Between its epic volcanoes, rainforests and beautiful beaches, it's easy to see why Costa Rica has earned its well-deserved reputation as one of the trendiest vacation spots for American travelers.
The classic Arenal-Guanacaste route, which spans the Arenal Volcano to Pacific Coast beaches, offers a fail-proof recipe for those seeking both adventure and relaxation. After all, there's a reason why so many people travel to these regions, especially during the popular dry season.
But those who look beyond the tried-and-true itinerary and heavily trafficked travel months will find an altogether surprising experience.
Here are a few of Costa Rica's best-kept secrets, straight from those who have experienced them firsthand. They offer alternatives for those looking to chart their own path and avoid the crowds, as well as supplemental ideas to enhance a more classic first-timer journey.
The Green Season
Costa Rica's green season remains one of the country's best secrets. While most travelers opt to visit Costa Rica between December and March, those who travel in the summer will be rewarded with lower rates and stunning wildlife encounters.
Typically running from May through November, Costa Rica's green season should be more aptly renamed the “wildlife season.” Yes, travelers can expect rain during these months, but there's truly no better time to experience the rainforest. The combination of sunny mornings and afternoon showers transforms the country into a verdant paradise of blooming flowers and lush trees — a perfect playground for animals to emerge and search for food after the rain. Monkeys, toucans, macaws, sloths, and all species of reptiles under the rainbow create a thrilling, living museum for young and old alike.
The unpredictable and short-natured showers have no bearing on private travel itineraries, where departure times and tours are more flexible. Plus, the pace of the green season is ideal for young families, who may appreciate a couple hours of downtime before setting out on the next activity.
“I traveled to Alajuela, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio in late June and while the forecast said it would rain the entire time we were slated to be there, we experienced favorable weather throughout our trip. The light rain we did have made us feel like we were really in the rainforest and added a sense of adventure to our daily activities. We were also able to explore in the mornings when my kids had more energy and either relax or drive to our next destination in the typically drizzly afternoons. We found that the sloths and monkeys were especially active after a stormy evening, and we quickly learned that kayaking and swimming in the warm rain was so much fun!” -- Elizabeth Frels, Director of Product Management & Development
Tortuguero
Costa Rica's Pacific Coast is the darling of beachgoers around the world. The popularity of Guanacaste alone has led to the development of several international luxury resorts that have the budgets and allure to effectively market to those searching for a coastal escape.
For this reason, Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast often gets overlooked. Sure, there are not the same luxury resorts and amenities available on the Caribbean side, but those who visit often state that it reminds them of the Costa Rica of yesteryear, before the many developments overtook the country's boho-chic essence.
Nowhere is this truer than Tortuguero, Costa Rica's biggest up-and-coming hotspot. Located on Costa Rica's northeast Caribbean coastline near the border with Nicaragua, Tortuguero National Park is one of the wildest and most biodiverse regions on the planet. It is also a hyper-active sea turtle nesting area, with hatchings most common between July and February. Only accessible by boat or light aircraft, this marine reserve hosts tons of wildlife including monkeys, sloths, river otters, macaws, toucans, trogons, iguanas, caimans, crocodiles, sea turtles, and more.
Stay Here: Tortuga Lodge
Tortuga Lodge represents the premiere accommodation option in Tortuguero National Park. Its location on the Tortuguero River, just a stone's throw from where the river meets the Caribbean Sea, places guests within wonders of the surrounding marine park. Accessible only by boat or light aircraft, this tranquil riverside lodge promises farm-to-table and sea-to-table dining options, Caribé-themed music nights, and easy access to the nearby Afro-Caribbean village of Tortuguero.
“When we arrived at the pier for our mini safari through Tortuguero, we were greeted with a chorus of birdsong from the great green macaws. My favorite moments were exploring the national park by kayak and canoe rather than by motorboat. The lack of motor provided a full sensory experience, allowing us to totally embrace the calls of the monkeys and birds around us. Plus, kayaks have access to other paths off the canals where motorized boats cannot go.” -- Lauren Moore, Director of Operations
Puerto Viejo
Another secret spot along the Caribbean Coast is Puerto Viejo. Untouched by the development of the Pacific Coast, this southern Caribbean region has long captivated Ticos, or locals, with its laid-back vibe, crystal clear seas, and influence from Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous cultures.
This against-the-grain destination is a bit of a conundrum: While the rest of the country experiences its heaviest rainfall in the September and October months, Puerto Viejo remains completely sunny with clear, blue skies.
And despite its location on the eastern coast, it does not suffer from hurricanes like other Caribbean destinations. Rather, the sea is at its most tranquil, with perfect clarity for snorkeling and diving outings. Travelers can expect a range of black, gold, and white sand beach options, as well as plenty of monkey, sloth, and macaw sightings in nearby Cahuita National Park and Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.
Between its protective mountains, clean beaches, and vibrant culture, this unexpected, secret paradise promises an altogether different type of holiday in Costa Rica.
Stay Here: Hotel Aguas Claras
Located just outside Puerto Viejo, Hotel Aguas Claras is the only five-star option on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast. Its Victorian-inspired bungalows and suites sit discreetly within two acres of tropical gardens. Reclaimed materials, local art, and meticulous refurbishments have transformed the hotel into an inspiring and creative beachside retreat where the clear waters and coral reefs of Playa Chiquita beckon.
