My favorite beach in Costa Rica. Parking should cost you around $6-$8 per day Chair and umbrella rental about $8-$10 for a pair. Follow the safety guidelines and listen to the lifeguards. Pay attention to the flags as this is one of the beaches with the strongest rip ties.

Had the perfect beach day here. Perfect weather, lots of shade, clear blue water, and the wildlife and scenery is unmatched.

For me one of the best beaches in whole Costa Rica for relaxing and especially swimming. It is part ot the national park of Manuel Antonio so you really need to book your tickets in advance. If there are sold out there is another possibily to enter. You can go directly to the main entrance of the national park and book a guided tour. I would generally recommend a official tour guide to see the animals in the park. Without it is really hard to see. After the tour you can stay all day long at the beach. So dont forget your swim things. Attention!!! On the way (street) to the parking slot you will be stopped by many people. They act (show an fact id) like they are tour guides from the national park but they are not offically. They try to sell you tours 2 to 3 times more than the offically prices. Be aware of this and dont buy tickets there. You can easily do this at the main entrance (also when online is sold out) or online.

The walk to the beach was hot and humid (great anticipation) only to get to the beach and see how amazing the waves looked with a gorgeous view south

This beach is probably one of the best in the world. If you’re lucky enough to be here right when the sun is out then it’s your lucky day. The water is warm and there are jungle leaves floating in it which makes it feel magical. The white sand paired with the stunning jungle create the perfect scene. AND there are capuchin monkeys loitering around.

This beach has next level beauty. The Pacific has an emerald hue here. It gets very busy however, as it is attached to the most popular National Park in Costa Rica. My advice would be to go early and before your tour of the National Park to avoid the crowds. I visited here after the tour, and as the park rangers police this beach, they very forcefully make sure you are on your way home by 4pm. They blow their whistles loudly and continuously, which is kind of annoying. It does not take away from the stunning unspoiled natural beauty of this place. There is no plastic allowed on entry which is great, so you will be relieved of your plastic water bottle should you have one. They allowed me to bring my snorkelling gear in thankfully. The water is lovely and clear, so there is fish to see, but I ran out of time to really make the most out of that, due to that 4pm cut off. The sand is lovely and soft with a tint of black in there. There are also rinsing facilities and toilets behind the beach. The black iguanas co-exist side by side with people on this beach, that it becomes the norm after a while. Be careful of the many capuchin monkeys who will appear out of the rainforest, and are determined to steal your small items if given the chance.

A must while visiting the National park. Get there early and enjoy a quieter beach and the warm waters of the Pacific. You’re guaranteed to see wildlife, but don’t bring any food to avoid the monkeys helping themselves.

This is a wonderful place to learn about the conservation efforts happening in Costa Rica. It’s a little bit of walking and you have to drive up a steep hill, but the views are gorgeous at the top. The animals are interesting. They have lots of rescues that are in the process of rehabilitation. And then they let you get closer (no touching) to the animals who were not able to go back into the wild because they’re not healthy or just like being around humans. The tour is about an hour. And you’ll see lots of species. I highly recommend supporting this positive organization that supports the local wildlife. This is great for kids and adults.

Super amazing animal sanctuary. Our tour guide was lovely and did a great tour. The enclosures are very clean and big for their permanent residents.

Visit and support the amazing efforts in conservation. Rigo is a hero continuously doing his best to save animals and improve this incredible rehab and sanctuary. Thankful to have met him and get insight on the life changing work the Alturas team does. Great tour for photography and education. Beautiful look out point and wildlife sightings nearby as well. Large planted enclosures with plenty of enrichment all animals are very happy and loved. Respect the wildlife and the mission. ♥️

This is an amazing place and important place to visit. They teach so much about the illegal pet trade (that is where some of their animals came from) and other manmade risks to wildlife. It is not for profit and has knowledgeable, friendly staff and volunteers who seem to love what they do. Highly recommend

Very nice place where you learn how Costa Rica are taking care of their nature. You also see all the "must see" costarican animals in the sanctuary and understand the dilemma between protect the nature and business challenge. Very interesting. Don't miss the lookout at the hotel where you will buy your ticket, it's better to book the tour one day before.

Surprising great time here. We were met by our guide at infusion restaurant and he walked us to the sanctuary several minutes away. He explained the general goals of the sanctuary and how they rescued and cared for the various residents. The tour consisted of visiting the different animals that were not able to be released to the wild. There were something like 15 different stops on the tour. The tour lasted about an hour and a half. Very informal and educational and fun.

Wow! This place was incredible!! We brought our two kids (3 and 5) here! Our tour guide Yahn was wonderful!! There isn’t a ton of walking so it was great for the kiddos and they absolutely loved seeing all of the animals!! We loved learning about them and everything they are doing to help!! Such a cool experience!!!

Nice waterfall hike. I initially was going to park at the visitor center but I am so happy I paid the $5 to drive down and park at the bottom of the steep hill. It was still a great 4 mile hike in and out from the parking lot. Be careful swimming in the falls, the current is strong but it’s so refreshing. Bugs were pretty annoying but bug spray helped. Go right when they open as it gets busy with tours. Was able to shower off at parking lot which was nice. There are also bathrooms right at the waterfall. Got a little muddy at times so bring a change of shoes for when you’re done. I also changed into teva’s at the waterfall to wear into the water as the rocks are slippery.

Worth the visit and staying for a little while. There are few options to get to the waterfall. Get a ride (around $35 per person, at the time of writing); horseback (not sure about the price); or walking (option one is to walk from the very entrance, or the second option is to drive to the parking lot at the base and walk from there - parking is paid). Plan on 45 to 60 min for a leisurely walk from the base parking lot. The nature is spectacular and the waterfalls are beautiful. Swimming can be done at the lower waterfall. Also, there is plenty of wildlife to be seen.

Gorgeous waterfall hike! Admission is cash only (colones or US dollars accepted); we paid $10 USD each plus $5 for parking. We parked at the guarded main lot and hiked in on foot, which ended up being around 4.5 miles round trip. For an extra fee, you can take a trolley or go by horseback, but we did not use these options since we wanted to get there right as it opened at 7:00am. We are visiting in August during the “green season” so expect muddy trail conditions on your way in with a few steeper parts on the dirt road. I’d recommend sticking to the sides of the road while hiking in since they are more compacted and easier to navigate. Bathrooms and potable water are available right before you get to the falls. Be aware that the stairs down to the falls are slippery so tread with caution! The water was beautiful and refreshing after a humid hike in, definitely dip your feet in or go swimming while you’re there. We read elsewhere that jumping into the pool is only allowed with a guide present which is available between 9:30-11:30am which we did not get to try since we arrived earlier than that.

Well worth the travel. The trail was wide and very easy for even moderately experienced hikers. The water fall was absolutely amazing and we had a really enjoyable swim. Highly recommend using a swimsuit and water shoes for both the hike and swim.

First of all: There are TWO possible ways to get to the Waterfall, both owned by private Companies. When you drive there, you will see different company advertisements, so make sure *not* to follow the signs, you might end up at the wrong company. So think about it first, which Company you wanna pick and use waze or maps to get to the right company. They differ largely in price. This is the cheaper company with a longer hike (right side). The upper pool is a beautiful view, but was closed from the right side because the waterfall is stronger on this side. See my pictures. I recommend bathing at the bottom anyway, even if its more crowded. The bottom is shared by both companies, the top is split by each company (right and left side).

Beautiful waterfalls but omg what a hike! It was a hot day and the 2 miles felt like 20. It was well worth the hike but just be aware that the shuttle service might be a better option for those who have health issues. Also the “hike” is literally a mud road so it’s not particularly pretty/stunning. The way back down was much easier though.

Nice hike with a great reward at the end. We park at the main entrance because we wanted to do the 11km hike but I would recommend parking at the real parking and not at the main entrance like we did. The added 2km of hike weren’t worth it as it was an amazingly steep road (not trail) to reach the entrance of the trail.

My favorite beach in Costa Rica. Parking should cost you around $6-$8 per day Chair and umbrella rental about $8-$10 for a pair. Follow the safety guidelines and listen to the lifeguards. Pay attention to the flags as this is one of the beaches with the strongest rip ties.

Had the perfect beach day here. Perfect weather, lots of shade, clear blue water, and the wildlife and scenery is unmatched.

For me one of the best beaches in whole Costa Rica for relaxing and especially swimming. It is part ot the national park of Manuel Antonio so you really need to book your tickets in advance. If there are sold out there is another possibily to enter. You can go directly to the main entrance of the national park and book a guided tour. I would generally recommend a official tour guide to see the animals in the park. Without it is really hard to see. After the tour you can stay all day long at the beach. So dont forget your swim things. Attention!!! On the way (street) to the parking slot you will be stopped by many people. They act (show an fact id) like they are tour guides from the national park but they are not offically. They try to sell you tours 2 to 3 times more than the offically prices. Be aware of this and dont buy tickets there. You can easily do this at the main entrance (also when online is sold out) or online.

The walk to the beach was hot and humid (great anticipation) only to get to the beach and see how amazing the waves looked with a gorgeous view south

This beach is probably one of the best in the world. If you’re lucky enough to be here right when the sun is out then it’s your lucky day. The water is warm and there are jungle leaves floating in it which makes it feel magical. The white sand paired with the stunning jungle create the perfect scene. AND there are capuchin monkeys loitering around.

This beach has next level beauty. The Pacific has an emerald hue here. It gets very busy however, as it is attached to the most popular National Park in Costa Rica. My advice would be to go early and before your tour of the National Park to avoid the crowds. I visited here after the tour, and as the park rangers police this beach, they very forcefully make sure you are on your way home by 4pm. They blow their whistles loudly and continuously, which is kind of annoying. It does not take away from the stunning unspoiled natural beauty of this place. There is no plastic allowed on entry which is great, so you will be relieved of your plastic water bottle should you have one. They allowed me to bring my snorkelling gear in thankfully. The water is lovely and clear, so there is fish to see, but I ran out of time to really make the most out of that, due to that 4pm cut off. The sand is lovely and soft with a tint of black in there. There are also rinsing facilities and toilets behind the beach. The black iguanas co-exist side by side with people on this beach, that it becomes the norm after a while. Be careful of the many capuchin monkeys who will appear out of the rainforest, and are determined to steal your small items if given the chance.

