# Plan My Costa Rica

> Booking guide for vetted local tours in La Fortuna, Arenal, and Venado, Costa Rica. Hazel is the local trip planner. Questions: planmycostarica@gmail.com or WhatsApp +506 8699 0419 (https://wa.me/50686990419).

Car rental recommendations are not live. Do not send travelers to /car-rentals.

## Key guides

- [La Fortuna tours](https://planmycostarica.com/la-fortuna-tours): Side-by-side picks, prices, ages, and pickup from the live tour list.
- [La Fortuna with kids](https://planmycostarica.com/la-fortuna-with-kids): Family tours grouped by the operator's minimum age.
- [Río Celeste from La Fortuna](https://planmycostarica.com/rio-celeste-from-la-fortuna): Drive time, park tickets, and the guided tour.
- [La Fortuna destination guide](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/la-fortuna): When to go, getting there, and highlights.
- [Venado destination guide](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/venado): The caves village about an hour north of La Fortuna.

## Tours

- [Arenal Canopy Zipline](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/arenal-canopy-zipline): from $49 USD, About 2 hours, La Fortuna, ages 7+, hotel pickup. Twelve cables over the Pino Blanco and Fortuna waterfalls
- [Arenal Volcano Hike - Afternoon & Hot River](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/arenal-volcano-hike-afternoon): from $50 USD, About 4 hours, La Fortuna, ages 6+, hotel pickup. Sunset light on the lava flow, then the thermal river
- [Arenal Volcano Hike - Morning](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/arenal-volcano-hike-morning): from $50 USD, About 4 hours, La Fortuna, ages 6+, hotel pickup. The 1968 lava flow, at the clearest hour of the day
- [Arenal Volcano Hike, Lunch & Hot River](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/arenal-volcano-hike-lunch-hot-river): from $56 USD, About 7 hours, La Fortuna, ages 6+, hotel pickup. Lava flow, casado lunch, free thermal river
- [Canopy + Balsa River Rafting](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/canopy-and-rafting): from $119 USD, About 8.5 hours, La Fortuna, ages 8+, hotel pickup. Cables above the forest, whitewater below it
- [Canopy + Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/canopy-coffee-chocolate-sugar-cane): from $97 USD, About 4 hours, La Fortuna, ages 7+, hotel pickup. Cables in the morning, the story of three Costa Rican crops after
- [Canopy + La Fortuna Waterfall](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/canopy-and-la-fortuna-waterfall): from $87 USD, About 5 hours, La Fortuna, ages 7+, hotel pickup. Fly over the waterfall, then swim at its base
- [Canopy + Rainforest Night Walk](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/canopy-and-night-walk): from $97 USD, About 4 hours, La Fortuna, ages 7+, hotel pickup. Late-afternoon cables, then the forest after dark
- [Canopy + Sloth Tour](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/canopy-and-sloth-tour): from $97 USD, About 4 hours, La Fortuna, ages 7+, hotel pickup. Adrenaline in the morning, sloths in the afternoon
- [Canopy, Volcano Hike, Lunch & Hanging Bridges](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/canopy-volcano-lunch-hanging-bridges): from $148 USD, About 10 hours, La Fortuna, ages 7+, hotel pickup. The biggest single day Arenal Mundo Aventura runs
- [Canopy, Volcano Hike, Lunch & Hot Springs](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/canopy-volcano-hike-lunch-hot-springs): from $97 USD, About 9 hours, La Fortuna, ages 7+, hotel pickup. A full Arenal day, start to finish
- [Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Tour](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/coffee-chocolate-sugar-cane-tour): from $53 USD, About 1.5 hours, La Fortuna, hotel pickup. Three crops that built Costa Rica, made by hand
- [Eden Chocolate Experience: Bean-to-Bar on an Organic Farm](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/eden-chocolate-experience): from $35 USD, 1 hour 45 minutes, El Tanque, La Fortuna. Grind cacao, make your own bonbons and sip traditional hot chocolate on a family-run organic farm.
- [Eden Mocca Experience: Coffee & Chocolate Tour](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/eden-mocca-experience): from $45 USD, 2 hours, El Tanque, La Fortuna. Two farm-to-cup stories in one visit: shade-grown coffee and bean-to-bar organic cacao.
