by Costa Rica Pages: 
Vacationing to Costa Rica often brings visitors along the tourist circuit from San Jose to Arenal, Jaco, Manuel Antonio and back. While each of these destinations merits its popularity thanks to natural beauty, tourist infrastructure and convenience, there are many other contenders out there that get overlooked for lacking this last detail. The following represent the best of “off the beaten track Costa Rica”, and mixing at least one of them into your vacation promises to add an element of depth and variety for one unforgettable Costa Rica vacation!
5. Inland Southern Costa Rica:
This is a destination for the true adventurer, surrounded by the most virgin rain forest, untouched wildlife and verdant nature. From the La Amistad national park, which traverses the border with Panama, to numerous indigenous populations and reserves, this area is as wild as it gets.
Talamanca, on the Caribbean side, provides a fading reminder of this country’s pre-Colombian past: the Bribri indigenous tribe has its reserve set up here, as well as two other native tribes, while the Boruca Indians can be visited closer to the southern Pacific coast. Visits to both reserves can be arranged, as well as backpacking hikes through the International park, or the highest peak in the country, which is also found here: Mount Chirripó. For those who claim Costa Rica is lacking in history and culture, I say, you’re just too scared to find your way off the beaten track to find it!
4. South Caribbean:
For those of you who picture Costa Rica as a tropical paradise where jungle meets white sand beaches and monkeys run wild, the Caribbean is for you. With a local culture more reflective of Jamaica than the rest of Costa Rica, residents here are laid back and most grew up speaking English! While towns like Cahuita and Puerto Viejo seem to cater to the budget crowd, there are a handful of boutique hotels, and beach homes that have popped up all over the coast. Maybe sleeping in a tree sounds like roughing it, but after a visit to the Tree House Lodge, you too will beg to differ.
Both Cahuita and Puerto Viejo have become home to a large number of international expats that inject their own flavor to local culture and cuisine. The Cahuita National Park and beach front Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge are home to turtles, monkeys, snakes, beautiful marine life and even large cats, though these are difficult to spot during the day.
3. Mountains of the Central Valley:
When most people think of Costa Rica, they think of warm beaches and active volcanoes and lots of heat. Coming from a cold climate, you might not be so inspired to mix a mountain eco-lodge with a fireplace and outdoor Jacuzzi into your vacation, but that may be just what you need after a sweaty week at the beach! Destinations like Cartago, the seat of the first colonial government in Costa Rica, or Bajos del Toro and Poas, which offer views of volcanoes and access to beautiful waterfalls and cloud forests, are often skipped en route to the beach. Luxurious boutique hotels are popping up in many of these spots, like El Silencio Eco-Lodge or the Peace Lodge, each promising a relaxing and unique breath of fresh air. Being less touristy, like all these locations, you will also get to see the ‘real’ Costa Rica as you pass through small towns, street side fruit stands, oxcarts and men on horseback.
2. Tortuguero
Tortuguero, like the Nicoya Peninsula, is one of those amazing destinations that gets overlooked due to the fact that it seems too far out of the way to fit into a short trip. I beg to differ, as getting there is an adventure in itself, and should not be seen as time wasted! Almost all the hotels in Tortuguero include three meals and transportation in the total price, and a two night stay is worth it. If you choose to take a bus shuttle from San Jose, an English speaking guide will take you for a typical Costa Rican meal, stop at a beautiful tropical garden that is home to monkeys, sloths, toucans and more, and teach you about the History of Costa Rica’s top export at a banana plantation. In a true sign of sustainability, it is the locals themselves that are your guides here, and you will find that many of them used to work on the banana plantations for 10 hours a day rain or shine. Tourism being their way up and out, they are genuinely happy to teach you about their land.
When you get to your destination, boat tours, turtle tours and hikes are all available and the main source of transportation is by boat, as the streets are natural rivers and canals, home to endangered manatees and caymans. No matter if you prefer relaxation, nature or a good dance fest at one of the local bars set overlooking the river, Tortuguero promises to offer an unforgettable experience.
1. Southern Nicoya Peninsula:
Another remote destination, there are actually two very simple ways to get to this area, though the final hour-long drive to the beautiful surf towns of Santa Teresa and Mal Pais cannot be avoided. One option is a domestic flight from San Jose to the Gulf of Nicoya town of Tambor. The short plane ride will let you skip over the gulf, though if you want to go really off the beaten path to the beautiful white sand beaches of Santa Teresa, you will still need to hire a taxi, or get a rental car in Tambor. The other option makes for a great loop in your Costa Rica vacation itinerary: from Jaco you can spend about $40 to take a speed boat from Herradura Beach, right to the little idyllic artist town of Montezuma. The boat trip runs twice each morning, though if you reserve in advance, you can a boat pick up your group whenever you please. This slightly adventurous trip cuts off hours of time that would have been spent taking the ferry from Puntarenas and then 1 ½ hours in a hot crowded bus to Montezuma.
From hidden waterfalls to iguanas and monkeys galore, these secluded beach towns make for an unforgettable adventure. Besides the dusty dirt roads, this area is an utter paradise. For those not on a budget, beautiful boutique hotels like Florblanca or Latitude 10 provide complete privacy and unbeatable proximity to nature. You won’t regret the trek once you get here. Ask supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who constructed a multi-million dollar beach home on the same shoreline.
