Trip planner

Go greener with some hands-on escapes in the north’s jungles, volcanoes and cloud forests

Best for: A mix of adventure and nature, with a hefty slant toward sustainable experiences
Why do it? To reap some of the bountiful rewards of eco-tourism, including a deeper respect for the environment and ideas for greener lifestyle choices
Route: La Fortuna; Lake Arenal; Monteverde

From the jungles around La Fortuna to the cloud forests atop Monteverde, the Northern Inlands region (north-west of San José) is filled with not only lush escapes but plenty of chances for visitors to learn how to be ‘greener’.

The region is made up of humid rainforests, fertile plains and majestic mountains where big thrills and gentle escapes coalesce. Here you can experience just about every kind of activity on offer in Costa Rica, with the towns of La Fortuna and Monteverde operating as hubs for travellers seeking adventures. The area’s zip-line circuits, sky-scraping hanging bridges, gentle hot springs, and wild nature reserves consistently rank among the nation’s best.

La Fortuna, which lies less than 20km east of the Arenal stratovolcano, is often dubbed Costa Rica’s ‘epicentre of adventure’. This is a nod to the catalogue of guided – often adrenaline-fuelled – excursions that can be found here, particularly in Arenal Volcano National Park and its network of forested trails following old lava flows.

At the other end of the scale is Monteverde, which has a moniker (‘Green Mountain’) that speaks to its lushness. This sprawling, high-altitude community is swathed by misty forests and clouds close enough to touch, and it is very much the yin to La Fortuna’s yang, with guided trips that encourage a more gentle exploration of its nature.

When it comes to sustainability, both towns offer up plenty of day trips to ranches, farms and gardens to see and learn about regenerative agriculture, permaculture and other eco-friendly practices that are well-represented in the region’s inclusive approach to eco-tourism. Even the scenic route that connects the two goes via the hydroelectric dam at Lake Arenal reservoir, weaving around abundant wind turbines and elaborating how Costa Rica has been able to generate nearly all of its electricity from renewable sources over the past few years.

Take it slow in the fast-paced capital, then enjoy a different speed of life in the Central Valley

Best for: Showcasing authentic Costa Rica and the country’s lively capital
Why do it? To see San José’s highlights in a low-carbon way and visit eco-friendly attractions in outlying areas
Route: San José; communities outside of the capital city, such as Atenas and Sarapiquí

The far-reaching Central Inlands region, which makes up Costa Rica’s geographical core, occupies much of the rugged expanse that lies between the Caribbean and Pacific coasts that skirt either side of the country. It is home to two-thirds of all Costa Ricans, though the majority live in capital San José, which beats precipitously. This city is the only place in Costa Rica that feels fast-paced, thanks to its gridlocked cars, streams of pedestrians and conspicuous overdevelopment. Nonetheless, the capital is a medley of historic buildings and cultural institutions that beg to be discovered, and its walkable and bike-friendly downtown is ideal for some low-impact exploration.

Outside of San José it’s a different story. Many of the attractions that lie on the fringes of the city and beyond offer great examples of sustainable living and a different way of life, luring the eco-minded far off the beaten path.Much of the region is consumed by the Central Valley, a basin formed by the contiguous mountains and volcanoes that encircle the capital. The traditional way of living practiced in these communities and beyond is the antithesis of San José’s modern, bustling lifestyle; they also open the door to some unique travel experiences, ranging from visits to an oxcart factory to swims at secluded cascades.

There are some great examples of sustainable days out. Here you will find organic, single-origin coffee production in Atenas and rainforest conservation research in Sarapiquí. But as with most notable sights scattered around this vast region, you may need to travel far to see them. If you base yourself in centrally located San José (18km from Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport), you can take day trips to places of interest, but beware: long journeys aren’t usually eco-friendly. In which case, stick to exploring San José’s centre or stay at a destination outside of the city and focus on discovering its local gems.