- [Eden Night Excursion: Rainforest & Frog Walk](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/eden-night-excursion): from $50 USD, About 2 hours, El Tanque, La Fortuna, ages 5+. After dark on the farm: frogs, sleeping birds and nocturnal wildlife with a certified naturalist guide.
- [Farm & Artisan Cheese Experience](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/la-nacha-farm-cheese): from $30 USD, About 2 hours, Venado, San Carlos. Visit a working Venado ranch and learn how Costa Rican farm cheese is made by hand
- [Grand Arenal Day: Waterfall, Volcano, Bridges & Hot Springs](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/grand-arenal-day): from $146 USD, About 10 hours, La Fortuna, ages 8+, hotel pickup. Everything Arenal is famous for, in ten hours
- [La Fortuna Waterfall & Lunch](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/la-fortuna-waterfall-lunch): from $54 USD, About 4 hours, La Fortuna, ages 6+, hotel pickup. Five hundred steps down to a 200-foot waterfall
- [La Fortuna Waterfall, Volcano Hike, Lunch & Hot River](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/waterfall-volcano-lunch-hot-river): from $92 USD, About 8 hours, La Fortuna, ages 6+, hotel pickup. Arenal's three signature stops in one day
- [Mistico Hanging Bridges](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/mistico-hanging-bridges): from $81 USD, About 4 hours, La Fortuna, ages 4+, hotel pickup. Six suspension bridges through primary rainforest canopy
- [Mistico Hanging Bridges & Lunch](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/mistico-hanging-bridges-lunch): from $87 USD, About 7 hours, La Fortuna, ages 4+, hotel pickup. The full bridge circuit with a proper meal after
- [Mistico Hanging Bridges, Lunch & La Fortuna Waterfall](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/bridges-lunch-waterfall): from $125 USD, About 7 hours, La Fortuna, ages 6+, hotel pickup. Canopy bridges and a 200-foot waterfall, no volcano hike
- [Rainforest Night Walk](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/rainforest-night-walk): from $53 USD, About 2 hours, La Fortuna, ages 4+, hotel pickup. Seventy percent of the forest only comes out after dark
- [Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/rio-celeste-tenorio-national-park): from $84 USD, About 8 hours, La Fortuna, ages 8+, hotel pickup. The impossibly blue river, with a guide who knows the trail
- [River & Ranch Day Pass](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/la-nacha-river-ranch-day-pass): from $20 USD, Full day (open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), Venado, San Carlos. A full day at a private ranch river with swimming holes and waterfalls
- [Sloth Watching Tour](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/sloth-watching-tour): from $53 USD, About 1.5 hours, La Fortuna, hotel pickup. Four to six wild sloths, a kilometre from town
- [Sloths + Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Combo](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/sloths-and-cultural-combo): from $92 USD, About 3 hours, La Fortuna, hotel pickup. The reserve's two best tours back to back
- [Traditional Costa Rican Cooking Class at Eden Organic Farm](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/eden-cooking-class): from $50 USD, 1 to 1.5 hours, El Tanque, La Fortuna. Cook a family-recipe Costa Rican meal with produce from the farm, then sit down and enjoy it.
- [Twilight Wildlife Tour](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/twilight-wildlife-tour): from $53 USD, About 1.5 hours, La Fortuna, hotel pickup. The changeover hour, when day and night animals overlap
- [Venado Caves Underground Adventure](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/venado-caves): from $35 USD, 2 hours, Venado, San Carlos, ages 5+. Wade an underground river through 15–20 million-year-old limestone caves
- [Volcano Hike, Lunch, Mistico Hanging Bridges & Hot River](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/volcano-bridges-lunch-hot-river): from $119 USD, About 8 hours, La Fortuna, ages 6+, hotel pickup. Lava flow below, canopy bridges above
- [Waterfall Horseback Ride & Farm Visit](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/la-nacha-horseback-farm): from $90 USD, About 3 hours, Venado, San Carlos, ages 8+. Ride to private waterfalls and meet the animals of a family ranch
- [Waterfall Horseback Ride & Venado Caves](https://planmycostarica.com/tours/la-nacha-horseback-venado-caves): from $150 USD, About 5 hours, Venado, San Carlos, ages 8+. Ride a family ranch to private waterfalls, then explore the Venado Caves

