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15 Incredible Reasons to Visit Costa Rica in January!

January is one of the best and busiest months to visit Costa Rica in January. The weather plays along with adventure seekers, the rain forests are at their most luscious best and all those marvelous beaches are dreamy beyond words.

Yet there are SO many more reasons to visit Costa Rica in January! After the colossal downpours of the wet season, the whole country reverberates to life, with cultural events, wildlife spotting, and outdoor adventures galore.

Need just one reason to leave the cold of the north behind and come play in this tropical paradise?

We’ll give you 15!

1.    The weather in January is perfect almost everywhere in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s rainy seasonCosta Rica’s rainy season tends to run into the first two weeks of January but rains taper off dramatically as the month progresses, before eventually coming to an end in late February. This means that you will likely get some rain if you visit Costa Rica in early January, but they’ll just provide relief for the summer heat. Overall, this is the ideal month that sees most of the country transition from drenched to parched, so you do get the best of both weather worlds.

In January, the rain season shifts from the west to the east: this is the wettest month on the Caribbean side of the country but the start of the outdoor adventures on the Pacific.

2.    The Costa Rica wilderness is insanely verdant in January

Some parts of Costa Rica are incredibly dry by the time the hot summer season is over (middle of the year) so if it’s verdant and luscious wilderness you want to see, visit in January. By then, all those tropical rain forests will have received an abundance of nourishment and will be exceptionally green, although typically drier areas (like the northern Guanacaste Pacific region) will showcase a mix of colors.

3.    Road travel is back in business!

The rainy season can play havoc on Costa Rica’s roads, especially in remote areas, like Corcovado, that can easily get flooded and cut off by heavy rain. By January, however, road travel becomes easier and transfers are less likely to get disrupted.

If you wish to visit multiple regions, this is the first month where you’d be advised to opt for a road transfer (because road trips are always epic in Costa Rica!)  rather than a domestic flight.

4.    January falls between peak and high season

In January, the country farewells the end-of-year tourist crowds and is getting ready to welcome high-season visitors. Typically, the last two weeks of January are the calm in-between the tourist storms so everything is open and all regions are accessible, albeit with slightly lower visitor numbers.

The most visited tourist destinations (like Arenal and Manuel Antonio) still receive high tourist numbers this month, although with a bespoke guided adventure tour in Costa Rica, dodging crowds is insanely easy.

BOOK YOUR BESPOKE ADVENTURE TOUR IN COSTA RICA TODAY!

5.    January is an amazing month to go wildlife spotting in Costa Rica

Costa Rica wildlifeAs waters recede in most of the country, Costa Rica’s most iconic animals emerge from impenetrable forests looking to quench their thirst. This is a fantastic month for wildlife spotting in Costa Rica and that also rings true for marine life. The lack of storms means visibility is great for SCUBA diving and snorkeling, as well as boat trips off the Pacific coast.

Whether at sea or on land, ensure you include a few specialized wildlife spotting excursions on your January adventure tour if visiting in January.

6.    Whitewater rafting and kayaking in January is perfect for families and first-timers

As the heavy rains recede, so does the water level in Costa Rica’s best rivers. This translates into tamer rafting and kayaking excursions – perfect if you wish to try the sport for the very first time or are traveling as a family!

Naturally, you can expect to find a host of variables in such an eclectic country. At Costa Rica Rios, we plan the bespoke whitewater rafting and kayaking trip to suit your needs, skill levels, and desires for thrills: no matter your skill level, we can always find a challenging run just for you.

Read this guide to whitewater rafting and kayaking in Costa Rica and you’ll have a better idea of what it’s all about.

7.    There’s a host of fun cultural fiestas throughout January

Day of MasqueradeThe holiday fiesta vibe is well and truly kicking in January and you’ll find cultural festivals held in just about every province. Traditional festivals always involve plenty of delicious food, as well as music, dances, and parades to boot.

Fun, sociable, and unforgettable, Costa Rica’s fiestas and parades are reason alone to visit in January!

8.    January is the perfect beach-bumming month in Costa Rica

The beaches of Playa ZancudoIf relaxing on a sublime tropical beach is what you’re dreaming to kick off the new year, then consider Costa Rica your dream destination. As the dry season starts, the sky is resplendently clear, the sea is calm and the beaches unspoiled. Hit the far north Pacific coast for uncrowded beaches and sensational verano vibes.

Beach conditions along the Pacific coast are also ideal if you want to take some beginner surfing lessons so if you do find some energy to expend, you’ll find plenty of fun activities to enjoy.

9.    It’s leatherback sea turtle nesting month on Playa Grande!

Sea turtles nest along both coastlines in Costa Rica all year long, with different species focusing on distinct months. This is what makes the country such a rewarding hot spot for international sea turtle conservation work.

In January, it’s the turn of Eastern Pacific leatherbacks around the Las Baulas National Marine Park. In Playa Grande, the next beach up from famous Tamarindo is the start of what is essentially a marine reserve created specifically to protect nesting turtles. Head to the main reserve station when you arrive and you can put your name down for a guided night-time tour during nesting season. January is the best month to spot them! The best part is that you only pay if there is a sighting, so you can be assured of a rewarding experience – if they are running a tour, you know chances are super high that you’ll get to see these amazing creatures.

Learn more about the Eastern Pacific Leatherback from EarthWatch.

10. January is a fantastic month for hiking in Costa Rica

Drier trails and verdant wilderness make for awesome hiking in January!

Rarely, trails are still closed due to flooding this month, so you’re likely to be among the first visitors of the year leaving footprints on trails. Viewpoints along trails offer breathtaking vistas this month, with the lack of extensive cloud cover making for outstanding photography.

11. January is a popular month for destination weddings & honeymoons in Costa Rica

Want to start the new year as a newly-married couple? Yes, you guessed it: January is one of the most popular months for destination weddings down our shores. It’s a no-brainer, in many ways: the weather is fabulous and, especially for North Americans, the chance to dodge the winter cold and enjoy a wedding and honeymoon in a tropical paradise like Costa Rica is immensely enticing!

Read our Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Guide to know more.

BOOK YOUR BESPOKE ADVENTURE TOUR IN COSTA RICA TODAY!

12. You can spot giant manta rays on the Catalinas Island

Diving with giant manta rays is one of the best reasons to visit Costa Rica in January. The beasts of the seas, which are the largest ray species in the world, measure an astonishing 23 feet in width and can weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. They are docile, slow-moving yet acrobatic and are majestic to see on a diving trip.

Giant mantas (and other pelagic species) love to feed off the nutrient-enriched waters of the Pacific between November and May. January is considered an ideal month as this month sees the largest concentration of this marine wonder in various spots off the western coast of the country. The very best spot, however, is off the coast of the Catalinas Islands.

Learn more about diving with manta rays in Costa Rica.

13. You’ll see an abundance of migratory birds in Cano Negro & Palo Verde

Costa Rica is one of the world’s most extraordinary birding destinations, home to about 10% of the species found on our planet. Alongside over 100 endemic species, the country also welcomes untold numbers of migratory birds at the start of the dry season.

January is the perfect month to get an eyeful of outstanding bird species, especially in the Palo Verde and Cano Negro reserves, where you might easily spot up to 100 distinct species in just a single day.

If you’re a birding fanatic, ask us about bespoke private tours and we can organize a specialist guide who’ll help you make the best of your visit.

14. You can literally pick your ideal temps!

Costa Rica’s eclectic geography means you can pick and choose your ideal temperature. Yes, even in January!

The Pacific Northwest is the driest part of the country this month, with temps in the low 90s and very minimal rainfall (sometimes, it’s days between brief afternoon showers).

Down along the coast, in the Central Pacific Region, there is a chance of a little more rain, but also slightly cooler temperatures (around the high 80s). In the southernmost Pacific coast, around the Osa Peninsula, this is as dry as it gets all year. Temps are around the mid-90s and you can expect brief showers, say, every other afternoon.

The Central Valley region is blissful in January, with temps in the high 70s and a few afternoon showers to keep things cool. This is undoubtedly the best spot for hiking excursions around Arenal and La Fortuna.

The Caribbean side sees heavy downpours that can sometimes last for a whole day. This is arguably not a good time to visit if you wish to fill your itinerary with a lot of outdoor excursions. On the other hand, crowd numbers are super low on this side so if you wish to retreat to a gorgeous remote lodge and enjoy a few days of downtime, January is ideal.

15.  January is the best month to join a group adventure tour as a solo traveler

Solo travelers are apprehensive, at times, about booking a group adventure tour in Costa Rica. They worry that there won’t be enough participants so the tour will be canceled, or they simply think they’ll feel isolated and lonely. Although this is NEVER the case on our Costa Rica adventure tours, January is a reliably super-busy month so you can bank on joining a jovial group of like-minded adventurers to share in on the fun!

Costa Rica is a wonderful place to celebrate the start of the New Year: the whole country is in holiday mode; celebrations abound and the dry season is at the door. This is a busy, exciting, and sociable month but getting away from hectic touristed spots is very easy. Enjoy a thrilling adventure-filled week and then indulge in a stint of R&R on a yoga or wellness retreat, away from the partying crowds. That’s Costa Rica adventure perfection, right there!

We still have a few spots available on our Adventure Vacation Package Tours in January but we can always plan a bespoke private itinerary if you prefer. Check out our Top 4 CRR Tours for inspiration or simply contact us today. We’ll create a tailor-made itinerary to suit your budget and desires – it’s bound to be the best decision you’ll make all year!

BOOK YOUR BESPOKE ADVENTURE TOUR IN COSTA RICA TODAY!

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Is Costa Rica Suitable for a Family Vacation?

