Costa Rica Holidays

Monteverde is where canopy tours helped put Costa Rica on the adventure tourism map. Flying between platforms high above the cloud forest, you’ll pass through mist-covered treetops, towering strangler figs and orchids, with chances to spot colourful birds and monkeys hidden among the dense canopy.

The Pacuare River combines exhilarating Class III and IV rapids with stretches of untouched rainforest, where waterfalls spill into the river and wildlife often appears along the banks. With no roads running alongside much of the route, rafting here feels surprisingly remote despite being one of Costa Rica’s best-known adventures.

Around Arenal Volcano, trails wind across old lava fields, through rainforest and over hanging bridges suspended above the forest floor. Along the way, it’s common to spot toucans, howler monkeys and colourful frogs, making the walk as much about wildlife as the volcano itself.

La Fortuna’s canyoning routes take participants through canyons formed by volcanic activity, where waterfalls are descended using ropes under the guidance of trained instructors. Between each rappel, the route follows rainforest trails, rocky streams and natural pools, revealing a side of the Arenal region rarely seen from its main walking paths.

Tamarindo & Santa Teresa are two of Costa Rica’s best-known surf towns, each offering consistent Pacific swells throughout much of the year. Tamarindo’s gentle beach breaks suit beginners, while Santa Teresa attracts experienced surfers with faster, more powerful waves, creating two distinct surfing experiences on the Nicoya Peninsula.

Between July and October, Tortuguero's protected beaches become one of the Caribbean's most important nesting grounds for green sea turtles. Guided night walks allow visitors to observe females laying eggs under strict conservation rules, offering a rare opportunity to witness one of nature's most remarkable wildlife events.

Located off Costa Rica’s southern pacific coast, Caño Island Biological Reserve is known for its clear waters and healthy coral reefs. Divers regularly encounter sea turtles, reef sharks, eagle rays and large schools of tropical fish, while seasonal visits from manta rays and humpback whales add to the experience.

ATV Tours offer a different way to explore Costa Rica’s countryside, following unpaved trails through forests, farmland and river crossings that are difficult to reach by conventional vehicles. Routes vary by region, with Guanacaste offering dry tropical landscapes, while La Fortuna combines jungle tracks with views of Arenal Volcano.

Hidden on the slopes of Turrialba Volcano, Guayabo National Monument preserves Costa Rica's most important pre-Columbian settlement, inhabited between around 1000 BC and AD 1400. Its stone roads, aqueducts and ceremonial structures reveal the engineering skills and organised communities that existed long before the arrival of the Spanish.

Opened in 1897 during Costa Rica’s coffee-export boom, the National Theatre reflects the country’s ambition and growing prosperity in the late 19th century. Its European-inspired architecture, ornate interiors and famous painted ceiling make it one of San José’s most important cultural and historical landmarks.

Built in the late 17th century, the Ruins of Ujarrás are among Costa Rica’s oldest colonial structures. Once a Franciscan church dedicated to the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, the stone remains reflect the country’s early Spanish settlement period and the importance of religion in colonial communities.

Located within Santa Rosa National Park, La Casona is the site of the 1856 Battle of Santa Rosa, where Costa Rican forces defeated William Walker’s invading army. The restored farmhouse now serves as a museum, preserving one of the defining moments in the country’s history and national identity.

Built in 1743, Orosi Church is the oldest church in Costa Rica still in use today. Originally established by Franciscan missionaries, the small adobe structure reflects the country’s Spanish colonial past, with its simple architecture, religious artwork and nearby museum preserving centuries of local heritage.

Located beneath the Plaza de la Cultura, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum houses one of Costa Rica’s most important collections of indigenous artefacts. Its exhibits feature gold pieces, tools and ornaments created before Spanish arrival, revealing the craftsmanship, beliefs and trading networks of the country’s early civilisations.

Heard everywhere from small villages to coastal towns, “Pura Vida” is part of everyday Costa Rican conversation. Locals use it to say hello, thank someone or describe a positive moment, reflecting a mindset centred around gratitude, simplicity and enjoying life’s small pleasures.

In Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province, the sabanero (cowboy) tradition remains closely tied to rural life and cattle ranching. Skilled horsemen, traditional attire, and events such as rodeos preserve the region’s ranching heritage, while folk songs and stories continue to celebrate the daily life of these iconic figures.

The Boruca community in southern Costa Rica is known for its hand-carved wooden masks, created with designs inspired by ancestral stories and nature. Traditionally used during the annual Juego de los Diablitos, these colourful artworks represent Indigenous identity, resistance and craftsmanship passed down through generations.

Coffee has shaped Costa Rica’s identity for generations, with high-altitude regions such as Tarrazú producing some of the country’s most valued beans. Visiting a coffee farm reveals the process behind each cup, from hand-picking ripe cherries to traditional roasting methods still used by local producers.

The marimba is Costa Rica’s national instrument and an important part of traditional celebrations, especially in Guanacaste. Folk dances such as the Punto Guanacasteco bring together music, colourful costumes and storytelling, reflecting the region’s Spanish, Indigenous and African cultural influences.

The brightly painted oxcart, or carreta, is one of Costa Rica’s most recognisable cultural symbols. Once used to transport coffee from farms to markets, these handmade carts are decorated with intricate patterns and continue to represent the country’s rural traditions, craftsmanship and agricultural heritage.

Costa Rica’s eight Indigenous groups, including the Bribri, Cabécar, Boruca and Maleku, continue to preserve their languages, traditions and connection with the land. Through traditional crafts, farming practices and ancestral knowledge of medicinal plants, these communities maintain cultural identities that have existed for centuries.

Held over two weeks each January, the Palmares Festival is Costa Rica’s largest civic celebration. It combines traditional topes (horse parades), cattle exhibitions, concerts, amusement rides and local food, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors while showcasing the country’s long-standing ranching traditions and community spirit.

Observed every 11 April, Juan Santamaría Day commemorates Costa Rica's victory at the 1856 Battle of Rivas and honours the country's national hero. Schools, military bands and local communities take part in parades, concerts and civic ceremonies, with Alajuela hosting the largest commemorations near his birthplace.

Held each October, Limón Carnival celebrates the Afro-Caribbean heritage of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. The streets of Limón fill with calypso music, colourful parades, dancing and traditional food, reflecting the cultural influences brought by Caribbean communities and the region’s long history as a centre of trade and migration.

Held in December, the Festival of Lights is one of Costa Rica’s most anticipated Christmas celebrations. The event transforms San Jose with illuminated floats, marching bands, live performances and fireworks, as thousands gather along the streets to watch the annual parade and celebrate the festival season together.

Held in July in Puntarenas, this maritime celebration honours the Virgin of Mount Carmel, the patron saint of fishermen. The festival’s main tradition is a decorated boat procession across the Gulf of Nicoya, where fishing vessels carry the statue while locals gather for music, food and coastal festivities.

Celebrated every 25 July, this national holiday marks Guanacaste's decision to join Costa Rica in 1824. Across the province, communities celebrate with traditional marimba music, folk dances, horse parades, local food and cattle displays, reflecting the region’s distinct identity and strong connection to its rural heritage.

San José offers Costa Rica’s most varied evening entertainment, with live music venues, jazz bars, independent theatres and restaurants concentrated around areas such as Barrio Escalante and Escazú. The capital’s nightlife combines contemporary dining with local performances, giving visitors a glimpse of urban Costa Rican life after dark.

Tamarindo’s evenings are shaped by its Pacific coastline, where surfers and travellers gather after sunset at beachfront restaurants and relaxed bars. The town is known for its casual atmosphere, live music, seafood spots and oceanfront views, offering a laid-back alternative to traditional nightlife found in larger cities.

Located in the heart of San José, the Teatro Nacional has hosted concerts, theatre, ballet and cultural performances since opening in 1897. Beyond its programme of events, the building itself is an attraction, with ornate interiors, European-inspired design and historic details reflecting Costa Rica’s cultural ambitions.

After sunset, Monteverde’s cloud forest changes completely, with guides using torches to reveal creatures hidden during daylight hours. Walking along narrow forest trails, visitors may spot red-eyed tree frogs, sleeping birds, insects and reptiles while learning how the ecosystem adapts to life in constant mist and darkness.