“I could have spent all day snorkeling in the reefs of Cahuita National Park and exploring the park with my guide who helped us identify the hard-to-spot sloths above and camouflaged tree frogs below. But the real surprise was our authentic chocolate-making experience with an Indigenous family, who led us around their cacao plantation and showed us how they use every part of the cacao plant to make food, clothes, and cosmetics.” -- Lauren Moore, Director of Operations
Monteverde
Costa Rica's cloud forest often gets overlooked in favor of nearby Arenal. With its high-flying adventure activities, hot springs, and towering volcanic peaks, Arenal deserves the praise it's been given.
Yet for a more well-rounded experience, do not skip out on Monteverde. A three-hour drive from San Jose and Arenal, this rare and beautiful cloud forest is an altogether cooler, more laid-back region that showcases a different dimension of Costa Rica's biodiversity. And while it may be a more established spot on the typical tourist trail, the many private reserves here make it feel more off-the-grid than expected. It pairs well with Arenal and offers a refreshing mountain escape before heading to the beach.
Nature lovers will appreciate the lush, mist-covered hills and wildlife refuges with their vibrant ecosystems filled with agoutis, coatis, hummingbirds, butterflies, and even the resplendent quetzal traveling between the trees. Meanwhile, adrenaline junkies will jump at the chance to embark on canopy tours, cross hanging bridges, ride aerial trams, chase waterfalls, hop on horses and ATVs, and go zip lining above the cloudy expanse below. There are even coffee and cacao plantations where curious visitors can participate in the production process, from bean to bar or bean to cup, and taste concoctions along the way.
Stay Here: Senda Monteverde
Senda Monteverde offers a luxurious mountain retreat in the misty cloud forest. Situated next to the renowned Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve as well as many smaller private reserves, this villa-concept hotel offers cozy bedrooms, stocked kitchenettes, and open-air porches overlooking the lush gardens — a playground of paths and nooks housing resident birds, animals, and butterflies. Gather around the bonfire for s'mores at night, participate in yoga and bracelet-making classes, and sample the local fare and cocktails at the bar and restaurant.
“Monteverde was an incredibly authentic Costa Rica rainforest experience. The many waterfalls and hanging bridges kept my adventurous kids captivated, and they loved learning where their chocolate comes from. But it was the wildlife that really stole the show. At one time, an extended family of coatis — at least 50 total — completely enveloped us during our nature walk in a private wildlife refuge where we were the only people around. ‘This is amazing! Right, mom?’ is a refrain I will never forget.” -- Elizabeth Frels, Director of Product Management & Development
Osa Peninsula
The Osa Peninsula might not necessarily be a secret, but it is certainly one of the wildest and most remote spots in the country, and a great alternative to the more crowded Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, and Papagayo Pacific hot spots.
Tucked away at the southern tip of Costa Rica's Pacific coast, near the Panamanian border, this charming gem remains one of the areas least impacted by humans in Costa Rica. It is often touted as having the most biodiversity by landmass in the world. (2.5% of the planet's biodiversity can be found on this peninsula alone.)
The main draw here is Corcovado National Park, which spans most of the peninsula and protects the country's largest remaining population of jaguars and tapirs. The park is flanked by the Pacific coast's epic surfing waves and mangrove forests to the south and west and Golfo Dolce — one of only four tropical fjords in the world and a haven for sea turtles, dolphins, and whales — to the east. It's a quintessential rainforest-meets-sea discovery, where visitors can spot sloths and macaws in the trees and marine animals in the water while learning to surf, going tide pooling, and meeting the local communities that make the rainforest their home.
Despite its remoteness, the Osa Peninsula is well worth the trip, especially during the summer sea turtle nesting season when travelers can witness hatchings, help biologists monitor nesting sites, and shepherd newborn turtles, including olive ridleys, green turtles, hawkbills, and leatherbacks, to safety.
Stay Here: Lapa Rios
Named one of National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World, Lapa Rios represents the best in authenticity and conservation on the Osa Peninsula. Here, guests are invited to go off the grid, digitally detox, and take part in conservation activities in the rainforest. Luxury meets nature in the lodge's bungalows and villas, perched within a 1,000-acre private rainforest reserve overlooking the sea. It is not uncommon to see frogs leap, monkeys jump, and toucans and scarlet macaws (after which the lodge is named) fly overhead while simply walking to the main lodge. Large open-air decks and outdoor showers invite the sounds of birdsong and howler monkeys, while rainforest adventures and sustainable environmental practices provide firsthand encounters with this protected ecosystem.
“This region of Costa Rica is so charming. You feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, on a safari by the sea. Active couples and families will feel right at home and may find they never want to leave. And with both the protected rainforest and the different coasts at your fingertips, why would you want to?” -- Trista Gage, Travel Designer
Costa Rica may be a popular vacation destination, but if there is one thing we have learned it's that there are plenty of secrets to still uncover. Despite the off-the-grid nature of these hidden gems and the unpredictable weather of the green season, luxury travelers will not be disappointed in the exceptional service and experience found in these secluded corners of the country.
Elizabeth Frels
A veritable RV kid, Elizabeth's love for travel began early on coast-to-coast road trips with her family from her home state of Kansas. Since then, she has lived in London, studied ancient civilization along the Mediterranean, cruised through the Galapagos, hiked through Peru and Patagonia, sipped wine in New Zealand, joined mission trips to Nigeria and Uganda, and shopped the souks in Dubai. When she isn't planning her next adventure, she can be found gardening, baking, biking, and hiking with her husband and children in Colorado.
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