Costa Rica is everywhere in 2025. It shows up on “top destination” lists, fills social feeds with rainforest and beach snapshots, and dominates search engines with names like Arenal, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Guanacaste, Tortuguero. But behind the buzz, something deeper awaits: a chance to feel nature not as a postcard, but as a living rhythm.
Arenal & La Fortuna – The Volcano’s Watch
There’s a moment, when you first see Arenal Volcano, that you almost stop breathing. Perfectly shaped, wrapped in clouds, it looks both peaceful and alive. Around it, forests stretch wide, rivers rush down the hills, and bridges hang above the canopy like lines drawn in the sky.
Visitors chase adventure here—rafting, zip-lining, canyoning. And yes, the adrenaline is real. But the lasting memory is often quieter: sinking into hot springs at dusk, the volcano watching over in the distance. La Fortuna shows that fire and water, speed and stillness, can live together in harmony.
Take it slow
Green season (May–July) brings vibrant forests and powerful waterfalls. Mid-week visits are calmer. At nature parks, go early (7–9 a.m.) for fresh air and active wildlife.
Travel responsibly
Use regulated hot springs, walk trails quietly, carry a reusable bottle, prefer certified guides. Eating at local sodas directly supports local families.
Alternatives
– Rincón de la Vieja: volcanic trails, waterfalls, and hot springs with fewer visitors.
– Tenorio & Río Celeste: iconic turquoise river and waterfall, ideal for quieter hiking.
Manuel Antonio – Nature in Motion
A shaded trail stirs with sound: monkeys leaping, iguanas on sunlit rocks, a sloth clinging lazily above. Then, the forest opens, and the ocean is there—turquoise, calm, as if it had been waiting all along.
Manuel Antonio feels like a stage where nature performs in every corner. It’s small, yes, but immense in experience: wildlife up close, beaches that invite you to swim, the dance of forest energy and ocean calm. It isn’t just where land meets sea—it’s where movement and stillness share the same space.
Take it slow
May and September bring calmer trails and softer light. Mid-week visits (Tue–Thu) are smoother. Entering right at 7 a.m. lets you enjoy fresh air and more active wildlife.
Travel responsibly
Stay on marked trails, never feed animals, and carry out your waste. Bring a reusable bottle. Hiring a certified local guide enriches the visit and supports conservation.
Alternatives
– Playa Carrillo: a serene palm-lined bay with a family-friendly atmosphere.
– Marino Ballena National Park: wide beaches, the iconic whale’s tail sandbar, and strong community management.
Monteverde – A Forest That Breathes
The road climbs, the air cools, and the mist appears. In Monteverde, you don’t just walk through forest—you walk inside the clouds. Orchids cling to moss, dew sparkles on branches, and somewhere in the fog, the quetzal glides, a flash of emerald and crimson almost too perfect to be real.
Monteverde doesn’t shout. It whispers. It slows your steps, softens your breath, and makes you notice what you’d otherwise miss: a drop of water sliding down a fern, the echo of a bird you’ll never see. Here, the most powerful journeys are the quiet ones.
Take it slow
Early mornings (7–9 a.m.) are best for birdwatching. June and November balance good weather with fewer visitors. Mid-week (Tue–Thu) feels more serene.
Travel responsibly
Prefer community-run reserves like Santa Elena, keep quiet on hanging bridges, avoid touching epiphytes, and support local businesses.
Alternatives
– San Gerardo de Dota: peaceful valley with excellent quetzal spotting.
– Bajos del Toro: waterfalls and cloud forest with fewer tourists.
Guanacaste & Nicoya Peninsula – The Ocean’s Rhythm
In Guanacaste, the journey often begins at Liberia’s international airport, connecting travelers quickly to golden beaches and the warmth of coastal life. Tamarindo surfs with constant energy, Papagayo leans toward elegance, while Nosara and Sámara move at a gentler pace.
Beyond the coast, the tropical dry forest speaks of resilience—trees shedding leaves to endure long dry months, wildlife adapted to heat and wind, an ecosystem found in few places on Earth.
And woven through it all is culture: sabanero traditions, music, and festivals that glow as brightly as the sunsets. Guanacaste is not just a destination, but a rhythm where sea, forest, and people move as one.
Take it slow
Sunrise and sunset bring the coast to life. May–July offer lush green scenery with fewer visitors, while December–April ensures dry, sunny days. Mid-week feels calmer.
Travel responsibly
Respect beach wildlife like nesting turtles, avoid single-use plastics, and support community-led projects and family-owned restaurants.
Alternatives
– La Cruz: northern gateway with quiet beaches and wide ocean views, close to the Santa Rosa National Park.
– Playa Avellanas: surf spot with a relaxed atmosphere and less commercial development.
Tortuguero – Where Rivers Carry Time
Reaching Tortuguero feels like stepping back in time. Boats weave through canals shaded by forest, mirrored in calm water. Herons stalk silently, caimans slip beneath the surface, the air thick with the scent of rain.
At night, the beach transforms. Under stars, a turtle emerges from the ocean, slow and steady, to nest. Watching this ritual is humbling—it feels less like tourism and more like being invited into a story centuries old. Tortuguero doesn’t rush, and neither should you.
Take it slow
Early mornings bring the canals alive with bird calls and reflections on still water. Late afternoons add golden light to the jungle. Turtle nesting peaks from July to October, while December to March often offers clearer skies for river tours.
Travel responsibly
Choose licensed boat operators, keep voices low to protect wildlife, and never disturb nesting turtles. Use biodegradable sunscreen and support local community initiatives.
Alternatives
– Caño Negro: wetlands rich in migratory birds and aquatic life, with fewer crowds.
– Boca Tapada (Maquenque Wildlife Refuge): tropical forest and lagoons, ideal for birdwatching and quiet encounters with nature.
Beyond the Searches
Yes, these are the most searched names in 2025. But what makes Costa Rica unforgettable isn’t lists—it’s the moments in between: silence before sunrise on a volcano trail, monkeys calling suddenly from the canopy, the glow of a sunset that seems to last forever.
Travel here isn’t about checking places off. It’s about letting the country surprise you, slow you down, and remind you why you wanted to travel in the first place.
At Journey Path, we don’t just show destinations—we help you find those moments. The ones you’ll still talk about years later, when someone asks why Costa Rica stayed in your heart.