Pura Vida Playground

From luxe stays to exotic adventures, Costa Rica invites travelers to stay and play while immersed in nature

Few destinations captivate the heart and soul quite like Costa Rica, where eco-adventure, wellness, and effortless luxury come together in perfect harmony. It’s a place that encourages you to wander as deeply as you unwind and that feels distinctly different on each visit, creating space for memories that stay with you long after your journey ends.

Find yourself immersed in nature from the moment you arrive, whether staying at a Mediterranean-inspired village hotel or a treehouse in the remote coastal wilderness. Swim in calm Caribbean waters, hike through misty cloud forests, discover dynamic volcanoes, lounge on the sand along jungle-fringed bays, or seek out a flurry of wildlife in tropical rainforests. Wherever you choose to travel, Costa Rica offers one-of-a-kind experiences paired with unparalleled scenery and sustainability efforts that showcase a legacy of protecting what makes this place so extraordinary.

It’s in these moments that you’ll recognize the true spirit of pura vida, the Costa Rican ethos of living a pure and simple life. 

Tucked away between Nicaragua and Panama in Central America, Costa Rica has long been considered one of the world’s most peaceful places. Although its tourism push started back in the 1930s, the nation blossomed into a global tourism leader by the 1990s and has flourished ever since, welcoming nearly 3 million travelers in 2025 alone according to the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT).

Before you set out on your adventure, learn about the destination’s most intriguing regions. The most common starting point is the capital city, San José, located in the very heart of Costa Rica. This bustling urban hub is a stark contrast from the beaches and rainforests that typically attract travelers, but offers a distinct cultural introduction through historic landmarks, vibrant museums, artful entertainment, and a gourmet culinary scene.

From San José, venture wherever you feel called. Some of the most popular places include La Fortuna, a small town north of the capital that serves as a gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park with ample waterfalls and hot springs, and Manuel Antonio, a resort area along the Pacific coast where white sand beaches, lush seaside rainforests, and abundant wildlife await.

The northwest corner of Costa Rica is home to the Guanacaste province, filled with tropical dry forests, secluded beaches, and volcanic mountain ranges. Widely considered the most lavish part of the island, this is where private villas and prestigious beachfront resorts encourage barefoot luxury amid top-tier surfing spots, soothing wellness spas, and deep-rooted cowboy culture.

Those looking to truly escape can get off the grid on the Osa Peninsula, a remote part of Costa Rica that allows travelers to lose themselves in the wilderness. Corcovado National Park is one of the region’s defining attractions, offering unique habitats that shelter elusive animals like scarlet macaws, tapirs, harpy eagles, jaguars, and squirrel monkeys. While it may be more difficult to reach, this area entices with an off-the-map ambiance, eco-tourism focus, and unspoiled landscapes boasting the greatest biodiversity in the country.

Part of Costa Rica’s allure is in the magnetic energy born from its enchanting landscapes. So, it only makes sense that one-of-a-kind experiences in these settings would translate to moments that feel both transformative and deeply personal. After all, where else can you float down an electric blue river, walk among pre-Columbian stone spheres, visit a sloth sanctuary, zip line over the rainforest, and explore coves only reachable by boat? By viewing the nation through a lens of discovery, your whole world shifts.

Explore the rainforest at Corcovado National Park, a must-see as one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet. Make your way through the dense jungle and across rushing rivers while keeping your eyes peeled for creatures ranging from sloths, ocelots, toucans, anteaters, and iguanas to four species of monkeys: squirrel, howler, capuchin, and spider. For an equally thrilling experience, visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve in the north to wander above the jungle canopy, surrounded by mist, moss-covered branches, and hanging bridges. Guided night walks are also offered here, showcasing an entirely different collection of wildlife, such as red-eyed tree frogs, sloths, snakes, tarantulas, and sleeping quetzals.

