Costa Rica Travel Guide: the best things to do, see, and eat

Costa Rica lies along the Ring of Fire, an area of volcanic and seismic activity caused by shifting tectonic plates along the Pacific Ocean. About 100 volcanic formations dot the country, but only six are currently considered active—including Costa Rica’s most famous volcano, Arenal. It’s a perfect cone and is bordered by beautiful Lake Arenal, making it one of the top things to see in Costa Rica.

Home to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, this district in the northwest part of Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity and near-constant mist. There are more than 3,000 plant species found here, including 755 different species of trees! What’s there to do, you ask? You can zipline, hike, or meander along the bridges in the cloud forest canopy. We highly recommend taking a guided nature walk—the local guides can spot animals and plants you’re sure to miss on your own, including the rare (and colorful) resplendent quetzal. See why Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest is a nature lover’s paradise →

It may be the smallest of Costa Rica’s national parks, but Manuel Antonio packs a big punch, and deserves a place in every Costa Rica travel guide. The park features gorgeous beaches on the Pacific coast, beautiful weather, and access to hiking trails. One of our best travel tips for this park is to keep an eye out—you might see monkeys, iguanas, or some of its numerous species of birds. Visit Manuel Antonio on our Highlights of Central America: Costa Rica & Panama tour.

Think of this typical Costa Rican meal like a blue-plate special, with hearty portions of rice, beans, salad, fried plantains, and your choice of meat or fish. The name translates to “married,” and the dish reflects that with a union of flavors. Want to eat like a true tico? Head to a soda: a lunch counter integral to Costa Rica culture that serves traditional cuisine, often at a very reasonable price.

This simple and delicious combination of rice and beans is often served for breakfast. Its name means “spotted rooster,” and refers to the contrasting colors of the beans and rice.

Costa Rica’s mountainous terrain, volcanic soil, and mild temperatures combine to create the perfect climate for growing coffee. Some of the best coffee in the world is grown here, and one of the best things to do in Costa Rica is try a perfectly brewed cup.

Get up close and personal with one of Costa Rica’s finest exports—coffee. (Coffee accounts for nearly 8% of the country’s gross domestic product.) Take a farm tour to learn about the region’s perfect coffee-growing conditions, how coffee fruit becomes beans, and how those beans become the liquid gold in your morning cup. Later, reward yourself for all the knowledge you gained by sampling some Costa Rica coffee right from the source. Visit a coffee farm on our Costa Rica for Solo Travelers: Volcanoes, Jungles & Beaches tour.

Costa Rica’s fertile soil produces more than just coffee. Cacao trees thrive here too, providing the raw goods for making indulgent chocolate. Tour a cacao farm on our Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife tour to see cacao fruits, yellow-and-green gourd-like pods hanging from trees that encase pulpy seeds. Learn about the history of cacao (some Indigenous groups used it as currency in the pre-Columbian era), and witness firsthand how it’s transformed into chocolate. The ultimate reward is the Turrialba Chocolate Workshop & Lunch excursion on our Grand Tour of Costa Rica: From the Caribbean to the Pacific, where you’ll get hands-on chocolate making experience and taste the fruits of your labor.

One of the best things to do in Costa Rica is spot animals in their natural habitat. This should come as no surprise, since the country contains more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Costa Rica is also one of the top destinations for responsible wildlife experiences. On our Grand Tour of Costa Rica: From the Caribbean to the Pacific, you’ll pack your binoculars and head to the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, a bird lover’s paradise where your guide will point out some of the 200 species of birds that call it home. You can also expect to see marine life and wetland reptiles, like caimans and emerald basilisks.

One of the best views of the iconic Arenal Volcano is from the lake directly beneath it. Enjoy a leisurely paddle in Central America’s largest lake while taking in an incredible close-up view. Look for wildlife in the coves, lagoons, and outlets of the lake, while keeping an ear out for the distinct cry of howler monkeys hiding in the trees. To finish off the day, soak in one of the nearby geothermal hot springs. Experience this adventure and more on our A Week in Costa Rica: San José, Arenal & Guanacaste tour.

Nothing will transport you back to Costa Rica like a cup of coffee. Ticos are known for producing some of the most delicious coffee in the world, and you’ll find a variety of roasts and blends to choose from. Look for “grano entero” on the label for whole beans or “molido” for ground coffee.

Chocolate was once Costa Rica’s leading export and cacao producers are still found all over the country. On our Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife tour, you’ll even have the chance to learn how it’s made before you sample some!

Staying comfortable on tour starts with staying dry, so be sure to pack a quality rain jacket and waterproof shoes.

One of our best packing tips for Costa Rica is to bring lightweight clothing that’s easy to layer and wicks moisture. Costa Rica may be a tropical country, but temperatures fall at higher elevations, so pack a light jacket, too.

This close to the equator, the sun is very strong. So, take this tip for traveling to Costa Rica to heart: Come prepared with a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.