Posts
July 4, 2026 / July 4, 2026 by Zachary Ellison
Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste: What’s Covered Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, is a calm, Bandera Azul–certified beach in the Gulf of Papagayo, just 30 minutes from Liberia Airport. It suits families and couples seeking quiet over nightlife, with Playas del Coco handling services 15 minutes south. A rental car is essential here. Quick Facts: 25 km (15 miles) […]
Read more »
Playa Buena Vista Costa Rica: Quick Guide Playa Buena Vista is a dark-sand Pacific beach on Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, 2 miles north of Samara in Guanacaste. Strong rip currents make swimming unsafe, but the beach draws surfers and sunset-seekers. A high-clearance or 4WD rental is needed, depending on the season — ~2 hours from […]
Costa Rica Helicopter Tours: What’s Covered Costa Rica helicopter tours run $200–$600 per person for 25–90 minute scenic flights, most departing from Liberia Airport in Guanacaste. Coastal, volcano, and combination routes reveal hidden beaches and steaming craters. Pair one flight with a rental car and you get Costa Rica from both the ground and the […]
Whale Watching in Costa Rica: What’s Covered Costa Rica has one of the world’s longest humpback whale seasons, and Uvita’s Marino Ballena National Park is the epicenter. Peak sightings hit August–September and January–February, with activity July–October and December–March. Tours run $75–145 for 2.5–3 hours. A rental car makes those early departures and coastal detours easy. […]
June 26, 2026 / July 2, 2026 by Zachary Ellison
Hacienda Orosi Hot Springs: What’s Covered Hacienda Orosi is a quieter thermal hot springs resort in the Orosi Valley, about an hour southeast of San José. Its mineral pools sit at 95–100°F (35–39°C), heated by tectonic activity rather than volcanic sources, with panoramic valley views. Quick Facts Location: Orosi Valley, Cartago province — about 1 […]
June 26, 2026 / June 26, 2026 by Zachary Ellison
Chocolate Tours in La Fortuna: What’s Covered Chocolate tours in La Fortuna take you from cacao pod to finished bar in about two hours, with unlimited tastings at the end. Most run $30–45 per person, operate rain or shine, and welcome kids — one of the area’s most family-friendly activities. Quick Facts Duration & cost: […]
Bogarin Trail, La Fortuna: What’s Covered The Bogarin Trail is a 1.2-mile (2 km) flat loop in downtown La Fortuna where guided visitors typically spot 5–6 sloths in an hour. Just a 10-minute walk from the central park, it’s one of Costa Rica’s most accessible, reliable sloth-viewing spots. Quick Facts Location: downtown La Fortuna, ~10-minute […]
Rio Frio Safari Float: What’s Covered The Rio Frio Safari Float is a quiet, raft-based wildlife tour about an hour north of La Fortuna in Guatuso. Over roughly two hours on the slow-moving river, small groups of 5–6 drift past sloths, monkeys, caimans, and tropical birds — no motor, no crowds. Quick Facts Duration: about […]
Monteverde Night Walk: What’s Covered A Monteverde night walk turns the cloud forest into a different world after dark — tarantulas emerge from burrows, red-eyed tree frogs call from leaves, and two-toed sloths finally start moving. Two-hour guided tours on lit trails reveal wildlife you’d never spot by day. Quick Facts Duration: 2-hour walks starting […]
June 19, 2026 / June 19, 2026 by Zachary Ellison
The Sloth Institute, Costa Rica: What’s Covered The Sloth Institute, Costa Rica, is a research and conservation center in Manuel Antonio — not a public sanctuary — that rescues, rehabilitates, and releases orphaned and injured sloths back into the wild. It sits about 97 miles (157 km) south of San José. Quick Facts Not open […]
Diamante Eco Adventure Park: What’s Covered Diamante Eco Adventure Park packs Costa Rica’s longest zipline — nearly a mile flying face-first over the Pacific — plus Guanacaste’s largest animal sanctuary, a cultural tour, and private beach access into one day, just 40 minutes from Liberia Airport. Quick Facts Location: 40 minutes from Liberia Airport, between […]
Tortuga Island, Costa Rica: What’s Covered Tortuga Island, Costa Rica, is a Blue Flag-certified beach in the Gulf of Nicoya, reached by a scenic 90-minute boat ride from Puntarenas. Day tours run $90–150 and include breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear, and about five hours on the sand. Quick Facts Location: 90-minute boat ride from Puntarenas, itself […]
May 8, 2026 / June 26, 2026 by Zachary Ellison
