One of the first times I considered a spontaneous tattoo was in Costa Rica — this place will do that to you. Located between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica is full of surprises, and if you know where to look, you’ll uncover incredible Costa Rica travel secrets. Their slogan, “Pura Vida,” makes you want to drop everything, become a yoga teacher by the beach, and live life softly. Volcanoes, waterfalls, beaches, jungles, mountains, monkeys, exotic birds and animals — it’s the best blend of peaceful, adventurous, and fun.
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Getting Around in Costa Rica
We landed at Liberia Airport in early February, grabbed an overpriced last-minute rental car (don’t be like us!), and headed to La Fortuna. If you’re looking for Costa Rica travel secrets, renting a car offers flexibility, but Costa Rica also has great public transportation, which is an affordable option for getting around.
After two days in La Fortuna, we drove to Tamarindo for beach vibes, surfing, and nightlife. La Fortuna is ideal for nature lovers, while Tamarindo offers more energy and fun. Why not do both?
✈️Costa Rica Travel Secrets for First-Time Visitors:
1. Guest Pass at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa
This is where we stayed for 2 days in La Fortuna. Their observation decks allow you to partake in the most spectacular scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities in all of Costa Rica. You can get a guest pass for $15 or a day pass for $32 and look at exotic birds eating away at watermelon on tree tops, exotic animals such as Coatis (pictured above), and explore trails within the vast nature reserve. You can also go to two different hanging bridges with lush green views. A very good spot for my professional photographer!
2. Arenal Volcano National Park
Here you can hike, bike, go to hot springs, discover Lake Arenal, and more. There are many packages on GetYourGuide where you can do many adventure sports.
Here are highly rated:
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Booking.com3. Sloth Tour
I love animals. Seeing a sloth in slow motion was definitely on my bucket list. With special lenses, you get to look at these cuties in their natural habitat (which I loved). It’s fun because the tour guide and the group are on the hunt to find one, and when you finally see one, it’s so exciting. I was lucky to spot one super close to us where you didn’t need to use a lens. You learn so much about them and the fact that the workers cannot interfere with their life in the wild, so whatever happens, happens.
4. Chocolate Tour for Chocolate Lovers
Learn the history of chocolate and see the exact process of how your favorite sweet tooth craving is made. The amount of chocolate you get to eat on this tour is dangerous (in a good way). After seeing the cocoa bean tour, you grind the chocolate on a cool bike, the tour guide heats it up, and you get to try a variety of flavors with your desired toppings on them. Our tour guide was really good at explaining everything and making the experience fun!
5. La Fortuna Waterfall
Bring your bathing suit and enjoy the euphoria of swimming in a natural pool while a 200ft waterfall is plunging down near you. The hike down is crazy but the hike up is crazier. I tried to race up for no reason, went way too fast, and regretted it the next day. Take it slow or else your calves will be hurting.
6. Ziplining Through the Forest
Checked ziplining off my bucket list with a bang at the Sky Trek Ziplines Adventures in Monteverde. They have two locations: one in Arenal and one in Monteverde. There are 7 ziplines from the top of the mountain, the views are just beautiful as you overlook the vast forest and see the volcano in the near distance. If you’re craving that adrenaline rush, do not miss this activity!
7. Surfing in Tamarindo Beach
This was so fun. I always admired how professional surfers make it look so easy because it’s not! There are always instructors on Tamarindo beach available for lessons, and they provide you with surfing gear if you don’t have it. Once you get the hang of it, you feel like you can do anything 🙂
8. Kayaking Race / White Water Rafting
My kayaking experience was interesting (not in the best way), but I still recommend it since you won’t have the exact same experience as me. My kayaking tour was booked through Expedia in Tamarindo, and the instructor had a lot of good reviews, so I didn’t think much of it. I thought it would be a graceful, slow kayak since I got the beginner’s guide. It was just me, a small girl, and another guy traveling from Australia who had experience with kayaking. Once we started, the instructor, a skinny guy in his late 70’s, kayaked at what seemed like the speed of light, and he wasn’t waiting for anybody! I felt like I was in a race, even the Australian was struggling to catch up. Me, in utter arm pain in the first 10 minutes, knew I couldn’t finish, so I gave up and got on a boat back.
If you are more physically fit and love the competition, kayaking would be great! The views were pretty cool. Instead, I would’ve done white-water rafting as I heard it’s super fun!
9. Horse-riding at Sunset
Just a 20-minute drive from Tamarindo beach, we drove to another beach called Playa Brasilito for horseback riding, which was booked through Airbnb Experiences. First, we walked a path passing villages, hotels, and, my favorite, a small forest with monkeys! We got back to the beach just in time for sunset, and there are no words for how peaceful it felt.
10. Catamaran, Swim in the Middle of the Ocean
I had some of the best Spanish food ever on this Catamaran, rice, meat, salad, and more. I sometimes still think about it. You get unlimited drinks, the best views, and musica rica! The captain will stop in the middle of the ocean, give everyone floaties, and you’re free to jump in the ocean. It was so fun! You catch the sunset and think about how blessed you are.
FREE Hot Springs Hidden Gem
If you happen to be near the 5-star hotel, Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa (pictured above), there is a hidden gem, natural hot springs, right across the street. It is completely FREE. It looks sketchy at first, but follow the locals and voila! This is a local’s go-to, so you know it’s good and not packed with tourists!
Plan on going to Costa Rica? Have any questions? Have you been to Costa Rica? If so, what was your experience like? Please comment down below—I would love to hear about it!
Until the next trip, adios! <3