A must while visiting the National park. Get there early and enjoy a quieter beach and the warm waters of the Pacific. You’re guaranteed to see wildlife, but don’t bring any food to avoid the monkeys helping themselves.

The beach is alright the waves are calm there are however many rocks and the path down is muddy and also full of rocks, the water is nice and green/aquamarine and has a great view of the bay.

Very beautiful and peaceful quiet beach where you could spend the first part of the day. After 2-3pm tide arrives and there is not much space where water doesn’t reach. Highly recommend to visit!

Gorgeous hidden beach. We kayaked in the bay and enjoyed swimming in the calm waters. Plenty of shade.

Very nice small beach. Since it’s not easy to get to it’s not very crowded. We rented beach chairs and an umbrella, and there was a guy selling cocktails and other drinks on the beach. The path down to the beach is rocky and can be muddy and slippery so be sure to bring good footwear. On the trail down close to the beach is a place where they have bathrooms and a shower for a couple of dollars.

Secluded beach in Manuel Antonio, accessible only by car. way much quieter than the main beach. The path down can be a bit challenging and the water is quite rocky so caution is needed.

Such a beautiful place! It only takes about five minutes to walk down the rocky path to the beach. It wasn't too busy when we went, and we were able to rent chairs and order delicious piña coladas from the bar. They have snorkels, kayaks, and paddle boards able to rent, and there was a woman giving massages under a tent. We also saw lots of monkeys in the trees. The water was very calm and we were lucky to get a beautiful sunny day in the rainy season. Highly recommend if you're looking for a beach that's not too busy but still has amenities!!

The road there was under construction so it was a bit slow but I’m sure it’ll be done in a few days. You pay parking guards 2,000 to watch your car. We didn’t want to risk it so we paid. I’d recommend good shoes for walking down to the beach (300m - 500m). The trail is a bit muddy and rocky. The beach is smaller and has less big waves but does become smaller in high tide.

We’ve visited this one during the low season. Everything was green and wet. Trail was pretty well maintained, mostly with guardrails. Swimming areas were mostly unusable due to a high water streams, so we had to skip that part. We saw a lot of green frogs and iguanas along the trail. Good entertainment and adventure for a family with kids. Recommend. Price: 23$ + tax (~27$)

The greatest most magical experience , the trails are moderate with lots of climbs and slopes and hanging bridges but mostly stairs and steps. There are venomous snakes and frogs so be careful where you step . The full loop is around 2km or 1.2 miles

Was all right during our free time. I had high expectations based on my readings from other reviews. We have beautiful forests and waterfalls in Canada so this park did not feel special to me compared with other parks in Costa Rica. Suspended bridges was fun.

Nice park with fun hanging bridges, but honestly we expected more after reading the reviews. It felt more like entertainment for kids. We’ve visited other parks in Costa Rica that were more interesting. Apart from a few frogs and caterpillars, we didn’t see any animals. The pools were not swimmable because of the high river water after the rain, and the water in pools looked dirty. Probably we were just unlucky with the weather. For three people we paid $81. I would prefer to pay less for such experience :)

The tour guide used a bright white spotlight directly towards the nocturnal animals, which is discouraged by anyone who observes nocturnal animals or has some common sense. The trail is great, and the experience can be awesome, just be sure to take a red light with you to avoid blinding any animal you encounter. Google it before you go to learn about best practices when it comes to observing night animals.

The Rainmaker Tour was absolutely incredible — easily one of the highlights of our trip to Costa Rica! From start to finish, everything was so well-organized, and our guide made the experience unforgettable. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the rainforest, pointing out wildlife and plants we never would’ve noticed on our own. The hike itself was the perfect mix of adventure and beauty — crossing hanging bridges, walking through lush jungle, and ending with a refreshing swim in the waterfalls (although we didn't go in). The scenery was breathtaking everywhere you looked, and it felt like we were completely immersed in nature. We also loved how peaceful and uncrowded the area was compared to some of the more touristy spots. It made the whole experience feel more authentic and personal. Plus, the traditional Costa Rican lunch afterward was delicious and such a great way to end the day. If you’re visiting Costa Rica, don’t skip the Rainmaker Tour — it’s the perfect combination of adventure, nature, and local charm. Truly a 10/10 experience that we’d recommend to anyone!

It was a really great experience! The park is beautiful with such a wide diversity of trees and plants. The waterfall pools are fun too! I chose to take the bridges trail to river trail and I’m glad I did. There are some steep stairs, so I was happy to be going down instead of up the stairs.

Excellent garden (a world class botanical garden) highly recommended to visit. It is amazing. Its collection of orchids is a waoo.

A very beautiful botanical garden with gorgeous landscaping. We loved the orchid display, which featured a vast display of orchids from many areas. The Japanese garden was outstanding as was the cactus and succulent areas. I highly recommend visiting if you love botanical gardens; it was worth the price.

Great place. Beautiful garden. Clean. Maintenance. Social background. Parking. An excellent choice for 2-4 hours of rest. Orchids smell. Definitely recommend. LW

Truly magnificent! It is bigger than it seems, with beautiful walking trails and the most incredible orchid display. Highly recommend!

The garden is beautifully organized you have a tourist guys that speak English and Spanish fluently. It's nicely organized, they have well divided areas so that you know which kind of plants you're looking at. You get to walk in a really nice let's say foresty area (if I may inventvthe word) without having to go like a National Park or far away. The 4-star review it's because of the food. There is like a promotion that shows an actual restaurant in the gsrden and what they have it like a coffee shop and if they have a special event, they have something let's say like food stamps to support the local small businesses.

Very nice botanical garden. I wasn't expecting much and was pleasantly surprised. I would visit again!

These are lovely gardens to walk around in, and you can really spend a lot of time here. The orchid house and Japanese garden were the stand out parts for me. There's a good variety here and you can even find cacti. The pathways were easy to navigate and wheelchair friendly, though I often found myself exploring off the main path. It absolutely felt like it was worth the $10USD. The parking lot isn't huge but it's free to park. Just watch out for spiders and their webs!

Gustavo was a great guide he feels the audience funny and easy going He let us do gallops ( we knew how to do it before) took pictures of us, And most importantly the horses are the kindest I have ridden ever

I can’t even begin to say how thankful I was to find this place and how much fun I had! It was my favorite part of my entire trip! Adrian was our guide and he was the best! He was kind and we enjoyed his conversations. He took lots of video and pictures too. The horses are well cared for and so well behaved. The beach was beautiful and not full of people. The ride was just breathtaking. We had so much fun and will be back for sure! Gustavo was also very friendly and was kind enough to give us a ride back to Jaco because there were no Uber’s in the area. This place is the best horse company around.

These horses love Diego and are clearly loyal to him, but are conditioned to allow for some independence so their rider can have their own experience. The saddles are fitted, well padded and are not only beautifully made, but also worn nice n smooth. He handmakes his own halter and bitless bridles. (Smart, effective and humane!) Their feet are trimmed and healthy, their eyes calm and content. Just watch Diego go around his horses, how he tacks them up, how they stand calmly for him. This is a horseman who is in it for his love of horses. If you want a barn with fancy stalls and landscaping and clipped horses, you're expectations of the Costa Rican ranch are way off. We felt very safe with him. Gentle guidance with a sparkle of kindness in his eye...and clearly the community loves him too, judging by the personable greetings he received from everyone we encountered. The food and view were fantastic (see photo)! The tour is very informal and adapted to the demands of that day so don't expect a choreographed itinerary. Go with the flow and allow yourself to savor the contagious joy of horses with Diego. Thank you, Diego for a dream-come-true ride! (And Happy Birthday, David Bowie! Rest in peace)

We just went riding with Adrian and Gustavo today. This was such an incredible experience--a perfect day. The horses were beautiful and well-behaved, the beach was gorgeous, and Adrian was a fantastic guide. I was with my 12-year-old horse-loving daughter. Adrian really listened to her and what she wanted to do, and gave her the opportunity to walk, trot, canter, and gallop along the beach. This was really her dream come true. I felt the whole time that she was safe in such good hands, and I felt comfortable enough to trot, which I'm usually not secure about. He also took amazing photos for her -- she hasn't stopped looking at them all afternoon, she is so happy. Adrian also showed us beautiful birds and plants, we loved learning about these. He and his brother, Gustavo, were also such interesting and kind people. What an amazing day, I can't recommend this highly enough. A couple of tips -- you can leave your stuff at the restaurant where the tour leaves from and returns to; wear Keen's or similar -- your feet will get wet; you can arrange to stay on at the beautiful beach after the tour. I'm so glad we did this, the beach was empty, the water was warm. There is a riptide, so you can't go out too far, but still so great. Take this tour!

My husband and I are absolutely thrilled that we booked our horseback riding adventure through the Riding Adventure. Diego, his brother Gustavo and their horses were all wonderful! I don't have a single negative comment to share and the photos--and videos--that Diego had taken during our ride are my most treasured photos from our entire Costa Rican vacation. They Rock!!!

Excellent ride at sunset with the family. Costa Rican cowboys Gustavo, Diego, and Adrian are very friendly and helpful. Adrian lead our ride and took great photos and videos. Horses are well trained and easy to ride. Very pleased with this ride.

Magic. Pure magic. The best thing we did on our honeymoon- Gustavo and Adrian ensured we had the best sunset ride catered to me as a lifetime rider and my husband on his 2nd ride ever. If you only go one place and do one thing on your Costa Rica vacation - please do this.

When you enter you walk into a very well-maintained butterfly garden. We saw a few of them (they are hard to spot) and a lot of chrysalises. There were signs around the garden describing the lives of butterflies. The museum walks you through the history of Costa Rica, beginning with incredible stone artefacts up to 2,000 years old, through to the modern period. This is a great place for a tourist in Costa Rica to start to get a holistic understanding of the country’s history before beginning their travels.

Beautiful museum. And very informative on Costa Rican History and Culture. You can start in the Butterfly Garden and go through the Pre-Colombian History section and then the Costa Rican History section and then visit the special exhibits and other rooms. I enjoyed seeing the historical artifacts they’d collected and learning about their historical and cultural significance and also just learning about Costa Rica in general. I would recommend either a guided tour or a self tour but at or towards the beginning of your visit. You don’t have to buy tickets in advance but be mindful that the museum closes at 4:15 pm even though the website says 4:30 pm.