Coffee Tourism in Costa Rica: What’s Covered Costa Rica’s coffee tourism spans eight growing regions — most within two hours of San José — where farms offer bean-to-cup tours covering harvest, wet milling, and cupping. Harvest runs from November to March. A rental car opens access to the best farms. Quick Facts: Harvest season: November–March, […]
May 8, 2026 / June 19, 2026 by Zachary Ellison
Puntarenas to Paquera Ferry: What’s Covered The Puntarenas to Paquera ferry crosses 11 nautical miles (20 km) of the Gulf of Nicoya in 70-80 minutes, connecting San José travelers to Santa Teresa, Montezuma, and Tambor while cutting 4+ hours off the overland drive. Quick Facts: Crossing time: 70-80 minutes, 8 daily departures each direction (4 […]
Selvatura Park Monteverde: What’s Covered Selvatura Park is absolutely worth visiting if you want the full Monteverde cloud forest experience packed into a single day. This 850-acre adventure eco-park sits at nearly 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) elevation—high enough that you’ll literally walk through clouds while crossing suspension bridges or zip past misty treetops on one […]
April 23, 2026 / June 19, 2026 by Zachary Ellison
Nauyaca Waterfalls: What’s Covered Nauyaca Waterfalls is absolutely worth the effort, ranking among the most spectacular waterfalls in Costa Rica. These twin cascades plunge through dense rainforest about 10 kilometers from Dominical, creating a natural swimming pool that draws visitors from across the country. Located just 45 minutes from Manuel Antonio and 25 minutes from […]
La Fortuna Waterfall: What’s Covered La Fortuna Waterfall plunges 70 meters (230 feet) into a crystal-clear swimming pool at the base of dormant Chato Volcano, making it one of Costa Rica’s most photographed natural attractions. Located just 10 minutes from La Fortuna town, this 210-acre ecological reserve welcomes over 120,000 visitors annually who descend 530 […]
April 17, 2026 / June 19, 2026 by Zachary Ellison
Costa Rica’s National Theater: What’s Covered Most travelers skip right past San José on their way to beaches and rainforests, but the National Theater (Teatro Nacional) is one attraction that genuinely deserves a stop. Quick Facts Hours: Daily 9 AM-5 PM; guided tours available 9 AM-4 PM Admission: Approximately 3,500 colones ($7 USD) for adults; […]
April 15, 2026 / June 19, 2026 by Zachary Ellison
Zarcero, Costa Rica: Quick Guide Zarcero is a mountain town in Alajuela province, 45–60 minutes from San José on the route toward La Fortuna and Arenal. Its centerpiece is Parque Francisco Alvarado, which is a free topiary garden featuring 60+ years of hand-sculpted cypress sculptures by artist Evangelista Blanco. A standard rental sedan handles the […]
April 3, 2026 / June 19, 2026 by Zachary Ellison
Buena Vista Adventure Center Costa Rica: Quick Guide Buena Vista del Rincón packs ziplines, a 1,378-foot waterslide, horseback riding, volcanic mud baths, and hot springs into one full-day combo. Located 30 minutes from Liberia Airport, passes run $95.70–$115 per adult plus tax with lunch included. The final 6.8 miles are unpaved—a compact SUV from a […]
Cocos Island National Park: What’s Covered Cocos Island National Park sits 340 miles (550km) off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, reachable only by a 36-hour liveaboard from Puntarenas. Expeditions cost $5,000–$8,000 per person for 8–11 days and require Advanced Open Water certification with 50+ logged dives. This UNESCO World Heritage Site delivers the world’s densest hammerhead […]
Los Quetzales National Park: What’s Covered Los Quetzales National Park sits 2 hours south of San José on Route 2, protecting 12,355 acres of cloud forest at 6,600–9,800 feet elevation. Entry is $10 USD for adults — pre-booked online through SINAC before arrival, as no walk-up sales exist and there’s no cell service at the […]
March 27, 2026 / June 19, 2026 by Zachary Ellison
Miravalles Volcano: What’s Covered Guanacaste’s tallest volcano at 6,653 ft (2,028 m) sits 40 miles from Liberia Airport—and most travelers drive right past it. Miravalles powers Costa Rica’s largest geothermal plant and offers a rare walk among its volcanic activity at Las Hornillas. No buses serve this area; a rental car is essential. Quick Facts: […]
Rio Celeste, Costa Rica: What’s Covered Rio Celeste is a turquoise waterfall inside Tenorio Volcano National Park in Costa Rica’s northern lowlands, about 1.5 hours from Liberia Airport. Adult admission is $12 USD — purchase online via SINAC before arriving since the park sells no walk-up tickets. The 4.3-mile trail takes 3 hours and includes […]