Given Costa Rica is renowned as an adrenaline-junky’s dream, many families wonder if the country is a suitable destination for a family vacation. We get how the ‘crazy sport-mad country’ tag can cause confusion but, in reality, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better country for a family adventure.

Safe, fun, ridiculously easy, convenient and incredibly varied, Costa Rica offers the kind of family-friendly adventures that’ll make you scream ‘why hadn’t I thought of this before?!!!’ From guided wildlife spotting tours to soft whitewater rafting, canopy, zip line and snorkeling tours and more adventurous sports for intrepid older kids: Costa Rica HAS.IT.ALL.

Here’s an overview of the best family-friendly aspects of Costa Rica adventure tours.

Plan Your Bespoke Costa Rica Family Adventure Vacation Today!

Variety is key… and Costa Rica has plenty of that!

Not every family is the same, right? There are young dare-devils who put adults to shame on a thrilling zip line and older kids who prefer a more subdued kind of adventure. The key to a successful Costa Rica family vacation is knowing who’s in for what and what everyone’s desires and skills are. Since the country is, basically, just one colossal outdoor playground, it all boils down to how hard-core you and your family want to go.

Beginner or heart-in-your-throat zip line ride? You can choose. Class II or V whitewater rafting rapids? You can choose those too. No matter what the activity is, Costa Rica offers beginner, intermediate and advanced versions, so finding the one that’s right for your family is insanely easy.

So, what’s on offer?

Plan Your Bespoke Costa Rica Family Adventure Vacation Today!

The Most Popular Family-Friendly Activities in Costa Rica

Zip lining in Costa Rica | family vacationThere is a ton of fun family-friendly stuff to do in Costa Rica, and we’re not exaggerating in the slightest. Here’s a preview:

Canopy Tours – whether it’s walking on elevated platforms, crossing gorgeous hanging bridges, zip lining down or taking a cable-car, the sheer number of canopy tours in Costa Rica and the array of difficulty levels is outstanding.

Rafting in Costa Rica | family vacationWhitewater Rafting – Costa Rica is considered a leading rafting destination, the country home to world-class rapids that attract thrill-seekers from all over the world. But you certainly don’t need to send your 8-year-old down a Class V rapid! Instead, you can choose a river that’s best suited to their age and skill-set. Our whitewater rafting page details the most popular options for adults and families alike. Here, you’ll learn more about which rivers you ought to home in on and also learn more about the impressive options, including tours that run from just two hours to two full days.

Plan Your Bespoke Costa Rica Family Adventure Vacation Today!

Hiking in Costa RicaHiking – Perhaps the easiest outdoor activity to partake as a family, hiking is Costa Rica’s most glorious activity. When you hike, you’re immersed in sensational wilderness, will keep eyes and ears open for wildlife spotting and will get to see amazing landscapes you’ll miss if you just keep to the tarmac. In all honesty, some hiking and trekking is indispensable to soak up the best of Costa Rica.

The great news? You can hike every single day and see something different, every single day. You can hike in luscious jungles and over verdant hills, trek up a mountain or a volcano, chase waterfalls or simply take a leisurely walk through a magical butterfly garden. No matter the age of your kids, you will always find suitable hikes on offer, no matter where you go.

Read more about the best kid-friendly hikes in Costa Rica and you’ll see why sturdy shoes should take a prime spot in your suitcase.

Mountain Biking – Families with older kids will love our mountain biking tours. We’ve taken away the worry about ‘shoddy equipment’ and invested in a fleet of top-notch bikes, helmets and all the bits and bobs you need, so you and your intrepid offspring can zoom down those hair-raising volcano trails with peace of mind. Costa Rica is home to a seemingly endless array of mountain biking trails, thanks to its innumerable peaks – this is seriously the best family fun you can have on two wheels, anywhere on earth!

Read more about mountain biking in Costa Rica and we bet you’ll want to include it in your adventure tour itinerary.

Plan Your Bespoke Costa Rica Family Adventure Vacation Today!

Wildlife spotting – This is, hands down, the one activity that gets the whole family excited beyond words. The great news? Seeing animals in the wild is a near-daily occurrence in a country like Costa Rica, where wilderness abounds. There are a few pockets of nature, however, that simply deliver more rewards – there are a few special places like the Manuel Antonio National Park, that predictably deliver on the goods.

Wildlife in Costa RicaThis is also an easy park to visit if you have small children. From raucous monkeys to sloths, iguanas, toucans and so much more, the best wildlife spotting reserves are reason enough to plan a family adventure vacation in Costa Rica. Our tip? Always head off at first light, always opt for a guided tour with a local expert (these guys will point out wildlife you didn’t even know existed) an include at least one night-time animal spotting tour on your itinerary. It’s a whole other world out there, when the sun goes down!

Learn more about Costa Rica’s iconic wildlife and where to spot them.

All water sports – What’s a tropical family vacation without some kind of water sport?! In Costa Rica, you’ll have an abundance of water-based sports and destinations from which to choose. Whether it’s surfing, swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving or SUP you’re after, you’ll find it all, right here. The most family-friendly beaches in Costa Rica are any along the northwestern Pacific coast (the Nicoya Peninsula and all the Guanacaste gems), as well as a select few around Puerto Viejo, over on the southern Caribbean coast. It’s important to choose the right beach town as a base for your family vacation because not every beach in Costa Rica is kid- or even swimming-friendly. Many boast world-class surf which make them unsuitable for relaxing family trips with young children.

Not convinced yet? Then take a moment and watch this gorgeous video – let this mom tell you how amazing a family vacation in Costa Rica can be. Make sure to watch the whole video as she gives some incredibly useful pointers about things to take and be aware of when planning to take kids to Costa Rica.

Plan Your Bespoke Costa Rica Family Adventure Vacation Today!

Accommodation, food & home-comforts: the logistics of a family vacation in Costa Rica

Toucan in Costa RicaAny family vacation can be as cruisy or challenging as you’d like it to be, and Costa Rica holidays are no exception. The country has a quite refined tourist trail, one that boasts excellent infrastructure, US-style resorts with all the bells and whistles, and restaurants with recognizable kids’ menu items. What you choose to do, with all of that, is completely up to you.

What you should know is that Costa Rica is also an inherently family-friendly country because family and kids, here, are everything. Locals are warm and welcoming; the food is delicious and uncomplicated and nature offers so many adventures of its own accord that an all-inclusive resort is really not the best option here. Sports, excursions, wildlife, adventure and fun in nature are at every turn, most of it without having to pay top-dollar for accommodation to boot. To be honest, families (and children in particular) love staying in laid-back eco-lodges immersed in wilderness when in Costa Rica, the kind with wrap-around terraces visited by monkeys and toucans and the kind that boast miles of walking trails within their own property.

Family adventure vacations in Costa Rica needn’t be complicated nor exorbitantly expensive – the country is paradise on earth for families.

What more do you need?

Take inspiration for our Family Adventure Vacation Itineraries and contact us today

Plan Your Bespoke Costa Rica Family Adventure Vacation Today!

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A Nature Lover Overview of Costa Rica

Braulio Carrillo National Park - nature lover in Costa RicaWith its lush jungles, array of wildlife, innumerable volcanoes, waterfalls and idyllic beaches, Costa Rica is one of most rewarding travel destinations in the world for an avid nature lover. The country has essentially acted as a migratory land-bridge between two continents since time immemorial. This, coupled with decades of environmental protection, has resulted in this marvelous country becoming a bona fide utopia for exotic flora and fauna.

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Costa Rica is an unrivaled destination for unique wilderness experiences. This year, the National Geographic even gave the country a wonderful nod for pioneering sustainable tourism.

What makes Costa Rica such a rewarding destination for a nature lover is the fact that the climate is idyllic and predictable, all year long.  Temperatures in this tropical haven don’t fluctuate all that much during the year on any given spot. The predictability comes for the varied altitudes (the higher you go, the colder it gets, of course) and the ebb of the rain season.

Genially, however, Costa Rica boasts a central spine of spectacular mountains that essentially splits the country in two – the Pacific (western) side and the Caribbean (eastern) side. This allows adventure seekers to carefully choose where to go. When it’s rain season on the Pacific, it’s drier on the Caribbean – and vice versa.

The resulting cacophony of ecosystems is like nothing you’ll ever experience, anywhere else on earth. Costa Rica is one of the world’s most bio-diverse countries, bursting with a head-spinning array of natural wonders.

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Here’s an overview of Costa Rica’s regions:

The Northern Pacific Coast

Rugged, dry and home to the country’s most iconic beaches, the northern stretch of Pacific coast is where most first-time visitors head to, first and foremost. Here, dry tropical jungles literally tumble onto the shore, creating dreamy landscapes revered by honeymooners the world over. The highlights of the northern Pacific Coastline include the spectacular Nicoya Peninsula beaches and the many luxurious eco-resorts of the Papagayo Peninsula.

Beaches of Costa Rica - nature lover in Costa RicaFor nature lovers who want to surf and soak up the sun on the country’s most jaw-dropping beaches, this region is ideal. Plus, those beaches are framed by some of the most amazing national parks in the country, including Marino las Baulas, Palo Verde, Santa Rosa, and Guanacaste.

Choose to fly into the Liberia International Airport and you’ll be amid all the northern Pacific action. You could lay on a beach within an hour of landing! Adventure sports abound in this area, and you’ll also have easy access to Arenal & La Fortuna, as well as the Manuel Antonio National Park, the country’s two most-famous highlights.

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The Southern Pacific Coast

Wildlife in Juan Castro Blanco National ParkChoose to head south, along the Pacific coast, and you’ll see the landscapes make a dramatic turn. This is the hot, humid, lush and undeveloped side of the western coast, the one home to the world-renowned Corcovado National Park. This is the single most bio-diverse reserve in the entire country, and a place where nature reigns. A smattering of eco-lodges allows you to enjoy it thoroughly, however, yet to have this pleasure you will need to forego WiFi and the kind of luxury comforts found elsewhere. But that’s a small price to pay for dedicated nature lovers.