It was a nice museum, but I found the exhibitions somewhat confusing. I wasn't given a map of the museum, so I had to guess the order of the rooms and the direction inside them, since you can enter them from multiple places. In the end, I wasn't able to understand the story of the army and the barracks that are now the museum. Some English translations also didn't seem to capture well what the original content was saying. I had a nice surprise when I was there: there's a concert every last Sunday of the month. This was my favorite part of the visit.

The National Museum of Costa Rica offers educational and comprehensive exhibits that cover the country's history, archaeology, and natural history, showcasing an impressive collection of artifacts and emphasizing the building's historical significance as a former military barracks. We entered through the butterfly garden, which fascinated us as we observed some butterflies. This garden was not present years ago, and we appreciate that the museum has added this feature. They have also introduced new exhibitions and expanded the building to include the indigenous Societies of the 16th Century exhibit and Costa Rica's culture, which is excellent. The museum closes at 4:15 pm, and the admission fee for non-residents is considerably higher than that for local visitors, which seems unusual.

This is a great national museum in an old prison and military building. Entering the building you’ll walk up some ramps in a butterfly enclosure to see some beautiful plants. You can look through the old prison cells, and get a sense of how Costa Rica came about with a good exhibit showing the region from pre-colonial days to now. It doesn’t shy away from some of the darker aspects of their history, and even recent events and struggles which was really refreshing. The reclaimed artefacts on display are absolutely amazing, and the central courtyard jungle with large stone orbs is a must see too. It’s a great museum so give yourself 1-2 hours if you’re a fast paced tourist like me.

Nothing to write home about. Nice museum but really needs a renovation. The exhibition itself is well organised chronologically but the signage isn’t so clear where to start. Everyone of the staff is really nice. The butterfly house looks a bit run down - very damp. The jail part is easy to miss but ok. Overall, not a must see but ok.

We had a great time here. The butterfly garden was a nice surprise. The stone spheres were fun. The artifacts and history are well presented with lots of signs in English.

To visit San Jose and not to visit the theater?! This is the most favorite tourist attraction. Entrance from 10 am to the theater grounds costs 7 dollars, they show the premises. In the evening there are performances and you can also buy a ticket and visit.

Attending Berta Rojas’s concert at the National Theater of Costa Rica was truly an unforgettable experience. The theater itself is an architectural gem, blending historic elegance with an atmosphere that feels intimate yet grand. From the moment we stepped inside, we were amazed by the beautiful decor, intricate details, and the welcoming staff. Berta Rojas’s performance was spectacular—the acoustics of the theater made every note come alive. Being part of such a special event in this unique setting was pure joy. Whether you’re a lover of classical music or simply appreciate stunning venues, the National Theater is a must-visit destination in San José. The experience was amazing, and I recommend everyone add it to their Costa Rica itinerary!

The tour was short, about 30 minutes; but the tour guide was great, he explained about everything we saw at the teacher, the origins of every object in the theater with its origin. The theater may be small compared to others in Europe but it’s worth going

Beautifully ornate theatre situated in the heart of central San José. The theatre opened in 1897 and is an exquisite example of neoclassical architecture. We did a guided walking tour of the theatre which was fun and engaging. They do tours on the hour and alternate between English and Spanish (although there are fewer tours in English). We booked our tickets at the kiosk situated outside the theatre and were lucky they weren’t fully booked. I really enjoyed visiting the theatre, and I’d highly recommend booking the guided tour.

Take the tour, enjoy a coffee and snack. This is a national treasure one not yo be missed. SJO has only a few monuments to their rich past, built by and for the coffee plantation owners.. the uber rich of their time

As a wanna-be architect, this feature is stunning! Invigorates wonder in the craft, material and skill to create a long lasting structure!

Interesting tour and a cafe with style. Loved it

A lot of knowledge about the historical events and places. More about the culture. The sculptures represent their ancient lifestyle. Secure, safe and only underground tourism place in Costa Rica. Entrance fee is $16 for non citizens. $6 for locals. One thing I like more here is they represent everything in English as well for better understanding.

Wonderful modern-looking museum made up of two permanent exhibitions (pre-columbian gold) and the mint/bank notes of Costa Rica. Love their showcases on the indigenous people especially. Many of the alphabets in the English text in the precolumbian gold museum have unfortunately fallen off and are not replaced, making it sometimes difficult to read the text. Wished the museum could do something about this!

This is amongst one of the most beautiful and well informed museums I have been to. I was surprised to see that they had taken the time to acknowledge that there is a problem in the ethnic studies community about stealing artifacts. They also touch on subjects such as pre colonial gender roles and language. There needs to be more places like this !

This blew me away! So much more than I wanted! Was disappointed however that several exhibits were closed and we were not told nor the price discounted. But over all it was an amazing experience!

One of the best museums I have seen in Latin America. 500% recommended. Specially if you are a history geek or crazy for gold.

This is a fascinating and really well done museum! One part is about gold, and the other part is about currency. The descriptions are available in Spanish, English, and French.

This is a great museum in downtown San Jose that shows a lot of gold artifacts as well as other things. It’s not nearly on the same scale as the Jade Museum or the National Museum, but it’s done a little bit better. It’s more modern than open than either of the other museums. The National Museum feels very much like a dated museum from a developing country, and I suppose it is, but I really like that. And the Jade Museum feels like this enormous collection of Mayan artifacts, which is really cool, but it’s less well organized.

There’s not enough words for this beach! You can swim here! You can surf here and other water activities. Lots of places that’s close where you can eat. You get amazing ocean views. My wife and I got massages from locals which was a great touch. There’s all Types of stores really close as well so another nice plus.

Great beach! Warm water, plenty of space for everyone. Fun rocks and cliff areas to explore at low tide.

Jaco is a small town on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. Its beaches are spectacular and the friendliness of Ticos is pretty good. I lived in this town for 1 year in 2011 so why not share my experience and photos from Jaco. Be ware of the waves!!!

Jaco Beach is an absolute vibe. Sick surf spot with huge, rolling waves and some seriously wild energy—especially at high tide. Whether you’re paddling out or just watching the action from the shore, it’s nonstop stoke. The beach itself has that classic laid-back Costa Rican surf-town feel—friendly locals, warm water, and golden sand that stretches for miles. Even if you’re not hopping on a board, it’s a blast just soaking in the scene. Great for surfers chasing a thrill and chill enough for beach bums just vibing out. 10/10, pura vida all the way

Not the cleanest beach but nice to walk along still. Pebbles and dark sand. Decent waves. The river meets the beach and makes for an interesting spot.

It is beautiful but not really for swimming, tide is too dangerous, great for surfing

Beautiful beach from end to end. Great waves. Perfect for surfing beginner and up. The Northern end has a couple of larger resorts but the centre and Southern end have smaller resorts, private homes and that feeling of things being accessible, safe, and a community. People gathered to share sunsets. Two fellows pruning coconut trees stopped and cut one open for me without expecting anything but appreciation in return. Horse tours also available. Surf lessons. Or just jumping in the waves in a perfectly sandy beach. Watch for flags for conditions. Saw at least 3 life guard stations. Very clean save for the occasional doggie dodo.

We absolutely LOVED Jose’s Crocodile River Tour!!! We booked during their non busy season and ended up being the only people on the tour (lucky us). We got so close and personal with the wildlife. It was such an amazing experience!! Jose and his crew answered all of our questions and gave us such a great tour!

Jose’s Crocodile Tour is hands down the coolest tour I’ve ever been on in Costa Rica. Jose is incredibly knowledgeable — he knows every crocodile by name and has such deep respect for the animals and their habitat. The way he interacts with them up close is both thrilling and educational. But it’s not just about the crocodiles — the tour also gives you amazing views of the river, lush landscapes, and beautiful birds along the way. You get to see Costa Rica’s wildlife from a totally different perspective.

Had an amazing experience with Jesus and the Captain. Funny, knowledgeable, knew the crocodiles well and had names for them! They were able to get them to come super close to boat and were very informative. Can’t recommend them enough. They made us feel very comfortable and welcomed.

Great boat tour to see crocodiles on Torcoles river. The crocs are in the wild but trained to respond to the calls and near offered to come to the boat. Lots of birds and reptiles to see while on the boat. The operators keep you entertained. Ask for your discount if in a group

Absolutely AMAZING tour. We saw a ton of crocodiles and we got super close. We also saw a ton of other wild life, birds, lizards and even turtles. I would recommend this tour service to anyone!

Amazing tour with Jose and the captain, saw so many crocodiles during the trip and birds too! The tour operation itself is perfect, and educational for us to learn how amazing nature is, and how intelligent creatures crocodiles are. And how little knowledge I have for them.

This is an absolute must-do if you’re visiting or even live here. Hands down the coolest tour I’ve done in Costa Rica! I’ve been lucky enough to live here and experience different parts of the country, but the crocodile tour was easily one of the most interesting things I’ve gotten to do. We got to see 10+ crocodiles up close (really close) from babies to over 80 years old which was absolutely incredible. Not to mention the amount of birds we saw and the beauty of being on the river. Jose and his team are all so welcoming, professional, and clearly passionate about what they do, which made the tour feel extra special. I cannot recommend them enough!!!

It's Central America's largest wildlife centre. We went on a tour given by Eduardo who was a lot of fun (and knowledgeable!). Without the tour we wouldn't have heard all the fascinating although sad stories as to how many animals have ended up at the center. We bought some postcards with beautiful photos, which it turns out were taken by Eduardo. We also had lunch there and found the food to be excellent. Go if you get the chance, you won't regret it.

A beautiful sanctuary doing very important work. Visitors help fund their hospital and mission. You will feel good for visiting and buying food and/or souvenirs during your visit. The grounds are beautiful. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!

