A Guide To The Best Hidden Gems And Unique Places To Visit In Costa Rica

Costa Rica isn’t short of great places to visit, but tourists and first-time holidaymakers tend to flock to the same areas. We’ve taken a closer look at what the country has to offer and unearthed these hidden gems.

People who visit Costa Rica tend to know what they want, but not necessarily where they need to go to get it. We all know about the incredible rainforests bursting with diverse wildlife, and the pristine beaches, but where can we find these treasures? Perhaps just as important right now – where can we go to get the best experiences in the country without having to fight other travellers for space? We can’t guarantee you’ll be the only ones to visit these hand-picked destinations, but you’ll certainly enhance your chances of getting some alone time.

Keen to visit but not sure where to start with your itinerary? Consider joining Culture Trip’s specially curated small-group Costa Rica adventure, led by our local insider.

Rincon de la Vieja

Bajos del Toro

This tiny town is a manageable two-hour drive from San José, which makes it a potential day-trip destination. The Catarata del Toro waterfall is one of the main reasons to visit, and there are many unspoilt official hiking routes that are all well maintained. The town itself isn’t geared up for mass tourism, so pack the essentials you need for a day out.

Gandoca Manzanillo

The Caribbean side of Costa Rica isn’t as popular as the Pacific side, which means it’s easier to find a moment of solitude and there’s plenty to see without too many people crowding around. Gandoca Manzanillo National Park Refuge is a well-known nature retreat, and the cacao forests lead to sandy beaches along the coast.

Dominical Valley of the Waterfalls

The beaches of Dominical are pretty popular, but take a short hike into the forests to the Valley of the Waterfalls. There are a dozen or so impressive waterfalls that might not be the tallest in the world, but are secluded and devoid of crowds. You can climb and swim in the freshwater falls, and further exploration reveals even more natural features that local guides will be happy to point out.

Mal Pais

Mal Pais (sometimes written locally as Malpaís) means Bad Land, but the name is misleading. Perhaps at one time the rocky beaches were compared unfavorably with the sandier shores of nearby Santa Teresa, where surfers love to spend time. A few resorts have cropped up at Mal Pais in recent years, making the most of the seclusion. The coastline here isn’t best suited to sunbathing or swimming, so exploration is the order of the day. Beachcombers have plenty to see and do, with regular boat tours taking snorkelers out to calmer waters. The best thing about a stay here is that you can dip into the party scene in Santa Teresa without having to give up the quiet life.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.