## Destinations

- [La Fortuna](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/la-fortuna): Volcano views, waterfalls, hot springs, and rainforest adventures around Arenal.
- [Monteverde](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/monteverde): Suspension bridges, misty cloud forest, and wildlife in the canopy.
- [Manuel Antonio](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/manuel-antonio): White-sand coves, jungle trails, and wildlife beside the sea.
- [Tamarindo](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/tamarindo): A laid-back surf town with long beaches, sunsets, and estuary tours.
- [Puerto Viejo](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/puerto-viejo): Caribbean beaches, palm-lined coves, and an easy Afro-Caribbean rhythm.
- [Uvita](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/uvita): The Whale's Tail beach, whale watching, and rainforest-backed coastline.
- [Tortuguero](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/tortuguero): Rainforest canals, sea turtle nesting beaches, and boat-only jungle villages.
- [Osa Peninsula](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/osa-peninsula): Corcovado National Park — the country's wildest, most biodiverse corner.
- [Santa Teresa](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/santa-teresa): Bohemian surf town with all-day breaks and glowing Pacific sunsets.
- [Nosara](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/nosara): Yoga, surf, and empty golden beaches on the Blue Zone coast.
- [Rincón de la Vieja](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/rincon-de-la-vieja): An active volcano ringed by dry forest, mud pots, and hidden waterfalls.
- [Río Celeste](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/rio-celeste): The famous sky-blue waterfall in Tenorio Volcano National Park.
- [Tenorio Volcano National Park](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/tenorio-volcano-national-park): Rainforest trails, bubbling hot springs and the sky-blue Río Celeste waterfall.
- [Sarapiquí](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/sarapiqui): Whitewater rivers, banana country, and dense lowland rainforest.
- [Jacó](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/jaco): Costa Rica's most accessible surf town — beach, nightlife, and easy tours.
- [Cahuita](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/cahuita): A quiet coastal village beside a coral-fringed national park.
- [Venado](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/venado): A quiet farming village known for its limestone caves, about an hour north of La Fortuna.
- [San José](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations/san-jose): The capital — coffee culture, markets, museums, and mountain views.

