Pura Vida Costa Rica!

Costa Rica – a land of lush cloud forest, picture perfect volcanoes, coffee, chocolate and (of course) the iconic animals that draw wildlife enthusiasts from across the globe to explore this fascinating country.

In September 2026, Wine Travel Experts was able to experience Costa Rica directly, spending time with local people, exploring the rainforest, swimming in the pristine waters of the Pacific Ocean, and marvelling at the majestic beauty of Volcano Arenal. We also took the time to shop in a local farmers market, learn about the economic and social impact of coffee and cocoa plantations and get a feel for what makes this special country tick.

                                  

Costa Rica is gently carving out a niche as a boutique eco-tourism destination, with stylish hotels consciously located in areas that will attract eco tourists. With over 1/3 of the land in Costa Rica under protected status, hotels simply cannot spring up anywhere. The Costa Ricans take huge pride in their country and strive to take better care of their environment.

Would we recommend a holiday to Costa Rica? Absolutely. Costa Rica has a charm and a beauty that is truly unique. For a first-time visitor, there are some areas that are worth considering for your holiday.

Manuel Antonio

There are very few places across the globe that can boast of jungles and soft white sand beaches in one protected space; Manuel Antonio is one of those few beauty spots. Nestled in the north of the country on the Pacific Coast, Manuel Antonio is not just stunning, it is picture perfect. Rightly so, access into the National Park is strictly controlled, to preserve the natural beauty. An entrance fee supports the infrastructure of the National Park. Visitor numbers are controlled. Access into the park is permitted only for tourists accompanied by a local guide. There are bag searches in place to ensure prohibited items are not brought into the park. Sounds strict, but this is a small price to pay for the preservation of this piece of paradise. Additionally, the white faced monkeys (known locally as the mafia monkeys) are incredibly smart and will steal your contraband. Do not take food into Manuel Antonoio; you risk fending off a troop of the local mafia! The jungle was teaming with wildlife on our visit, we saw howler monkeys, toucans, white faced monkeys, lizards, and of course, the much-loved sloth. Did you know a sloth has just one baby in their entire life? Or that they only go to the toilet once a week! There are four different species of monkeys living in Costa Rica; Manuel Antonio is the only place where it is possible to see all four. The guides are alerts to the sounds and sights of the jungle animals and will find animals to spot way before the tourists untrained eyes can locate them.

                                                     

Then there is the beach. Just wow! The water is a year-round 31C. The sand is soft underfoot and glistens in the sunlight. The beach is not the sole reserve of the animals – lizards and monkeys will join you here too. Take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Pacific and absorb the sights and sounds of the beach around you. Is there a more beautiful place on the planet? If there is, we’d love to see it!

The town immediately outside of the national park is home to an array of shops and a huge variety of restaurants catering to all different types of cuisine; sushi, steak, pizza, Mexican. The list goes on.  There are some stunning hotels in the immediate vicinity of the National Park. Aside from the National Park, there are plenty of local activities to keep you entertained. The more active may want to kayak through the mangrove forests or take a surf lesson. We opted to explore the vanilla and cocoa plantations, learning more about the economic and social impact these crops have had on the local communities. Who knew that it is the much-despised mosquito who is largely responsible for pollinating the cocoa plant that gives us our chocolate treats?! 

                                                 

We stayed at the Parador Nature Resort and Spa – crowned Mexico and Central America’s Leading Resort in 2025 by the World Travel Awards.  This hotel oozes colonial charm, with nods to different eras of history throughout the building. As wine fans, we are particularly keen to highlight the small but perfectly curated wine list that Head Sommelier Jason has compiled. It isn’t easy to find good wine in Costa Rica, but with some insider knowledge it is possible. Jason can arrange a private tasting, a romantic dinner inside the Cava de Vinos, or he can knowledgably suggest wines that will compliment your meal. Our other top tip is to enjoy a delicious cocktail on a sunny day, in the swim up bar at the hotel pool. This hotel is elegant and charming, offering you everything you need for some rest and relaxation after a busy day of exploration.

