If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica in the near future, you’ll certainly want to visit must-sees like Monteverde, the Arenal volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park and Tortuguero.
However, Costa Rica has plenty of surprises in store for you, with secret places you could visit on your next vacation.
1. Nosara and Ostional: an unusual paradise for surfers, yoga enthusiasts and turtle lovers
The Nicoya Peninsula, in the province of Guanacaste, is one of Costa Rica’s real little corners of paradise, ideal for relaxing on the beach, surfing and wildlife watching.
Guiones is the main beach of the village of Nosara, on the Pacific coast.
Imagine the seven kilometers of sparkling white sand that make up the beaches of Garza and Pelada, where you can go for a swim and why not take a little siesta, lulled by the rhythm of the waves, after sipping one of the famous local smoothies.
But you can also choose to surf the magnificent beaches of Garza. Here you’ll find surf schools offering lessons and board hire, ideal for enjoying the Pacific coast to the full.
Nosara, the perfect place to practice yoga
Nosara is an excellent place to practice yoga because of its peaceful natural environment and the presence of several renowned yoga schools.
The town is surrounded by white sandy beaches, tropical forests and rolling green hills, providing an ideal setting for meditation and yoga practice.
Among Nosara’s best-known yoga schools are Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort, Nosara Yoga Institute and Blue Spirit Yoga & Wellness Retreat, which offer high-quality yoga courses and retreats.
Ostional, the world’s second most important turtle nesting site
Just 10 kilometers away is the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, home to the Lora, Baula and Green turtles.
Every year, up to 200,000 of these magnificent creatures come here to lay their eggs, depending on the season, making it the second most important egg-laying site in the world.
The hustle and bustle peaks in winter, from July to November, but it’s in September and October that the beach is transformed into a veritable carpet of turtles.
It’s an incredible sight, but to preserve it, access to the refuge is only possible with accredited guides, guaranteeing an excellent experience for every visitor.
2. Searching for the quetzal in Dota
In Dota, 2.5 hours from San José, Costa Rica’s capital, people come to admire the exotic beauty of the quetzal, one of the world’s most remarkable birds, in its cloud forest, making it an unforgettable experience for travelers.
It is most visible between April and May, its breeding season.
It’s at this time that the aguacatillo tree, his main food, grows.
But this corner of Costa Rica is also the place to come to fish and sample the trout of the Savegre River, and to lose yourself on the trails of Los Quetzales National Park, home to the birds that give it its name. You can also admire tangaras, trogons and hummingbirds, and enjoy exceptional birdwatching on your hikes.
3. Off the beaten track on the Nicaraguan border: the Celeste River and the Caño Negro Refuge
Legend has it that when he finished painting the sky, God washed his brushes in the Celeste River, one of Costa Rica’s natural wonders.
But geology offers a more scientific explanation, suggesting that this particular color is due to the meeting of two rivers with distinct mineral contents originating from the flanks of the Tenorio volcano.
Protected as a national park, a seven-kilometer trail reveals the main attractions of this place: tinctures, hot springs, fumaroles, a spectacular waterfall and the possibility of a memorable hike.
Caño Negro Refuge
Less than two hours from the Celeste River is the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, of global importance as a wetland protection area in the north of the country.
It’s a haven for many species of wildlife, many of which are in danger of extinction, such as the prehistoric gaspar fish, considered a living fossil, a treasure hidden in the waters of the mangrove.
During the dry season, the refuge provides food for thousands of waterfowl who come to this wetland to discover Costa Rica’s unique fauna. The ingestion of mollusks causes some of these birds to change the color of their plumage to pinkish tones, a fascinating phenomenon to discover in Costa Rica’s coastal mangroves.
Take a boat trip to the Caño Negro refuge, one of the world’s most biodiverse wetlands. Discover over 200 species of rare birds, as well as mammals and reptiles.
For an authentic experience, opt for a private tour departing from Rio Celeste, which takes you into the very heart of the refuge, crossing mangroves and suspension bridges for a total immersion in nature.
4. Turrialba in the Central Valley: adventure, rural charm and authentic culture
The tumultuous waters of some of Costa Rica’s rivers invite you to jump into a raft and descend the most beautiful rapids, especially those in Costa Rica’s central region, a veritable paradise for thrill-seekers.
Such is the case with the Reventazón and the Rio Pacuare. Two rivers famous the world over for their sublime rafting descents.
Located between Cartago and Limón, the Río Pacuare offers 30 kilometers of rapids surrounded by lush nature.
After this exhilarating experience, head inland to Turrialba, the native village of the Cabecares, to discover their culture, ancestral songs and dances.
Turrialba is also known as a hotbed of national poetry, rondallas, the wooden art of the Corralón de Santa Teresita, and numerous crafts, such as basketry, cheese-making, trapicheros, leatherworkers, mask-makers… not to mention its many festivals and fairs, which add even more charm and refinement to this unique place.
The “Rondalla de Turrialba” takes place during the town’s annual tourist festival, usually held in late August or early September.
Rondallas are Costa Rican folk music groups that play traditional Costa Rican songs. They play typical instruments such as guitar, lute, mandolin and double bass.