## Guides

- [Arenal Combo Tour: Are Full-Day Arenal Days Worth It?](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/arenal-combo-tour-are-full-day-arenal-days-worth-it): Are Arenal combo tours worth it? Here’s the straight answer: yes, if you want to stack the big sights without wasting vacation time. The trick is picking the right pace.
- [Things to Do in La Fortuna: The Best Arenal Day Trips](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/things-to-do-in-la-fortuna-best-arenal-day-trips): A practical La Fortuna and Arenal hub guide covering the best activities, who each one suits, typical prices, and day-trip logistics.
- [Chocolate Tour La Fortuna: Which Cocoa Experience Fits You Best?](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/chocolate-tour-la-fortuna-which-cocoa-experience-fits-you-best): Bean-to-bar chocolate, coffee-and-cacao farm walks, and a sugar cane combo: here’s how to choose the best chocolate tour in La Fortuna.
- [Venado Caves Costa Rica: What the Caves Are Really Like](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/venado-caves-costa-rica-what-the-caves-are-really-like): A practical guide to Venado Caves Costa Rica: what the limestone chambers feel like, how much they cost, who can go, and whether to pair them with horseback riding.
- [Rio Celeste Hike Guide: Trail, Waterfall, and Teñidero](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/rio-celeste-hike-guide-trail-waterfall-tenidero): A practical Rio Celeste hike guide for hiking Tenorio Volcano National Park as a day trip from La Fortuna, with trail tips, timing, and rain advice.
- [Mistico Hanging Bridges: What to Expect Near Arenal](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/mistico-hanging-bridges-what-to-expect-near-arenal): A practical, local guide to Mistico hanging bridges near La Fortuna: the 3 km circuit, six suspension bridges, wildlife, timing, kids, and fear of heights.
- [Sloth Tour La Fortuna: How to Choose the Right One](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/sloth-tour-la-fortuna-how-to-choose-the-right-one): A practical La Fortuna sloth tour guide: how sightings work, two-toed vs three-toed sloths, best timing, prices, and smart combo options.
- [Night Tour La Fortuna: Which Wildlife Walk Is Best?](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/night-tour-la-fortuna-which-wildlife-walk-is-best): Choosing a night tour in La Fortuna? Compare twilight vs full-dark wildlife walks, the best animals to spot, kid-friendly options, and what to wear.
- [La Fortuna Waterfall: Tickets, Hike, Swim, and Best Time](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/la-fortuna-waterfall-tickets-hike-swim-best-time): A practical, family-friendly guide to La Fortuna Waterfall in Costa Rica: what the steps are like, what tickets cost, when to go, and whether a tour makes sense.
- [Arenal Volcano Hike: Trails, Timing, Prices, and What to Expect](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/arenal-volcano-hike-trails-timing-prices-what-to-expect): A practical guide to the Arenal volcano hike: what trails you actually walk, when to go, what it costs, and whether to book a guided tour or go self-guided.
- [Are Rental Cars Safe in Costa Rica? What Travelers Should Know](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/are-rental-cars-safe-in-costa-rica): Rental cars are generally safe in Costa Rica if you park smart, avoid leaving bags visible, and choose secure lodging. The real risk is break-ins at trailheads, beaches, and unattended lots.
- [Costa Rica in May: What Weather, Prices, and Crowds Really Look Like](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/costa-rica-in-may-weather-prices-crowds): Costa Rica in May is the start of green season: lower prices, fewer crowds, and usually sunny mornings with afternoon rain. Here’s what to expect.
- [Costa Rica in April: Weather by Region, Easter Crowds & Tips](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/costa-rica-in-april-weather-crowds-what-to-expect): Region-by-region April weather, what Easter week (Semana Santa) means for crowds and prices, and how to plan around both.
- [Costa Rica in March: Weather, Best Regions, and What to Pack](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/costa-rica-in-march-weather-best-regions-and-what-to-pack): March is one of Costa Rica’s driest, sunniest months, but the best region depends on whether you want beaches, wildlife, or cooler mountain air.
- [Costa Rica in February (2027): La Fortuna Weather, Crowds & Costs](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/costa-rica-in-february-weather-crowds-prices-best-places): February is La Fortuna at its most reliable: firm trails, clear rivers and good odds of seeing Arenal's full cone. Here's what it's like, what it costs and what to book first.
- [What to Pack for Costa Rica Rainy Season: A Local Guide](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/what-to-pack-for-costa-rica-rainy-season-a-local-guide): Costa Rica’s rainy season is not a reason to overpack. Bring the right shoes, layers, and rain protection, and you’ll be fine from May to November.
- [Costa Rica 10 Day Itinerary: My Best First-Timer Route](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/costa-rica-10-day-itinerary-my-best-first-timer-route): A practical 10-day Costa Rica itinerary for first-timers, with two smart route options, drive times, budgets, and what to skip when time is tight.
- [Best Hot Springs in La Fortuna: Free Pools vs Paid Resorts](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/best-hot-springs-in-la-fortuna-free-pools-vs-paid-resorts): A practical guide to La Fortuna’s hot springs: which ones are free, which ones are worth paying for, and how to choose by budget, vibe, and transport.
- [Renting a Car in Costa Rica: Hidden Fees, Real Costs and the La Fortuna Drive (2026-27)](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/renting-a-car-in-costa-rica-hidden-fees): That $15-a-day quote won't survive the rental counter. Here's what mandatory insurance, CDW, deposits and airport fees really add, plus whether you even need a car for La Fortuna.
- [Manuel Antonio vs Uvita: Which Beach Town Fits Your Trip?](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/manuel-antonio-vs-uvita-which-beach-town-fits-your-trip): Manuel Antonio is the easy, polished pick; Uvita is the wider-open, lower-key one. Here’s how they compare on beaches, wildlife, cost, and drive time.
- [Costa Rica in January (2027): La Fortuna Weather, Crowds & Costs](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/costa-rica-in-january-weather-crowds-costs-best-plans): January in La Fortuna: warm days, short showers, the clearest volcano mornings and peak-season prices. What to do, what to book first and how to get there.
- [Is Costa Rica Expensive to Visit? A Realistic Budget Guide](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/is-costa-rica-expensive-to-visit): Costa Rica can be affordable or pricey depending on where you stay, how you move, and which activities you choose. Here’s the real 2026 budget picture.
- [Is Costa Rica Safe for Solo Female Travelers? A Realistic Guide](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/is-costa-rica-safe-for-solo-female-travelers): Costa Rica is one of the easier solo trips in Latin America, but safety depends on timing, location, and how you move around. Here’s the real-world breakdown for women traveling alone.
- [What to Pack for Costa Rica: Dry vs Green Season](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/what-to-pack-for-costa-rica-dry-vs-green-season): A calm, practical packing guide for Costa Rica families and first-timers, with dry-season vs green-season differences, beach-to-rainforest basics, and kid-friendly extras.
- [Costa Rica 7-Day Itinerary for First-Timers: The Best Easy Route](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/costa-rica-7-day-itinerary-for-first-timers-the-best-easy-route): A calm, practical 7-day Costa Rica itinerary for first-timers, with easy drives, family-friendly stops, realistic costs, and route choices that keep the trip smooth.
- [Best Zipline in La Fortuna: How to Choose the Right Canopy Tour](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/best-zipline-in-la-fortuna-how-to-choose-the-right-canopy-tour): Ziplining is the most fun you can have in La Fortuna before lunch. Here's what it's really like, how our Arenal zipline tours compare, and which one fits your group.
- [Do You Need a 4x4 in Costa Rica? Region-by-Region Truth](https://planmycostarica.com/blog/do-you-need-a-4x4-in-costa-rica): The honest answer is “sometimes.” On paved routes, a regular car is fine. On steep, muddy, or river-crossing roads, a 4x4 can save your trip—and your nerves.