Perfect for those looking for solitude and immersive nature experiences, the southern Pacific offers insane outdoor adventures in the Osa Peninsula and its extraordinary Golfo Dulce. If you’re looking for the ultimate eco-adventure for the nature lover inside you, here is where you’ll find it.

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The Central Valley

Over 75% of Costa Rica’s inhabitants call the Central Valley home. This is where you’ll find the capital, San Jose, and the country’s premier international airport. Being so central, the valley is a wonderful springboard for adventure tours of Costa Rica – from here, you can reach every corner of the country.

Aside from its convenience, however, the Central Valley is not without its own wild merits. Rolling green hills are accentuated by stunning mountains that rise to the heavens. Most of this area is blanketed by working coffee farms, many of which you can visit. Here is also where you’ll find the most picturesque volcanoes of all (Poas, Turrialba and Irazu) and the very best whitewater rivers of the country – head to Turrialba for world-class rafting and kayaking.

This region boasts the best tourist infrastructure in Costa Rica – roads are plentiful and in good condition and the region is so densely packed with virgin forests and charming villages that it makes for a well-rounded trip. Soak away your worries in the natural hot springs of the Orosi Valley, hike up Irazu Volcano (the highest in the country, at 11,250’), take a road trip through the eye-popping Cordillera de Talamanca and be spell-bound by the magical Monteverde Cloud Forests.

Book Your Unique Costa Rica Vacation Today!

The Northern Caribbean Coast

Tortuguero National Park - Costa RicaOne of the least-accessible regions of Costa Rica, the northern Caribbean coast is defined by water. The flat plains here are interspersed by a maze of rivers that comprise the Tortuguero National Park, one of the world’s prized sea turtle nesting sites. Accessible only by air or boat, the park is undoubtedly one of the country’s most unmissable natural highlights.

The contrast between east and west in Costa Rica is astounding. This is one of the least-developed corners of the country, one that’s devoid of ‘idyllic’ Insta-worthy beaches but filled to the brim with wildlife and nature. This is eco-tourism at its very best.

The Southern Caribbean Coast

Easier to reach (because roads!) yet just as uncrowded, the southern Caribbean coast is where travelers go when they crave an off-the-beaten-path adventure. With its Afro-Caribbean roots and laid-back vibe, the southern Caribbean seaside town of Puerto Viejo reveals a totally different side of Costa Rica. Until very recently, this was the country’s hidden treasure and, although the game is definitely up on that secret, it remains unhurried and devoid of mass tourism.

Fabulous surfing awaits you on this side of the country, and even a couple of fabulous swimming beaches, like Punta Uva and Cahuita.

So, has this piqued the interest of the nature lover inside you?

Just take a look at this glorious spot…

Ready to plan your unforgettable nature and adventure-filled vacation in Costa Rica?

Here’s where to start…

Book Your Unique Costa Rica Vacation Today!

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The Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Guide – What to Do, Where to Stay and What to Avoid

With its idyllic year-round climate, array of fun outdoor activities, gorgeous eco-resorts and more dreamy beaches, rain forests and wildlife than you could even imagine, Costa Rica is an unrivaled honeymoon destination. Offering superb value-for-money, a laid-back and welcoming vibe and excellent tourist infrastructure, the land of sloths and unforgettable sunsets is a dreamy choice no matter your budget or desires.

Couple enjoying a Costa Rica honeymoonWhy is Costa Rica rated among the best honeymoon destinations on earth? Because this is a country where nature reigns supreme – a dreamy land that screams adventure, romance and relaxation, with plenty of unique experiences to create that ‘once in a lifetime’ memory you no-doubt crave.

Costa Rica has it all. And so does this guide!

Here’s your Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Guide – What to Do, Where to Go and What to Avoid when planning your trip.

Plan Your Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Adventure!

What to Budget for a Costa Rica Honeymoon

While it’s true that Costa Rica is not the ‘cheap as chips’ destination it once was, it is still one of the world’s most affordable honeymoon choices. Mostly, because it offers incredible value for what you get – think of it as a 5* resort for the price of a 3* one, rather than a 2*-priced motel with dubious quality to match.

Hearts in the sand - Costa Rica honeymoonAs with any travel option, your Costa Rica honeymoon can be as expensive or affordable as you’d like it to be. The country boasts as many exquisite world-leading resorts as it does gorgeous family-run lodges, plus an abundance of activities/excursion. Your Costa Rica adventure honeymoon budget will really depend on how much you want to do and where you want to sleep.

Most couples spend between $3,000 and $5,000 – the difference dictated by choice of accommodation, a few delightful splurges and the time of year they visit. Visiting at prime tourist season and booking at the last minute are perhaps the biggest drivers of honeymoon budgets! Read our Honeymoon Budgeting Tips Guide to know more.

Plan Your Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Adventure!

How Many Days Should You Plan for a Costa Rica Honeymoon?

To truly enjoy your Costa Rica honeymoon, we recommend planning a 7–10-day adventure vacation. This is a perfect time-frame and in-arguably the most popular option, regardless of where in the country you’d like to explore.

Couple enjoying a sunset - Costa Rica honeymoonIf you’re visiting for the very first time, this allows for a varied itinerary that includes the most famous highlights. If you wish to explore more remote areas, this will also be enough time to reach highlights that are way off the beaten path. The only caveat? You arguably cannot do both (see the most famous AND remotest highlights) in just 7-10 days and still keep the relaxing travel pace that makes honeymoons enjoyable. We’d recommend planning a 2-week honeymoon if you wish to see and do it all.

You’ll want to aim for two distinct destinations per week on a Costa Rica honeymoon. Simply choose your two favorite hot-spots and use them as you base, and you’ll find a bevy of adventures and indulgences to enjoy every day.

Find out more about Planning Your Costa Rica Honeymoon.

The Best Months for a Costa Rica Honeymoon

High tourist season runs between mid-December and the end of April, a time of year when Costa Rica enjoys brilliant blue skies and little rain. These are the busiest and most expensive months for honeymoon adventure vacations, although the former is not an issue if you plan to explore more remote areas of the country.

A brilliant aspect of this country, however, is that there is always room for compromise! As an example: when rains start pouring on the western (Pacific) coast in September, they dissipate on the eastern (Caribbean) coast. Plus, the entire country enjoys what’s known as a ‘mini summer’ in June and July, a blissful dry spell between the brief rains and the BIG rains.

Essentially, this means that you could just about plan to visit at any time of year (especially as some rain is always to be expected in such a tropical country), with consideration only given to where, in the country, you should head to.

Plan Your Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Adventure!

Top Things to Do on a Costa Rica Honeymoon

Nature-obsessed newlyweds have an absolute field-day in Costa Rica, the country’s pristine wilderness and abundance of outdoor activities creating postcard-perfect backdrops for unforgettable adventures. One-third of the country is set aside as protected reserves, encompassing rain forests, endless miles of unspoiled tropical beaches, volcanoes and cloud forests, all inhabited by a kaleidoscope of iconic wildlife.

The most popular activities in Costa Rica that make for a well-rounded honeymoon itinerary include:

  • Spending a day at one of the country’s best natural thermal spring resorts
  • Rafting or kayaking world-famous white-water rivers
  • Keeping your eyes peeled for sloths, toucans, monkeys, tapirs, coatis and so much more, every time you head outdoors
  • Staying at a remote eco-lodge to unplug from the rest of the world
  • Chasing waterfalls!
  • Going on a night-time wildlife spotting excursion
  • Tackling a canopy zip line and hanging bridge tour
  • Hiking up a famous volcano (and mountain biking down!)
  • Snorkeling, surfing or relaxing on a gorgeous beach (so many to choose from!)
  • Meeting locals and enjoying cultural experiences (visit remote villages and tour working coffee and cocoa plantations)
  • Hiking at every chance
  • Horseback riding in some of the most magnificent national parks in the world
  • Indulging in romantic escapades like sunset catamaran tours, candle-lit dinners, wellness treatments for 2 and overnight stays in adults-only honeymoon lodges

Plan Your Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Adventure!

The Best Regions to Discover on a Costa Rica Honeymoon

Every corner of Costa Rica is a delight to discover, yet a select few make for particularly rewarding honeymoons. These are the regions that boast a range of exquisite lodges and an array of activities that make itinerary-planning so easy.

Arenal & Manuel Antonio National Park – The top choice for honeymooning couples visiting for the first time, Costa Rica’s two most famous highlights make for a fantastic itinerary. Arenal is where you can enjoy hot thermal springs, zip line tours, hiking and rural excursions and, in Manuel Antonio, is where you’ll discover the best national park for wildlife spotting – here, the luscious rain forest literally tumbles on a sublimely white sandy beach. Pure honeymoon perfection!

Guanacaste – Comprising Costa Rica’s north-western side (including most of the Nicoya Peninsula), Guanacaste offers a little of everything that makes the country so idyllic. On the mainland coast is where you’ll find the most luxurious resorts and best-equipped beaches, while the southern peninsula is all about remote seaside villages and luscious national parks dotted with isolated eco-lodges.

The Osa Peninsula – For lovers of remote getaways who are craving some alone time on their honeymoon, the Osa is ridiculously perfect. The single most bio-diverse and lesser-developed corner of Costa Rica offers unique wildlife and wilderness experiences for those who want to get away off the beaten path. A smattering of high-end lodges means you can still enjoy some honeymoon luxury, which is marvelous given the extreme wilds of the peninsula. Barefoot and luxury romance at its best!

