A reality like few others. To admire, support, and share with everyone. I’m always a little unsure of sanctuaries, I never understand if they are actually made for the animal’s sake or more for the money they attract. BUT, this is definitely not the case. We could say is more like an hospice, an hospital for wild animals, were the weakest have the chance to survive in a safe environment. Their work is really touching and necessary, being pretty much the only one in the country operating all round. We arrived at the Reserva at 15.30, and it normally closes at 16, but they let us stay inside a little longer and this was super nice, as we travelled from far to visit it. We also saw some wild monkeys around the place. This place and the people that work here deserve all the support—both financial and through word of mouth. To tell their story, to tell the story of the animals they save, and to ensure that this project, active for 25 years, will never come to an end. You guys are heroes! Thank you for doing what you do. (And thank you Fernando for telling us all this and introducing the animals to us.)

We really enjoyed viewing the rescued animals and learning from the staff. They have a big job with the number of animals that are brought to them. The animals that cannot be returned to the wild are well cared for and provide a great viewing opportunity. We saw pumas, a jaguar, spider and white face monkeys, parrots, macaw, toucan, deer, turtles, and more. It also felt good knowing that our tickets help support their future rescue and educational activities.

Great stop on our way from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa. Saw many animals … all well taken care off. Everything is done to try to release them again in nature is they are able to…. Really worth a visit! Saw all the big cats too!

Beautiful, ethical sanctuary focused on rehabilitation. The workers are wonderful with so much knowledge, love and respect for Costa Rican wildlife. Amazing experience. Highly recommend.

We also stopped here to break up our drive from La Fortuna to Samara. It had friendly staff and tons of animals that had been rescued from all kinds of sad situations. They're doing something great helping all these animals and the admission was only $15 USD.

This was a fun stop during our roadtrip. The park consists mostly of rescued animals who can not be rehabilitated into the wild. Every animal had their own sign with their story. The park itself is not too large, a visit takes about an hour. It is not too busy and you can see most animals well. Some cages could use some extra plants but it seems the animals are well taken care of.

Very friendly and helpful staff! We walked around the rescue center by ourselves and it was easy to find everything. The informational plaques in front of each enclosure were a nice touch. Definitely recommend, especially as a fun little pit stop on a long drive!

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.

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????

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.

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

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.

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 🦥 💜

My wife and I signed up for the tour plus feeding the animals lunch. Carlos explained why the animals need help and how much work goes into releasing them in the wild. It was one of the most rewarding experiences in all of Costa Rica. Definitely recommend. I can’t stop thinking about it.

We had the absolute sweetest tour guide, Erin, I think. You could really feel that she was passionate about all the insects and she could answer all of our questions. It made the experience so much better. The butterflies in themselves were also beautiful and we loved learning about them. Highly recommended taking a trip here.

One of my fave activities in Monteverde! The volunteer staff are very knowledgeable and passionate about entomology and everything butterflies! The tour starts with an interesting info section on a variety of native insects, then you are lead through 4 butterfly enclosures. With your ticket, you can continue to wander around the enclosures after the guided tour at your leisure, and also return later the same day if desired :)

Great experience, my daughter loved it and was so thankful we did it. Staff was super friendly, knowledgeable, and answered any and all questions. Beautiful place with lots to see. Our guide was in no rush and we spent more than the alotted hour. Once you pay, you can also go back after the tour to see anything you may have missed!

We had a lovely morning learning all sorts of stuff and seeing all the pretty butterflies. Kennedy was very knowledgeable and walked at a nice pace. I have a previous back injury and wasn’t sure how much I could do but was able to do the whole tour.

One of the nicest experiences we had while visiting Monteverde- Lia and Elise were a joy to listen to and their energy and enthusiasm were contagious! Lots of love!

Very educational and loved the opportunity to see the butterflies up close. As a little bonus you also get to see some tarantulas and other bugs.

MBG is a wonderful garden filled with amazing butterflies (among other forest creatures!) and plenty of additional insects and arachnids. Tour guides are kind and knowledgeable, and animal health and safety is clearly a priority. There are several outdoor butterfly gardens to walk through as well as an indoor nature center with various invertebrates. Take the tour included with the price of admission to learn all about these amazing animals!

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.

The lady at the front desk was super knowledgeable and was very passionate about her work and what they do to help the bats. We visited in off peak time (2pm, in between feedings), and there was no wait at all. $15 to tour during feeding time with a tour guide. $7.50 for a self guided tour. The bats were adorable, and we had a blast here. A hidden gem!!

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.

Loved this place. You can walk in and see 50 or so bats of different species flying around and eating. There's also informational exhibits that are very interesting. This organization is doing very important work for bats and entire ecosystems. Drop by and support them if you can.