## Operators listed on the site

- Arenal Mundo Aventura
- Arenal Jungle Tours
- Sloth Watching Trail
- Eden Organic Farm & Bungalows
- Ganadera La Nacha
- Cavernas de Venado

## Pages

- [Home](https://planmycostarica.com/)
- [Tours](https://planmycostarica.com/tours)
- [Destinations](https://planmycostarica.com/destinations)
- [Blog](https://planmycostarica.com/blog)
- [About](https://planmycostarica.com/about)
- [Contact](https://planmycostarica.com/contact)
- [List your tours](https://planmycostarica.com/operators)

## Destination notes

### La Fortuna

La Fortuna is the volcano-side heart of Costa Rica's adventure scene. Cascading waterfalls, hot rivers you can wade into for free, and hanging bridges strung above rainforest all sit within easy reach of a lively small town with excellent coffee and views of Arenal.

When to go: December through April brings the clearest volcano views. May through November — the green season — delivers thundering waterfalls and quieter trails.

Getting there: Roughly 3 hours from San José International Airport by shuttle or private transfer, with most tours operating from town hotels.

Highlights: Arenal Volcano National Park; La Fortuna Waterfall; Free Río Chollín hot river; Mistico hanging bridges; Sloth spotting at dawn

### Monteverde

Monteverde trades beaches for altitude: think cool air, drifting fog, cloud forest canopy walks, hummingbirds, and some of the country's best wildlife guiding. It's a softer, slower kind of adventure built around the forest itself.

When to go: The driest months are January through April, but mist and passing showers are part of the Monteverde experience year-round.

Getting there: Usually 3.5 to 4.5 hours by road from San José or La Fortuna, with the final stretch climbing into the mountains.

Highlights: Suspension bridges above the canopy; Cloud Forest Reserve trails; Hummingbird gardens; Night walks for frogs and insects; Coffee and cacao tours

### Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio is where jungle and beach sit side by side. You come for the postcard coves, but stay for the easy wildlife sightings: monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and tropical birds along forested trails above the Pacific.

When to go: Dry season from December through April is sunniest, while the green season brings lusher hillsides and fewer crowds.

Getting there: About 3 to 3.5 hours from San José by car or shuttle, making it one of the easier beach escapes from the capital.

Highlights: White-sand beaches inside the national park; Monkeys and sloths on coastal trails; Catamaran and snorkel outings; Sunset ocean views; Jungle-meets-sea viewpoints

### Tamarindo

Tamarindo is one of Costa Rica's best-known surf towns, with a broad sandy beach, warm Pacific water, and a relaxed social energy that makes it easy for first-timers, families, and sunset chasers alike.

When to go: December through April is the sunniest stretch, though surfing and beach days are possible most of the year.

Getting there: Just over an hour from Liberia Airport, which makes Tamarindo one of the easiest coastal destinations to reach.

Highlights: Beginner-friendly surf breaks; Long golden-sand sunsets; Las Baulas estuary boat tours; Beachfront restaurants and cafés; Easy access to Guanacaste day trips

### Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo brings a completely different side of Costa Rica: Afro-Caribbean culture, palm-lined beaches, reef-fringed water, and a slower rhythm shaped by music, bikes, and the jungle pressing right up to the sea.