Enjoy wild beaches and even wilder eco-escapes in the lodges and parks of the west coast

Best for: Sustainable accommodation, especially elegant eco-lodges
Why do it? To treat yourself to luxury, enjoy the coastal lifestyle and go fully off-grid
Route: Nosara; destinations on the Osa Peninsula, such as Drake Bay and the Golfo Dulce

Novel examples of sustainability and a number of revered eco-friendly lodges make Costa Rica’s west coast as varied as it is long. Much of the 1,016km Pacific coastline, which stretches between the Nicaragua (north) and Panama (south) borders, is marked by golden sands and raked by tumbling waves. But this region is far more than just a pretty shoreline; it is also gifted with stately escarpments that puncture landscapes of rolling hill forests, waterfalls that tumble over stacked tiers of exposed rock, and flourishing examples of rainforest, dry forest and mangrove ecosystems, in which the country’s wildlife makes regular appearances. It soon becomes apparent to visitors that there are plenty of reasons to leave the beach behind.

The best experiences tap into some or all of these elements. Hike cherished land in protected parks and reserves, head out onto the water to surf spectacular breaks and dive to notable sites, or improve your wellbeing with some yoga in the salty ocean air. Alternatively, just hit the beach or a lookout at sunset to watch a fiery sun depart the western sky. Visits to the Pacific coast are more than just sandy getaways; they are an opportunity to absorb and revel in Costa Rica’s splendid landscape.

The region is essentially divided into four zones: the northern Pacific, the Nicoya Peninsula, the central Pacific and the southern Pacific. Sustainable experiences are sprinkled throughout, but you’ll find a rich concentration on the Osa Peninsula in the south, which is a microcosm of Costa Rica’s push toward carbon-neutrality, as well as in the community of Nosara, on the Nicoya Peninsula. Eco-tourism offerings, especially sustainable accommodations, are as diverse as the region and range from biohostels to luxurious eco-lodges. In fact, due to the remoteness of some areas, plenty of stays are operating entirely off the grid, especially in the Golfo Dulce area.

Sun, sand and sustainability come easily on the laid-back eastern coast

Best for: Jamaican-inspired culture and paradisiacal beaches, several of which wave a blue flag – a symbol of ecological preservation
Why do it? To practice sustainable travel in uncomplicated ways while exploring easygoing
coastal communities
Route: Pacuare River; Tortuguero; Cahuita; Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

The car-free villages and waterfront towns of the eastern coast are typically lined with beach-cruiser bikes and tend to embrace sustainable travel in easy, understated and quintessentially Caribbean ways

The Caribbean coast is a culturally distinct region enriched by its Afrodescendant, Chinese, Indigenous, and Mestizo traditions. Particularly noticeable is the widespread Jamaican influence; it saturates the region with bright colours, reggae music on repeat, as well as dishes of the most delicious Caribbean-style cuisine you’ll ever taste. Despite the abundance of cultural energy, the region’s vibe is markedly laid-back, almost dreamy.

Blissful beaches are awash with aquamarine and azure waters, and are shaded by the outstretched fronds of coconut palms that trace the flat coastline and provide plenty of shade to kick back in and do little else but snooze. But there’s plenty to see and do elsewhere.

It’s best to envision the region as comprising two parts: the northern Caribbean coast, whose largest contributor to tourism is the small village of Tortuguero, and the southern Caribbean coast, home to the popular beach towns of Cahuita and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The port city of Limón serves as the imaginary divide.

If you care about being sustainable but have neither the time nor money to dedicate to green travel, you’ll love the Caribbean coast; it’s inherently eco-friendly. Two low-impact activities, biking and walking, are common ways of moving around towns. Days here are typically spent relaxing at beaches, people-watching or hanging out in hammocks, rather than participating in tours that may not have the environment in mind. Even the zone’s biggest adventure – whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River – takes place in an unmotorised vessel. No other region in Costa Rica makes being eco-conscious feel so effortless.