Explore North America

National parks, coastlines, cities, and road trip itineraries.

Panoramic Costa Rica landscape combining rainforest, volcano, cloud forest, and beach at golden hour

2026-06-15

Costa Rica Itinerary: 5, 7, or 10 Days by Region

A 'two-hour' map distance runs 3-4 hours on mountain roads, so this Costa Rica itinerary plans travel legs as half days and one base per stop.

Costa Rica's diverse landscapes at golden hour: rainforest, river, volcano, and hikers as silhouettes

2026-06-14

Costa Rica Wildlife: Where and When to See It

With 900-plus bird species and 25% of land protected, Costa Rica wildlife rewards planning: sloths daily, jaguars almost never, frogs peak May-November.

Costa Rica adventure montage: waterfalls, Tortuguero kayaking, and coffee plantation horseback riding at golden hour

2026-06-14

Costa Rica Waterfalls: 7 Ranked by Worth the Detour

Most Costa Rica waterfalls cluster into three drivable circuits, so you can pair La Fortuna, Rio Celeste, and Nauyaca with costs and 4x4 needs.

Golden-hour Costa Rica coast with surfers and locals walking along a palm-fringed beach, seen from behind

2026-06-14

Costa Rica Surfing: Spots, Costs, and Local Life

Pay $40-$65 for group lessons, then cook gallo pinto with a host. This costa rica surfing guide covers seasons, access, and hazards, updated for 2026.

Family silhouette overlooking Costa Rica rainforest with cacao fields in foreground at golden hour

2026-06-13

7-Day Costa Rica Family Vacation Wildlife and Cacao Plan

Budget reality: $3,500-$6,000 for 7 days for 4. This costa rica family vacation uses two bases to cut drives and boost sightings, updated for 2026.

Wide Costa Rica immersion landscape with rainforest, distant volcano, and a lone backpacker walking along a dirt road at dawn

2026-06-13

3-Week spanish immersion costa rica plan and costs

Reality check: expect A2 to B1 in 3-4 weeks with 15-25 class hours. This spanish immersion costa rica guide budgets it fast, updated for 2026.

A group of people whitewater rafting on a river surrounded by dense jungle and rocky cliffs.

2026-06-12

Pacuare to Sarapiquí: Costa Rica White Water Rafting

Most trips fail on logistics, not rapids. This costa rica white water rafting guide matches river, season, and base with prices, updated for 2026.

Sunset panorama over San Jose, Costa Rica, showing rooftops, hills in the distance, and a warm, golden sky

2026-06-11

Things to Do in San Jose Costa Rica: A 2-Day Plan

Ranked things to do in San Jose Costa Rica by worth-the-detour value: $7 Theater tour, mandatory Poas reservations, and what $1,000 actually buys.

Lone traveler overlooking Costa Rican coast at golden hour, symbolizing safe travel

2026-06-11

Is Costa Rica Safe in 2026? An Honest Traveler's Guide

Is Costa Rica safe? State Dept Level 2, safest in Central America, but rental car break-ins and night driving cause most real incidents.

Panoramic view of Puerto Viejo's tropical coastline at sunset, with jungle meeting the Caribbean Sea and a dramatic sky.

2026-06-09

Things to Do in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica: 4-7 Day Guide

Plan things to do in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica: five beaches in 12 km, Bribri cacao tours, Salsa Brava surf, no high-season booking traps.

Arenal Volcano National Park at golden hour, with rainforest foreground and distant volcano glow

2026-06-09

Arenal Volcano Costa Rica Tours: Honest 2026 Guide

Lava flows ended around 2010, so plan Arenal Volcano Costa Rica tours around the cone, hot springs, and trails. Costs, weather, and timing inside.

Limón coast at golden hour with breakwater, mangroves, and distant fishing boat

2026-06-09

Limon Costa Rica: Beaches, Sloths, Cruise Port Guide

Skip Puerto Limon's in-town beaches: the real Limon Costa Rica payoff sits 45 minutes south at Cahuita's reef, Cocles surf, and Tortuguero canals.