Costa Rica travel is rich with wonder, diversity (and biodiversity), adventure, and joy. And while many visitors hit the “hot spots” of Tamarindo, Monteverde, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio, others step off the beaten path and into a world a little less glossy.  

Whether it’s your first or your fifth visit, it’s perfectly okay to seek out the “alternatives.” Because that’s one of the wonderful things about Costa Rica: If you don’t want to do this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime thing here, then you can probably find another there to do it. Because that’s Costa Rican biodiversity in a nutshell: unparalleled wonders are sprinkled all around the country, both on and off the beaten path. 

And so, if you prefer the second – a more rugged, not-quite-so-finely-polished approach to excitement and bucket lists and all things wondrous, then this list is for you. You don’t have to hit the tourist sites in order to see active volcanoes and underwater giants, epic surf and colossal birds. 

And with that, we present six alternatives to Costa Rica’s major tourist attractions:

If You Want to Visit an Active Volcano + Hot Springs: Rincón de la Vieja

Ask any guidebook, and the intersection of Costa Rica travel and active volcanoes often resides in La Fortuna and Arenal. And, while Arenal Volcano once sported quite a showy claim to fame, it hasn’t displayed any serious lava light shows since 2010.

Instead of Arenal, head a little off the beaten path in into the great wilds of Rincón de la Vieja National Park and its imposing (and active!) volcano: Here, Rincón de la Vieja – the “”Colossus of Guanacaste” – rises to a volcanic complex of nine contiguous craters. These include the impressive Von Seebach crater, which bubbles with molten rock and lava, and the more sedate Rincon de la Vieja Volcano herself. 

And while the volcanology is interesting, you’re here for a visit. And Rincón de la Vieja delivers in a serious way, with a full smorgasbord of adventure activities: volcano hiking and/or horseback riding, ziplining, a jungle waterslide, hot springs, and volcanic mud. Not to mention, the park’s Las Pailas trail, which sends you through fields of bubbling mud, mini-volcanoes, fumaroles, waterfalls, and other only-here sights.

If You Want to Go Surfing: Playa Avellanas & Playa Negra

If you search for anything related to surfing in Costa Rica, you’ll come up with a lot of options. Thanks to 500+ miles of coastline and fortuitous conditions, Costa Rica is an undisputed surf mecca for everyone from the brand-new beginner to the elite expert. 

As you run that search, you’ll find dozens of beach and surf spot recommendations: Tamarindo, Malpaís/Santa Teresa, Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point, and so many others. They’ll be repeated, over and over and over again. Of course, that means than every surfer reading those same resources will flock there. So why not try something different – somewhere where you may even get many waves all to yourself?

Instead of the big names, we encourage you to frequent some of the lesser-known surf beaches. Among them are two of our favorites: Playa Avellanas and Playa Negra, located just 30 minutes south of Tamarindo’s famous breaks and on the shores of Hacienda Pinilla. Here, you’re adjacent to the tourist track but just far enough away that you’re likely to have the waves (and they are great waves) almost to yourself. Bonus: Howler monkeys are frequent visitors!

If You Want to Spot One-of-a-Kind Wildlife: Ostional Turtle Arribadas

Home to 5% of the world’s biodiversity – that’s 500,000+ species on just 0.02% of the world’s surface! – Costa Rica is a must-visit destination for any wildlife watcher. If you count yourself among them, then you’ll likely find your trip packed with rainforests and wildlife rescues, national park hikes and snorkeling/scuba diving. 

What many travelers miss out on is turtle nesting and turtle hatching. In part, that’s because turtle season is, well, a season! You have to hit it right and even then, in many places, you’ll only spot turtles with a bit of luck on your side. 

Enter Ostional Wildlife Refuge and its populous olive ridley turtles, which are about as close as Mother Nature gets to screaming “pick me, pick me!” These endangered sea turtles are present from June to December and by present, we mean PRESENT: Known as arribadas, or mass nesting events, at Ostional, olive ridley turtles show up to the tune of up to 150,000 turtles at a time. You read that right!

If You Want to Chase Waterfalls: Rio Celeste

There’s nothing like checking a big bucket-list item off your list. And there’s nothing like finding out that that bucket-list item is as spectacular in person as it is lightly touristed. It’s a rare find, for sure!

Costa Rica’s famed Río Celeste (the Blue River & Waterfall) lies within the protected confines of Tenorio Volcano National Park. Thanks to its relative isolation and rugged trails, and despite its popularity in photographs and Costa Rica travel websites, not many travelers make it to this incredible and natural wonderland. 

But boy, should you. Thanks to the wonderful alchemy that happens when volcanic minerals meet fresh river water, Río Celeste is really and truly blue. Not a trick of the light: Baby blue, even when you scoop it into your hand! It’s one of those sights you have to see for yourself, especially when paired with the park’s dense rainforest, vibrant flora and fauna, natural hot springs, and a 97-foot waterfall that itself glows blue during certain times of the year.

If You Want to Go Underwater: The Catalinas Islands

There are so many ways to get onto (and under) Costa Rican waters. For this, the most common recommendations typically turn to catamaran tours, sailing adventures, and scuba/snorkeling at some of the country’s more well-known sites. 

We love all of that. But if you’re looking for a Pacific alternative, we highly recommend a snorkeling or scuba diving day trip to the spectacular Catalinas Islands, located just off the shores of Playa Flamingo. Considered one of the country’s most jaw-dropping dive sites (details, next paragraph!), this underwater wonder-world promises visibility up to 80 feet and a wide variety of marine life. 

Speaking of… the Catalinas Islands (and their nearby Bat Islands archipelago, as well) are home to the giant manta ray, an ocean colossus that can measure up to 30 feet long and 3,000 pounds. As you glide beneath the surface, these ocean giants glide above you, backlit by the ocean’s surface and the sun’s rays. Just be sure to time your visit right, as giant mantas are most often present from January through March. 

If You Want to Go Birdwatching: Palo Verde National Park

It’s no secret that Costa Rica is a birdwatching wonderland. It’s also no secret that there are dozens, if not hundreds of places to go and spot the 918+ bird species – from resplendent quetzals to scarlet macaws – that call Costa Rica home. 

Amidst all your birdwatching research, there’s one slightly off-the-beaten-path spot that doesn’t get enough attention. Located between the diverse waters of the Bebedero and Tempisque Rivers – amidst grasslands and swamps, forests and grasslands, brackish waters and lagoons – Palo Verde National Park is home to approximately 280 bird species – in other words, almost one-third of all bird species in Costa Rica!

Among them, is the highest concentration of native and migratory waterfowl and wading birds in the country. And that includes one of the world’s largest waterfowl, the jabiru stork, at 1.4 meters (about 4.5 feet) tall and a wingspan of 3 meters (almost 10 feet!); to spot this gentle giant, try to visit from December to April.

Looking for More Costa Rica Travel Alternatives?

Whether you’re a honeymooning couple or an extended group of 18, we’d love to help you plan some unforgettable, can’t-miss, once-in-a-lifetime things to do in Costa Rica. So, let us know: What are your dreams and hopes, your must-haves, and your big wishes for your time here? If it’s possible, it’s our job to make it happen.

Because at Blue Zone Experience, we’ve built our reputation based on 5-star service, select vacation rental homes, and Guanacaste’s best tours and activities. The truth, though? Our true passion is you and your experience. Your experience. 

What you may not know is that, when you book one of our homes, you gain access to our free concierge services: on-the-ground expertise, curated tours and transportation options, and a one-on-one with your personal concierge, who will have your back from the moment you begin planning until the day you return home.

So, please, get in touch! We can’t wait to hear about your next adventure!