Easy to walk in and takes about 20-30 mins to get your fill of all the bats. You get to see them quite up close and they’re doing their thing! Informative friendly guide can answer a lot of questions and they have lots of informational bilingual posters for education. All of the bats inside were fruit bats and are rescues. Cute short stop if you have extra time in Monteverde.

We took the guided tour to the cave which was well worth it. We loved the solitude and the amazing view. You'll need a 4WD to drive up the very rough and steep road to the trail or it's a long hot walk.

The caving trip was actually pretty short, and not too deep/far underground but it's still got some great rock formations and is very pretty! Great experience if you're not sure how you'll feel about spelunking in general. Guides were super friendly and were able to accommodate multiple languages for the group that went together. The viewpoint is a must see! Cute little gazebo and fantastic vista

Pretty cool experience, it was a really nice hike all the way up to the entrance of the cavern. The guide took us to an amazing view point and shared a lot of interesting facts during the hike. I'd recommend to visit this place on a 4x4 or at least an SUV, a sedan might not go all the way up to the parking lot where the hiking starts, this means you'll have to walk from the entrance of the national park all the way up where the guided tour starts and this will take time (35-45 minutes maybe) Once inside the national park, the whole trip took us about 4-5 hours, driving up hill to the parking lot, hiking, resting at the view point, going in and out the cavern, walking back to the car. If you wanna go inside the cavern, you must pay the guided tour which was about $30 p/p. The schedule for going down the cavern is 8am-1pm, if im not wrong you must arrive to the entrance of the cavern before 1pm (double check by calling to the national park).

Very rustic cave experience. Not for non adventurous. Have to climb down a very long ladder to get to cave. The cave is great to see but extremely slippery and dangerous. Need to where good treaded shoes. We loved it because of the novelty, Our friends hated it. Go with a sense of adventure. The climb up the ladder to get out is strenuous.

July 2024: nice people, good guide, spent 5 hours in the park. For a family of three with the caverns visit, we paid a total of 160 USD. The most exciting part of the caverns is the descent by the first ladder. The stalagmites themselves are interesting only if you've never seen any before. Not to miss: the lookout/ mirador gives you a breathtaking sight of the surroundings. A fine ending of your visit: the waterfall very close to the entrance.

Fantastic experience! Don’t hike in Feb if you can as it was 96°F and a 1-hour home to the cave. Super humid! Cave was super cool. You climb down a ~55ft ladder w a safety rope to get in - definitely the coolest part of the cave. Tour was in Spanish but we spoke enough and understood 90% of the tour. Plan for extra time. We were an hour late waiting to get out of the cave as it’s one in one out.

Outstanding place of beauty. Highly efficient Covid 19 measures at the entrance. Option to visit the caves or walk to the viewing point. The caves are open even though it is the rainy season. I opted for the walking circuit 2km from the entrance and should only be attempted in a 4x4 as very steep and muddy (it had rained two days previously). Plenty to see on this route capuchin and howler monkeys, agouti, iguanas and woodpeckers. The view from the lookout is incredible and worth the walk. A few mosquitos and flies but nothing repellent won't sort out. Finally plenty of butterfly's throughout.

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!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 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.

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.

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.

I did the basic tour and is great. Francisco, our guide, explain us everything with patience and clarity. The gift shop was a little overpriced but the whole experience is worthy. The people from Costa Rica is super nice. The tour was not expensive at all and covers all the pieces from planting the seeds to the roast, and of course the tasting.

This is a wonderful tour. Very informative and interesting. The grounds are impeccably kept and easy to walk around. The coffee is very good. Opportunity to taste each one. Gives a whole new prospective on the cup of coffee I drink everyday.

A friend recommended that we stop by this plantation and we are so glad we had time for the tour. We started and finished with samples of tasty coffee and chocolates. The tour included a balance of farming practices and coffee processing; starting with seedlings, moving through adult plants, and finishing with the processing of coffee beans. The grounds are beautiful and the butterfly garden is a bonus. This is about a 30 minute drive from the SJO area and it is well worth the trip (even if you were not going to do the tour and opted for coffee tasting in the shop).

Doka is one of the easiest coffee farms to visit near Poás, and the tour is very practical. They show every step of the process in the old, still-working mill, from the cherries to the drying patios. The guides know a lot about Costa Rican coffee varieties like Caturra and Catuai, and you can taste several roasts at the end. The place is simple, authentic, and very well organized. If you’re into this kind of experience, our channel is called Spotlight To Me.