Thank you to Costa Rica Pages for this article and just click here to read the original article
Vacationing to Costa Rica often brings visitors along the tourist circuit from San Jose to Arenal, Jaco, Manuel Antonio and back. While each of these destinations merits its popularity thanks to natural beauty, tourist infrastructure and convenience, there are many other contenders out there that get overlooked for lacking this last detail. The following represent the best of “off the beaten track Costa Rica”, and mixing at least one of them into your vacation promises to add an element of depth and variety for one unforgettable Costa Rica vacation!
5. Inland Southern Costa Rica:
This is a destination for the true adventurer, surrounded by the most virgin rain forest, untouched wildlife and verdant nature. From the La Amistad national park, which traverses the border with Panama, to numerous indigenous populations and reserves, this area is as wild as it gets.
Talamanca, on the Caribbean side, provides a fading reminder of this country’s pre-Colombian past: the Bribri indigenous tribe has its reserve set up here, as well as two other native tribes, while the Boruca Indians can be visited closer to the southern Pacific coast. Visits to both reserves can be arranged, as well as backpacking hikes through the International park, or the highest peak in the country, which is also found here: Mount Chirripó. For those who claim Costa Rica is lacking in history and culture, I say, you’re just too scared to find your way off the beaten track to find it!
4. South Caribbean:
For those of you who picture Costa Rica as a tropical paradise where jungle meets white sand beaches and monkeys run wild, the Caribbean is for you. With a local culture more reflective of Jamaica than the rest of Costa Rica, residents here are laid back and most grew up speaking English! While towns like Cahuita and Puerto Viejo seem to cater to the budget crowd, there are a handful of boutique hotels, and beach homes that have popped up all over the coast. Maybe sleeping in a tree sounds like roughing it, but after a visit to the Tree House Lodge, you too will beg to differ.
Both Cahuita and Puerto Viejo have become home to a large number of international expats that inject their own flavor to local culture and cuisine. The Cahuita National Park and beach front Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge are home to turtles, monkeys, snakes, beautiful marine life and even large cats, though these are difficult to spot during the day.
3. Mountains of the Central Valley:
When most people think of Costa Rica, they think of warm beaches and active volcanoes and lots of heat. Coming from a cold climate, you might not be so inspired to mix a mountain eco-lodge with a fireplace and outdoor Jacuzzi into your vacation, but that may be just what you need after a sweaty week at the beach! Destinations like Cartago, the seat of the first colonial government in Costa Rica, or Bajos del Toro and Poas, which offer views of volcanoes and access to beautiful waterfalls and cloud forests, are often skipped en route to the beach. Luxurious boutique hotels are popping up in many of these spots, like El Silencio Eco-Lodge or the Peace Lodge, each promising a relaxing and unique breath of fresh air. Being less touristy, like all these locations, you will also get to see the ‘real’ Costa Rica as you pass through small towns, street side fruit stands, oxcarts and men on horseback.
2. Tortuguero
Tortuguero, like the Nicoya Peninsula, is one of those amazing destinations that gets overlooked due to the fact that it seems too far out of the way to fit into a short trip. I beg to differ, as getting there is an adventure in itself, and should not be seen as time wasted! Almost all the hotels in Tortuguero include three meals and transportation in the total price, and a two night stay is worth it. If you choose to take a bus shuttle from San Jose, an English speaking guide will take you for a typical Costa Rican meal, stop at a beautiful tropical garden that is home to monkeys, sloths, toucans and more, and teach you about the History of Costa Rica’s top export at a banana plantation. In a true sign of sustainability, it is the locals themselves that are your guides here, and you will find that many of them used to work on the banana plantations for 10 hours a day rain or shine. Tourism being their way up and out, they are genuinely happy to teach you about their land.
When you get to your destination, boat tours, turtle tours and hikes are all available and the main source of transportation is by boat, as the streets are natural rivers and canals, home to endangered manatees and caymans. No matter if you prefer relaxation, nature or a good dance fest at one of the local bars set overlooking the river, Tortuguero promises to offer an unforgettable experience.
1. Southern Nicoya Peninsula:
Another remote destination, there are actually two very simple ways to get to this area, though the final hour-long drive to the beautiful surf towns of Santa Teresa and Mal Pais cannot be avoided. One option is a domestic flight from San Jose to the Gulf of Nicoya town of Tambor. The short plane ride will let you skip over the gulf, though if you want to go really off the beaten path to the beautiful white sand beaches of Santa Teresa, you will still need to hire a taxi, or get a rental car in Tambor. The other option makes for a great loop in your Costa Rica vacation itinerary: from Jaco you can spend about $40 to take a speed boat from Herradura Beach, right to the little idyllic artist town of Montezuma. The boat trip runs twice each morning, though if you reserve in advance, you can a boat pick up your group whenever you please. This slightly adventurous trip cuts off hours of time that would have been spent taking the ferry from Puntarenas and then 1 ½ hours in a hot crowded bus to Montezuma.
From hidden waterfalls to iguanas and monkeys galore, these secluded beach towns make for an unforgettable adventure. Besides the dusty dirt roads, this area is an utter paradise. For those not on a budget, beautiful boutique hotels like Florblanca or Latitude 10 provide complete privacy and unbeatable proximity to nature. You won’t regret the trek once you get here. Ask supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who constructed a multi-million dollar beach home on the same shoreline.
Thank you to Costa Rica Pages for this article and just click here to read the original article
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