Costa Rica Off The Beaten Path: Where To Go And What To Do

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Written by Nikki Solano

Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️

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Off-the-beaten-path travel in Costa Rica

If you’ve just finished reading our related blog post 30 Popular Things To Do In Costa Rica And Where To Do Them, you’re probably itching for some recommendations for non-touristy things to do in Costa Rica too. If so, you’re in luck because we’ve got plenty. Use our off-the-beaten-path Costa Rica destinations guide below to learn where you should go if you want to avoid crowds. Furthermore, our off-the-beaten-path Costa Rica activities guide below recommends things to do in Costa Rica that are offbeat, unfrequented, or less known to the average visitor. Both will help you plan a perfect Costa Rica vacation if you wish to experience the less popular sides of Costa Rica.

Our guide to Costa Rica destinations that are off the beaten path

If you want a beach destination, visit one of these off-the-beaten-path beaches

Region	choose this beach	in lieu of this beach
In the Caribbean region (Cahuita)	choose Playa Negra	instead of Playa Blanca
In the Caribbean region (Puerto Viejo de Talamanca)	choose Playa Chiquita or Playa Arrecife *See our related blog posts Photos Of Playa Arrecife Costa Rica (Caribbean) From Our Personal Collection and Photos Of Playa Arrecife Costa Rica (Caribbean) From Our Personal Collection for more information about these beaches	instead of Playa Puerto Viejo or Playa Cocles
In the Guanacaste / Northern Pacific region (Papagayo)	choose Playa Virador (the north/east end, away from the Four Seasons Resort) *See our related blog post Photos Of Playa Virador Costa Rica (Guanacaste) From Our Personal Collection for more information about the beach	instead of Playa Nacascolo
In the Guanacaste / Northern Pacific region (Playa del Coco)	choose Playa Ocotal	instead of Playa del Coco
In the Guanacaste / Northern Pacific region (Las Catalinas)	choose Playa Dantita *See our related blog post Photos Of Playa Danta Costa Rica (Guanacaste) From Our Personal Collection for more information about the beach	instead of Playa Danta
In the Guanacaste / Northern Pacific region (Brasilito)	choose Playa Puerto Viejo or Playa Zapotillal/Playa Minas *See our related blog post Photos Of Playa Puerto Viejo Costa Rica (Guanacaste) From Our Personal Collection for more information about the beach	instead of Playa Conchal, Playa Brasilito, or Playa Flamingo
In the Guanacaste / Northern Pacific region Playa Grande)	choose Playa Ventanas	instead of Playa Grande
In the Guanacaste / Northern Pacific region (Tamarindo)	choose Playa Langosta, Playa Negra, Playa Blanca, Playa Junquillal *See our related blog post Photos Of Playa Junquillal Costa Rica (Guanacaste) From Our Personal Collection for more information about the beach	instead of Playa Tamarindo or Playa Avellanas
In the Nicoya Peninsula region (Nosara)	choose Playa Pelada or Playa Garza *See our related blog post Photos Of Playa Garza Costa Rica (Nicoya Peninsula) From Our Personal Collection for more information about the beach	instead of Playa Guiones
In the Nicoya Peninsula region (Samara)	choose Playa Cangrejal or Playa Carrillo *See our related blog post Photos Of Playa Cangrejal Costa Rica (Nicoya Peninsula) From Our Personal Collection for more information about the beach	instead of Playa Samara
In the Nicoya Peninsula region (Santa Teresa/Mal Pais)	choose Playa Los Suecos	instead of Playa Santa Teresa or Playa Carmen
In the Nicoya Peninsula region (Santa Teresa/Mal Pais)	choose Playa Hermosa	instead of Playa Santa Teresa or Playa Carmen
In the Nicoya Peninsula region (Montezuma)	choose Playa Las Manchas *See our related blog post Photos Of Playa Las Manchas Costa Rica (Nicoya Peninsula) From Our Personal Collection for more information about the beach	instead of Playa Montzuma
In the Nicoya Peninsula region (Tambor)	choose Playa Quizales, Playa Quesera, or Playa Curu *See our related blog posts Photos Of Playa Quesera Costa Rica (Nicoya Peninsula) From Our Personal Collection and Photos Of Playa Curu Costa Rica (Nicoya Peninsula) From Our Personal Collection for more information about the beaches	instead of Playa Tambor
In the Nicoya Peninsula region (Isla Tortuga)	choose Playa Tropical *See our related blog post Photos Of Playa Tropical Costa Rica (Nicoya Peninsula) From Our Personal Collection for more information about the beach	instead of Playa Tortuga
In the Central Pacific region (Jaco)	choose Playa Blanca or Playa Mantas *See our related blog posts Photos Of Playa Blanca Costa Rica (Central Pacific) From Our Personal Collection and Photos Of Playa Mantas Costa Rica (Central Pacific) From Our Personal Collection for more information about the beaches	instead of Playa Herradura or Playa Jaco
In the Central Pacific region (Manuel Antonio)	choose Playa Gemelas	instead of Playa Manuel Antonio
In the Osa Peninsual region (Drake Bay)	choose Playa Cocalito *See our related blog post Photos Of Playa Cocalito Costa Rica (Osa Peninsula) From Our Personal Collection for more information about the beach	instead of Playa Agujitas
In the Osa Peninsual region (Drake Bay)	choose Playa San Josecito	instead of Playa Agujitas

