#Costa Rica — Toorizta Articles

Things to Do in Montezuma: Book the Boat and the Night Paddle, Walk to Everything Else

Waterfall, Cabo Blanco, Isla Tortuga, ATV and the glowing night paddle: what each takes and costs in Montezuma, and the three to book before you arriv

Tourists in life jackets ride a small motorboat down a narrow, murky jungle canal lined with dense green trees and palms.

Things to Do in Tortuguero: Book the Paddle and the Turtles, Then Leave Room

Six Tortuguero tours compared by time, cost and season, plus the SINAC park rules that decide what to book ahead. Two nights, done right. Ask us.

A man and woman ride small whitewater waves on surfboards near shore in Nosara

Things to Do in Nosara: Book the Surf Morning and the Turtle Night, Leave the Rest Loose

Nosara runs on two clocks: the morning surf at Guiones and the dark-moon turtle nights at Ostional. What to book ahead and what to walk into. Ask us.

Thatched-roof wooden villas with decks and small pools on a steep, densely forested hillside

Where to Stay in Puerto Jiménez: Town, the Gulf, Dos Brazos, Matapalo or Carate

Town, the gulf, Dos Brazos, Matapalo or Carate: each Puerto Jiménez base reaches a different Corcovado entrance. Pick the gate, then the bed. Ask us.

Aerial view of a resort nestled among trees on a forested peninsula with a pool and sandy beaches

Where to Stay in Papagayo: There Is No All-Inclusive Inside the Gate

The Papagayo Peninsula has three hotels and not one of them is all-inclusive. Where the real all-inclusives sit, and which base fits your week. Ask us

A forested coastline curves around a calm turquoise bay with a sandy beach and small rock outcrops

Getting to Santa Teresa: the Ferry Sails Eight Times a Day

The Puntarenas ferry to Paquera sails eight times a day, and the last hour into Santa Teresa is the slow one. Which arrival to book. Ask us.

Cruise ship Zuiderdam docked at a pier with a mooring bollard and rope in the foreground, Puerto Limón

Off the Ship in Puerto Limón: How Far You Can Actually Get

The Limón cruise pier sits in town, but the good stuff is 30 to 90 minutes out. What fits your all-aboard time, and what does not. Ask us first.

Couple embracing in an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, with a thatched-roof cabana and palm trees nearby

The Papagayo Peninsula Has No All-Inclusive Resort. Here Is Where They Actually Are.

Four Seasons, Andaz and Nekajui are a la carte. The real all-inclusives sit around the gulf at Arenilla and Playa Manzanillo. Which one to book, and w

Two riders wearing helmets cheer on a red ATV on a muddy jungle trail in Manuel Antonio

Best ATV tour in Manuel Antonio: how to pick the right ride

Two departures, a waterfall swim, and the details most listings skip. How to choose the right Manuel Antonio ATV tour for your group.

Aerial view of a palm-lined beach with turquoise water and coral reefs near Limón, Costa Rica

Limón in One Port Day: the Ship Only Waits for Its Own Tour

Royal Caribbean waits for tours it sold, not for yours. What fits in a Puerto Limón port day: the canals at four hours, Cahuita at eight. Ask us.

Yellow former fortress building with turrets housing the National Museum of Costa Rica in San Jose

One Day in San Jose: the National Museum Shuts Mondays

The National Museum is closed every Monday and free for foreigners on weekends. Which San Jose day to book around your flight, and what to skip.

Aerial view of a beachfront resort with a round pool, domed buildings, and red-roofed villas amid trees by the ocean

Where to Stay in Nosara: Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada, or the Town

Nosara's beaches sit inside the Ostional wildlife refuge, so nothing is built on the sand. Which of the three bases lets you walk to dinner. Ask us.

Aerial view of a beachfront resort with red-tiled roofs, pool, cove beach and boats anchored offshore

Papagayo All-Inclusive With Kids: Two of the Three Are Adults Only

On the Gulf of Papagayo, two of the three all-inclusive resorts are adults only, and the Peninsula's famous two are not all-inclusive at all. Ask us.

Silhouette of a sailing catamaran with raised sail against an orange sunset over the ocean

Which Boat to Book in Playa Flamingo: the Catalinas Morning or the 2 p.m. Sail

The Flamingo catamaran sails in the early afternoon, when the Papagayo wind is up. Which boat to book for snorkeling with kids, and which hour to ask

A zipliner in a superman-style harness soars over the lush forest canopy in Monteverde

Best Zip Lines in Costa Rica: 11 Canopy Tours Compared

Eleven Costa Rica zip line and canopy tours compared by cables, length, start times and price, so you can pick the right one before you book.