When to go: September and October are often unexpectedly sunny on the Caribbean side, though warm beach weather appears throughout the year.

Getting there: Around 4.5 to 5.5 hours from San José by road, with the route descending from the mountains to the Caribbean plain.

Highlights: Punta Uva and Playa Cocles beaches; Jaguar Rescue Center nearby; Bike-friendly coastal road; Caribbean food and music scene; Snorkeling and reef outings in calm conditions

### Uvita

Uvita is best known for Marino Ballena National Park and its famous Whale's Tail sandbar, but the bigger draw is the sense of space: wide coastline, jungle-covered hills, waterfalls inland, and migrating whales offshore in season.

When to go: The driest weather is usually January through April, while whale watching is strongest in seasonal migration windows that vary through the year.

Getting there: Roughly 3.5 to 4.5 hours south of San José by car along the Pacific coast, with easy access to both beach and inland waterfalls.

Highlights: Whale's Tail sandbar at low tide; Whale and dolphin watching; Uvita Waterfall and jungle swimming holes; Marino Ballena National Park; Rainforest-backed South Pacific beaches

### Tortuguero

Tortuguero is a roadless village on Costa Rica's northern Caribbean coast, reached only by boat or small plane. A maze of jungle canals replaces streets, and the long black-sand beach is one of the world's most important green sea turtle nesting sites.

When to go: Green turtle nesting peaks July through October. February through April is drier and better for wildlife spotting along the canals.

Getting there: About 4 hours from San José by road to the boat launch, then a 1 to 2 hour river boat into the village. Small plane options also available.

Highlights: Sea turtle nesting tours in season; Boat safaris through jungle canals; Tortuguero National Park; Caimans, monkeys, and tropical birds; Car-free village life

### Osa Peninsula

The Osa Peninsula is Costa Rica at its wildest. Corcovado National Park protects one of the most biodiverse patches of rainforest on Earth, home to tapirs, scarlet macaws, and all four Costa Rican monkey species. Lodges are remote and travel is slow — that's the point.

When to go: December through April is driest. The green season is lusher and wildlife-rich but with wetter trails.

Getting there: Small plane from San José to Puerto Jiménez or Drake Bay is easiest; overland is a long 7 to 8 hour drive plus a boat or 4x4.

Highlights: Corcovado National Park guided hikes; Scarlet macaws in flight; Drake Bay marine tours; Remote eco-lodges; Whales, dolphins, and pelagic wildlife

### Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa is a laid-back surf town at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, with dirt roads, open-air restaurants, and a long consistent beach break that works most days of the year. It's popular with surfers, yogis, and the design-and-wellness crowd.

When to go: Surf is good year-round. December through April brings the driest weather; the green season delivers glassy morning waves.

Getting there: Ferry from Puntarenas plus a 1.5 hour drive, or fly into Tambor and transfer by road.

Highlights: All-day beach breaks; Sunset surf sessions; Yoga and wellness retreats; Beachfront dining; Playa Los Cedros tide pools

### Nosara

Nosara pairs a protected wildlife refuge with one of Costa Rica's most beloved beaches, Playa Guiones. It's a wellness-first town — yoga at dawn, surf mid-morning, howler monkeys in the trees — and part of the Nicoya Blue Zone.

When to go: December through April for the driest days. Green season mornings are often clear with afternoon showers.

Getting there: About 4.5 hours from San José, or 2 to 2.5 hours from Liberia Airport on partly unpaved roads.

Highlights: Playa Guiones surf; Yoga and wellness retreats; Ostional turtle arribadas nearby; Nosara Biological Reserve; Blue Zone farm-to-table food

### Rincón de la Vieja

Rincón de la Vieja is an active volcano ringed by dry tropical forest, bubbling mud pots, fumaroles, and hidden waterfalls. It's the adventure heart of northern Guanacaste — hiking, horseback riding, canyoning, and hot springs all in one park.

When to go: November through April is the classic dry-forest season. Trails can close after heavy rains in the green season.

Getting there: About 1 to 1.5 hours from Liberia Airport by road, mostly through cattle country and dry forest.