Chose this due to it being a local independent grower, rather than it's huge international neighbour named after a Moby Dick character! Only booked day before and was a smooth booking process. Interesting drive to get to it with lots of winding roads and swirling fog. Once we got there, I really enjoyed this tour. Really informative and lovely place. Guide was knowledgeable and despite it being a wet day, everything was good. Told us about the history of the place, the processes and the distribution, everything from planting out to selling the finished coffee. He even told us about the other indigenous plants and the wildlife (and the not so wild plantation cat, aka pest control! ) All the signs were in English and Spanish. End of the tour has coffee and chocolates to taste before you buy. No pressure sales, but the coffee wasn't priced up, which was the only negative. Lots of signs for offers (buy X get x free but no idea of the cost). Would definitely recommend.

Went here on a whim and it was a fantastic choice. The price was amazing for a guided tour that was almost two hours long. Our guide took us through all of the coffee growing and processing steps and answered all of our questions with ease. The gift shop was great with coffee and chocolate samples available to try before and after the tour. There was a nice restaurant that we didn't try but it looked like it would have been good. I liked the washrooms here too, nice and clean!

We had a great experience on the Doka coffee tour, even with just the two of us—it felt like a private tour in the best way. Our guide, Jonathan, was fantastic: knowledgeable, engaging, and even sprinkled in some German, which made it feel extra personal. Despite the rain, the tour was still a highlight of our trip. We loved getting to taste the coffee, and the hands-on elements—like holding actual beans and seeing the equipment up close—really brought the process to life. Lunch was a nice bonus and rounded out the visit perfectly. Highly recommend if you’re a coffee lover or just curious about how much work goes into your morning cup!

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!

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.

Our third trip to Caru so we knew it was rustic. We had a great time in the cabins because you are right there for animal encounters. A few ideas for them would be new fans, bedding, a broom to sweep the floors, one hour per day dedicated to picking up plastic from the beach and a bilingual host. It’s not a zoo but the animals are there. Keep your food protected and leave nothing but footprints.

Absolutely shat ourselves crossing the bridges. Didn’t know wooden bridges could move so much or feel so fragile and not collapse! The trail map is a little hard to find - we should have taken a photo of it, and gave up as we had no idea how far round we’d gotten. The wildlife and beach are fantastic. We loved seeing the crabs in the forest and the monkeys. Would go again, but would love to see some of the broad walks given a little care and maintenance.

It's bad. Thankfully there are a couple of trails that are closed. As bad as the open ones are I can't imagine what the others look like. Handrails are typically rotten if they still exist, but most of them are just gone. Despite instructions to stay on the trail the trail is impassable from flowering water and mud at many points where you have to walk over the broken handrails to walk through the forest. The bridges are all bad, but the first wooden one cracked as I walked it and I made my wife walk separately for safety. Signs are non-existent or confusing with several forks lacking any guidance. When we finally found out way to the main road we skipped everything else so that we wouldn't get lost again. Perhaps because I took photos of how bad the trail is they did refund our money. The ticket person was very nice but others who ran one of the tour businesses were not. Maybe he didn't appreciate being told that $24 per person for a guided walk was too much. We were lucky that we anchored our own boat in the bay, but I would feel terrible if you took an expensive ferry to ensure this so called attraction.

Plenty of animals and plants to see: Monkeys, macaos, dears, wild porcs, coatis, ignanas, basilics. A beautiful beach and some senderos (not in great shape though…) to walk

Great experience! This national park is a less touristy place, which means you can see many animals. We rented a „cabina“ through the national park’s website to stay overnight. The cabina is very simple, with a dining area and two sleeping rooms. Unfortunately, we were the only guests staying overnight, even though there were six cabinas in total. There is also a dining area, so we booked lunch and dinner. The salad and burger were okay, but the nachos and breakfast menu were great! Even near the main paths and next to the reception, we saw white-faced monkeys, raccoons, and coatis. In the forest, we encountered howler monkeys (a crazy experience!), an animal similar to a capybara, many deer, and a variety of birds. The park offers extra tours, including guided walks, snorkeling, and a bioluminescence night snorkeling tour. We chose the bioluminescence tour, and it was an amazing experience! We had no idea such a thing existed. Tiny plankton in the water light up when disturbed, creating small glowing effects when you move your hands or any part of your body in the water. We were seven people on the tour, and we all jumped in. The guide and captain were very kind and helpful (even holding you in the water from behind so you can put on your snorkeling gear if you haven’t done it before jumping in :D). In the morning, we took the longest trail, Quesera, leading to the beach. To go there, you need to get a (free) ticket from the reception. It’s best to do this the evening before, as the reception only opens at 8 AM. At first, we were a bit nervous about walking alone, but we quickly got used to the different sounds and enjoyed spotting animals along the way. All in all, we are more than happy that we stayed overnight! The cabina is very simple, but it is located directly on the beach, so you have your own private access for swimming and watching the sunrise

Unexpectedly, this refuge appeared to be the best place to observe wildlife in Costa Rica during my visit. Large number of capuchin monkeys and coatis roam woods off the main trail. We saw agouti next to large coatis family and crocodile on the bank of the creek, also a few birds native to the country. The beach is very nice swimming one (no large waves). Definitely recommend to visit, one of a kind experience.