Tortuguero

It is not an exaggeration to say that Tortuguera offers an unrivalled experience, unlike anything else where in the world. Some call it Costa Rica’s Amazon, but this doesn’t quite hit the spot. Tortuguero is a village on the Caribbean cost of Costa Rica – a rainforest-covered sandbar- and part of the protected National Park.  Tortuguera is special for two key reasons;

• It is the nesting ground to thousands of green turtles, who make the journey here every year to lay eggs. At nesting season and hatching season, access to the beach is tightly controlled with only local guides allowed to show limited numbers of visitors this special sight. For every 50 eggs that are laid, only 1 turtle will reach maturity. Those are some pretty challenging odds to  battle!
• There are no roads in Tortuguero. Once you arrive to the quay, you need to transfer to a boat to reach the heart of Tortuguero. This is an adventure in itself. The area has limited facilities, as everything happens on the water. A stay here is an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime

This is a fascinating part of the country and well worth a visit. Aside from the turtles, the area teams with over 350 different bird species, marine life and other animals, such as crocodiles, marine otters, howler monkeys, anteaters, macaws and sloths. The list is endless. Tortuguero is unlike anywhere else and well worth the effort to reach this special part of the country.

Arenal

At the volcanic spine of the country lies Arenal, a vibrant and fascinating place to spend a few days. The rich volcanic soils bring a wealth of benefits to Costa Rica; these soils produce the highest quality coffee; the lush terrain supports the thriving rainforest eco system; and the natural volcanic energy heats the multiple hot springs in the area. The hot springs are mineral rich and have healing properties – bathing in these naturally warm waters will help to relax muscles and aching joints. You’ll feel revitalised and reenergised after time in the hot springs.

               

The town of La Fortuna is a great base to stay. Not only does it have access to all of the amenities you will need, from shops to restaurants and hotels, but it is famed for its views of the Arenal Volcano. Arenal is the only conical shaped volcano in Costa Rica and its majestic beauty dominates the skyline here. On a clear day, the views are just mesmerising; the colourful beauty of the rainforest makes way to the imposing grandeur of the volcano. Arenal has not erupted in 16 years, but the occasional puff of smoke can be seen from the crater on a clear day. It is possible to do a hike to the edge of the last lava flow, but no higher. This is a fantastic experience and will give you a feel for the scale and beauty of the region. Go with a knowledgeable guide to learn more about the secrets that Arenal holds within.  

La Fortuna is a town with a plethora of activities and excursions to undertake; there really is something for everyone here. From the adrenaline rush of the zipline to the joy of exploring the area on horseback, to the high-level canopy walks to give an aerial view of the rainforest, this is a town worth staying in and exploring.

                   

We stayed in the wonderful Arenal Manoa; a family hotel established by 5 brothers. This hotel has one of the best buffet breakfasts we’ve ever had – not only are all dietary requirements easily catered for, with a wide range of delicious foods for everyone – but the breakfast room has a stunning terrace with an awe-inspiring view of the Arenal Volcano. It truly is breakfast with a view. The hotel has its own resident wildlife, with cayman, hummingbirds and sloths all making Arenal Manoa their home. One of our favourite aspects of this hotel was the range of hot springs in the hotel grounds. These are stunning and accessible only to residents of the hotel.

     

Costa Rica is a country that needs to be planned out. It is a mountainous country, so although it is small, transfers between different locations can take far longer than anticipated. Working out the best route or even turning a transfer into a daylong sightseeing tour are options to explore. Costa Ricans are passionate about the environment and proud to have more biodiversity in their country than the entire of North America. Entry into National Parks requires fees, adherence to strict entrance instructions plus the use of a local guide.  

Put Costa Rica on your future holiday wish list – it is such a special place. A holiday here will feed your soul as well as your senses.