Often called the Amazon of Costa Rica, Tortuguero National Park on the northern Caribbean coastline allows travelers to journey into untouched landscapes that are only reachable by air or water. Navigate the narrow mangroves, wetland networks, tropical rainforests, and freshwater lagoons by canoe to really immerse yourself, being sure to look out for monkeys, crocodiles, West Indian manatees, and sea turtles nesting nearby.

Those hoping to see as much of the country as possible can explore via hiking trails. Whether traipsing through volcanic landscapes or swimming under waterfalls, the beauty of Costa Rica unfolds the further you delve in. For rugged rainforest trails and geothermal hot springs, visit Rincón de la Vieja National Park or head to Tenorio Volcano National Park to trek to volcanic fumaroles, zip line over canyons, or see the point where two rivers merge. Additionally, Nauyaca Waterfall Nature Park not far from Manuel Antonio is perfect for a refreshing dip in natural pools.

Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, there are chances for marine activities as well. Offshore isles like the Catalina Islands in the north and Caño Island in the south have excellent visibility for scuba diving and snorkeling, with opportunities to spot tropical fish, puffers, sharks, sea turtles, and rays. With two distinct humpback seasons, whale watching is also popular, with the chance to spot these playful creatures nearly every month of the year. Boats leave from the Osa Peninsula, Guanacaste province, or Marino Ballena National Park on the central coast. Sportfishing excursions set out from both coasts in hopes of catching marlin, sailfish, mahi‑mahi, or tuna for dinner, while sunset catamaran cruises, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking through the bioluminescent waters of the Nicoya Peninsula are also popular.

Combining the very best of eco-luxury with immersion in nature, Costa Rica offers some of the most unforgettable stays you can imagine. From coastal resorts to rainforest sanctuaries, each retreat blends beauty, biodiversity, and mindful adventure.

Santarena Hotel in the Guanacaste region is a dreamlike destination that blends elegance with authentic experiences. Located in the tropical, car-free village of Las Catalinas, guests can ride horses on the sand, sip wine on a rooftop terrace, embark on riverboat excursions, meander the bohemian town, and fall asleep to the sound of waves crashing on Playa Danta beach. An hour south, also along the Pacific, Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas puts an emphasis on wellness and outdoor experiences. Stay in bungalow-style suites accentuated by earth tones and wooden furnishings or multi-bedroom villas with private plunge pools, all surrounded by the lush Costa Rican jungle. Let your stress melt away during signature treatments enhanced with ancient Chinese wisdom at the Lahari Wellness Center or delve into soothing sound baths, yoga sessions, or guided labyrinth meditations. Afterward, hit the waves, as this region is known for its year-round surfing for all skill levels. 

In Manuel Antonio, on the central Pacific coast, Arenas Del Mar lies right on the sand, providing opportunities for beachfront elegance. Sparkling swimming pools invite sun-drenched relaxation while dining at Mirador Oceanview Restaurant showcases a view of nearby Manuel Antonio National Park. But it’s the resort’s activity lineup that really shines. Two in-house naturalists can help guests spot wildlife – from sloths and monkeys to toucans, anteaters, iguanas and crabs – right at the hotel. Guests can also enjoy jungle bathing, kayaking through the mangroves, canyon zip lining, surf lessons, and nocturnal rainforest adventures after dark that invite a whole other set of animal encounters.

For an experience unlike any you’ve had before, book a visit to Corcovado Wilderness Lodge by SCP. A complimentary boat ride begins your journey to the secluded Bahía Drake resort, located within a lowland rainforest to the south, welcoming you to Costa Rica with the sounds of the jungle as you wind through impressive mangrove forests. Untamed nature awaits your arrival, with palm-fringed beaches and nearly 200 acres of pristine rainforest at the resort. Savor Costa Rican cuisine by the pool, at the beach, or in a jungle-inspired dining room before melting into pure bliss with treatments at the open-air spa. Travelers can also enjoy hiking, birdwatching, ATV rides, sea kayaking, snorkeling excursions, or tours through local landscapes before returning to an ocean-view treehouse or rainforest villa to drift asleep to the rhythm of Costa Rica’s wild landscapes.