If you want proximity to nature or adventure, visit one of these off-the-beaten-path destinations

Interest	choose this destination	in lieu of this destination
If you want to explore volcanoes	choose the Turrialba region (Turrialba Volcano), the Cartago region (Irazu Volcano), or the Miravalles region (Miravalles Volcano)	instead of the La Fortuna/Arenal region (Arenal Volcano), the Alajuela region (Poas Volcano), or the Rincon de la Vieja region (Rincon de la Vieja Volcano),
If you want to explore the rainforest, the dry forest, or other lowland ecosystems	choose the Bijagua region, the Sarapiqui region, the Cano Negro region, the Boca Tapada region, the Curu region, the Sierpe region, or the Golfito region	instead of the La Fortuna/Arenal region, the Rincon de la Vieja region, the Jaco region, or the Manuel Antonio region
If you want to explore the cloud forest	choose the San Gerardo de Dota region, the San Ramon region, or the Zarcero region	instead of the Monteverde region
If you want to center yourself in a town with many expats	choose Grecia or Atenas	instead of Playas del Coco or Tamarindo
If you want to surf	choose breaks off Playa Camaronal, Playa Naranjo (Guanacaste), Playa Negra (Guanacaste), Playa Hermosa (Nicoya Peninsula), or Playa Hermosa (Central Pacific)	instead of breaks off Playa Tamarindo, Playa Grande (Guanacaste), Playa Guiones, Playa Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen, or Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)

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Our guide to Costa Rica activities that are off the beaten path or authentic Costa Rican experiences

Visit a Waterfall

Picture a paradisiacal scene in your mind. Does it include a waterfall? If so, Costa Rica may just be the paradise of your dreams. There are many waterfalls worth visiting here, and since they’re spread out around the country, there’s a good chance you’ll be in close proximity to at least one during your visit. Note that some waterfalls have pools that are safe to swim in and others do not so plan your visit accordingly.

Costa Rica waterfalls that are off the beaten path

For recommendations for popular waterfalls that you may prefer to visit, see our related blog post 30 Popular Things To Do In Costa Rica And Where To Do Them.

Waterfall Name	Region	City / Town
Gemelas Waterfalls (Cataratas Las Gemelas) *though the pool at the waterfall’s base is rough, swimming is permitted	Central Valley	Bajos del Toro
Toro Waterfall (Catarata del Toro) *swimming is not permitted	Central Valley	Bajos del Toro
Danta Waterfall *swimming is not permitted	Northern Zone	El Castillo (outside La Fortuna / Arenal)
Waterfalls inside the Valle Escondido Reserve *swimming is not permitted	Northern Zone	Monteverde
Las Chorreras Waterfalls (Cataratas Las Chorreras) *swimming is permitted	Guanacaste	Rincon de la Vieja
El Chorro Waterfall (Catarata El Chorror) *swimming is not permitted	Nicoya Peninsula	Tambor
King Louis Waterfall (Catarata King Louis) *swimming is permitted	Osa Peninsula	Matapalo

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Picnic or take photos at a scenic lookout

Seeking respite from Costa Rica’s endless adventures? Why not escape to a tranquil lookout spot where you can take in a beautiful view in silence? With time to kill, you can picnic at a few of the lookout spots listed below. Others are positioned along the side of roads or hiking trails, so if you plan to road-trip and/or hike around Costa Rica, you can make brief stops along the way.

