Central America · TRAVEL GUIDES IN ENGLISH
Volcanoes, cloud forests and two coasts to combine nature, culture and flavors of the Caribbean and the Central Valley.
YOUR JOURNEY, AT YOUR RHYTHM
Choose an area and leave time for transfers: the eight guides are independent proposals. Tortuguero requires water transportation and the routes between coasts are not short trips.
Reserve the parks that use official online sales and check the SINAC notices before leaving. Access to Poás depends on volcanic activity and current regulations.
TOURS AND EXPERIENCES
Choose an area or destination to see places, activities, tips and itineraries. The length and budget of each guide are editorial suggestions.
San José · Central Valley
The National Theater and the Central Bank Museums are located around the Plaza de la Cultura. The National Museum adds history in the old Bellavista Barracks. Organize your visits according to their opening days and leave time to walk between the downtown squares.
2 days suggested · Moderate budget
What to see and do in San José · history and museums →
Alajuela · northern plains
Use La Fortuna as a base to visit the trails of the national park, go down to the ADIFORT waterfall and explore the bridges of Mistico. Each place has its own entrance and transfer; one reservation does not replace the others.
3 days suggested · Moderate budget
What to see and do in La Fortuna and Arenal · forest, waterfall and bridges →
Puntarenas – Tilarán mountain range
Dedicate a day to each forest you want to know: Monteverde and Santa Elena are different reserves. The Cerro Plano butterfly garden allows you to add a shorter interpretive visit during your stay.
3 days suggested · Moderate budget
What to see and do in Monteverde · cloud forest and butterflies →
Puntarenas · Central Pacific
Reserve the national park for a day of trails and protected beaches. Espadilla Norte and the Quepos boardwalk allow you to complete your stay with public spaces without purchasing another park ticket.
2 days suggested · Moderate budget
What to see and do in Manuel Antonio and Quepos · forest and Pacific →
Limón · Northern Caribbean
Prepare your water transfer and accommodation first. Cuatro Esquinas and Cerro Tortuguero have different admissions; The Sea Turtle Conservancy center allows you to learn about turtle conservation during a visit to the town.
3 days suggested · Moderate budget
What to see and do in Tortuguero · canals, viewpoint and conservation →
Guanacaste North Pacific
Las Pailas is visited from around Liberia; Conchal and Tamarindo are on the coast. Spread your departures over separate days and choose a base or change accommodation depending on your route. There are not three stops to chain without margin in one day.
3 days suggested · Moderate budget
What to see and do in Guanacaste · Las Pailas, Conchal and Tamarindo →
Limón Southern Caribbean
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca allows you to organize outings to Cahuita, the Manzanillo sector of the refuge and the Jaguar Rescue Center. The distances require transfers along the coast; This Puerto Viejo is that of Limón, not Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí.
3 days suggested · Moderate budget
What to see and do in Puerto Viejo and South Caribbean · Cahuita and Manzanillo →
Alajuela and Cartago · Central Valley
Dedicate an outing to Poás only when SINAC enables the visit. For another day, combine the Lankester Garden and the ruins of Ujarrás in Cartago and Paraíso. Poás and Cartago are not contiguous places: organize travel from your base separately.
2 days suggested · Moderate budget
What to see and do in Poás and Cartago · volcano, gardens and heritage →LOCAL FLAVORS
Six flavors to get to know Costa Rica: gallo pinto breakfasts, soda casados, home cooking and Caribbean coconut rice. The guides first show the dishes associated with their area and then other flavors from this national selection. The caption identifies the location of each photo where it appears.
The whole country · A Costa Rican breakfast
Rice and beans sautéed with onion, sweet chili and cilantro make up this everyday breakfast. It is usually accompanied with egg, cheese, tortilla or custard. The presentation changes between houses and sodas; The photo shows a version served at Zarcero.
The whole country · Soda lunch
A plate of rice and beans with salad and sides that vary by kitchen: picadillo, ripe plantain, egg or meat. There is no single fixed combination. The photo shows a casado from Soda Cristal in San José's Central Market.
Reference: Visit Costa Rica · Food and frequently asked questions
Home cooking · Beef and vegetable broth
Hearty beef soup with tubers and vegetables such as cassava, potato, tiquizque and plantain. The cuts and vegetables change with the family recipe. It is served hot and combines the broth with large pieces of its ingredients.
Reference: Costa Rican Tourism Institute · Culinary adventure
Family cuisine · Rice to share
Rice mixed with shredded chicken, vegetables and aromas such as onion, garlic and sweet chili. Annatto provides color in some recipes. The Cartago recipe book includes a homemade version; The photo shows rice with chicken with salad and avocado.
Reference: Ministry of Culture and ICT · Cartago Recipe Book
Limón and the Caribbean · Rice cooked in coconut milk
Rice and beans cooked with coconut milk and spices, characteristic of the Costa Rican Caribbean. They are often accompanied with chicken or fish. It shares ingredients with gallo pinto, but the coconut and the preparation give it a different flavor.
Reference: Costa Rican Tourism Institute · Caribbean Cuisine
Costas and sodas Crispy green banana
Green banana slices that are fried, smashed and fried again. In Costa Rica they accompany fish, seafood or meat; They are also served with sauces. It is a preparation shared by several countries in the region.
Reference: Visit Costa Rica · Caribbean flavors
BEFORE YOU LEAVE
The official SICORE portal asks to create an account or log in. Manuel Antonio, Poás, Cuatro Esquinas, Cerro Tortuguero and Las Pailas have their own options; one purchase does not cover all sectors. Boats, guides and transfers can be paid separately.
SINAC · online purchase of Cuatro Esquinas and Cerro Tortuguero
Volcanic activity and time can close access or prevent seeing a crater. Check the SINAC notices before leaving and follow the park rangers. In Arenal you don't climb the cone; In Rincón de la Vieja the proposal is Las Pailas, not the closed path of the active crater.
National Museum, Arenal, self-guided Santa Elena and Lankester have conditions of purchase in person or without prior reservation. Mistico, La Fortuna Waterfall and Monteverde Reserve are managed separately. Public beaches and the boardwalk do not require purchasing an excursion.
For the usual route through La Pavona you must arrive at the pier and continue by boat; The car does not reach the town. Confirm your departures and return with the carrier. The park entrance does not include this transportation or the canal tour.
Expand the information and review the visiting conditions in the reference sites of each destination.
Combine the ideas that interest you the most and continue exploring with SoyTurista PR.
See all destinations and guides →