The highlight of my kids trip. We hit this on the last day and were so happy to find security watching the cars until close since we had to travel with luggage before spending our night in SJ, but wanted to do something chill for the kids. This place is incredible, so much wildlife and feels like a rescue center not a zoo. Even though the animal sightings are amazing and several species are out in the open or wandering the park. We don’t use a guide but a guide pointed out a sloth moving across a rope for the kids. It was super rainy and stormy so my ponchos finally got put to good use and barely anyone was out, felt like we had the place to ourselves. Much of the animals were hiding from the rain and you could see them. Then they all came out after the rain and looking for dinner. We got to only spend maybe 3 hours here but we stayed until the last minute and ran around to circle the park close to twice. It was big! Would definitely recommend to families, couples, solo travelers. Such a treat. Tons of photo ops with all the animal statues too. We felt like we were in the jungle. Some covered areas in the snake center and some other spots was nice when lightning got strong.

There are no words — this was an absolutely incredible experience, and it was well worth spending the extra day in the San José area just to visit. We did the guided tour with our very large group, and Eduardo was amazing — funny, engaging, and clearly passionate about the animals, the park, and the educational mission of the rescue center. We had several young children with us, and it was magical for them to see ocelots, mountain lions, birds, snakes, and so many other animals up close. This is a must-visit destination when you’re in Costa Rica.

If you have a few hours to explore in the San Jose area, I highly recommend spending your time at Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center. This is not a zoo, but a rehabilitation center for injured animals. There is however an area for young children to interact with various domestic animals. My wife and I arrived at opening time. 9:00am and left at 2:00. We are both senior citizens, so that may account for some of the time, there are lots of benches to sit for a while and observe the animals. Most of the paved paths have some degree of incline (after all this is Costa Rica) We did not take the guided tour, felt like we probably could not keep up with the pace, but I’m sure from other reviews that we read that it’s worth spending the money to do so. Another reason we were there until 2:00 was the on-site restaurant Kivu, although they serve breakfast, we wanted to explore first and then have lunch. Huge menu of appetizers, main course, and some desserts. Cost for entry, lunch, and souvenirs, were all reasonable, when you consider that the profit from all of these income sources, is part of what allows Rescate to do what they do. PS food and service both were very good. All employees that we interacted with, were polite and courteous.

Great experience. Lots of animals to see and they are all rescues so you feel very good about encouraging them. Highly recommend if you are spending a day near San Jose.

Wonderful experience. We paid $30 US per person. But you get to see a wide variety of birds and animal and it is for good cause. Especially the birds, you get to see them up close.

Had a very educational and eye opening experience. Ernesto did such a wonderful job telling their beautiful story. We learned so much about coffee pairing and tasting, how it’s produced, the impact on the environment and much more! One of the best tours I’ve done in all my travels. Touched my heart and inspired me.

The experience my family and I had with Gabriel was amazing! Such a friendly and down to earth atmosphere! Gabriel was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. My 7 and 10 year old also had a great time! And the coffee was delicious!

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Gabriel. He shared his passion for coffee and sustainable farming, and we learned so much. The coffee tasting was an enlightening experience about how to best enjoy coffee and the various brewing methods. The coffee marmalade was delicious! Be sure to reserve a time for your visit as it’s a working farm and tours are scheduled.

What a fantastic tour! Gabriel spoke fluent English and conducted the tour taking us on a path of understanding the organic method of farming coffee. He was very insightful and analytical--he really made us all think about nature and sustainability. He was very engaging, knowledgeable and kept our interest. We learned about the different roasts in relation to taste and caffeine levels. He had us do a taste test to determine our preference in type of coffee roast. Then he took us on a tour of the farm-not what you would expect at all -you'll have to take the tour to learn more about it! :) They have a gift shop which includes coffee, tea, marmalade, wine and T-shirts which they graciously made one for me while participating in the tour! My husband loved it! His family all live in the same general area and one of his brothers' family also offers a tour of a local farm (La Casa del Alto Tour)-also a great tour!

The Toledo Coffee Tour was such a unique and memorable experience! I went with my family, who are avid coffee drinkers, and even though I don’t usually drink coffee, I fully enjoyed participating and learned so much. The tour of the farm was wonderful—full of fascinating history, beautiful scenery, and hands-on experiences. Highly recommend for anyone looking to learn about coffee and have a fun, family-friendly adventure!

We were lucky to have a very personal tour with insights that went well beyond coffee processing, alone. We loved the tastings and farm tour. We learned so much about farming with diversity and sustainability. This will be a lifelong memory for our family. And the coffee is excellent. Beautiful artwork, too. Muchísimas gracias!

Our visit to El Toledo Coffee Tour in our hometown of Atenas, was truly remarkable!From start to finish, the experience was both fascinating and inspiring. Gabriel, our guide, was absolutely fantastic — knowledgeable, passionate, and engaging. You can tell he genuinely loves what he does and cares deeply about both the coffee and the environment. What really stood out was learning about El Toledo’s unique and sustainable farming techniques. Instead of using chemicals or conventional methods, they focus on working with nature — creating a balanced ecosystem that supports the plants, soil, and wildlife. It’s not just a coffee farm; it’s a living example of how agriculture can be done responsibly and regeneratively. The coffee itself was incredible, and tasting it while surrounded by the lush hills of Atenas made it even better. We left with a deeper appreciation for coffee, sustainability, and the hard work that goes into every sip. If you’re in Costa Rica and want an authentic, educational, and heartwarming experience, don’t miss the El Toledo Coffee Tour. Gabriel and his family are doing something truly special here!

This was an unexpected gem in our vacation. We were unable to go to the Poas volcano due to possible eruptions. We looked on Google Maps and found La Paz Waterfalls. I did note it stated resort, but I assumed it was to be a hotel and restaurant. It actually was a beautiful and well maintained park with many exhibits of animals of all kinds to be found in Central America, including a wonderful aviary, butterfly enclosure, snakes, monkeys, and large and small cats. The staff, whether in their area of specialty or simply maintenance, were happy to help and talk. The animal areas were all paved, clean, and well kept. There are also restaurants, which looked ans smelled nice, but we did not eat there that day. The trails were beautiful, and the waterfalls were quite impressive, especially close up. I can not believe this is not advertised more heavily as it was wonderful. $62.00 per person seemed a lot for waterfalls, but after enjoying the whole park, it was well worth it. I highly recommend a trip to La Paz Waterfall.

The tour was with Willy Tour, picked up around 10 am and dropped of around 5 pm from San José. Great value, the trip, guide and lunch for the cost are excellent value. The park is unique and beautiful. Everything was well run, clean and safe.

​If you are looking for the ultimate Costa Rican experience, look no further than La Paz Waterfall Gardens. I recently visited and was absolutely blown away. ​The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. As you walk the trails, you are completely immersed in untouched nature. The highlight for me was the incredible system of safe hiking trails and metal bridges that allow you to stand right in front of the massive waterfalls. Feeling the mist on your face while standing on the bridge, watching the river rush over the volcanic rocks below, is a memory I will never forget. ​The atmosphere is pure magic. You are surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant rainforest life at every turn. It’s the perfect escape from the city—just deep breaths of crisp, fresh air and the soothing sound of crashing water. ​Whether you are a photographer looking for that perfect shot of the falls or just want to reconnect with the earth, this place is perfection.

Truly a beautiful and awesome experience. The waterfalls were absolutely breathtaking and the up close nature of the animals provided an unforgettable experience. The walk includes a lot of stairs so if that is an issue for you it's best not to include the waterfall part of the trail..

The best place to see waterfalls in Costa Rica. Clean and safe place. We got to see the Tucans, Jaguar, Monkeys, Bulls. Easy access to the waterfalls. Great customer service.

Must explore. Maintained like a pristine rain forest. Be ready to walk a lot, but the walks justify the view.

Ok... this place is just beautiful. Breath-taking. And the food was delicious too. So glad I went.

Cannot review based on the volcano, as it was closed. I wish there would’ve been warning closer to the bottom instead of just at the top. However, the drive up is long and windy but the views are absolutely breathtaking. Much cooler at the top, make sure you bring a sweater.

An hour and a half from SJ, depending on traffic and rain. Cannot enter unless you book online $15-20, parking fee is about $5-6, It is a short walk to the viewing area, however you won't see anything when it's a cloudy day. I took an extended hike and it is very steep and dangerous when it's raining. I was glad to make it out without getting hurt. Park closes at 4 pm, stops allowing anyone after 2 pm.

Such a beautiful place to visit. Make sure you bring a long sleeve because it gets windy there.

Beautiful volcano. Worth visiting from different ankles. However is mostly covered by clouds and fog

A must visit for anyone staying in San José or nearby. Pleasant walk up to the viewing point for the volcano crater, after a short video explaining the history and dangers etc. The view is spectacular, over the crater and out towards the ocean. The volcano was quite active, and the air filled with the smell of sulfur released, so it was fascinating to see it 'in action' from a safe distance.

Amazing experience!! It's a very short trip from San José and there's a beautiful waterfall on the way there. Someone said the journey is scary and that's just a bit extreme lol. The roads are fine. It seems to rain a lot though and it's chilly so bring a poncho and jacket. Try to order your tickets online as it makes life easier when you get there. The last entry is around 2PM. If there's cloud cover when you arrive, wait a bit and it will clear even if just for a moment because that's what happened with us. Got there and it was just clouds but after about 10 or so minutes it cleared nicely. When leaving, you're going to see some trails, be careful because we ended up on one that was very long and very far and very difficult with lots of stairs and there's hardly any signs to guide you. By time we got to the end we were beat. Overall I'd definitely recommend this experience!

We hit the jackpot and got a warm, clear morning in early March. We booked the 8am (first) tour a week and a half out and we’re glad we did. The crowds (and tours) started coming in around 9am (after we were done 😁). It’s so beautiful to see the crater and learn about its history. Recommend visiting early to ensure the perfect views and fewest number of people.

The waterfall is FREE! Please park on the street to avoid paying for free parking and getting scammed. The "tour" guides will haggle you for money. Just walk right past them and avoid paying whatever they try to get out of you. The hike is a lot better with water shoes. You will probably get your feet/shoes wet while hiking up to the water fall. Wear closed shoes to protect toes. Maintain 3 points of contact while crossing over rocks. So you don't fall. Overall its worth it.