Non-touristy lookout spots

Lookout Name	View	Region	City / Town
Unnamed (inside the Barra Honda National Park)	Nicoya Inlands	Nicoya Peninsula	Barra Honda
Orosi Lookout (Mirador Orosi)	Orosi Valley	Central Valley	Orosi
Ujarras Lookout (Mirador Ujarras)	Lake Cachi	Central Valley	Ujarras
Unnamed (on the way to Vandara Hot Springs and Adventure)	Dry forest plains	Guanacaste	Buena Vista
Unnamed (on the way to Playa Virador)	Tip of the Papagayo Peninsula	Guanacaste	Papagayo
Unnamed (halfway between Playa Danta and Playa Dantita)	Playa Dantita	Guanacaste	Las Catalinas
Miro’s Mountain	Playa Jaco	Central Pacific	Jaco
Unnamed (in Golfito center)	Town of Golfito	Southern Pacific	Golfito
Unnamed (on the way to Purto Jimenez)	Golfo Dulce	Osa Peninsula	Chacarita/Rincon

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Soak in less frequented hot springs

Looking to spoil yourself while on vacation? The best way to do so is with a soak in Costa Rica’s many hot springs. Arguably, Costa Rica’s best hot springs are located in the Northern Zone, and they don’t include the hot spring properties listed below. If you want to hang out at a hot springs attraction that either attracts more locals than tourists or simply isn’t as busy as Costa Rica’s top hot spring properties, the below options will do.

Costa Rica hot springs that are off the beaten path

For recommendations for popular hot springs that you may prefer to visit, see our related blog post 30 Popular Things To Do In Costa Rica And Where To Do Them.

Hot Springs Property Name	Region	City / Town
Los Laureles Hot Springs	Northern Zone	La Fortuna / Arenal
Titoku Hot Springs	Northern Zone	La Fortuna / Arenal
Talitas del Arenal Hot Springs	Northern Zone	La Fortuna / Arenal
Kalambu Hot Springs	Northern Zone	La Fortuna / Arenal
Termo Arenal Hot Springs	Northern Zone	La Fortuna / Arenal
Free Hot Springs (Rio Chollin) *See our related blog post Local Free Hot Springs In La Fortuna/Arenal for more information	Northern Zone	La Fortuna / Arenal
Vandara Hot Springs *See our related blog post Visiting Vandara Hot Springs and Adventure—Photos And Brief (5-Minute Read): Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica for more information	Guanacaste	Rincon de la Vieja
Orosi Hot Springs	Central Valley	Orosi

Want to learn about and compare La Fortuna / Arenal’s various hot springs? Don’t miss our related blog post:

Best Hot Springs In Arenal: We Compare All 12 La Fortuna Hot Springs

Have questions about hot springs in Costa Rica? See our related blog post:

Your Costa Rica Hot Springs Questions Answered!

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Visit a turtle hatchery

Sea turtles are known to nest on several Costa Rican beaches, including a few that fall within national park territory. But they also nest on smaller, less popular beaches. Some of these beaches have informal turtle hatcheries where turtle eggs are protected from predators. Visiting a turtle hatchery is typically as easy as taking a stroll along the beach where the hatchery is located.

Turtle hatcheries that are off the beaten path

Beach Name	Region	City / Town
Junquillal Beach (Playa Junquillal)	Guanacaste	Junquillal
Carmen Beach (Playa Carmen)	Nicoya Peninsula	Santa Teresa/Mal Pais
Rio Claro	Osa Peninsula	Rio Claro

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Explore churches

If you like roaming around town centers, check out one or more of Costa Rica’s beautiful churches; they’ll impress you with their unique construction, ornate finishes, and interesting stories.

Costa Rica churches that are off the beaten path

For recommendations for churches that are located in more popular regions, see our related blog post 30 Popular Things To Do In Costa Rica And Where To Do Them.

