Travel Stories

• activities

• water sports

10 min read • Jun 28, 2022

Costa Rica is the easy way to dive into Central America with kids in tow. Here are our top family adventures, from surf beaches to volcano hikes.

• hiking

• activities

11 min read • Apr 27, 2022

Whether you're looking for beaches, hikes, volcanoes or wildlife, here are 15 of the most majestic parks in this popular Central American country.

• luxury

• connections

7 min read • Mar 30, 2022

How Auberge Hacienda AltaGracia balances wellness, adventure and culinary touches in the mountains of Costa Rica.

• wildlife and nature

• activities

6 min read • Feb 22, 2022

You’ve never seen accommodations quite like these unique places to stay in Costa Rica.

• wildlife and nature

• activities

9 min read • Oct 14, 2021

If you aren't sure where to begin tackling everything Costa Rica has to offer, here's a list of 19 can't-miss sites, from volcanic cascades to surf breaks.

• digital nomad

• connections

4 min read • Jul 29, 2021

Entering Costa Rica can be simple, but planning for visa requirements can depend on your nationality, reasons for travel, and how long you want to stay.

2 min read • Jul 16, 2021

From August 1, Costa Rica will drop its mandatory health insurance requirement for fully vaccinated visitors.

• hotels

• destination practicalities

3 min read • Jun 25, 2021

With vast stretches of primary forest, Costa Rica is seeing renewed interest in tree house accommodations where travelers can stay the night in the canopy.

• air travel

• destination practicalities

13 min read • Apr 29, 2021

If you're wondering how to navigate Costa Rica's roads, airports, and ferry terminals, here's the scoop on getting around this impressive country.

• beaches

• activities

10 min read • Apr 29, 2021

Renting a car in Costa Rica is costly and can even be dangerous if you're not prepared for what's to come. It’s also ridiculously good fun. 

• art

• art and culture

14 min read • Apr 1, 2021

These are 15 of our favorite day trips from San Jose, whether you're seeking local arts and culture, secret surf spots, or active volcanoes.

• festivals and events

• art and culture

4 min read • Mar 18, 2021

Whether you are trying to find the best weather, prices or outdoor adventures in Costa Rica, these are the best times of the year to go.

• wildlife and nature

• activities

5 min read • Feb 8, 2021

Costa Rica may have some of the most stunning rain forests and wildlife on the planet, but it also has some truly beautiful beaches. Here are the 12 best.

• wildlife and nature

• activities

10 min read • Nov 19, 2020

Ali Wunderman visits Costa Rica right after it reopened to US visitors to talk to the locals, learn the pandemic protocols and seek out a very elusive bird.

• wildlife and nature

• activities

4 min read • Oct 20, 2020

From life-or-death trips to use the bathroom to cancer-curing fur fungus, there's a lot you don't know about the sloth.

• wildlife and nature

• activities

6 min read • Aug 25, 2020

From grumpy volcanoes to labyrinthine limestone caves, Costa Rica offers a never-ending array of natural wonders that keep visitors coming back.

• history

• art and culture

4 min read • Apr 30, 2020

From the cloud forest to the misty volcanic peaks Costa Rica is a place where adventurers go. Here's our guide to experiencing pura vida in your home.

• sports

• activities

7 min read • Jan 29, 2020

Misty jungles, Caribbean beaches, volcanoes, sloths, toucans, epic surf, cloud-forest trails, ziplines… pura vida adventures abound in Costa Rica.

• shopping

• activities

4 min read • Jan 27, 2020

A growing culinary scene, exciting nightlife and ample green spaces to relax, Barrio Escalante is quickly becoming the trendiest neighborhood in Costa Rica's…

• coffee

• food and drink

3 min read • Jan 23, 2020

From seed to bean to cup, these five Costa Rican coffee tours provide visitors with an in-depth look at the country's most important industry.

• festivals and events

• art and culture

4 min read • Jan 13, 2020

Gaining a reputation as one of the world’s greenest festivals, the Envision Festival is celebrating its 10-year anniversary as a gathering for music, yoga and…

• wildlife and nature

• activities

4 min read • Aug 20, 2019

Stand up paddling (SUP) has become a fun and popular pastime. Here are our favorite places in the world to go stand up paddle boarding.