Limon – The adventure-seeking playground of the east, the Limon Province makes up the entire eastern (Caribbean) coastline of the country and is where active newlyweds find the very best adrenaline rushes. This lesser-developed side is a tropical dream, with the world-renowned Tortuguero National Park in the very north and uncrowded surfing beaches in the south. Inland is where you can raft and kayak the Pacuare River, undoubtedly the country’s (and one of the world’s) best whitewater rivers.

Plan Your Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Adventure!

The Most Beautiful Honeymoon Resorts and Eco-lodges in Costa Rica

Droolworthy honeymoon resorts and eco-lodges are among Costa Rica’s best calling cards. When this country puts in an effort to deliver ‘magnificent paradise’, it really doesn’t hold back.

For that special indulgence on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, here are a few amazing options:

The Four Seasons, Papagayo Peninsula – Guanacaste Province

The Four Seasons Resort continues to lead the pack in a corner of Costa Rica that’s absolutely replete with luxurious all-inclusive resorts. And what’s not to love? With its incredible coastal views, an in-house wellness spa, gourmet dining, a private golf course and plenty of adventures on offer, this is the five-star honeymoon luxury everyone dreams.

Nayara Springs Resort – Arenal Volcano – Alajuela Province

Fancy your own private thermal pool right outside your exclusive villa? Nayara is where you’ll find it. Ironically, this incredibly isolated resort is set within the most visited area of Costa Rica, but you’ll certainly never feel its genially central location. A Forbes Magazine favorite, Nayara is an adults-only pocket of paradise, with world-class spa, dining and volcano views to match.

Origins Luxury Lodge – Upala – Guanacaste Province

Part of the Mantic Collection of lodges, Origins has redefined ‘eco-friendly wellness retreat’, boasting only seven super-deluxe villas, nestled amidst a luscious landscape of tropical wilderness. This all-inclusive eco-lodge was considered Costa Rica’s best honeymoon eco-lodge almost as soon as it first opened just a couple of years ago. Geared primarily for couples, Origins oozes romance at every turn – just check in, unpack, soak in your own private hot tub overlooking the Pacific and get ready to be seriously pampered. This spot is dreamy beyond words.

Kura Boutique Hotel – Uvita – Puntarenas Province

Another brilliant adults-only choice that’s tailor made for honeymooners, Kura showcases a modern elegance that belies its remote location. Nestled deep and high in the jungles above Uvita, along the beautiful Costa Ballena, the Kura experience is all about soaking up breath-taking sea views from the infinity pool, romantic and delectable sunset dinners, daily couple massages and star gazing long after the sun has set. A truly magical honeymoon experience!

Tiki Villas Rain Forest Lodge & Spa – Uvita – Puntarenas Province

Just steps from one of Costa Rica’s most coveted beaches (Hermosa), Tiki is a Balinese-style luxury honeymoon lodge that boasts a jaw-dropping location. Framed by a pristine rainforest home to a cacophony of birds, Tiki boasts a drop-dead gorgeous pool and every room has stunning indoor and outdoor showers. The enchanting design, warm welcome and peaceful vibe make it the ideal spot for a stint of R&R on your Costa Rica honeymoon.

Plan Your Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Adventure!

Beware the Pitfalls! What NOT TO DO on a Costa Rica Honeymoon

Now that you know all the fabulous things to do on your Costa Rica honeymoon, it’s time to point out a few things you definitely will NOT want to do.

Don’t book at the last minute – This is especially crucial if you wish to honeymoon here between January and April and you wish to spend a couple of nights in one of the country’s best honeymoon lodges. These are the places that get booked out months in advance. Avoid having your options restricted and paying top-dollar for everything and book way ahead of time.

Don’t pack too much in your itinerary – Many adventure-seeking newlyweds fall into the trap of trying to fit too much into their itinerary. Take a leaf from the expert’s books and don’t be tempted to explore more than two destinations per week. With slower-than-expected transfers and time spent checking in/out every day etc, you’ll just end up exhausted and frustrated. The best honeymoon itineraries are ones that perfectly combine ‘action’ with romantic downtime, and you’ll end up doing neither if you’re moving from place to place every other day.

Don’t fly into the wrong airport – Many people don’t realize that Costa Rica is served by two international airports. Aside from the one in San Jose (the capital city), there is also a convenient airport in Liberia, which genially services the whole northern (Guanacaste) province. Choose the right airport for your chosen destination and, between arriving and departing, you could save an entire day of unnecessary transfers.

Don’t mistake a surfing beach for a swimming beach – Costa Rica is renowned as a swimming and surfing paradise, but this doesn’t mean you can do both on every beach. The best surfing beaches in the country are truly world class, which can make them dangerous to swim in. Know where you’re headed and the beach you’ll have access to, before you book in your plans.

Don’t forget to pack your (eco-friendly) SPF and insect-repellent – Know what can totally ruin your honeymoon? Sunburn and a gazillion insect bites! Sunscreen is an absolute must in Costa Rica, especially if you’re coming during the northern hemisphere winter months. The sun down here can be brutal, and so can the insects, so be prepared.

Don’t skimp on the cultural experiences – Costa Rica’s outstanding wilderness and wildlife always take center-stage yet it’s quite priceless to delve a little into the rich local culture during your honeymoon vacation. Whether it’s taking a coffee tour or a local cooking class, attending a festival, visiting a museum or enjoying a meal at a local soda, there are countless ways to tap into Tico culture during your visit.

Don’t avoid rain season – Sure, you’re likely to experience some torrential downpours if you visit between May and November but, on the other hand, you’ll also save a neat bundle, see fewer tourists and more luscious wilderness, and experience much cooler temperatures. Overall, off-season honeymoons can be immensely rewarding, especially as you can pour those amazing savings into a longer itinerary.

Don’t get hit with crazy roaming charges – Ouch! Roaming on your mobile in Costa Rica can incur steep fees so most visitors only access the internet when they’re in their hotel. If you’d like to be connected on the go, pick up a local sim card at the airport on your way in. Read this handy Guide to Buying a Pre-Paid Sim in Costa Rica.

Don’t avoid domestic flights – Domestic flights may be a little on the expensive side, but they can save you a ton of time if you wish to visit several remote areas. Keep in mind, however, that small regional planes have restricted baggage allowance, so this might dictate how much you can pack if you don’t wish to pay expensive overweight fees.

Which brings us to the next section…

What to Pack for a Costa Rica Honeymoon

Minimalist packing is the way to go when honeymooning in Costa Rica – between the various transfers and activities you’ll want to do, getting bogged down with heavy suitcases is the last thing you’ll need.

First up: compression cubes are an adventure seeker’s best travel companions. Not only do they save a lot of suitcase space (so you can take a smaller bag) but a set of compression cubes will curb your over-packing tendencies. Well, as long as you stick to the rule that you only pack what fits in your set, that is!

If you’re wanting to spend most of your time in the great outdoors, rather than sightseeing in cities, your luggage should include mostly athletic clothing, made from breathable, quick-dry materials. You certainly don’t need to drop serious dollars in new gear, mind you, just remember to have lightweight pieces that can be washed at night and will be dry by next morning.

Local Tico culture is very laid-back, so don’t worry about being ‘too casual’ when out and about in Costa Rica, unless you are specifically heading to a fancy restaurant. In that case, just one lovely going out outfit will do. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit (a sporty once piece is better, given all the water-based activities) and something to relax in by the pool or beach.

You will probably change 2-3 times a day on an action-packed honeymoon, so pack enough sets of sporty clothing for 2-3 days. Then simply wash, dry and repeat.

For rain forest walks, we recommend long-sleeve tops, pants, and closed-toe shoes that dry quickly, such as Keens.

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The Best Honeymoon Adventure Vacations in Costa Rica

Planning a honeymoon itinerary that combines the best Costa Rica offers is not as difficult as you might imagine. At Costa Rica Rios, we are your adventure vacation experts – we have created an array of amazing honeymoon itineraries and, best of all, offer bespoke planning services, so you get to Build Your Own Honeymoon. Simply tell us what you’d like to do and your honeymoon budget, and we’ll do the rest.

The most hassle-free and unforgettable Costa Rica you could ever have?

You bet!

Plan Your Ultimate Costa Rica Honeymoon Adventure!

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The Best Rural Escapes in Costa Rica Guaranteed to Revitalize Your Soul

The best in immersive and revitalizing experiences – Costa Rica’s best rural escapes combine escapism and authenticity to create unforgettable journeys.

Being such a world-leading eco-tourism destination, it’s no surprise that Costa Rica is revered for its incredible array of honeymoon luxury eco-lodges (check our favorites, right here), jungle lodges  (here’s where to get your wild on), and wellness retreats (these are awesome). Yet sometimes, planning an experience that’s a little different than the norm can have immensely revitalizing effects on your mind, body and soul.

You see, there is a side to Costa Rica not many visitors ever get to experience – the off-the-beaten-path rural hideaways that showcase the authentic side of Tico life, well away from the hectic pace of more touristed sites.

The best Costa Rica rural escapes offer priceless escapism, relaxation and insight, combining accommodation options with working farm experiences. These are the stays that are guaranteed to revitalize your soul!

Book Your Rural Escape & Adventure Vacation in Costa Rica Today!

Finca Rosa Blanca – Working coffee farm & stay near San Jose

A short distance from Costa Rica’s capital but a universe away from its hectic pace, Finca Rosa Blanca offers a convenient and idyllic rural escape. This family-owned estate boasts oodles of charm, and the love and passion for the estate are clearly evident in the myriad little touches all over the boutique hotel. The art, murals, furnishings and amazing design of Finca Rosa are delightful, as is the infinity pool (oh yes!), in-house spa, organic vegetable and fruit gardens – not to mention those drop-dead gorgeous views.