It’s not an easy hike, but definitely worth it. You’re going to want to be careful not to slip and use the ropes they’ve set up. It’s a beautiful reward for the long trek, but it definitely is hard getting there

The coolest hike we’ve done in Costa Rica! It’s an advanced hike. Expect to use both hands and feet to hike up - it’s more like mountain/rock climbing on some paths. Definitely not for the faint-hearted! Better wear closed toe shoes with a good grip. The “paths” are mostly under shades. Sometimes it’s not easy to figure out where the paths are, but we really enjoy the feeling of uncertainty and adventure. It’s rewarding to see three waterfalls along the hike and enjoy the scenic ponds. It definitely worths the efforts. The third waterfall is the most difficult to reach - it’s a steep downhill along the cliff with dusty and uneven surfaces. You can get support with the tree roots on the cliff and a couple of ropes. There is an easier path to get the third waterfall, which is through the main road that leads to the top close to Anamaya Resort (i.e. you don’t hike). However someone in an “uniform” set up a tent there to charge you USD 4 per person to access the trails. It’s hard to tell if they are scammer or not. You could also choose to stay at the first waterfall/pond as it’s relatively easy to get there.

Really cool hike. Wear closed toes shoes for the hike, and be prepared to cross the water stream. It will be difficult for people with physical disabilities or people who are fragile. It will take both hands, feet and some grit to hike to/from the waterfall. Once at the fall, you can swim in the natural pool. Awesome experience!

This is super cool - but beware, it is not a simple hike! It takes only about twenty minutes but your feet will get wet and you will have to climb through trees and use ropes to navigate to the lower falls. The water is cool but not cold and is 100% worth the small hike. Just wear good shoes! We had no problems leaving our stuff on rocks behind the falls to get in.

The hike can be difficult/slippery so do be careful and wear water shoes. They charge you 2k colones to park, you can get away from this by parking on the street if you want. Be aware that if you climb onto the hard part to waterfall 2&3 and decide to take the path/staircase way out they will stop you halfway and ask that you pay $5/person or go back to the “office” to pay by card… meanwhile telling you that people die going back and that you cannot go this way because it is private property. We don’t mind paying but there needs to be a sign at the beginning as this is basically holding people hostage. The company is called Sun Trails.

Great hike with Carlos as our guide. I'm absolutely positive it would not have been nearly as enjoyable without a guide. We quickly made it to the first big waterfall, taking easier paths that were not obvious. Recommend sandals or shoes, although I did see 2 young people hiking it barefoot... We then decided to tackle the 100+ stairs (freshly remade, so easy to navigate) to the higher waterfall (2mil CRC per person). I'm glad we did! There were only 3 people there, and we had fun jumping into the pool there (safely). Water was brown since it had been raining, but it was refreshing and felt clean. Again, having a guide helped, since I would never have felt comfortable jumping where I could not see.

Small island taken over by various tourist vendors with chairs everywhere. There’s barely any space left on the sand to relax, as it’s all occupied by chairs, and the sea is full of rocks that hurt your feet. There’s no fresh water available to rinse off the salt, and the restrooms are in very poor condition. But yes — it looks like paradise.

Had a blast snorkeling.!! Next time we plan to dive the other side of the island.!! Staff was very nice and the day was very enjoyable.! Had a great time coming back drunk and signing songs and dancing with everyone.!! 😜😁😜😁😜😁

Loved the day trip! The crew was amazing! Super personal and they were so kind. The wife and kids had a blast! This trip is great for adults or families. The crew made it a point to learn your name and made sure you were taken care of! If you’re looking for a one day get away this is definitely a trip that you should do! My 9 and 11 year old had a blast! I’d recommend this to anyone.

We took the Costa Cat tour. We had a great time, staff are very attentive. The snorkeling was ok, water too rough for me. But a lot of fish to see. Lunch was great! Really enjoyed the grilled chicken and rice. You get what you pay for on this tour.

I give it a 4 and half stars rating. Would have been 5 if it was a little less crowded. Picturesque beach, beautiful white sand, great vibe. There're few bars on the island to purchase drinks. You can chill under the sun, swim in the beautiful, pristine water, and paddle board out to the other nearby island. There are plenty of things to do. To get here, you have to either charter a boat or book a snorkeling tour. We booked a snorkeling tour, $85 per person, including door to door service and a (castado) lunch.

Very cool place that is unspoiled. Everything must me taken(food and drinks) by the tour operator and then removed off the island when heading back. The boat ride is long as the boat goes really slow. I did the Island hike and the snorkeling. I highly recommend this tour.

FANTASTIC! I highly recommend this trip. The catamaran ride is about 45 minutes, and we saw whales along the way. The setup on the island is terrific, and the staff is exceptional. The lunch served was excellent and the provided free drinks are okay. You can opt to purchase beer and other beverages from the bar. We enjoyed the snorkeling and the fish along the reef. There is also banana boat riding available if you choose to participate. Remember to bring water shoes!

Dave and Dave’s was one of our absolute highlights of Costa Rica. Birds galore! Dave was friendly and knowledgeable and we saw so many different birds, all really close up. Highly recommend Dave and Dave’s if you love photographing birds. It is a fantastic place for watching hummingbirds and toucans. We originally planned to go later in the afternoon but Dave recommended the earlier lunchtime slot for better light and bird action. We booked by email and paid on arrival. Dave was ready and waiting for us at the gate when we arrived. A short walk into the gardens and the birds came to us! So happy we made the stop on the way from San Jose to La Fortuna.

We had a great visit at Dave and Dave's. The two hour tour with Dave Jr was really interesting and we learned a lot about the birds of Costa Rica but not only, also about the forest and its residents. We were really lucky and got to see so many beautiful birds as well as frogs. The colibris were particularly active that morning and it was a feast for the eyes ! We highly recommend that visit, especially for birds and colibri lovers (and photographers !) for whom it's a must see!

The tour with Dave was very impressive. We saw beautiful birds and Dave infected us with his enthusiasm for the animals. We are very grateful for this experience and highly recommend the tour. It was a highlight of our trip through Costa Rica and an absolute must see on the way from Puerto Viejo to La Fortuna.

Dave and Dave's truly extraordinary bird viewing nature preserve i features hundreds of rare bird species including toucans in a reforested nature preserve. Dave, the son, has continued the work of his father and mother through two major viewing platforms. It's like sitting in your own backyard on comfortable lawn chairs, but in Costa Rica. The rear deck features feeders for hummingbirds who flock in at the clifftop. (You're actually looking at the tree tops from the river valley below.) All of this is a testament to two men and a woman who took a bankrupt palm plantation and returned it (reforested with native plants and let it go back to nature) into a nature park. What an accomplishment. Costa Rica needs more of these private enterprises to add to the scores of National Parks and preserves. Bravo, guys. And thanks to your mom for her insight.

If you are near the Sarapiqui river, you love nature, and you care about preserving biodiversity (which is increasingly in danger due to human activity), this is the place you don't want to miss. Dave and Dave run a nature preservation project, they plant rare species of trees and bushes and other plants, and provide a bird watching tour to finance their enterprise. They attract birds by sticking pieces of bananas on the branches, but arrange everything in such a way that you have ample opportunities to watch and photograph birds in their natural surroundings, with no traces of human activity. I saw a crazy amount of multi-color birds, including flocks of hummingbirds, which are my favorite. Dave Jr. was with me all the time and gave me a lot of interesting information about the birds. Near the end of the tour he offered me to walk downstairs across the forest to the river to watch poisonous frogs and a beautiful scenery. Also a bottle of cold water, and I sure needed it. I left with about 500 photographs and my hands almost falling off after holding that heavy telephoto lens in my camera. I am very grateful to both Daves for this tour, and I wish them the best of luck with their project.

Words cannot describe the unique experience you get in this place. Just browse through other opinions and their photos. It is a natural wildlife sanctuary: no cages or animal cruelty, just wildlife. The owners are amiable and give the best tour. Remember - it's a wildlife sanctuary - sometimes you see everything, and sometimes it's hard to spot some species.

What a beautiful place! This is definitely one of the best spots to see hummingbirds in action. They placed many feeders along one of their terraces and that enables you to watch many hummingbirds very closely which is such a wonderful experience! In addition, they have another terrace that you can see other birds from thanks to the fruit they place for them right below it. The place itself is beautiful, they started it only in 2009 and the scenery is already so full and green. Dave senior or Dave junior who own the place will give you a tour in it up until the river which takes about an hour, and you will see the lovely trees, plants and if you’re lucky - the blue jeans frog and many more. The tour is very informative and both Daves are so nice and welcoming. Highly recommended, don’t miss it!

Our travel agent booked this rafting experience, and we LOVED it! My husband and I ended up being in a raft alone, with our instructor, Joseph. We had an amazing experience. I was initially a little anxious at the speed and safety, but all they want is a safe, fun experience for you! At no point did we feel like it was dangerous, instead just had a great time! Thanks Joseph!

Such a fun day! I'm not an adventurous person, and this was my first time doing rafting, and I loved it so much! The staff is responsible, funny, and they explain everything thoroughly so that the experience goes well. They also help spot birds and other wildlife throughout the journey. The lunch was great too!

Our experience with Aguas Bravas was awesome! We had a group of 11, with eight high school students and three adults. We were in three boats and each guide adapted appropriately to the people in his boat. They were fun, safe and efficient with their processes and we'd highly recommend!

*splendid time* - Great guide! We booked the safari tour and even saw a "lazy animal". Most importantly: The guide was one of the best one can have :)! We had a great time and saw a lot of animals!

Francisco was the best guide! 🚢 made the experience remarkable and memorable

We had a good experience rafting with Aguas Bravas. Their guides were fun & gave clear instructions while you're on the river. The rapids were level 2 & 3 and there were a few tight areas you have to maneuver. They will give you opportunities to swim/float or jump off a cliff into the river. Highly recommend trying this outfitter.

What an awesome experience. We chose the “easy” paddle as my partner was a bit nervous about white water. We still got to do some mild class II but it was mostly floating down the river spotting loads of wildlife (water foul, birds of prey, reptiles, monkeys etc.). Our guide, JJ, was funny, calm and extremely knowledgable! He was even knowledgable about Canadian native birds as well. I would go back again and again. We also did a chocolate tour that same morning, which made for an awesome day.

