{"id":7366,"date":"2025-03-16T10:05:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-16T08:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/?p=7366"},"modified":"2025-03-14T11:59:45","modified_gmt":"2025-03-14T09:59:45","slug":"4-places-off-the-beaten-track-in-costa-rica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/4-places-off-the-beaten-track-in-costa-rica\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Places off the beaten track in Costa Rica"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re planning a trip to Costa Rica in the near future, you\u2019ll certainly want to visit must-sees like Monteverde, the Arenal volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park and Tortuguero.<\/p>\n\n

However, Costa Rica has plenty of surprises in store for you, with secret places you could visit on your next vacation.<\/p>\n\n

1. Nosara and Ostional: an unusual paradise for surfers, yoga enthusiasts and turtle lovers<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
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The Nicoya Peninsula, in the province of Guanacaste, is one of Costa Rica\u2019s real little corners of paradise, ideal for relaxing on the beach, surfing and wildlife watching.<\/p>\n\n

Guiones is the main beach of the village of Nosara, on the Pacific coast.<\/span><\/h3>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

But you can also choose to surf the magnificent beaches of Garza. Here you\u2019ll find surf schools offering lessons and board hire, ideal for enjoying the Pacific coast to the full. <\/p>\n\n

Nosara, the perfect place to practice yoga<\/span><\/h3>\n\n
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Nosara is an excellent place to practice yoga because of its peaceful natural environment and the presence of several renowned yoga schools.<\/p>\n\n

The town is surrounded by white sandy beaches, tropical forests and rolling green hills, providing an ideal setting for meditation and yoga practice.<\/p>\n\n

Among Nosara\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n

Ostional, the world\u2019s second most important turtle nesting site<\/span><\/h3>\n\n
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Just 10 kilometers away is the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, home to the Lora, Baula and Green turtles.<\/p>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

The hustle and bustle peaks in winter, from July to November, but it\u2019s in September and October that the beach is transformed into a veritable carpet of turtles.<\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s an incredible sight, but to preserve it, access to the refuge is only possible with accredited guides, guaranteeing an excellent experience for every visitor.<\/p>\n\n

2. Searching for the quetzal in Dota<\/span><\/h2>\n\n
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In Dota, 2.5 hours from San Jos\u00e9, Costa Rica\u2019s capital, people come to admire the exotic beauty of the quetzal, one of the world\u2019s most remarkable birds, in its cloud forest, making it an unforgettable experience for travelers.<\/p>\n\n

It is most visible between April and May, its breeding season. <\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s at this time that the aguacatillo tree, his main food, grows.<\/p>\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n

3. Off the beaten track on the Nicaraguan border: the Celeste River and the Ca\u00f1o Negro Refuge<\/span><\/h2>\n\n

Legend has it that when he finished painting the sky, God washed his brushes in the Celeste River, one of Costa Rica\u2019s natural wonders.<\/p>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Ca\u00f1o Negro Refuge<\/span><\/h3>\n\n

Less than two hours from the Celeste River is the Ca\u00f1o Negro Wildlife Refuge, of global importance as a wetland protection area in the north of the country.<\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n

During the dry season, the refuge provides food for thousands of waterfowl who come to this wetland to discover Costa Rica\u2019s 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\u2019s coastal mangroves. <\/p>\n\n

Take a boat trip to the Ca\u00f1o Negro refuge, one of the world\u2019s most biodiverse wetlands. Discover over 200 species of rare birds, as well as mammals and reptiles. <\/p>\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

4. Turrialba in the Central Valley: adventure, rural charm and authentic culture<\/span><\/h2>\n\n

The tumultuous waters of some of Costa Rica\u2019s rivers invite you to jump into a raft and descend the most beautiful rapids, especially those in Costa Rica\u2019s central region, a veritable paradise for thrill-seekers.<\/p>\n\n

Such is the case with the Reventaz\u00f3n and the Rio Pacuare. Two rivers famous the world over for their sublime rafting descents. <\/p>\n\n

Located between Cartago and Lim\u00f3n, the R\u00edo Pacuare offers 30 kilometers of rapids surrounded by lush nature.<\/p>\n\n

After this exhilarating experience, head inland to Turrialba, the native village of the Cabecares, to discover their culture, ancestral songs and dances.<\/p>\n\n

Turrialba is also known as a hotbed of national poetry, rondallas, the wooden art of the Corral\u00f3n de Santa Teresita, and numerous crafts, such as basketry, cheese-making, trapicheros, leatherworkers, mask-makers\u2026 not to mention its many festivals and fairs, which add even more charm and refinement to this unique place. <\/p>\n\n

The \u201cRondalla de Turrialba\u201d takes place during the town\u2019s annual tourist festival, usually held in late August or early September.<\/p>\n\n

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. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re planning a trip to Costa Rica in the near future, you\u2019ll certainly want to visit must-sees like Monteverde, the Arenal volcano, Manuel Antonio National Park and Tortuguero. However,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5302,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[130,159],"tags":[],"powerkit_post_featured":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-7366","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-costa-rica-en","8":"category-travel-tips"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Cascade-de-Rio-Celeste-et-trek-dans-la-jungle.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7366"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7366\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7369,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7366\/revisions\/7369"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5302"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7366"},{"taxonomy":"powerkit_post_featured","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.prestigevillarental.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/powerkit_post_featured?post=7366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}