This genial choice is just half an hour’s drive from San Jose International Airport so makes an excellent option for a rural indulgence after your Costa Rica adventure vacation. What a way to cement your memories!

 

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Book Your Rural Escape & Adventure Vacation in Costa Rica Today!

Finca Vocare – Authentic, laid-back agrotourism experiences in Alajuela

Courtesy @fincavocare

This rustic hacienda is one of Alajuela’s best-hidden gems and is perfect for those looking for an immersive and authentically Costa Rican rural experience. Here, you’ll see a bevy of wildlife just roaming about (we’re talking toucan, monkeys, anteaters, sloths) and can get your hands dirty with all manner of farm work, if you like. Vocare’s handy location means you have a few excellent national parks to explore nearby, yet most guests simply enjoy their time here, with their hosts, soaking up the authentic rural experiences – especially as there is so much to see and do in the property.

Don’t miss this back-to-basics treat and come learn more about sustainable farming and tourism from a couple of Tico legends!

Book Your Rural Escape & Adventure Vacation in Costa Rica Today!

Hacienda Guachipelin – A historic off-the-beaten-path experience near Rincon de la Vieja

Rincon de la Vieja is one of our favorite playgrounds because it’s off the usual tourist trail and is as wild and untamed as it gets. Well, nearby, is also a fabulous historical rural escape you ought to check out. Hacienda Guachipelin sits in the shadows of the Rincon de la Vieja volcano and is a stunning cattle ranch that’s been in operation for more than 100 years. Introducing guests to the stunning wilderness that surrounds them, the team at Guachipelin goes above and beyond to deliver unforgettable rural experiences.

Hacienda Guachipelin
Courtesy @haciendaguachipelin

From the Symbiosis Spa to the Adventure Centre, the extraordinary cuisine and myriad of activities, this exceptional Costa Rica rural escape is aiming to become the country’s #1 sustainable eco-tourism enterprise. As far we can see, given they have already earned three CST (Certification for Sustainable Tourism) nods, they are well on their way to realizing their dream. The service at this dreamy rural gem is impeccable and value-for-money, in this less-developed corner of our country, really quite impressive.

If it’s farm-to-table cuisine, a sublime setting, authentic experiences and indulgent treats you’re after…you’ll find them all here!

Book Your Rural Escape & Adventure Vacation in Costa Rica Today!

Finca Sermide Agroturismo – For a charming and contemplative escape in Cartago

If you’re planning an active adventure vacation in Costa Rica, you may be looking for a quieter place – a rural escape that offers an abundance of tranquility and not too many activities (so you don’t feel like you actually have to do stuff. Finca Sermide is the place for you!

Imagine starting your day rocking on a hand-carved chair on your private terrace, overlooking endless horizons of luscious green – a cup of organic coffee in hand and the chirping of birds as company. This sums up Sermide in a nutshell – a quiet and contemplative place to unwind and get away from it all – quite ideal for that post-adventure stint of R&R.

Are you looking for a very, very special splurge?

This might do the trick…

Book Your Rural Escape & Adventure Vacation in Costa Rica Today!

Hacienda AltaGracia – Costa Rica’s Most Luxurious Eco-Rural Escape

Set to finally re-open in mid-November, 2021, Costa Rica’s most deluxe hacienda is a sight to behold. Part of the Auberge Collection of Hotels, AltaGracia is absolutely jaw-dropping – this eco-sustainable resort is set on 180 acres of pristine rain forest and encompasses a working coffee farm. It also boasts its own wellness spa and hiking trails and offers an array of wonderful rural experiences like cheese-making workshops, farm tours, wildlife-watching guided trips and cultural encounters.

Hacienda AltaGraciaIt even offers horseback riding excursions and horse therapy! This might not be a cheap stay but we know it’ll probably hit the bucket list of many travelers who are looking for the ultimate rural escape in Costa Rica. The nightly rate includes everything (except alcoholic drinks) so it’s a sweet deal if you take advantage of all the offerings for a couple of indulgent days. Whatever the case, Travel and Leisure calls it a ‘once in a lifetime experience for 2022’ so you know it will make for a truly unforgettable experience.

Costa Rica is a marvelous country that’s revered for its outdoor adventures in unspoiled wilderness and endless miles of glorious beaches. Exploring the hinterland and enjoying a few days’ stay in a rural finca is a wonderful addition to any adventure-filled itinerary. Costa Rica’s best rural escapes offer experiences for every discerning traveler, no matter the budget.

Fancy experiencing Costa Rica culture a little more on your upcoming adventure vacation? Simply let us know and we can plan a bespoke itinerary you will never forget!

Book Your Rural Escape & Adventure Vacation in Costa Rica Today!

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Discover Costa Rica’s Magical Mangroves

Costa Rica mangroveCosta Rica’s mangrove forests are ethereal places to explore by kayak or SUP boards. They entice you far off the beaten trail and grant the kind of peace and tranquility in nature you’ve been dreaming about for months.

Add a mangrove tour by kayak or paddle board to your Costa Rica adventure vacation and you’ll discover a unique and unforgettable side to this astonishing country.

Plan your magical ‘off the beaten trail’ trip!

What are mangroves and why are they so special?

The word mangrove refers to any shrub or tree that grows right along the shores of waterways – the term can define the singular tree or the entire ecosystem as a whole. Given the major bulk of their complex root systems is submerged, mangroves are revered for being the gatekeepers of our planet’s waterways. Or nature’s kidneys, if you will.

Mangroves slow the flow of water, filter sediment, trap nutrients and, perhaps more important of all, prevent coastal erosion and promote healthy underwater balance. In tropical areas, mangroves are lauded for protecting coastal regions from the ravaging effects of powerful storms and even cyclones.

Plan your magical ‘off the beaten trail’ trip!

Learn more about Why Mangroves Matter

Costa Rica heronMangroves are inherently enriched with flora and fauna – they are home to an array of semi and fully aquatic wildlife (from frogs to crocodiles!) and a bevy of birds and other land-dwelling creatures. Costa Rica’s mangroves are where you can spot sloths, monkeys, caimans, spiders, snakes and an insane cache of colorful amphibians.

Mangroves are some of the most crucial yet endangered ecosystems on earth and are found essentially anywhere rivers flow out into the sea. That is, as long as commercial or residential work hasn’t already destroyed them. Development is, by far, the single biggest threat to these priceless filters of nature.

The best mangroves to discover in Costa Rica

Although you can kayak and SUP in lakes and rivers all over Costa Rica, mangroves offer unique travel opportunities. These calm and unspoiled havens make for a blissful day out in nature – devoid of crowds, adrenaline-rushes and a cacophony of sounds.

Perfect for when you need an active day of rest!

Plan your magical ‘off the beaten trail’ trip!

Here are the best mangroves in Costa Rica you can visit:

Térraba-Sierpe Mangroves National Wetlands, Puntarenas

Less than an hour south of Uvita on Costa Rica’s south-western coast, the Térraba-Sierpe mangroves have been protected since the late 1970s. The protection status of these mangroves resulted from decades of extensive deforestation and degradation. Interestingly, some of the locals involved in the destruction of the old wetlands are now engaged in their fervent protection, having now appreciated the need to maintain this priceless ecosystem.

Today, Térraba-Sierpe (where the two name-sake rivers converge) is Costa Rica’s largest mangrove ecosystem and covers an area of over 65,000 acres.

The park is a bio-reserve and a handful of small community make a living here, harvesting piangua, an edible cockle (a mangrove delicacy) that thrives in the mudflats of mangroves all over Costa Rica and Latin America, at large. Locals have been harvesting piangua here for over 1,000 years and their (now monitored) activity has been allowed to continue.

Palo Verde National Park, Guanacaste

Combine bird-watching with wetland exploring at Palo Verde, where the Tempisque AND Bebedero rivers feed a mind-boggling array of exotic plants and wildlife – including tropical dry forests, one of the rarest ecosystems in the world.

Costa Rica Rios mangroveThe park encompasses over 45,000 acres and 15 distinct bio-networks – mangroves make up just about half the area of the reserve. The park is easily visited on a day trip from Tamarindo and all surrounding villages.

Palo Verde is home to an astonishing number of bird species and during the dry season (Dec-April) they are joined by tens of thousands of migratory birds, including the ginormous jaribu storks, the largest of its kind in the Americas. Jungle safari cruises are offered both on the Tempisque and the Bebedero rivers, but you can also explore the park deeper on a private kayak tour and (in dry season) even follow a few select hiking trails on land.

Plan your magical ‘off the beaten trail’ trip!

Caño Negro Wetlands National Wildlife Refuge

Considered one of the world’s most important mangrove regions, Cano Negro is another brilliant ‘stop over’ for migratory birds escaping winter in the north. If you’d love to see more than only birds (mind you, Caño Negro is home to over 200 species of birds alone), this reserve is for you. Along the shores, up on the trees and along the waterways, there hides a treasure-trove of fantastic wildlife – from iguanas and caimans to jaguars, anteaters, ocelots and an insane concentration of monkeys. A canoe trip on the Caño Negro is an immensely rewarding experience, one that will undoubtedly enhance your Costa Rica adventure vacation.

Things to know when planning a mangrove tour in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is home to 12 distinct mangrove reserves – most are along the coasts but there are a few hidden gems inland as well, even on the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains! Since they are quite spread out, it should not be difficult to plan a side-trip in or near the province you wish to primarily visit on your adventure vacation.

The stunning thing about mangroves is that although water levels fluctuate wildly between wet and dry seasons, there is something unique to experience no matter what time of year you visit.

