Costa Rica Editor Picks

Be the first to get:
– Free Weekly Travel Deals
– Expert Vacation Ideas
This Week's Top 25
Flight Deals
Hotel Deals
Vacation Deals
Cruise Deals
Car Rental
Smart Luxury Deals

iStock International

Editor Picks

Communing with nature takes on a whole new meaning in tropical Costa Rica, where life centers around the rainforest, the beach, and the ocean. Here, the discriminating editors of ShermansTravel.com highlight the establishments and experiences that are guaranteed to leave you with a lasting impression … more of this eco-paradise. Hike to the top of an active volcano, lounge on the beach, and go spelunking in a limestone cave – then return to the comfort of your hotel and take your pick of the country’s new wave of worthwhile restaurants.

FREE Issue of Sherman's Travel Magazine
1  2  »  
Smart Splurge    Great Value
Museo de Jade Marco Fidel Tristán
View breathtaking displays of pre-Columbian artifacts at this museum housing the largest collection of jade in the Americas. Open 8:30am-3:30pm Mon-Fri; Sat 9am-1pm.
Ave. 7 (between Calles 9 and 11); San Jose; 011-506-2287-6034; portal.ins-cr.com/social/MuseoJade
Tags: international travel | culture | museum | things to do | history | art
Volcanoes
Hotfoot it to one of the country’s volcanoes, many of which – including Arenal, its youngest, and Irazu, its tallest – are still active. As many as eight such hot spots can be visited independently or on tours. If you have to pick just one, head to La Fortuna; nighttime displays of spewing lava are particularly spectacular. Fortuna Welcome runs guided tours to the area (www.fortunawelcome.com).
Ranger station; 2 miles east of Lake Arenal; La Fortuna; 011-506-2461-8499
Tags: international travel | tour | things to do | outdoors | adventure
Go to Isla Tortuga smart splurge
This one-day catamaran excursion to Isla Tortuga may be touristy and pricey, but the picture-perfect island destination just off the Pacific coast makes the indignity of going along with the crowd worth it. Choose a weekday trip to have more white-sand beach to yourself.
Calypso Cruises; Puntarenas; 800-887-1969; www.calypsocruises.com
Tags: beach | cruise | tour | smart splurge | things to do
Diving
Costa Rica’s world-famous offshore reefs – particularly near remote Isla de Coco – are packed with colorful sea life for scuba aficionados. Book an 8- or 10-day trip from Puntarenas to Isla de Coco on the Okeanos Aggressor, part of the Aggressor Fleet.
Aggressor Fleet; Puntarenas; 800-348-2628; www.aggressor.com
Tags: international travel | wildlife | things to do | adventure | sports
Beaches
Loll about on one of Costa Rica’s pristine ocean beaches. The tourism board recommends 43 stretches of sand suitable for sunning; most lie on the western, Pacific Ocean shores, although six, including the near-perfect Playa Cocles, are found on the country’s Caribbean coast.
Playa Cocles; 866-267-8274 (tourism board); www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/playas.asp
Tags: beach | family | things to do | outdoors
Rincon de la Vieja
Attractions here include the active Rincon de la Vieja volcano, dormant sister cones Santa Maria and Cerro Von Seebach, and thermal mud pools, waterfall lagoons, and freshwater lakes.               
Northeast of Liberia; 011-506-666-0630; www.costarica-nationalparks.com
Tags: international travel | national park | outdoors | swimming
Palo Verde
A birdwatchers’ paradise, this dry rainforest, mangrove, and wetland park in Guanacaste hosts both native Costa Rican and migrating North American birds. The Organization for Tropical Studies operates a “biological station” here with lodging, meals, and tours (011-506-2524-0607).
The Organization for Tropical Studies; Main gate near town of Bagaces; Bagaces; 011-506-666-0630; www.costarica-nationalparks.com
Tags: international travel | national park | wildlife | outdoors
Barra Honda
Deep limestone caverns – some open to the public for spelunking – are the main attraction at Barra Honda, which also offers hiking and camping.
Main gate near villages of Barra Honda and Nacaome; 011-506-2666-0630; www.costarica-nationalparks.com
Tags: international travel | hiking | national park | adventure
Adventures By Disney
Got the kids in tow? Try Disney’s new 6-night Path to Pura Vida trip to San Jose, Arenal, and Quepos/Manuel Antonio. Family- and kid-friendly touches include Disney movie nights and arts-and-crafts sessions with local artisans.
877-728-7282; www.abd.disney.go.com
Tags: family | tour | adventure
Costa Rica Expeditions
Celebrating 30 years in 2008, this San Jose-based tour operator is the oldest and most experienced in the country. In addition to ecological, adventure, and sightseeing tours, the firm owns and operates three exceptional, well-run lodges in the Monteverde Reserve and Corcovado and Tortuguero National Parks.
011-506-2257-0766; www.costaricaexpeditions.com
Tags: international travel | diving | tour | adventure | sports
1  2  »  
Compare Rates
  • Flights
  • Hotels
  • Packages
  • Cruises
  • Cars
Enter your trip details
 
 
 
Enter your trip details
Step 1
 
 
 
Enter your trip details
Step 1
 
 
 
Enter your trip details
Step 1
 
 
 
Enter your trip details
Step 1
 
 
   
 
Compare Rates
  • Flights
  • Hotels
  • Packages
  • Cruises
  • Cars
Travelers:
Travelers:
 

Deals

Related Articles