Top 5 Cant Miss
Soak in natural hot springs.
Dont miss the mud planters and paintbrushes for painting yourself.
Travel back in time in Bagaces.
View of Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica.Credit:Janusz Kubow / Getty Images
dola710/Adobe Stock
Despite being just 45 minutes by car from Liberia, Bagaces seems a world away.
Here, locals still outnumber tourists, and it feels a bit like going back in time.
Finally, dont leave without refueling withrosquillas, a baked snack made with corn and cheese.
Ecotermales Fortuna hot springs.Jose Hernandez/Travel + Leisure
Ride a wave.
Their instructors love their jobs, and thanks to the video analysis they provided, I improved immensely.
If youre bringing your own board, theGilded Iguanas Surf Clubin Nosara is awesome.
Llanos del Cortes waterfall in Bagaces, Costa Rica.dola710/Adobe Stock
Take a cooking class.
Shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
See sea turtles at Tortuguero National Park.
A surfer on Jaco Beach.Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure
Arctic-Images/Getty Images
When it comes to nature, Villalobos says it doesnt get better than Tortuguero National Park.
Its only accessible by boat or small plane, but the remoteness lends itself to a really immersive experience.
Of course, the main attraction here in the Amazon of Costa Rica is the population of sea turtles.
Hands preparing a meal in Costa Rica.Carles Navarro Parcerisas/Getty Images
Villalobos describes it as a remarkable spectacle.
Pro tip: Book a guided night tour as many of the animals here are most active at night.
Rent a car and explore.
Handicraft souvenirs in Costa Rica.Driendl Group/Getty Images
Gerardo Huitron/Getty Images
I met Villalobos atVamos-Rent-A-Car, where hes the director of operations.
I always get my wheels here when Im in Costa Rica.
Get your hiking boots dirty.
Arctic-Images/Getty Images
Saragovia is like a walking Wikipedia page for hiking in Costa Rica.
Sadly, all of my favorite hikes are illegal, he admits.
Just confirm to bring layers.
A car driving down an empty road through Costa Rican countryside.Gerardo Huitrón/Getty Images
Watch wildlife in Manuel Antonio National Park.
Jess Macdonald/Travel + Leisure
Costa Rica has nearly 30 national parks, andManuel Antoniois its most popular by far.
Manuel Antonio is one of the most accessible parks in Costa Rica.
A hiker at the top of Rincon de la Vieja.Jose Hernandez/Travel + Leisure
Its paved trails are wheelchair-friendly and have interpretive signs in braille.
Venture off the beaten path.
Talk with (and like) a Tico.
A sloth spotted in Manuel Antonio.Jess Macdonald/Travel + Leisure
John Coletti/Getty Images
According to Saragovia, Costa Ricas greatest asset is its people.
Many Ticos speak English and are happy to help you practice your Spanish.
Eat your way through San Jose.
An empty beach along Papagayo Peninsula.Jose Hernandez/Travel + Leisure
Saragovias top tip for eating in San Jose?
Find the restaurants with a real story and palpable passion.
And remember, most restaurants include a 10 percent service charge.
Two women pick coffee beans in Costa Rica.John Coletti/Getty Images
Of course, you’re able to tip extra if you feel compelled.
Get wet white water rafting.
Depending on the season, youll find everything from class three to class five rapids.
People dining in San Jose’s Sikwa restaurant.EZEQUIEL BECERRA/AFP via Getty Images
Most tour companies operate between May through November when water levels are highest.
Become one with nature on the Osa Peninsula.
Host a multigenerational family vacation.
White water rafting in Pozo Azul, Costa Rica.Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images
Courtesy of The Point Luxury Villas.
It has a putting green and an infinity pool, plus all seven of its suites are ocean-facing.
Catch the sunset from a catamaran.
MB Photography/Getty Images
Check out the Langosta tide pools.
Its total meditationuntil a tiny crab decides Im covering his little home and pinches me to get me moving.
Soar through the canopy.
Large dinner table in private villa at The Point.Courtesy of The Point Luxury Villas.
Want to see the canopy without getting harnessed up?
For a more relaxed experience, explore the hanging bridges, he adds.
Experience the culture of the oft-overlooked Caribbean Coast.
A sunset boat ride off the coast of Costa Rica.Kryssia Campos/Getty Images
Most travelers, and even many Ticos, make the mistake of not traveling to the countrys Caribbean coastline.
I recommend staying in Puerto Viejo; when I stayed there, I felt like I was in Jamaica.
Give back.
Natural Langosta Tide Pools.Jeffrey Eisen / 500px/Getty Images
it’s possible for you to also support locals throughPack for a Purpose.
A zipliner gliding through a cloud forest in Selvatura Park.Malena Barrios/Getty Images
Puerto Viejo alongside the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.Jose Hernandez/Travel + Leisure
A basket of eggs from Hotel Belmar’s farm.Courtesy of Hotel Belmar