Church Name	Region	City / Town
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes *See our related blog post 5 Free Things To Do In Grecia, Sarchi, And Zarcero Costa Rica for more information	Central Valley	Grecia
Parroquia San Rafael Arcángel *See our related blog post 5 Free Things To Do In Grecia, Sarchi, And Zarcero Costa Rica for more information	Central Valley	Zarcero
Parroquia Santiago Apóstol *See our related blog post 5 Free Things To Do In Grecia, Sarchi, And Zarcero Costa Rica for more information	Central Valley	Sarchi
Iglesia Colonial	Central Valley	Orosi
Ermita de La Agonía	Guanacaste	Liberia
Iglesia Colonial de San Blas	Nicoya Peninsula	Nicoya

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Visit art studios, workshops, cooperatives

A great way to support local artists and woodworkers is to visit their studios/workshops and buy their products directly. This is also a fantastic way to score unique souvenirs, and usually for less money than you’ll pay for the same item in a popular souvenir store. If you choose to visit a cooperative and either dine or purchase souvenirs on-site, you can help many local artists (mainly women) at once.

Costa Rica art studios and workshops

Woodshop / Studio / Cooperative Name	Region	City / Town
Taller Eloy Alfaro e Hijos (woodshop)	Central Valley	Sarchi
Rosewood Licho’s Shop (woodshop)	Northern Zone	Monteverde
CASEM (cooperative)	Northern Zone	Monteverde
The Monteverde Art House (art studio)	Northern Zone	Monteverde
Glass Art (artstudio)	Northern Zone	Monteverde
Foresta Arte Local (art studio)	Northern Zone	Monteverde

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Admire local sculptures, statues, street art, and historical artifacts

Costa Rica’s history, character, and traditional charm appear in town centers as statues, sculptures, street art, and artifacts. Though there are too many to list below, the photos above depict a few. Several monuments are stationed in central parks; most are free to visit.

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Shop at a market

Skip the grocery chains and souvenir stores in favor of shopping at ferias (farmer’s markets). Farmer’s markets, which exist in nearly every medium-sized beach town, are great places to try new fruits and fruit drinks or to purchase artisan creations. Most products are grown or made locally, so your purchase not only supports the local economy but the environment as well.

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Try street food or beach food

Some of Costa Rica’s most delicious food comes from informal carts, stalls, and stands positioned along roadsides, in central parks, and on beaches. You can get everything from refreshing copos and churchills to filling vigorones and empanadas to sweet churros and pan bon, all without ever stepping foot in a restaurant. Also for sale are ice-cold pipa fria, raw-fish ceviche, locally made ice cream, and balls of stringy queso palmito. For more information about these foods and more, don’t miss our related blog post Costa Rica Food Guide: 30 Things To Eat In Costa Rica And When To Eat Them.

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Practice speaking Spanish with locals

Once upon a time, I was a non-Spanish-speaking traveler. Every word and phrase that I now understand in Spanish (save for “hola,” “hasta la vista,” “cerveza,” “por favor,” and “adios“) I learned by speaking with locals, including my Costa Rican husband and his family. Reading the local newspapers and watching the local newscasts helped, too. If you’d really like to immerse yourself in the full, authentic Costa Rica experience, try speaking a little Spanish during your trip. Even if you can’t form complete, grammatical sentences and you’re staring at a Spanish dictionary the whole time, give it a try. If in doubt, say “pura vida!” and you’ll fit right in.

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Volunteer or donate and do good!

In general, Costa Ricans are kind, humble people. They give to others regularly, so it’s fitting that incorporating travel philanthropy into your trip is one way you can embody the Costa Rican spirit while abroad. Costa Rica is home to a variety of volunteer-based projects and initiatives where you can donate your time. If you don’t have time to give, consider bringing items with you from home to donate while you’re in the country. Assisting with donation logistics is the organization Pack For A Purpose. They work with several companies in various regions of Costa Rica; see their website for a partner list (https://www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/central-america/costa-rica/). If you click on the name of a Costa Rican business, it will show you their donation “needs,” which are items they ask travelers to bring from home. Items range from school and reference materials, art/music items, and toys to first aid and personal grooming supplies. Sadly, the “needs” lists are endless.

To learn more about our personal donation efforts, check out our related blog posts:

Our Costa Rica Soccer Shoes Donation Program

True Inspiration At Its Finest. Treat Others While Treating Yourself!

Thank You Readers For Making This Happen. We Couldn’t Have Done It Without You.

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Pura vida!

Do you have questions about any of the off-the-beaten-path attractions or activities described above, or want help deciding how to incorporate off-the-beaten-path experiences into your vacation? No problem! When you’re ready, make an appointment here to communicate with me (Nikki) privately and we can discuss these and other topics to get your questions answered fast and your Costa Rica trip poised for success. Pura vida, amigos! 🙂

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