Whether you’re navigating the rapids of its rivers, exploring its volcanic peaks, diving into its marine wonders, or immersing yourself in its rich cultural heritage, Costa Rica unfolds like a secret paradise where luxury meets sustainability in the most exquisite fashion. Imagine a land where lush emerald jungles stretch as far as the eye can see, where pristine beaches meet the warm embrace of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and where every experience is crafted with a reverence for the environment. Here, luxury is not just about opulence; it’s about harmony with nature. And you can experience it all without travelling long distances.

Stepping off the plane into the warm embrace of San Jose, the capital, you feel an air that is rich with the tantalising scent of tropical flora. A modern metropolis with world-class museums, parks, theatres, and historic buildings as diverse as the people walking the streets, San Jose sits on an extensive plain that is guarded by majestic volcanoes and green hills and from where you can visit dozens of outlying natural destinations. Irazú volcano, the highest in Costa Rica and just 30 km away is one, with a vibrant turquoise-green sulphurous lagoon and offering breathtaking views of both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans on clear days.

Nature's Wonders

Your first stop away from San Jose (mine was) could be the lush jungles of Tortuguero, Costa Rica’s little Amazonas, a place that is almost mythical with its labyrinth of canals and dense greenery. A tourist icon and internationally recognised for its protection of the largest green turtle nesting beach in the Western Hemisphere, it is composed of an extensive network of rivers and streams and offers a genuine encounter with Caribbean culture. Inside the national park, gliding silently in a canoe through the river that snakes through the rainforest, the only sounds you here are rustling leaves and distant calls of howler monkeys. Sometimes, you could also espy a sloth hanging lazily from a branch or colourful toucans perched high above. It is like stepping into a living, breathing postcard.

The next must-visit is Monteverde, a whole world of natural wonders and described “the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves” by National Geographic. Perpetually popping in and out of the clouds, Monteverde envelops you in an ethereal mist. Walking through the hanging bridges that crisscross the treetops, you feel like a character in a fairy tale. Nature is only part of the magic though; its microclimates are just as mesmerising—with the weather changing just as quickly as the clouds roll in to envelop the town in a fine mist and then blowing away for blue skies, vivid rainbows and intense sunsets. A guided night tour reveals a different world, where elusive creatures like the kinkajou come out to play and bioluminescent fungi glows softly in the dark.

beauty and more

While volcanic activity has sculpted much of Costa Rica’s dramatic landscape and 112 volcanic sites, it is the Arenal that stands out with thermal hot springs and stunning vistas. Exploring the volcanic wonders of Arenal, while watching the majestic cone of the volcano looming in the distance, its peak often shrouded in clouds, you find happily that thrill-seeking activities—whether it’s zip-lining through the forest or soaking in mineral-rich hot springs—leave no lasting impact on the natural world.

When the coast beckons with enchanting retreats, imagine unwinding on a private stretch of beach with sand as white as the clouds above. Beachfront villas offer open-air living spaces that blend luxury with nature and lazy afternoons soaking up the sun with cooling off in the turquoise waters. From the Pacific beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park to the vibrant Caribbean shores of Puerto Viejo, the country’s coastline delivers in spectacular fashion.

Manuel Antonio National Park is a slice of paradise—with beaches of pristine white sand framed by lush jungle and distant mountains—like a scene from a dream. Playa Espadilla and its gentle waves create the perfect backdrop to relax and Playa Manuel Antonio, with its crescent-shaped shoreline, stuns as much. A hike through the park also leads to a secluded beach where you can actually hear the rhythmic crash of waves and the whisper of palm leaves. If you are the sun and surf kinds, Nosara or Tamarindo, north of Manuel Antonio, are the beaches to be in. Nosara is tranquil, in contrast to bustling Tamarindo, where some surfing lessons help ride a few waves.

Crossing over to the Caribbean side (Costa Rica has two great oceans within a six-hour drive of each other, making it possible to surf the Pacific in the morning and the Atlantic in the afternoon) Puerto Viejo offers a different flavour. Playa Cocles and Playa Chiquita, vibrant and laid-back, with clear waters captivates with an Afro-Caribbean influence and while savouring some delicious Caribbean dishes, let the rhythm of reggae and calypso carry you away.

raft and fly

While many adventures unfold in nature's grand theatre in Costa Rica, it is the heart-pounding rapids of the Pacuare River and the serene majesty of the canopy tour that you remember much after they are done—a reminder of the delicate balance of the eco-system we must cherish and protect. Pacuare River is an experience that dances on the edge of wild excitement and serene beauty. Guided by experts, white water rafting through frothy waves is pure exhilaration, each splash a burst of pure joy. Yet, the true essence of the river is not just in its rapids, but in the tranquil moments between, when floating through calm waters you feel the rainforest wrapping you up. Or sleeping under the stars, or swimming in pristine waters, and watching hidden waterfalls cascade down moss-covered rocks.

The canopy tour is yet another adventure—offering a view of the rainforest from a perspective as exhilarating as it is unique. Born in Costa Rica in the 1990s, the tour is designed to tread lightly on the environment with a series of suspended cables and wooden platforms allowing you to glide across the jungle without disturbing its delicate balance. The sensation of soaring through the air is nothing short of exhilarating, each line offering a new panorama: towering trees, dense foliage, and distant waterfalls. But the canopy tour is more than just adrenaline rush: it’s an opportunity to appreciate the rainforest’s incredible richness.

Flying out from San Jose with its bustling markets and lively cafes, you surely carry back the rich flavours of Costa Rican coffee, the deliciousness of local produce, the rhythms of the rainforest, the serenity of the hot springs, and the warmth of the coastal sun. It will have left an indelible impression.