Search results for

Here’s what it’s really like to cruise on the classic sailing vessel Sea Cloud Spirit.

A solo trip to a Costa Rica surf camp helps a single mother crest one of the most difficult waves of her life.

With so many things to do in Costa Rica, here’s what you need to know about when to visit.

From beaches to jungles, these Costa Rica resorts immerse travelers in the country’s most picturesque natural settings.

Discover fresh seafood and fruit-packed batido smoothies among the country’s culinary delights.

Its rainforests are legendary, but there’s more beyond the jungles of Costa Rica that belong at the top of your list.

Warm water, year-round waves, and Costa Rica’s relaxed “pura vida” spirit have made this Central American country one of the most popular surf destinations in the world.

With two distinctly different coasts and hundreds of beaches, this Central American country has a lot to offer for seaside adventures.

A repositioning sailing offers improvised exploration of under-the-radar coastal towns and beaches and the chance to slow down while at sea.

The beaches and inland regions of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province are known not only for their jaw-dropping natural beauty and wildlife, but also for their delicious eats, laid-back nightlife, myriad outdoor adventures, and surprisingly good shopping. Here are some of the many reasons this stretch along the Pacific Ocean is known as the Gold Coast.

Wetlands everywhere are at risk due to global warming, and the private wildlife refuge known as El Viejo Wetlands was created to protect some of these ecosystems. Among the thrilling sights you’ll see on a boat tour of the refuge that will make you feel like you’re part of a nature documentary: crocodiles, exotic wading birds (like the huge jabiru, with its eight-foot wingspan), and fabulous amphibians. A visit to El Viejo merits the better part of a day and should definitely include a stop at an old-school sugar mill, as well as a delicious traditional buffet meal served in an old casona, a local style of wooden house with wide wraparound verandas.

On a quiet white-sand beach within the gates of the historic Hacienda Pinilla ranch, just a few miles from the bustling surf town of Tamarindo, the JW Marriott is an ideal choice for families, offering a wide range of on-site activities for every fitness level—think surfing, volleyball, golf, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, and the list goes on. The kids’ club provides organized daily adventures for children ages four to 12 while parents steal a few relaxing hours at the oceanfront infinity pool or indulging in beachside massages at the spa. Five restaurants and two bars serve everything from casual burgers for picky eaters to sushi, Asian fusion, and contemporary Costa Rican for those with more refined palates. And all of the 310 guest rooms have balconies or terraces with ocean, garden, or pool views, as well as marble bathrooms with oversize tubs for maximum comfort. Spring for a spacious one-bedroom suite, which has a separate living-room area—a great plus if your little ones are early risers.

Whether under the noonday sun or overlooking a romantic sunset, one of the best ways to explore the Nicoya Peninsula is by sailboat or catamaran. There’s a good chance you’ll spot green turtles and dolphins swimming through the Guanacaste waters and, depending on the season, even humpback whales will join the show. Most tours offer snorkeling and swimming stops so you can get up close and personal with the tropical fish and coral.

While it’s not recommended for people who are afraid of the dark or who tend to feel claustrophobic in small spaces, travelers who like adventures demanding physical fitness will likely enjoy a cave hike in Barra Honda National Park. A guide leads visitors through the park’s cave system, which is believed to have been caused by tectonic shifts more than 60 million years ago. The limestone caves feature stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations that have been evolving throughout the park’s long history. Keep an eye out while entering and exiting the cave, too; local fauna include agouti, anteaters, and coatis.

Among Playa Avellana’s numerous pleasures, the small-town, almost-no-cars vibe sets the scene for true relaxation—as well as fun. Look for Lola’s—perhaps the hippest spot in town—in the tiny business district and try out fresh, locally sourced pizzas, mahi-mahi tacos, and veggie burgers; smoothie lovers will go nuts. Locals and visitors pack in under the almond trees late mornings after surf excursions and other adventures. Be on the lookout for Lolita, the piglet daughter of the original Lola (sadly no longer with us) as she frolics in the sand or ranges across the property.