Off The Beaten Path Costa Rica – The Coolest Spots
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People have caught on to the fact that Costa Rica is an amazing paradise which needs to be visited. That means more crowds at the previously empty destinations. Costa Rica definitely still needs to be on your bucket list, but if you want to escape the crowds you should head to off the beaten path Costa Rica. The destinations in this guide are our favorite places to escape the crowds while still having and an amazing experience.
Off the Beaten Path Costa Rica – San Gerardo de Dota
San Gerardo de Dota is first on this list for a reason. It is my absolute favorite off the beaten path destination in Costa Rica.
San Gerardo de Dota is an easy 1.5-hour drive from San Jose. It is a beautiful cloud forest in the middle of nowhere, and I’m obsessed with the vibe here. It is one of those hidden gems which most tourists never visit. Instead, most travelers head to Monteverde to experience a cloud forest.
If you are interested in birding, it is a must visit spot to see unique birds in Costa Rica. Most people visit San Gerardo de Dota hoping to spot the quetzal.
Definitely, bring your binoculars and birding guide to this spot!
If you’d like more info on San Gerardo de Dota head on over to our complete guide here.
Off the Beaten Path Costa Rica – Nosara
Nosara is kind of a pain to get to, but that just means that most people don’t want to put in the effort to drive here so it tends to be more empty. Yeay!
Nosara is the perfect surfing village. It is not completely off the beaten path, there are definitely still tourists, but it is not nearly as crazy as traveling to nearby Tamarindo.
If you are into the hipster surfing scene, this is definitely the place for you. There are also tons of other great beaches near Nosara which are worth checking out.
If you’d like more info on Nosara head on over to our complete guide here.
Off the Beaten Path Costa Rica – Tortuguero
Oh Tortuguero, the love of my Costa Rica life! Just like Nosara, getting to Tortuguero is a journey which requires driving and a cool boat ride through the jungle.
Tortuguero is a small island village with no cars. Everyone knows everyone here and they depend almost entirely on tourism for survival. I absolutely love the vibe here.
Some fun things to do are kayaking, hiking, swimming, taking a wildlife canoe ride, and just walking through the cute downtown area.
Pro tip: Visit during the fall to see massive sea turtles laying their eggs.
If you’d like more info on Tortuguero head on over to our complete guide here.
Off the Beaten Path Costa Rica – Montezuma
Montezuma is one of the most interesting places we have been in Costa Rica. Imagine a cute seaside village with a hippie vibe.
We were here during the rainy season when it as virtually a ghost town, but I bet it is absolutely amazing during the dry season with more tourists as well.
As with the other places, Montezuma is a bit difficult to get to. You will need a vehicle with 4 wheel drive. Most of the roads in the area are unpaved.
If you’d like more info on Montezuma head on over to our complete guide here.
Off the Beaten Path Costa Rica – Cahuita
Most people head to Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast, but we prefer Cahuita about thirty minutes north of Puerto Viejo.
This town still has tourists and a lot of expats, but the feel here is more relaxed and less backpacker-y than Puerto Viejo. Plus the Cahuita National Park is our favorite national park in Costa Rica.
If you’d like more info on Cahuita head on over to our complete guide here.
Off the Beaten Path Costa Rica – Corcovado
We haven’t actually visited Corcovado yet because it is so off the beaten path that we haven’t tried to journey there. Corcovado is located in the south-west part of the country and is most easily accessible by plane. With the recent Nature Air crashes I would suggest putting any plans on hold for now unless you are willing to take the bus and boat to get there,
Corcovado is home to a national park which is supposed to be absolutely amazing. If you’ve been, let us know how you liked it. We are curious!
Off the Beaten Path Costa Rica – Last Tips
- If you want to travel to Costa Rica without tons of tourists, travel during the rainy season. We have a complete post about the best seasons to travel in Costa Rica.
- As I mentioned above, most of these places require a car with 4 wheel drive to get to. We have partnered with our favorite rental car company Adobe and have a 10% discount for you.
- If you do find yourself staying an overly touristy area, try to take day trips to less busy areas. For example, if we are staying in Jaco we like to take day trips to Playa Blanca.
If you have any questions about off the beaten path Costa Rica destinations just leave them in the comment section below and we will help you out! 🙂
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Costa Rica Travel Details: What You Need to Know
🚗 Should I rent a car in Costa Rica?
Having a rental car will give you the most flexibility when traveling in Costa Rica. This will allow you to visit more off-the-beaten-path destinations and will allow you to take fun day trips on your own.
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☀️ Should I buy travel insurance for Costa Rica?
Yes, travel insurance is always a good idea. It is not just for illness or injury, but also lost luggage, delayed trips, and more!
We like Heymondo for Costa Rica travel insurance.
✈️ What is the best way to book a flight?
Usually, we have the best luck finding great prices with Skyscanner. Check for flights to both San Jose Airport (SJO) and Liberia Airport (LIR).
🛏️ What is the best way to book my Costa Rica hotels?
We highly suggest Booking.com for hotel bookings and typically use VRBO for Costa Rica vacation rentals.
🗣️What is the main language in Costa Rica?
The main language in Costa Rica is Spanish. Most people working in tourism speak at least some English.
💰 What is the currency in Costa Rica?
The currency used in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colón (CRC). However, the US dollar is widely accepted in most tourist areas
🌴 Is Costa Rica safe?
Generally, Costa Rica is considered safe for tourists. However, like any travel destination, it’s best to use caution and be aware of your surroundings.
🛂 Do you need a passport to go to Costa Rica?
Yes, Costa Rica is its own country. You will need a passport to visit.
Hi! We’re Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er)
We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and since 2016 we have lived in sunny Costa Rica.
It was a spontaneous decision to move here, but it was the best decision!
Now we spend our days roaming the country to bring you the very best in Costa Rica travel here on Costa Rica Vibes.
Sarah is the writer. Thomas is the one keeping it all together.
Want the whole crazy story?
Sarah McArthur
Sarah McArthur is the co-founder and main writer of Costa Rica Vibes.
She is originally from the United States but has lived in sunny San Jose, Costa Rica since 2016.
She has traveled all over the country and now considers herself a self-proclaimed Costa Rica travel expert.
Want the whole crazy story?
Awesome spots Sarah! We had a house sit in Cahuita all lined up but had to head back to NJ with family stuff. Plus, the prior 6 weeks we did a house sit DEEP in the jungles around Bribri. Outhouse, no electricity, almost like a hut, the place was intense and even thougah the expat couple owned a nice house in Cahuita we saw enough jungle and green thank you LOL. Needed the height of convenience for a few months.
Ryan