Silhouetted people watching a vivid orange sunset over the ocean from a beach in Santa Teresa

Bioluminescence Near Santa Teresa: the Moonrise Decides Your Night

A bioluminescence kayak or boat near Santa Teresa only glows on a dark night. Use NASA moonrise times to pick the date, and book it 48 hours ahead.

Silhouette of a car ferry crossing the water at sunset with a glowing orange sky

Getting to Santa Teresa: the Ferry Timetable Picks Your Arrival Day

Naviera Tambor sails Puntarenas to Paquera eight times a day, and only some tickets sell online. Which sailing to aim for, and how to plan it. Ask us.

A winding mountain road curves along a ridge through lush green hills near Monteverde

Getting to Monteverde: the Road Up Changed Twice This Year

MOPT opened the Caño Negro bridge in April and a two-lane Guacimal bridge in September 2026. What both change about reaching Monteverde. Ask us.

Waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff into a turquoise pool, surrounded by lush jungle trees

The Montezuma Waterfall Is Three Falls and Two Trails. Pick the Right One.

Three falls, two entrances, and a riverbed scramble harder than the photos suggest. Which Montezuma Waterfall route suits your group, and what to skip

Wooden cabins with lattice porches glow at dusk under a pink and purple sky, surrounded by palm trees

Where to Stay in Sierpe: One Night in the Village, or Straight to the 11:30 Boat

The boat to Drake Bay leaves Sierpe at 11:30 a.m., so a night in the village is insurance, not a rule. Which base fits your drive in. Ask us.

Aerial view of Sierpe village with riverside boats docked along the waterfront and surrounding rainforest

Where to Stay in Sierpe: the Village, a River Lodge, or Palmar

The boat to Drake Bay leaves Sierpe at 11:30am, so the night you need is the night before. Which of the three bases to book, and where the car waits.

Cars and trucks loaded on a vehicle ferry deck, crossing a bay toward green hills

Getting to Santa Teresa: the Ferry Runs Eight Times a Day

Naviera Tambor sails Puntarenas to Paquera eight times a day, so the ferry is not your risk. Daylight is. How to plan your Santa Teresa arrival.

Tour boats with blue canopies docked at a wooden pier on a river, with forested hills beyond

The Sierpe Mangroves: Your Drake Bay Boat Is Not the Tour

The Sierpe to Drake Bay boat crosses the mangroves without stopping. Which wildlife riverboat to book instead, the 6 a.m. start, and the tide. Ask us.

A truck drives along a winding mountain road through dense green forested hills

Leaving the Caribbean Coast: Drive Five Hours, or Fly From Limón?

Sansa flies Limón to San José in about 40 minutes, and our road shuttle is scheduled at five hours. Which to pick for your last day. Ask us.

Group in helmets and life vests paddling a blue raft through whitewater rapids on a jungle river

Rafting the Pacuare Out of San Jose: the Age Rule That Picks Your River

Two operators set the Pacuare minimum age at 12, and one raises it to 14 from June to November. Which river your group books, and the 6 a.m. pickup.

Aerial view of a forested headland in Manuel Antonio with twin sandy beaches and turquoise coves

A Guide in Manuel Antonio: the Spotting Scope Is What You Are Paying For

Manuel Antonio is shut Tuesdays and entry is sold online only. Whether a park guide earns its money, and what to book on the closed day. Ask us.

Palm-lined tropical beach with gentle waves and a few distant figures near the shore

Flying Into Limón: the 40 Minute Hop, and the Hour After It

Sansa flies San José to Limón in about 40 minutes, daily. Whether that beats the drive, the 10 lb carry-on rule, and how to cover the last hour south.

Misty cloud forest with hanging vines, mossy tree trunks, and lush undergrowth

Where to Stay in Monteverde: Santa Elena, Cerro Plano, or Up by the Reserve

Monteverde is one ridge road, not a town. Santa Elena, Cerro Plano or up by the reserve: which base fits your nights, and when you need a car.

Aerial view of a winding coastal highway curving through green hills above the ocean

Getting to Uvita: Your Bus Has to Say Costanera

SINAC says ride a Tracopa bus via the Costanera that stops in Uvita, then arrange your own ride to the park gate you want. Plan your arrival.

Ancient stone spheres resting on a grassy jungle path surrounded by dense green foliage

The Stone Spheres Near Sierpe: Worth Your Wait, Unless It Is a Monday

Finca 6 sits 9.5 km along the Sierpe road and holds Costa Rica's only cultural World Heritage site. Open Tuesday to Sunday, shut Mondays. How to fit i