10 Popular Destinations in Costa Rica Among Locals, Including Beaches, Hot Springs, and Markets

Corcovado National Park is among the world's most biodiverse areas, housing about 5% of all species. Mytanfeet travel blogger Yeison Kim is one of many nature lovers who find paradise in this park, which is home to picturesque lagoons, marshes, mangroves, rivers, woods, sandy beaches, and paths for hiking. "There’s no better place in Costa Rica for nature and adventure than Corcovado; it feels otherworldly, like Jurassic Park," according to him.

Due to its position, Costa Rica is a popular surfing destination because it gets waves from both the north and the south. Santa Rosa National Park's Playa Naranjo, aka Roca Bruja (Witches Rock), is a popular surfing location for Kim. "Although I wouldn't call myself a pro surfer, I can confidently conquer some midsized waves here," adds Kim, who has spotted sharks, manta rays, and a humpback whale. This bay got its name from a local myth that a witch's soul lives on a rock in the park; surfers enjoy it for its incredible surf and beautiful scenery.

The lively Mercado Central, which has been there since 1880, is a beloved and historic monument of the country. Locals congregate, shop, and dine at this cultural and culinary mecca. Out of the over 200 stores, stands, and eateries referred to as "sodas," Kim's go-to spot is Soda Tala, a beloved spot for locals offering talapinto. You can have this variation on gallo pinto—a traditional morning dish from Costa Rica—with beans, rice, and a thin omelette folded in a tortilla and either placed on top or wrapped in a banana leaf. Guests have the option to customize their dishes by adding fried plantains, cheese, or meat.

Architect and co-owner David Konwiser was born in Costa Rica—his mother's homeland—but spent his childhood in California. He now lives in Villa Punto de Vista. Twenty years ago, he built his own private paradise adjacent to Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica after being so captivated by it on a previous trip. "It’s not just the park’s lush rain forests that draw visitors, but also its pristine beaches," according to him. Manuel Antonio Beach and the picturesque bay of Biesanz are two of Konwiser's favorite places to go swimming and snorkeling. Weekends are peak tourist times, therefore he says it's not a good idea to visit these places. To avoid the crowds, he recommends heading north of the park to Espadilla Norte Beach.

For those seeking the heights, there is no better place than La Fortuna, Costa Rica's adventure capital. Thermal hot springs, including Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa, are the region's crown jewels, according to Konwiser. "Taking a dip in the various temperature pools naturally heated by the volcano is the perfect way to relax, especially after a day of thrill-seeking," according to him. 

Copey Estate Winery's commercial manager, Paola Bolaños Zumbado, also promotes La Fortuna, particularly the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Arenal Hanging Bridges. The treetop canopies at the hanging bridges and wandering along the lava paths in the national park are both energizing, according to Zumbado. "If you visit the bridges in the early morning, you can often see the full volcano without cloud cover," according to her.

Growing beans of superior quality is possible in Costa Rica thanks to the country's high-altitude volcanic soil and environmentally friendly farming methods. The towns of Dota, Tarrazú, and León Cortés are located in the heart of Los Santos Zone, a picturesque mountain region around two hours' drive from San José, and Zumbado suggests visiting them for a genuine coffee experience. Coopedota is a cooperative that provides tastings, excursions, and a cafe where you may sample some excellent Costa Rican coffee. They have over forty different blends to choose from.

Growing beans of superior quality is possible in Costa Rica thanks to the country's high-altitude volcanic soil and environmentally friendly farming methods. The towns of Dota, Tarrazú, and León Cortés are located in the heart of Los Santos Zone, a picturesque mountain region around two hours' drive from San José, and Zumbado suggests visiting them for a genuine coffee experience. Coopedota is a cooperative that provides tastings, excursions, and a cafe where you may sample some excellent Costa Rican coffee. They have over forty different blends to choose from.

"One of the things I love about Costa Rica is the presence of wild waterfalls all over the country," remarks Hans Pfister, co-founder and president of the Cayuga Collection. Since 1999, Pfister has called Costa Rica his home. Every year, he goes on a trip to the Nauyaca Waterfalls, which are north of Uvita. He claims that swimming in the natural pools there makes him feel ten years younger. The 3.7-mile one-way hike on an intermediate terrain, whether on foot or a horse, is worth it to reach these magnificent waterfalls.

Costa Rican beaches on the Caribbean coast are Pfister's favorite. Playa Chiquita in Limón Province is one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, and he says, "It's where most well-traveled locals spend their vacations." So says he. I concur, Sadie Jordan. She just moved to Costa Rica from the United States to run Soul Life Travel, an organization that offers multi-day tours with an Afro-Costa Rican focus. For some Afro-Latina culture and breathtaking beach vistas, Jordan visits Puerto Viejo's El Sendero Beach Club. "It’s a locally owned spot right on the beach, where patrons can relax with lively reggae music, delicious Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and strong cocktails."

One of the most picturesque and top rafting rivers in the world, the Pacuare River flows 67 miles from the Cuericí mountains to the Caribbean Sea, with exciting Class II to Class V rapids. Recently, Jordan and her daring aunt Rebecca went on a rafting tour, and Jordan describes it as "a death-defying yet exhilarating experience." The two paddled 18 miles under the guidance of Exploradores Outdoors through the world-renowned Pacuare River Gorge and Valle del Pacuare, where they saw toucans, sloths, and butterflies, among other creatures.

The sole Costa Rican ground operator that focuses on accessible travel is Stephanie Sheehy's Il Viaggio Travel. Playa Panama, on the shore of the Gulf of Papagayo, is one of her favorite beaches in Costa Rica. The waters there are shallow and peaceful, protected by Culebra Bay. Sheehy claims, "It's one of the calmest and most swimmable beaches in Costa Rica." She and her husband Emilio are determined to ensure that every public beach in the country has an accessible option. She claims that the country would become a welcoming place for all people as a result of these initiatives.