The place itself is beautiful, and the experience—especially the zipline—was unforgettable. The entire staff, from the hotel workers to the zipline guides, were absolutely wonderful. Kind, helpful, warm, and truly working together like a family. Their energy made the experience feel welcoming and fun. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the German owner. Her attitude toward guests was shockingly cold and unwelcoming. She was dry, unpleasant, and at times even rude. Her behavior stood in stark contrast to the rest of the team. There was a stiffness and lack of basic friendliness that felt completely out of place in a hospitality setting. It’s honestly baffling how someone in her position could treat guests with such disregard. It’s a shame, because the people working under her were fantastic. If only the owner could match their level of warmth and professionalism, this place would be perfect.

Zip Line Review Only: - we had the time of our lives today! The zip line crew was so funny, clearly experts at what they do, and made our group (from 14 to 40 years old) feel comfortable and confident! - we loved our adventure, from beginning to end. We started with lunch at the hotel clubhouse and it was delicious (thank you to the host and chef who made us wonderful local food). Then we rode about 30 mins out and up up up to the start of the zip line course - once we got a good tutorial on how to ride, we were off and moved SO FAST through the forest. It was raining the whole time which only added to the fun! - the crew clearly cared about our time and made lots of conversation, poked fun, made jokes, and corrected us in the right ways to stay safe and feel good about our trip. - 10/10 adventure today! We all said that it was going to clearly be a highlight of our vacation!

This review is for the zip lines. I would not recommend it nor would I do it again, but we still had fun. The guides were great and they did a lovely job. The problem is the length of the zip lines. They are just too short to really have any fun. Most were only a couple of seconds long. You have to brake on your own using a glove, and since the line is so short there is really no time to enjoy the scenery or look at the waterfalls. You go with a large group of people and only a few guides. They have a guide at the start and end of the zip line. It’s great for safety but this means you have to wait for the entire large group after every zip line or every small group of zip lines. It took us several hours to get through the course. The price was also very high for what it is. I think it could be much improved if you were able to complete the course without waiting for an entire group of people. We felt very safe, the guides really knew their stuff.

What an amazing placing. The adventure starts on the way there, The views are breath taking. I went to med schooling CR and know quite a few zipline (canopy) places, this is by far my favorite. It's hard to describe the feeling when you are flying over 11 waterfalls. The staff was incredible nice and well prepared. I would most definitely recommend. CAN'T WAIT TO COME BACK!!!!!!!!

Review of the zip line, as we didn’t stay at the hotel. As a rookie zip liner, wasn’t sure what to expect… the guides are great and you ease into things. Felt safe and secure the whole time. Beautiful route through pretty waterfalls while you hear the screech of howler monkeys waiting to jump off. The truck ride to the starting point is pretty intense with the rocky road. Wear bug spray liberally if you’re prone to bug bites.

We stayed here for one night because I thought it would be different and fun compare to the normal hotels. I was wrong. The room itself is alright. It's almost too basic but at least it was clean. There is no wifi at all however. We went to the office asking about it. They told us to try to get on a different network then sent us back. There is NO another different network. I work in the IT industry... I know what I am doing! The office just wanted us to leave them along or they don't know what they are talking about. The hotel ground is not well maintained. The Advertised trampoline is not in working order. The pool looked not well kept and not inviting. The maze is over grown, obviously not loved. Now the worst part is the owner, a German lady. She has this insufferable attitude and made me feel very unwelcome. I thought it was me who she didn't like. Later on we verified from an independent source that is how she always is and treats everyone! She is on her 70s and maybe running this hotel is not her dream job. It really shows! The next day, we did zipline tour. That was good. But I would not stay here again and probably would not zip line here again due to the overall experience.

We didn’t stay at the hotel but we came for the zip lines. It was so fun. Wagner and the other guides were awesome. I loved when we got to swim in the waterfall. Amazing views and a memorable experience. The lunch was great and the lady cooking and serving the food was so nice.

Really enjoyed the tour with Carlos and learned so much about illegal pet trafficking - and I thought I was fairly informed to begin with! Some beautiful and unique animals, mostly bound for release, which is so great to see, and a solid explanation for every animal that will need to finish their life at the facility. This is not a zoo, these are not pets, and the animals are treated with a lot of respect. Also lucked out and saw a wild sloth mother and baby while on the tour. Great experience. Definitely recommend.

Proyecto Asis is a sanctuary for many animals in Costa Rica that have been abandoned, have been injured, and kept illegally as pets. These include monkeys, birds, pigs, cats, and many others. Our guide Carlos was very knowledgeable and he was very entertaining explaining such hard topics such as poaching, illegal animal trade. He was great with the kids. The tour was great! This is a very worthy cause and I would recommend this to any visitors to Costa Rica.

I did both the sloth tour and the wildlife tour with Carlos, both tours are super fun, educational and informative! This place absolutely priorities the well-being of animals over anything else, and their practices reflect their value! The animals come from long history of illegal black market trades or from injury; the people here try their very best to safely release the animals back to the wild! The sloths we saw in the tour are wild. Proyecto Asis's land is connected to the greater rain forests, meaning that the sloths we were privileged to admire were just passing by! We learnt from the tour that, some other establishment in the Arenal area actually trap their sloths within their "natural" parks, and those spaces are definitely not enough for the sloths to feel safe. It is a sad reality that many tourists will not know. As tourists, we get to decide where our money go. If you believe that animals should be wild and free, please consider supporting Proyecto Asis's mission!

This was an amazing experience and one of the best things we did on our trip in Costa Rica. Carlos was an amazing guide and we learned a lot about the animals and how they do their best to rehabilitate them if possible. I highly recommend doing the volunteer option! The tour was great but we really loved that part of the visit.

This was a really eye opening tour (booked through their website) of this rehabilitation center for injured and rescued (from captivity) wild animals. Highly educational. Great for kids or anyone to learn from. The animals were beautiful and surrounding nature was wonderful. It is about a 30 minute drive from the center of La Fortuna give or take. The roads there are well paved.

This was the highlight tour of our trip! Carlos was so knowledgeable about the animals, the rehabilitation process, and engaged so well with the kids in our group. I have a lot of respect for Proyecto Asis and the work they do. We also helped prepare the food and then fed the monkeys. We all greatly enjoyed the experience, left feeling more educated about the animal trade in Costa Rica. Highly recommend this tour!

This place is worth every penny! Your money goes toward the ethical rehabilitation and release of animals. Our tour guide, Carlos, was fun, knowledgeable, and passionate. My family, including my 7-year-old daughter, loved the tour and the volunteering experience of making the animals their snacks. This was a worthwhile and memorable experience! I highly recommend this for anyone visiting Costa Rica-- especially because it highlights how to ethically visit the country in terms of experiencing its wonderful wildlife. We also got lucky and saw a wild sloth and her baby on the property 🦥 💜

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A breathtaking and essential visit for nature lovers The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is absolutely beautiful. I visited in November — it wasn’t a sunny day, but that made the experience even more magical. I was lucky enough to see the Resplendent Quetzal and several other bird and wildlife species among the lush trees, vines, and dense vegetation. Yes, the entrance fee is higher than in other reserves, but it’s important to remember that your visit directly supports forest conservation. It’s worth every cent for those who truly love nature. If you’re not a nature lover, maybe it’s not for you — but for those who are, this place is paradise. Monteverde is one of the few remaining true cloud forests on Earth — a rare and fragile ecosystem that must be protected. Please, visit responsibly: respect the trails, take your trash with you, and appreciate this living treasure. Every step here reminds you how important it is to protect our planet. 🌿

I decided to walk to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve since there’s no public transport available. The walk took me around 90 minutes. However, when I arrived at the entrance, I was asked to show my ticket. I had assumed I’d be able to buy a ticket at the gate, but I was told that tickets must be purchased 1.5 km down the road at the main parking area where cars and hotel buses arrive. What made this even more disappointing is that the signage at the car park does not make it clear that entry tickets must be purchased there. As someone arriving on foot, there was nothing obvious to indicate that this was the only ticketing point. The Cloud Forest prides itself on its ecological and environmental values, yet there didn’t seem to be a clear or convenient option for visitors who choose to walk rather than drive. It felt quite ironic that an attraction focused on sustainability makes it difficult for people who opt for the most environmentally friendly method of arrival. To go back down the hill to buy a ticket and walk back up would have taken another 40 minutes, which I wasn’t prepared to do. Instead, I decided to treat the experience as a hiking opportunity and spent the rest of my morning and part of the afternoon enjoying the walk, taking in the scenery, and exploring the surrounding trails leading to the reserve. Overall, it was disappointing not to be able to enter after such a long walk, and I think it would be beneficial for the reserve to provide clearer guidance and better accommodation for visitors arriving on foot.

We took a guided tour and that made all the difference! We found that just marching around on the trails caused us to miss so much. We also loved learning about the history of the park and of Costa Rica

1. Get a guide. It's worth it. 2. Dont trust google maps! Parking is 1km away from the entrance down at the base of the hill, and charged at $5. They run shuttle buses from the lot to the gate. We saw so much that we would otherwise have walked right past. You can come and go through the day with one ticket. The hiking trails are well mapped and easy.

The tour was informative and our guide was knowledgeable about both the local wildlife and the ecosystem of the reserve. That said, we didn’t see much wildlife during the tour—so if spotting animals is your priority, I’d recommend checking out Curi Cancha Reserve instead, which tends to offer more opportunities for wildlife viewing. Still, the trails in Monteverde are absolutely stunning and worth exploring. I’d definitely suggest doing some additional hiking on your own after the guided portion to really soak in the beauty and tranquility of the cloud forest. A solid option for nature lovers, especially those interested in learning about the history and environment of the area.

