Costa Rica
Cloud forest, coastline, and a rare quality of quiet.
The Region
Costa Rica is one of the few places I recommend for both first-time travelers and repeat visitors chasing something calmer. Itineraries usually pair a few nights in the cloud forest with a coastal stay in Nicoya or the Osa Peninsula.
Where to be
Neighborhoods
Monteverde
High, misted, and endlessly green.
Nosara
A wellness-minded coast without the crowds.
Osa Peninsula
The wildest corner of the country.
Where to stay
Favorite Hotels
- Nayara Tented Camp, Arenal
- Kasiiya Papagayo
- Origins Lodge
- Lapa Rios, Osa
What to do
Favorite Experiences
- A guided night hike in the cloud forest
- A private surf lesson at first light
- A canopy morning with a naturalist, not a guide
A short list
Where to Eat
- Silvestre, San José
- La Luna, Nosara
- Sikwa, San José
Season
Best Time to Visit
December through April.
Notes from the studio
Travel Tips
- — Rent a 4x4 — even paved roads end abruptly.
- — Domestic flights save half-days between regions.
- — Pack a light rain layer year-round.