Highlights: Rincón de la Vieja National Park; La Cangreja and Oropéndola waterfalls; Mud pots and fumaroles; Canyoning and horseback rides; Volcanic hot springs

### Río Celeste

Río Celeste is famous for one thing: a waterfall the color of the sky, deep inside Tenorio Volcano National Park. The base town of Bijagua sits between two volcanoes and is one of the country's quietest, greenest, and most rewarding stops.

When to go: The blue is most vivid a day or two after rain and least visible right after a downpour. February through April usually offers the best balance.

Getting there: About 3.5 to 4 hours from San José, or roughly 2 hours from La Fortuna.

Highlights: Río Celeste waterfall hike; Tenorio Volcano National Park; Los Teñideros — where the river turns blue; Sloth spotting around Bijagua; Community-run rainforest lodges

### Tenorio Volcano National Park

Tenorio Volcano National Park protects the rainforest around Tenorio Volcano, north of La Fortuna near Bijagua. Its main trail leads to the Río Celeste waterfall, the blue lagoon, Los Teñideros where the river turns blue, and natural hot springs.

When to go: The river's blue color is clearest in drier weather. February through April usually offers the best balance; the park may close the trail after heavy rain.

Getting there: About 2 hours from La Fortuna or 3.5 to 4 hours from San José. Most visitors from La Fortuna join a guided day trip with hotel pickup.

Highlights: Río Celeste waterfall; Los Teñideros — where the river turns blue; Blue lagoon and bubbling hot springs; Rainforest hiking trail

### Sarapiquí

Sarapiquí is Costa Rica's classic northern lowland rainforest — steamy, green, and threaded with brown rivers. It's a longtime favorite for whitewater rafting, birding, chocolate tours, and lodges built around biological research stations.

When to go: Rivers run big in the green season, ideal for rafting. December through April brings drier trails and easier birding.

Getting there: About 1.5 to 2 hours from San José over the Braulio Carrillo mountain pass.

Highlights: Whitewater rafting on the Sarapiquí and Pacuare; La Selva Biological Station; Chocolate and pineapple farm tours; Rainforest birding; Riverside eco-lodges

### Jacó

Jacó is the closest full-service beach town to San José — a wide gray-sand Pacific bay backed by jungle hills, with reliable surf, plenty of restaurants, and a lively nightlife scene. It's a common first or last stop on a Costa Rica itinerary.

When to go: December through April is driest. Surf is consistent year-round; green season afternoons can bring big storms.

Getting there: Just 1.5 hours from San José, making it the easiest beach day-trip from the capital.

Highlights: Playa Jacó and Playa Hermosa surf; Sunset beach walks; Nearby Carara National Park; ATV and canopy tours; Restaurants and nightlife

### Cahuita

Cahuita is a small, easygoing village next to Cahuita National Park, where a white-sand beach lined with coconut palms wraps around one of Costa Rica's few living coral reefs. It's slower, quieter, and more local than nearby Puerto Viejo.

When to go: September and October are surprisingly sunny on the Caribbean side. Warm beach weather is possible year-round.

Getting there: About 4 hours from San José, or 20 minutes north of Puerto Viejo along the coast.

Highlights: Cahuita National Park coastal trail; Snorkeling the coral reef; White-sand palm-lined beaches; Afro-Caribbean village life; Sloths and howler monkeys on the trail

### Venado

Venado is a small rural town in the San Carlos countryside, surrounded by cattle farms and green hills. It is best known for the Venado Caves — limestone caverns with underground rivers, stalactites and bats.

When to go: The caves can be visited year-round. Expect more water inside during the green season (May to November).

Getting there: About 1 hour's drive north of La Fortuna on paved and gravel roads, so it pairs easily with a La Fortuna stay.

Highlights: Venado Caves; Rural Costa Rican countryside; Easy half-day trip from La Fortuna

### San José

San José is where most trips begin and end. It's not a postcard capital, but a working Central American city with excellent coffee, growing food and art scenes, restored barrios, and easy access to Central Valley coffee farms and mountain day trips.

When to go: Cool and pleasant year-round thanks to the altitude. December through April is driest.

Getting there: Home to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), the country's main entry point.

Highlights: Pre-Columbian Gold and Jade museums; Barrio Escalante food scene; Central Market; Coffee farm day trips; Poás and Irazú volcano excursions

Prices, ages, and pickup on the tour lines above come from the published tours table. The booking pages state free cancellation up to 72 hours before the tour.