Monteverde cloud forest is one of the icons of climate change research. This is the place where it was first established that climate change has a direct relation with species extinction with the extinction of the now famous golden toad. Many biologist and environmentalist visit and study this place. So when visiting this forest you need to come with the right mindset. To experience the beauty of a forest where most species survive on the unique phenomenon of clouds watering the forest rather than rain. If you come thinking you will see a bunch of animals or do a zip line or see a beautiful hanging bridge then unfortunately you would be disappointed. The canopy is very thick in Monteverde so animal sighting is harder than other reserves. How to experience this forest? Just peacefully walk through it , listen to the sound of nature and meditate. There is a point in the trail where you can see both the Caribbean and pacific side, do go see that if you can. I see a lot of people complaining about ticket charges and true if you expect something else you would be frustrated but note that your contribution is helping preserve this ecosystem which is already under decline. Try to not treat this as some entertainment spot, and trust me you will have a good time. It’s pretty much where the earth is truly breathing and coming alive. It’s magical and beautiful

Monteverde Cloud Forest is a famous destination, but there are a few important things to know before you go: 1.Ticket Location Confusion Make sure you go to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve Parking Lot to buy your tickets — not directly to the entrance! The entrance (called “Entrance to Monteverde Reserve”) is further up the road, but you can’t buy tickets there. If you go straight to the entrance without a ticket, you’ll have to go all the way back to the parking lot. 2.Free Shuttle Included There’s a free shuttle that takes you from the parking lot to the entrance, and it’s included in your ticket price — convenient and easy! Pricing Entrance fee is $26 USD per adult, and if you want a guided tour, it’s $23 USD extra per adult. 3.Road Condition The road leading to Monteverde Cloud Forest is quite rough and bumpy. Considering the relatively high entrance fee, I think they could invest in improving the access road a bit! 4. Getting There from town You can get to the parking lot by driving, taking public transport, or using a local shuttle service like PyP Transportations (about 4000 CRC round trip). All options are manageable, but some planning is helpful. 5. Bonus: Free Wi-Fi! One pleasant surprise was the free Wi-Fi available at the reserve — not something you’d expect in the middle of the cloud forest! Overall Experience Personally, I found the experience quite similar to rainforests in La Fortuna — lush and beautiful, but not drastically different. If you’ve already visited other rainforest areas in Costa Rica, this might not feel like a must-see. But if it’s your first cloud forest experience, it’s still worth checking out.

We hiked around for three hours with no guide. This was our third day in Monteverde and we had learned about wildlife and plants from other tours we had done so the guide was an unnecessary expense for us. We saw lots of cool plants and some bugs mostly. Heard many birds and saw them flying too quickly to identify but still thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!!

Wonderful experience We went without guide and still saw plenty of animals! We also saw the famous quetzal! And we received plenty of amazing explanations from the gardener who was taking care of the garden in the beginning of the park.

Our guide Koky was amazing!! We did a 3 hr walk starting at 8:30a. He could name and imitate every bird call we heard and was full of amazing facts and stories about the area. Also had an amazing scope to make sure everyone could see.

The Curicancha Reserve in Monteverde is an absolute must-do if you are in this region of Costa Rica. It’s a protected forest that has been left to evolve naturally, and walking through it feels like stepping into another world. The biodiversity here is simply incredible – both flora and fauna. I highly recommend going with a guide, ideally in a small group to fully appreciate the experience. I did both a day tour and a night tour, and each was extraordinary. During the day, you can admire the towering centenary trees, unique plants, reptiles, and a wide variety of birds. At night, the forest comes alive with creatures you would never see otherwise: tarantulas with orange knees, lizards, snakes, scorpions, and countless insects. The highlight of my visit was spotting the extremely rare Oilbird, a species that only comes to Costa Rica every three years to feed on a local endemic avocado tree. Even our guide, David (who was outstanding), had only seen it twice in eight years – it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! The reserve is also family-friendly. I visited with my two children (6 and 9 years old), and we always felt safe. The trails are wide, well-maintained, and secure, while still allowing you to be fully immersed in nature. If you love wildlife, this is one of the best places to connect with Costa Rica’s natural beauty. The entrance price is very fair considering the richness of what you experience. Curicancha is simply unforgettable – highly recommended!

Excellent night tour! We had a very good guide, named Dauner, who spotted a lot of wild live we would never have seen ourselves. Birds, spiders, frogs, snakes. We received the photos he made that night.

My family and I did the night walk today and it was wonderful! Being deep in the forest was really cool and we had a really great guide! Thank you Dauner! 🙏🏼 We saw a really beautiful orange and black tarantula, a huge caterpillar, a couple of scorpions, a bird, a couple of bats, butterflies, lightning bugs and learned so much about the cloud forest and animals. This is an absolute must tour to do. You’ll really enjoy it.

This wasn’t where we planned to do our night tour but we are so pleased we made that mistake as it was by far the best tour we did on our trip!! Our guide, Dauner, was phenomenal - his infectious enthusiasm was only matched by his extensive knowledge. It was as if we gave him a wish list of what we hoped to see and he ticked them all off and many many more. He also took photos with his own camera and scope that he shared with us afterwards. Such a special evening - he had our teenage boys hooked on his every word and we were all excited to see what he would find next!

Small, but full of information. Great for groups of 6 or less. Take a quick self-guided tour for little kids to watch the bats, or spend an hour+ with a full guided tour and a long stay if you are someone who really wants to learn and appreciate the unique experience. Some small themed souvenirs available ($3-20).

This is a very unique experience. The "Bat Jungle" itself is not very large, but the experience is really cool. Being able to see bats up close and take pictures with no fear of actual bat contact. Great information about bats. Very cheap admission. Worth a quick stop.

The only tropical bat rescue center in the world. A lot of information on display plus you get to see 7 species of cute little bats.

This is my third time coming to the bat jungle, and it does not disappoint. It’s a small place, but the people who work there truly bring passion and knowledge to the establishment - and I leave having learned something new every time. The bat room is great - being able to see the little bat families sleeping and feeding is such a privilege. Thank you again for such a great experience!

Incredible educational information and easy to understand. Facility bat population decreaaed after Hurricane Nathan in 2017. The living space appears adequate for the smaller population. It does not appear that they are actively receiving injured bats because their baby bats are not surviving due to inbreeding.

Bats were amazing!!! But unfortunately it was closed with no notice when we arrived. Supposed to be open at 10 but when we arrived no one was around. Came back at 12 for the next tour but again no one was there. Eventually we got in and did a self guided tour (which was still great) but sad not to learn more about the animals from a professional.

We went for a walk along Rachel & Dwight Crandell Memorial footpath around 5pm and came across two men from The Bat Jungle setting up nets across the path. We assumed we could duck under the nets and keep going but they really didn't want us around and told us the whole reserve was now closed to the public. Given that they run a bat zoo to attract the paying public I am concerned they are capturing bats. Their web page advertises that you can watch mother bats give birth and nurse babies in front of your eyes. I find this distasteful to lure visitors with this idea that bats that could be born in the wild are born here for your enjoyment. I added photos of the vehicle that belonged to the guys using the nets in the reserve. I honestly don't understand how this is different from a for profit zoo in the guise of research.

Do NOT pay extra for a tour guide for this hike. We loved the fact the hike is almost all shaded. The waterfall is beautiful and we got a decent workout on the way back up. The water is refreshing and very clear. Expected a more environmentally friendly space. We also didn’t see a single animal except for a few fish in the water.

Incredible waterfall well worth the admission ticket. The power and height is really impressive. There are several other smaller cascading waterfalls to see on the way down. It's atleast 500 steps down with a railings. Going down is the easy part. There is a wading area separate of the waterfall to swim and get wet. The no love scenes sign was quite funny.

One of the "must see" spots on your Costa Rica trip! The waterfall is picturesque, well maintained and easy to access. It does require you to descend about 530 steps to the waterfall (and then the same back up). I saw people of all sorts and fitness levels doing it. Just take it easy going back up (enough space to rest without blocking the way). It took me about 10-12 minutes to go down and 20 mins to come back up with stops. Important to carry a rain shell with you. When I started from the first viewpoint and start of the steps, the rain was strong. When I reached the base of the falls it had stopped with intermittent drizzle. So, don't wait for the rain to stop - better to start walking and wait at the falls if you need to. If the water is too strong, they won't let you swim directly at the falls. There is another area by the falls where people can swim. Photos can be taken at the base (on the rocks), from the main viewing deck at the bottom (wait your turn when busy), from the viewpoint at the top, and from a few spots along the path. 24-70 mm lens is good. The area is quite developed. You will find a gift shop, bathrooms, and a restaurant serving okayish to decent food. PS: it was raining heavily when I reached the restaurant but eased off again after 10 mins (you get the picture!). There is WiFi at the restaurant. Dedicated/managed parking on site. You can expect to spend 2-2.5 hours here at a normal pace. Tickets can be bought in person at the entrance. Expect this to be one of the more visited places (more tourists). Normal footwear is okay (that will hold up in wet conditions).

Once in a lifetime experience! This waterfall was beautiful and unforgettable. There were a ton of steps, so be sure to wear grippy shoes and a raincoat/poncho if you prefer. I was fine with getting wet with just a t-shirt, but it did get a bit cold. You can swim in the waterfall and there are more spots around to view scenery and smaller waterfalls.

It's a not very difficult staircase leading to a cool waterfall, and you can swim there which is fun. I got there just after the opening hours so there were only few people. However, there's no walking path alongside the river, only 2 spots to swim basically. Still, worth a visit if you arrive early enough.

La Fortuna Waterfall is a must-see! The facilities are well-maintained, and there are rest stops along the 500 steps down (and back up!). No washrooms at the bottom, but there's potable water to drink or rinse off after a swim. Showers, a souvenir shop, and free parking are available near the entrance. Entrance fee is around $50 USD per person."

Definitely worth seeing! There are around 500 steps down/back to access so prepare for that but waterfall is gorgeous and the swimming area has river trout. We recommend going early in morning

What a beautiful place. We visited day time on a Friday and there was about 15-20 other people there all day so it was extremely peaceful. The pools and facilities were very clean and staff very helpful. We ate at the poolside bar instead of the restaurant which is definitely a cheaper option with a good selection of salads, pastas, burger etc. you also don’t have to get changed into clothes to eat here like you do for the restaurant. Expect to pay around $10-$15 dollars for a meal

Had a wonderful time at the hot springs! We couldn’t book online but when we arrived, the let us inside with no issues. There weren’t many people, we had plenty of room to move between five pools even on a Saturday. Change rooms and lockers were clean all the time. We had access to clean towels the entire time. Staff was very kind and professional. Buffet was Amazing! Definitely recommend it! Lots of food options for entree, main, and desserts.

This hot springs resort in La Fortuna was a great experience overall. If you like relaxed vibes and tranquility, this is the spot. The water is heated by geothermal activity from the Arenal Volcano, where rainwater seeps into the ground and emerges as hot, mineral-rich spring water. The resort itself is clean, well-organized, and limits guest numbers to keep things chill. Towels, lockers, and lounge chairs are included in the entrance fee (food and drinks cost extra). There are 5-6 pools, ranging from super hot (40°C) to a cool, sandy pool. Slots fill up quick, so book ahead! Entrance fee is around $50 USD per person, and parking is free. If you're on a budget, El Choyin River is supposedly free, but be prepared for parking hustlers and crowds (we skipped it).