In the wet season, when estuaries flood, you can explore further inland and visit areas of reserves that are normally cut off. Yet for wildlife spotting, the dry season is ideal – with less water abounding, wildlife huddles up around known hot-spots. So, even though there are fewer miles you can explore by canoe or kayak, you are likely to see a lot more.

Expect higher temperatures and humidity levels in mangroves, so dress light. Don’t forget the bug spray and sunscreen and, if you can, pack a pair of binoculars. And just a head’s up: the Rio Savegre (where we run some of our whitewater rafting and kayaking tours) boasts areas of mangroves that are certainly not the largest in the country but they may just be the most rewarding – the water is crystal clear and the abundance of animals we normally spot is unreal.

Plan your magical ‘off the beaten trail’ trip!

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Family Vacations in Costa Rica – How to Plan Extreme Adventures with Kids

When it comes to offering extreme adventures, Costa Rica is unsurpassed, the country serving up a plethora of outstanding outdoor activities for kids of all ages and their thrill-seeking parents. This makes our little corner of paradise absolutely perfect for intrepid families who wish to do more than soak up rays on a glorious stretch of tropical beach.

Although, because this is Costa Rica, you can do plenty of that too.

Kids' extreme adventures in Costa RicaAt Costa Rica Rios, however, we’re in the business of creating extreme adventures in Costa Rica and we’re often asked what the age limits are for our most popular adrenaline-packed activities. Alongside soft highlights like hiking, snorkeling, gentle horseback riding and tamer canopy tours, we also offer thrilling sports like whitewater rafting and kayaking, mountain biking and canyoneering, among others.

So…how old should your children be to partake in our tours and what should you do if you have children of varying ages?

Here’s all you need to know about planning safe and exhilarating extreme adventures in Costa Rica!

Ready to Plan your Kid-Friendly Vacation?  Book Now!

Where you go determines the intensity of activities

Not all zip line canopy tours in Costa Rica are created equal and, for that matter, neither are whitewater rafting rivers. If you’ve ever wondered why Costa Rica is such a popular and phenomenal destination for adventure family vacations, it’s because the country offers a head-spinning array of activities – not only in terms of types but also when it comes to hard-core intensity.

River rapids extreme adventures in Costa RicaWhilst your 6-year-old may not want (nor would be allowed) to raft Class V rapids down the Pacuare River, there are plenty of softer options on other rivers that suit them just fine.

When planning a bespoke family vacation in Costa Rica, know that for every truly extreme outdoor sport offered, there is always a softer option that’s perfect for younger children or older kids who are a little hesitant about trying adrenaline-packed adventures.

Knowing the most suitable destinations in Costa Rica for your family is the trick to planning a fabulous adventure vacation and that’s why we offer our knowledge and expertise during our tour booking process. Simply tell us what you and your family want to do, how old (and intrepid) your children are and we’ll find the best Costa Rica spots (and sports) for you all to discover together.

Ready to Plan your Kid-Friendly Vacation?  Book Now!

Pushing your kids out of their comfort zones can be an extraordinary experience

Although we realize that parents know their children best, we also know from experience that, sometimes, fearless kids would like to push themselves a little more. A parent with a fear of heights, for example, may rate canopy tours far too daring for their 10-year-old child when, in reality, the tour and the child may be a perfect match.

Giving children the opportunity to try new and exciting adventures in complete safety and with a professional guide at hand, means they can test their abilities and courage, and discover things about themselves they may otherwise never know. From our combined decades of experience, we can attest that adventure-seeking kids who head to Costa Rica on family vacations manage to surprise their parents, each and every day.

The trick to letting go of the reigns just a tad? This next point…

Ready to Plan your Kid-Friendly Vacation?  Book Now!

Trust the expertise of your tour guides – they really do know what they’re doing!

Kayaking in Costa RicaIt may be unnerving to place your family’s travel plans in the hands of strangers but, when it comes to professional and experienced adventure guides in Costa Rica, you really do need to let go of their reigns. From transfer plans to eco-lodge booking, inclusion of daily activities and the offer of a wonderfully balanced itinerary: these are just a few of the priceless benefits of planning your family vacation with us.

Aside from the logistics, our expert guides also know how to test the abilities of children for various activities. We can swiftly ascertain if that river rapid, that waterfall hike or that snorkeling excursion is perfect for your child or if it may be too challenging.

Ready to Plan your Kid-Friendly Vacation?  Book Now!

When you’re in expert hands, you can ALL let go and have the time of your lives

How do we get children to do the craziest things in Costa Rica? Simple. We simply ask them if they would love to have a go.

Our tactic really is very simple – just ask each child if he/she would like to try something daring and fun, even if it may seem a little scary. If they say YES, PLEAAAAASE! and we know we can let them try it safely, then we know we’re about to create a lifelong memory for them. At times, it’s the parents that need a little more coaxing to join them (seriously!) and, when we succeed, we see the overwhelming excitement in the children’s eyes.

Enjoying this kind of adventure-filled vacation is one of the most empowering and bonding experiences families can have. How do we know this? Because we’ve seen it happen with our own eyes.

Ready to Plan your Kid-Friendly Vacation?  Book Now!

We know how to solve age-disparity issues – you just need to ask!

Some families we’ve hosted have told us that they waited a couple of years to book their Costa Rica extreme adventures vacation, because they thought their children’s age gap was simply too great. They assumed one of them would have to compromise BIG time in order for the other to have a great time. Maybe this would be true in another country but it certainly isn’t in Costa Rica.

At Costa Rica Rios, we constantly host families with children of varying ages which means we’re apt at planning hybrid tours that combine super-fun activities that are enjoyable for every member of the family. On whitewater rafting trips, for example, we may have the younger child in a kayak with a guide (or bypass a rapid altogether) whilst the older one rafts hard-core rapids, and then swap places so everyone gets to paddle in stretches we think are suitable for their age.

One child wants to go rafting but the other doesn’t? NO problem!! There’s always an array of fantastic alternatives, no matter where in Costa Rica you are vacationing. From wildlife spotting to zip lining, enjoying a swim under a waterfall or exploring a national park nearby – flexibility and variety are the most revered aspects of our bespoke family tours so don’t let differing ages and/or desires put you off planning a family vacation in Costa Rica.

This really is the country that offers something for everyone. Yes…grandparents included!

Ready to Plan your Kid-Friendly Vacation?  Book Now!

Don’t just focus on BIG ticket items – for kids, it’s the little discoveries that really impress

At the end of family tours, children are always keen to tell us what their favorite highlight has been. The answers can be very surprising for all of us adults and are a beautiful reminder that the little things can matter as much as the big things. If not more.

Wildlife in Costa RicaFrom visiting a butterfly garden to seeing a flurry of scurrying carbs on the beach, spotting a crazy colorful frog in the forest, playing a game of football with local kids, learning all about chocolate making or enjoying a home stay with a local family for a night – these are the kind of highlights children constantly comment on. And so they should!

Visiting famous national parks and doing cool stuff is, well, cool…but seeing how families in other countries live, discovering animals when they least expect it and experiencing anything foreign to them can really blow their mind!

By all means, plan the ‘popular’ stuff on your family vacation in Costa Rica but don’t forget to also include plenty of free time for last-minute, local experiences.

Ready to Plan your Kid-Friendly Vacation?  Book Now!

Not so fast! Slow it down when traveling with kids

Adults may be able to buckle up and head off on a whirlwind adventure all over Costa Rica just as soon as they get off the plane but children need a little more down time – even the most active ones!

Depending on where in the country you wish to go, transfers can be slow and tedious, especially at the height of dry season (Jan-April) when the heat can be stifling. If you aren’t sure what kind of pace you should keep…ask us! Most of the time, having a balanced itinerary and including a few hours of rest in the middle of the day is just what children need. Look into amazing eco-lodges that offer activities within their property, so if the kids want to do something, they can, but they (and you) also have the option to unwind (on a hammock in a terrace, perhaps?) if they need to.

Family life can be insanely hectic back home and heading off on a family adventure in Costa Rica is your chance to unplug, unwind and come home totally revitalized.

A once-in-a-lifetime adventure in paradise? That’s what a Costa Rica extreme adventures family vacation memories are made of!

Discover the most kid-friendly activities to include in your itinerary, see our most popular Costa Rica Family Vacation Itineraries and contact us to know more.

Ready to Plan your Kid-Friendly Vacation?  Book Now!

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Costa Rica’s Most Iconic Wildlife and Where to Spot Them

Iconic wildlife in Costa Rica - the slothCosta Rica is a wildlife lover’s paradise, the country home to an insane number of fascinating and iconic wildlife blanketing no fewer than 28 distinct national parks and reserves. On a Costa Rica adventure vacation, wildlife spotting is a daily occurrence – be it on a trail in a remote reserve, on a whitewater rafting trip, or as you’re having breakfast on the outdoor terrace of a spectacular eco-lodge.

Given most vacationers have a week to 10 days to spend in the country, we thought we’d offer an overview of the best destinations in Costa Rica where you’ll have the highest chances of spotting the most iconic wildlife.

Start planning your bespoke Costa Rica adventure vacation today!

Corcovado National Park

The single most bio-diverse reserve in Costa Rica is, unsurprisingly, in one of its most remote regions: the Osa Peninsula. Tucked away in the south easternmost corner of the country, the Osa hosts just a handful of amazing lodges and not much else in terms of infrastructure – the region revered for maintaining an eco-tourism standard almost unseen anywhere else in the world.

Iconic wildlife in Costa Rica - the MacawThis is the ideal destination for those who wish to totally unplug when visiting Costa Rica and dive right into its world-class (and jaw-dropping) wilderness. For company, you’ll have over 450 species of birds (including the largest concentration of scarlet macaws in the whole country), more than 100 types of butterflies (some bigger than your hand!), all four species of sea turtles and monkeys found in Costa Rica and an untold number of other truly fascinating creatures, including jungle cats which are difficult – but not impossible – to see.

Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula at large are recognized the world over for their biodiversity – so if unique wildlife and adventure are what you seek on your Costa Rica vacation, you really couldn’t pick a better spot to visit.

Here are a few of our favorite Corcovado hotels.

Start planning your bespoke Costa Rica adventure vacation today!

Manuel Antonio National Park

The smallest reserve in Costa Rica hosts a crazy concentration of iconic wildlife species, including over 100 species of mammals and almost 200 species of incredible birds. Spotting monkeys, coatimundis, toucans, and even iguanas, sloths and all sorts of insects is easier with a naturalist guide by your side, as these elusive creatures can be difficult for the untrained eye to see. White-faced capuchins are easy to spot (and hear!) in Manuel Antonio and seeing them hunt for clams along the park’s beaches is an unforgettable highlight.

Do know that small and compact are wonderful attributes for a national park although it also means the trails can get easily overcrowded in high season – and whenever a crowd gathers, wildlife tends to hide.

Iconic wildlife in Costa Rica - the Olive Ridley TurtleHow to increase your chances of spotting wildlife in Manuel Antonio? Simple: plan your visit during the Green Season (between May and August) so you can dodge the dry season crowds, be at the gates when they open at 7am (this has several benefits, including tackling the trails at the coolest time of day) and, perhaps the best tip of all, stay in an eco-lodge bordering the park.

This way, you get to experience an immersive nature experience in one of the most bio diverse corners of Costa Rica.

Start planning your bespoke Costa Rica adventure vacation today!

Tortuguero National Park

Another superb wildlife hot-spot, this time on the opposite side of Costa Rica – the northeastern corner – Tortuguero is reached only by plane or boat and is a whole other wilderness world of its own accord. All four species of sea turtles we mentioned earlier? Costa Rica turtleWell, this is where they come to nest so if seeing Giant Leatherback, Olive Ridley’s, Green and Hawksbill turtles is high on your agenda, then make a beeline for this magnificent reserve.

Aside from turtles, however, Tortuguero’s wilds also host an abundance of monkeys, birds, crocodiles and exotic frogs, which is why it’s often dubbed the Amazon of Costa Rica.

Much like Corcovado, Tortuguero is also minimally built-up, which makes for phenomenal and immersive wilderness experiences. Tortuguero’s eco-lodges are rustic, comfortable and offer unforgettable, off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Start planning your bespoke Costa Rica adventure vacation today!

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Unique birds in Costa RicaThe wonderful thing about wildlife spotting in Costa Rica is that you need not get lost in its remotest corners to have a fulfilling experience. Close to the central tourist trail and much easier to reach, the Monteverde Cloud Forest is a real wildlife gem, particularly for bird lovers. This prized reserve attracts avid bird-watchers every year, all keen to get a glimpse of the resplendent quetzal – one of the rarest and most beautiful birds in Costa Rica. This most ethereal forest boasts over 400 species of unique birds, as well as over 160 species of reptiles and amphibians and 100 species of mammals. This is the best spot to explore to fall in love with Costa Rica’s toucans, aracaris and plethora of hummingbirds.

Tourist infrastructure is well established in and around Monteverde, which means you can spend a couple of nights in a wilderness-immersed eco-lodge and have this bounty at your doorstep, 24-7.

Start planning your bespoke Costa Rica adventure vacation today!

Wildlife Refuges, Rescue Centers & Sanctuaries – Country Wide

Many first-time visitors have a hard time believing that many of the most iconic wildlife species in Costa Rica can be seen just about anywhere, at any time. But it’s true. Enjoy an epic road trip here and you’ll come across ‘sloth crossing’ signs, see monkeys and vibrantly-colored crabs on beaches, and be overwhelmed at the (very many) colorful birds at every turn. So yes, a Costa Rica adventure vacation naturally becomes a wildlife spotting journey by default although, for animal-mad visitors, the country’s many wildlife refuges, rescue centers and sanctuaries are ideal.

The best (and our favorite) eco-lodges in Costa Rica are set in acres upon acres of protected wilderness and host a wildlife refuge within their grounds. Staying in one of these gems offers infinite rewards – you can experience amazing comforts, luxury, cuisine and activities, nestled in a pocket of nature that’s bursting at the seams with unique creatures.

Aside from staying in one of these lodges, you can also easily include a visit to a dedicated sanctuary – Costa Rica has tons of them, spread out throughout the country.

No matter where in Costa Rica you wish to take your adventure vacation, we can help you plan a bespoke itinerary that places emphasis on wildlife spotting.

Keen to know more? Then start planning your bespoke Costa Rica adventure vacation today!

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10 of the Most Fabulous Birds to Spot in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the world’s most prized wildlife havens, never more so than when we’re talking about birds. Not just any birds, mind you, but truly fabulous birds – some of the most magnificent and colorful on earth. The country’s idyllic climate, coupled with incredibly fertile and varied landscapes, and fervent environmental preservation, have combined over the years to create one of the most diverse aviary sanctuaries on earth.

Home to over 850 different species of birds, over half of which are endemic, Costa Rica is a bird-lover’s absolute Utopia. Here, you’ll find almost 10% of all the bird species on earth.

Rest assured that if you’re not a bird enthusiast by the time you visit, you certainly will be by the time you leave.

Here are just 10 of the most fabulous birds to spot in Costa Rica:

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  1. Resplendent Quetzal

Resplendent by name and plumage, the quetzal is perhaps the most highly-coveted bird to spot in all of Costa Rica. Painfully shy and preferring to live at altitudes of between 5,000 and 6,500 feet, this most fatuous member of the trigon bird family boasts magnificent colors and almost regal green and turquoise feathers that extend an astonishing 40 inches beyond the tip of their tails. Endangered due to habitat loss, the Resplendent Quetzal is the national bird of Panama although due to habitat loss, numbers there have greatly diminished. Costa Rica, on the other hand, boasts large numbers of the majestic creatures, thanks to its pristine cloud forests.

Hiking adventure in search of quetzals are very popular tour options and usually taken between February and May, their mating season and the period of the year when they are most active. The best place to spot them is in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, the aptly-named and lesser-known Loz Quetzales National Park (a bird-lover’s mecca, in general) and Braulio Carrillo National Park, which is framed by ethereal volcanoes and boasts the kind of mid-elevation forests the quetzal cherishes.

 

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  1. Keel-billed Toucan

The pin-up of the Costa Rican bird-kingdom and most adored bird in all of Central America, the keel-billed toucan, aka the Froot Loop guy, never fails to stop people dead on their tracks with its jaw-dropping looks. The oversized beaks, impressive size and stunning colors of so many sub-species make toucans the most famous birds in the tropical world and the keel-billed, in particular, is regarded as the most fabulous of them all. This tucan pico arcoiris – or rainbow-beak toucan, in Spanish – is a sociable and playful creature, often quarreling with its flock members over fruit or space on an already overcrowded tree-branch.

One of six toucans found in Costa Rica, the keel-billed toucan is most often seen along the Caribbean coast, although it’s one of two species that also inhabit the Nicoya Peninsula. Tortuguero, Cahuita and Turrialba Volcano national parks are all fantastic toucan-spotting destinations as well. If you’re as toucan mad as we are, pin the Rescate Animal Zoo Ave (Alajuela Province) on your map – here, you can meet Grecia, the first toucan rescue in the world to receive a 3D-printed beak replacement. You can listen to Grecia’s amazing, tear-jerking story, right here.

 

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  1. Scarlet Macaw

One of the most recognizable birds in Costa Rica, the scarlet macaw is an absolute visual spectacle. With its bright red head, green chest and bright blue lower-half, this specific macaw is easy to spot, even by the most untrained bird-spotting eye. Macaws are, like all parrots, very sociable birds so when you spot one, be sure to keep looking up and you’ll no-doubt see more. Macaws live to a ripe old age of 60 and have, in the past, been highly coveted as pets, which greatly diminished their numbers in the wild. Luckily, protection initiatives have brought Costa Rica’s numbers up to a healthy standard and have averted an absolute wildlife disaster.

Most commonly spotted in the south-western side of the country, the Scarlet Macaw is one of the most prized residents of the Corcovado National Park although numbers are on the up and up on the Caribbean side as well, especially in Tortuguero National Park.

 

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  1. Great Green Macaw

The largest parrot in Costa Rica is a cousin of the scarlet but one that is much more difficult to spot. It is usually best seen on the Caribbean side of the country. Like all macaws, it squawks so loudly that is most often heard, loud and clear, long before it is spotted. Much like the scarlet, the great green macaw used to primarily favor feasting on higher-elevation almond trees, a flora species that has been almost logged into extinction and replaced with a faster-growing lower-elevation tree, imported from Asia. Whilst the scarlet macaw was quick to switch food-source, the green macaw was reluctant to follow suit for years, so its numbers plummeted dramatically. Luckily, their taste buds seem to have finally adapted and, nowadays, sightings have increased, especially around the Rio Sarapiqui, where we run out whitewater rafting and kayaking trips.

 

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  1. Blue Crowned (Lesson’s) Motmot

Half a dozen motmot species inhabit Costa Rica, the most fabulous of which is the blue-crowned motmot, its iridescent blue maw-hawk hairdo and bright green tail feathers making it an absolute vision against the verdant green backdrop of the forest. Commonly dubbed ‘clock-birds’, the motmot has the habit of swinging its long tail from side to side when sitting on a branch, mimicking the swing of a grandfather clock. These cute guys can be spotted all over Costa Rica but, for the highest chances of seeing them, head to the Osa Peninsula.

