rice, the spicy tuna roll, the wok vegetables and the grilled chicken are all great.. believe it or not also the garlic rice! I’m sure the bao bans are great too!
Manzú (Santa Teresa): the signature oceanfront restaurant of Hotel Nantipa where you can dine right on the sand; a World Culinary Awards winner, it is a must for creative Tico-inspired cuisine and the best sunset cocktails on the beach.
Hotel Fermata (Santa Teresa): beautiful ambiance for a fancy dinner, food is great! Get all of the sides (sweet potato, the carrots, the broccoli, salads are all great) and crispy rice as starters, the tuna tostada and the ceviche. The fish is nice so is the chicken but ask for everything with no butter as it can be very buttery. The focaccia is great too, the sea bass Fermata—great hotel and food on the beach.
Namoré (Santa Teresa): nice and cool outdoors spot, food is nice but better in other places; known for its ambiance cocktails, high-energy music, and amazing crowd.
Pronto (Santa Teresa): Italian-inspired pizzeria that offers far more than just pizza.
El Falcon (La Lora Beach, Santa Teresa): steakhouse & seafood.
Koji’s (Santa Teresa): gold standard for a sushi dinner, wonderful for its artisanal, farm-to-table approach and high-end Japanese classics— quieter, candlelit experience compared to the fusion energy of Katana.
WHAT TO SEE OR VISIT?
HIDDEN WATERFALLS, HOT SPRINGS & NATURAL WONDERS
Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna: roughly 3 hours from the city, home to incredible natural hot springs and stunning volcanic peaks.
Catarata del Toro: a breathtaking waterfall set deep within the heart of a volcanic crater.
the best BEACHES
Santa Teresa (TWR Choice): 5–6 hour drive from the city; famous for its laid-back luxury and world-class surf.
Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa (Our Favorite): 5-6 hours from the city; serene and pristine shoreline that offers a quieter, more exclusive escape.
Manuel Antonio (Curated Pick): about 3 hours from the city; a tropical postcard of white sand and turquoise waters; perfect for wildlife spotting.
Manzanillo: quieter, scenic escape further north along the coast.
Banana Beach: high-energy spot for those prioritizing a lively atmosphere over aesthetics.
Playa Carmen: heart of the coastal action and perfect for long beach walks.
BEACH CLUBS & STAYS
Best for sunbeds, sophisticated stays
Blue Mist (Playa Hermosa): dreamy escape that feels like the Maldives in the heart of the tropics.
Laloon Suites (Santa Teresa): sophisticated adults-only suites with stunning ocean views.
Nantipa Beach Resort (Santa Teresa): premium beachfront experience.
Uma (Santa Teresa): beautiful sea front with Mediterranean-inspired dining.
Hotel Fermata (Santa Teresa): located directly in front of the iconic La Lora surf break, wonderful for its stunning salt-water pool, and high-end surfer’s soul. Best spot in Costa Rica, we loved the machine neck massage and how they cooked us local food.
Florablanca (Santa Teresa): oceanfront resort, wonderful for its world-class spa, fresh farm-to-table cuisine, and incredibly comfortable sunbeds that are perfect for a relaxing afternoon by the sea.
Shambala (at Tropico Latino): an organic favorite—ideal for a healthy lunch after yoga.
Playa Carmen Restaurant: a reliable spot for fresh flavors right on the sand.
UNMISSABLE SUNSET SPOTS
El Carmen
Rocamar
Uma
YOGA & WELLNESS
Re:Center Life (Playa Hermosa Hills): a must-see spot tucked into the jungle with an incredible atmosphere for a deep "nervous system reset."—from yoga to cold plunges, and infrared saunas—it is the perfect spot to disconnect and restore your energy.
House of Shakti (Santa Teresa - Santiago): a soulful jungle sanctuary founded by the creators of Pranamar; an essential destination for those seeking a deep spiritual connection and incredible workshops in a secluded, jungle setting.
Pranamar (Santa Teresa - Playa Hermosa): A world-class oceanfront yoga sanctuary and the most popular choice for a reason; simply wonderful for its iconic Bali-inspired shala and the experience of practicing yoga to the sound of the waves.
Hotel Tropico Latino (Playa Carmen): a beachfront classic with a stunning jungle-view yoga deck and a deeply integrative wellness approach; simply wonderful for its award-winning natural spa and the perfect balance of beachfront relaxation and professional healing.
WHY DO YOU LOVE THIS PLACE AND WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND IT TO A FRIEND?
I love Costa Rica because it is the place where I truly learned how to breathe again. There is a specific magic in the air here—a mix of salty Pacific breeze and wild jungle energy—that makes you feel more alive than anywhere else on earth. For me, Santa Teresa is: wild beauty, raw passion, deep connection, and a sense of well-being that you can’t find in a city. It is where nature and soul are perfectly combined together.
I have some of my most cherished memories here, from the unforgettable sunsets and waterfalls to the simple joy of a morning surf. In fact, whenever the world feels a bit too loud or I feel a bit lost, I travel back to these shores and find my center again.
The "Pura Vida" quality of life fully describe how I feel when I am here. I believe every person in this world should experience the "golden hour" on these beaches at least once in their lifetime. But... be aware, because once the jungle gets into your soul, it is extremely challenging not to keep coming back again!