Ecotermales truly exceeded all expectations for our wedding! From the moment we booked, the staff was incredibly attentive, helping us plan every detail to perfection. The venue itself is stunning, with lush greenery and beautifully maintained grounds that provided a magical backdrop for our reception. Our guests raved about the delicious food and the seamless service. What stood out most was the team's dedication to making our day special; they went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect place to dance the night away. Bonus points for allowing fire dancers! If you're looking for a wedding venue that combines natural beauty with exceptional service, Ecotermales is the ideal choice!

A highlight of our trip - beautiful hot springs, variety of pools and temperatures, peaceful and relaxing. Went at the end of May during rainy season and it wasn't too busy. It did rain twice but this made the experience even more unique being in the hot springs while it rained! The lunch buffet was also delicious. Worth every penny!

Visited Ecotermales for the hot springs evening slot as well as had dinner there! I recommend booking directly through their site as it’s cheaper than any of the travel booking sites. Easy to find via Uber, we chose the 5-9PM slot without any meals included and they have lockers and towels waiting for you as well as a wristband that you can charge drinks and food to so that you can truly disconnect and not have any devices! There’s 9 pools total, and the service is 10/10! Servers come to you and deliver your items, highly recommend to anyone wanting to include hot springs in their La Fortuna trip!

Ecotermales Fortuna was absolutely beautiful, quiet, and incredibly relaxing. The pools were well maintained, each with different temperatures, from a refreshing cool to a muscle soothing hot, making it easy to find the perfect spot to unwind. The staff were all friendly and welcoming, and the server Stephanie at the restaurant, Los Litos, was especially wonderful—so friendly and accommodating. The food was delicious too! I absolutely loved my time here and would return in a heartbeat.

A must visit location in La fortuna, about $72 cad per person to enter but so worth the money. Multiple hot pools at different temperatures and lots of swim up bars. The drinks are priced and an expected price and service is good. The slides are wild, I'm not sure I enjoyed any of them to be honest, fun would be the wrong word, they were very quick and the toilet bowl pool is to shallow and my partner cut his head open hitting the pool. There's lots of fun to be has but be very cautious on the slides.

We weee there in off season and the place was pretty quiet which was wonderful. The grounds are well taken care of and the place is so beautiful. The pools always felt clean and there are so many of them to choose from. The rooms were comfortable and had all we needed. The rooms were clean when we got there and they kept them clean during our stay. The breakfast was delicious, and we had some desserts that were also amazing. Baldi is one of the best places I have stayed, they treat you like VIP the whole time you are there! The food in the upper restaurant was good, but nothing spectacular. It is a buffet style and there was a lot to choose from and had good flavor.

A Jungle Paradise! 🌋 Must-visit in La Fortuna: If you are visiting Costa Rica, Baldi Hot Springs is absolutely worth the money! We spent a fantastic, relaxing afternoon here and it was the highlight of our trip. We visited as part of a tour from the Guanacaste region (about a 2-hour stop) and it was the perfect amount of time to soak and recharge. Why you'll love it: 🌿 Variety: There are massive amounts of pools at different temperatures, so you can find the perfect heat level for you. 🍹 Swim-Up Bars: There are lots of bars right in the water. The service was good and the drink prices were totally expected/reasonable for a resort. 🎢 Fun Factor: We didn't go on the slides, but they looked like a blast if you want an adrenaline rush. Whether you are driving yourself or booking a tour stop like we did, this is a must-do experience in La Fortuna. Highly recommended! 🇨🇷✨

Very nice experience. Stayed with my family and 2 small kids. During the week in October was so nice, not busy and totally relaxing. I have stayed with Tabacon before, but this resort is way more for fun kids and incorporates more bars into pools. They are currently not accepting credit cards, so bring your cash. Located near downtown Arenal, so you can explore there easily and take tours.

Baldi Hot Springs is an incredible experience and a perfect day spa style getaway. We arrived at 9:30 a.m. and stayed until 5 p.m., and the entire day was relaxing and enjoyable. Getting a locker was simple and affordable at $7 and towels required a $10 deposit which you get back when you return the towel. The bathrooms were spotless, and the entire facility was immaculate. There are many different hot springs throughout the property, most of them warm to hot, with a few cold areas. Each pool has its own unique design, and exploring them was part of the fun. The cave hot spring was my favorite. Walking through a warm waterfall inside a cave that opens into a beautiful hot spring pool was an unforgettable experience. The staff was friendly and welcoming. One tip for visitors: Avoid ordering drinks from the premium bar in the back. The drinks there are overpriced and watered down, costing $20 or more. You can get the exact same drink from one of the regular bars for around $12, and those drinks are noticeably better. The luxury bar drinks had very little alcohol and were mostly juice and ice, which made them feel like a waste. We only ordered French fries during our visit. So I cannot speak on the buffet or other food options. We assumed the buffet might be priced similarly to the drinks, so we decided not to eat at the restaurant. Being in the hot springs while it rained was amazing. None of the pools ever felt overly crowded. There are so many options that people spread out naturally, and you can always find a quiet area. The bar near the entrance is the most popular spot. We noticed more visitors arriving around 4 p.m., but earlier in the day it was peaceful, even on a Saturday. There is also a charming jungle trail behind the pools in the back. Where we spotted a toucan, several interesting birds, and farm animals like horses and cows. We did not see monkeys or sloths. The kids area near the helipad looked great, with a water slide, dump bucket, and a comfortable lounge area for parents. Overall, Baldi Hot Springs is a fantastic place to spend the entire day, and absolutely worth the price.

We paid $98 for a day pass for two adults, included parking and ability to leave and come back until 10 pm. There was an ability to upgrade to include a meal. Drinks were a bit overpriced, cocktails ran about $20-25 each. Overall, the multiple different hot springs was cool to see but I don’t think we needed to spend more than a day there. The natural sauna was really cool to hangout around. All the pools have slightly different temperatures, and the swim up bars were covered so we could still hangout while it rained.

Beautiful grounds, clean pools, good breakfast. Short story - stay elsewhere and come for the day to relax..... Watersides are not safe or need more warnings for tall or heavier people! Fast slide can make you go 27 miles per hour. I hurt my shoulder as I couldn't keep the position suggested and almost rolled going around a corner and then came out almost sideways. Medium one was just as bad. PTSD! Same thoughts from a 27 old adrenaline junkie who hurt his lower back doing the fast slide!!!! Room has coffee pot but wouldn't give a coffee packet either morning (said no coffee available) and breakfast doesnt start till 7am. For the room price you would expect so much more. Hotels 1/3 the price had coffee and would bring more if needed...... Shower was sad.... didn't even need to turn on the cold water. Check in process was long as computer system doesnt acknowledge canadian credit cards and had to authorize manually with email confirmations before giving you a room key. Bring your phone with you!!!!! They give you a wrist band but then you have to carry your room key with you to the pools. You have to set up a tab at reception bar and close it off before 930pm.... Can't they attach everything to the wristband????

The online booking process was straightforward and efficient. We had to reschedule our visit due to a road closure caused by an accident, and the team managed the change seamlessly — really accommodating and helpful. In hindsight, I wouldn’t recommend paying extra for a guide. If you take your time and follow the flow of visitors, you’ll still see plenty of wildlife, as groups tend to gather quickly wherever animals are spotted. There’s also an observatory about ten minutes’ drive away that’s well worth a visit. It’s roughly half the price, far less crowded, and we ended up seeing more animals there in a quieter, more natural setting. It does feel a little odd that so many sightings happen right beside the main paths — it makes the experience seem somewhat orchestrated rather than spontaneous. Overall, this is an enjoyable outing that lasts around two hours, but in my view, it’s a little overrated. Great for families with children, but if your time is limited, there are other activities in the area that offer a more authentic connection with nature.

Very beautiful park , it’s just 10 mins off the main highway. The park has ample Parking and easy access to the park . No wait time to purchase the tickets. The staff said it’s 2 hours long walk but we finished the whole loop in an hour and a half. Covering magnificent 6 hanging bridges and about 10 fixed ones . They don’t give any map to follow but tell to take the picture of the map , which was weird considering the tickets aren’t cheap. The tallest hanging bridge was at about 150 ft with the most stunning views of the rainforest, the waterfall and lush greenery. We really enjoyed walking and looking at the amazing trees and flora . It was a rainy day that day but the shaded trees kept us dry most of the time. Very well kept and beautifully maintained. They have a restaurant and washrooms at the entrance of the park .

We went with 4 adults and 7 children from 18 months to 14 years (most under 10). We rented a stroller which made the walk much more convenient with the littlest one. It is somewhat strenuous and the bridges aren't suited for those with significant fear of heights but the flora and fauna were spectacular to see. There was also a playground, cafe, gift shop and nice bathroom facilities. Highly recommend this as a stop! We went mid week around 10am and it wasn't too crowded but I can imagine the weekends and busy season would be less enjoyable.

We had a great time in Mistico. The views were gorgeous. Luckily it was great weather. The hanging bridges were amazing and we had loads of fun. The trail was paved and hiking was quite easy. There was a stunning waterfall. The wildlife, flora and fauna were beautiful. No restrooms in the trail but it was not a very long trail.

What a great tour we had with Naza as our guide. She was very friendly and knowledgeable. She also was very kind to take pictures for us with her telescope and therefore we have some beautiful wildlife pictures and videos. I highly recommend a guided tour. We would not have seen many critters without her expert eyes.

Our guided tour led by Carlos was fantastic. We saw far more than we would have had we walked alone. Our experience from the entrance through to exit was incredible. Some benefits of visiting included learning more about the ecology of Costa Rica, views of the beautiful countryside, up close examination of the fauna and challenging but fun walks across the bridges. Thank you so much!

Highly recommend. We had a 9am tour booked and missed our time (after WAZE took us on an off road route that ended at a dead end) but Mistico let us go at a later time without any issue. Because we booked a guided tour, we were able to see a lot more wildlife and learn about them as we went. We saw two sloths, toucans, pit vipers, and more.