The motmot name comes from a mimic of the call it makes, an owl-like double hoot that is very distinctive.

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  1. Fiery-billed Aracari

More easily described as a miniature toucan, the fiery-billed aracari belongs to the same family and displays much the same features of toucans, including an incredibly oversized beak. Lovers of fruits, coffee and cacao beans, aracaris love to hang out near plantations, where they can score exceptional meals on the fly. Endemic to the Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica and seen all along the coastline, the fiery-billed aracari is commonly found below 3,000 feet in elevation.

 

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  1. Hummingbirds

Among the most adorable birds you will likely ever see, hummingbirds delight spotters with their diminutive size and impressive wing-flapping speed. Costa Rica has so far recorded 50 distinct species of hummingbirds, two of which are totally endemic, and all showcasing incredibly iridescent colors. Although their distribution spans the entirety of the country, actually spotting them in the wild can be a little tricky. Many wildlife sanctuaries have feeders in place so visitors can see them relatively easily.

Head to Monteverde’s famous Hummingbird Garden where you can see a stunning array of these fabulous birds, including the green violet-ear and the fiery-throated hummingbird, a glistening specimen that is absolutely gorgeous.

 

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  1. Crested Caracara

A formidable and quite sneaky hunter, the crested caracara feeds on turtles, lizards, snakes and anything else it can dig its sharp-beak into. This bird prefers slightly cooler temps and is best seen on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, most famously in Manuel Antonio and Corcovado national parks.

 

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  1. Speckled Tanager

This exceptionally bright little guy with the polka-dot plumage resides in tropical rainforests and loves to hang-out in large groups, either with members of its own species or tagging along with other species. Like a true masterpiece, the speckled tanager boasts an eye-popping palette of yellow, green and turquoise feathers, speckled with black dots. This wonderful songbird favors mid-level forests and is most commonly seen on the western half of Costa Rica, in cloud forests flanking its central mountains.

 

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  1. Clay-Colored Thrush

Interestingly enough, the clay-colored thrush (or robin), is perhaps the least-arresting bird to spot in Costa Rica although it is the country’s national bird. The interesting choice of mascot-bird was made not because the bird is endemic here but because its long, melodious song is a forebearer for the rain season and because, unlike more exotic and colorful species that prefer prime wilderness, the clay-colored thrush is often found in villages and cities. To bird-loving Ticos, this is the most common and beloved species of all.

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Whether you’re an avid ornithologist or a hobbyist bird-watcher, check out Ebird.Co and download the bird-spotting app that collates all the species in Central America.

Here are a few travel guides to the best national parks in Costa Rica for bird-spotting, which you may find useful:

At Costa Rica Rios, we’re in the business of running award-winning Costa Rica adventure vacations and spotting the most fabulous birds is part and parcel of every trip we take, simply because we scour the most pristine and lesser-visited pockets of wilderness in the country. If there’s a particular bird or place you wish to visit, however, we can create a bespoke itinerary to suit your desires or tell you the best way to fit in a side trip on an organised tour.

Simply call us, below, to know more.

costa rica rios

US & Canada: 888 434-0776 | UK: 0800 612 8718 | International: +1 920 434-7485

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Guide to Turtle Spotting in Costa Rica

Wildlife watching is undoubtedly one of the very best things you can do in Costa Rica, the country home to a mind-boggling array of unique and endemic creatures. Yet above all animals, including monkeys, birds, sloths, whales, crocodiles and dolphins, turtles hold by far the biggest appeal. Turtle spotting in Costa Rica is among the most ‘time & place sensitive’ endeavors, requiring you to be on specific beaches, at specific times of year, to admire their nesting and/or hatching rituals. Widely considered one of our planet’s most mesmerizing natural phenomenon, the mass nesting events for which Costa Rica is so renowned are certainly reason enough to visit the country, let alone the fact you’ll find a wide array of adventure activities to enjoy once here.

Following is your guide to turtle spotting Costa Rica: the where, when and how to admire some of our planet’s oldest and most precious residents.

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What kind of turtles can you spot in Costa Rica?

Home to four out of seven sea turtle species on our planet, Costa Rica attracts a host of biologists, researchers and wildlife-watching visitors every year. To your average turtle-watcher, sea turtles appear very similar but they are in fact quite distinct and, as such, boast different nesting seasons. The main turtle species calling Costa Rica home are:

  • Olive Ridley (with its heart-shaped shell, triangular head and relatively small size, the Olive Ridley is easily recognized. This species hosts the largest mass-nesting events of all, the magical arribadas)
  • Leatherback (the most distinctive due to a lack of hard shell, the leatherback is the 4th-largest reptile in the world – and the largest sea turtle – with adults weighing 1,000 pounds on average and boasting 6-feet long front flippers)
  • Hawksbill (can be easily confused with the green sea turtle, except for its protruding beak, which resembles that of a hawk!)
  • Green (beautifully colored and lacking the ability to stretch its neck out of its shell, the green sea turtle appears to be somewhat stuck in its home when, in fact, it isn’t)

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When is the best time to spot turtles in Costa Rica?

Although you’re likely to see some turtles in all the hot-spots, at any time of year, it helps to know the specific nesting season of each type so you have the highest chance of spotting the largest colonies.

Olive Ridley – They may boast the most numerous arribadas of all yet the mass nesting events of Olive Ridleys are still as unpredictable as ever. The season is nearly year-round, although the largest nesting events tend to occur in September and October and, some years, as late as November. Arribadas are closely linked to full-moon nights and, usually, the beaches get a ‘warning’ of a few hundred nesting turtles for a few consecutive nights, before the nesting culminates in the arrival of thousands. Although we couldn’t possibly advise which week of the two months you should plan your Costa Rica adventure vacation, you should simply aim to be here in September or October to increase your chances of timing it just right and, once here, keep abreast of the latest local news, ready to plan a last-minute trip to their favored nesting sites.

Leatherback – Leatherback turtles take to nesting on the eastern coast in the first half of the year, mostly between February and June with peak events happening in March and April. On the western coastline, however, they nest between October and February, so you have multiple chances to spot these elusive creatures.

Hawksbill – Highly endangered and boasting declining numbers, the hawksbill is the hardest sea turtle to spot in Costa Rica. What doesn’t help your spotting chances is the fact that, unlike the other species, the hawksbill nests alone, mostly in September and October, so you’d have to be especially lucky to see one (let alone more) on your visit to Costa Rica.

Green Sea Turtles – The peak nesting months of the green sea turtles are August and September although nesting season runs from July to the end of October.

Where should you go to spot turtles in Costa Rica?

Start researching turtle-watching guides to Costa Rica and you’ll no doubt find references to which side of the country’s two coastlines attract which species. Knowing specific spots, however, will help you better plan your visit.

Tortuguero National Park – This incredibly wild reserve on the northern Caribbean coast isn’t called ‘turtle heaven’ for no reason. Tortuguero attracts all the four Costa Rica turtle species in nesting season and is the best place to specifically spot the endangered green sea turtle. A stunning maze of canals, jungle forests and glorious beaches, Tortuguero is remote and hard to reach, which makes a visit all the more unforgettable.

Nicoya Peninsula – Ostional Beach regularly makes worldwide news every year, when it hosts Olive Ridley arribadas that number in the hundreds of thousands. This is one of only a handful of beaches in the world that see this kind of turtle spectacle and is, as such, avidly protected. Being so popular, however, means that regular guided night-time tours are on offer, to give visitors (and locals) the chance to see these mesmerizing events, whilst maintaining the site safe for the turtles.

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Las Baula National Park – Named after the forem

ost sea turtle species it hosts, Guanacaste’s Las Baula attracts the highly endangered leatherback. The park’s Grande Beach is the 2nd-largest nesting spot for these majestic beasts in the world and although tours are organised during nesting events, they are only organised a few days in advance. For obvious reasons, given the leatherback’s endangered status, all visits during nesting season are strictly regulated.

Santa Rosa National Park – The second-largest arribada beach for Olive Ridley turtles, Guanacaste’s Santa Rosa is one of the country’s smallest and least-known yet most pristine reserves. The beaches here – Nancite in particular – are quite remote and necessitate some real commitment (in the hiking sense) but at least you’ll be in the company of far fewer visitors if you make the effort to go.

Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge – Located on the southern Caribbean coast, this remote and lesser-visited refuge is a prime turtle nesting hub, not only for attracting all four species but for attracting the most numerous leatherback colonies of all. Visit between March and July and you’ll likely have the chance to witness a nesting event of at least one species, if not more. Just south of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in the Limon Province, Gandoca-Manzanillo is an off-the-beaten-path destination nestled in one of the most jaw-dropping corners of Costa Rica, home to a flurry of exceptional wildlife.

The Osa Peninsula – The southern coast of the Osa Peninsula plays hosts to nesting turtles almost all year long. The sheer concentration of turtles here means that if you miss a nesting event, you will likely be able to admire a hatching event instead. Generally speaking, the months with the least number of turtles are January and February so head here at any other time of year and you’ll be at the ‘prime’ nesting time for at least one turtle species.

How to visit turtle-nesting sites in Costa Rica

Turtle nesting beaches in Costa Rica are fervently protected and you can only visit through authorized entry points, following very strict protection guidelines. The main emphasis is on people being mere observers, neither getting in the turtles’ way nor ‘helping them’ in any manner. Plan your visit with a local guide, follow the rules and enjoy being a spectator to a truly magnificent natural event and you can be sure your Costa Rica vacation be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

At Costa Rica Rios, we plan outstanding adventure vacations for families, honeymooning couples and solo travelers alike. If you love adventure, nature and wildlife, and wish to spot amazing sea turtles in the wild environment, let us help you plan the adventure of a lifetime.

Contact us, right here, to know more.

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