Very nice park. Stayed one night in cabina #1. Private beach, very quite. In the morning we did the mirador en 2 hikes. Many animals to see. Dinner and breakfast good. Many option for tours (but which we didn't do). Friendly personal.

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!

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!

Fascinating set of mini-museums including a currency museum (numismatic museum), temporary art installations and a beautiful collection of pre-Colombian gold artifacts. If you are visiting the national museum of Costa Rica or the Jade museum this one is just a short walk away. You could do all 3 in an afternoon. Worth a visit!

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.

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

Interesting tour and a cafe with style. Loved it

This is an absolute gem in the heart of San José, and a place not to be missed when you are in town. They have tours on the hour but you need to check when the tours are done in English and when in Spanish. As you enter the main auditorium, you can't stop but to admire the beauty and majesty of the building, which dates back to over 100 years ago. The guides are efficient in their explanation of the history, design, and important events in the theatre. You will also learn about the restoration process going on at the theatre. Overall, it was a great informative tour. The only suggestion is that we could spend more time in the upper hall where the restoration was going on.

Very cool museum that covers a lot of Costa Rican history and culture pre Columbus as well as having some more contemporary art installations. Was able to fully explore it in about 2 hours with reading most (75%) of the information plaques.

the museum was very nice, the people at the front were a little bit rude to us because we came an hour before they closed, but we were able to get the tickets and get a student discount and the museum was very nice and had a lot of interesting things to see! the entire experience took about an hour but can take more if you want to see more in detail

Fantastic place where and simple terms you can learn about pre Columbian history of Costa Rica. Great source of information and fun for kids. Temporary exhibits are worth visiting too.

Unfortunately more a storage then a good museum with detail explanations. Missing details like dates, origins etc. They show a lot of the stuff, but no further information. No context, what is surprising even in the digital touchscreen database PC.

3-4 floors of content. Very modern interior with interactive screens. Really well laid out in a visually engaging setting and soft lighting. A strong array of artefacts, including of jade as well as of other materials. The museum did well at explaining the day-to-day lives of pre-Columbian peoples.

Super interesting museum, wish I'd come earlier in the day to allow more time for looking at all the exhibits! There are 3 different floors with different themes and they are all quite dense with objects and info so worth taking your time (ticket office said approx. 1.5 hours for the whole museum but I would say maybe 2-3 if you want to read stuff). Student ticket way cheaper than normal visitor price, thank goodness, but even the visitor price is reasonable for the quality imo.

Beautiful museum with an impressive collection of pre-Columbian jade jewelry and ceremonial pieces, sculptures, pottery, and other artifacts; all of which are layed out in thoughtfully designed exhibits. We loved it, i only wish we'd gone a little esrly so we could spend more time! Still entirely worth it.

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.

Nice beach for learning surfing and also just to chill

Playa Hermosa is a surfer's dream come true! The waves here are consistently excellent, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience for all levels. The beach's vast expanse provides plenty of space to catch waves without feeling crowded. Beyond the surf, the beach's natural beauty and serene atmosphere make it an ideal spot for relaxation after a thrilling day in the water. The sunset is breathtaking! A word of advice: don't put your gear too close to the water, as the water tends to rise on the beach in the afternoon. Whether you're here to improve your surfing skills or just to enjoy the waves, Playa Hermosa won't disappoint!

Gorgeous beach, great for surfing or surf lessons. Unfortunately me and my friends swam here a year ago and almost downed to death in a Riptide. Scariest worst moment of my life please be careful!!!!

Beautiful big white sand beach. Saw some surfers, swimmers, and boogie boarders having a good time.

A very beautiful sandy beach with many small improvised huts along the shore for shade. However, be cautious as some of them get flooded during high tide. Great for both beginner and advanced surfers, with free parking available at the beach. There's a surf shop at the crossroads about 5 minutes away from the beach. We even saw a turtle laying eggs. Ideal for watching sunsets.

Most beautiful beach in Santa Teresa, with amazing surf conditions for all types of levels. Be there at sunset if you want to see magic, and don't forget to pick up some micro-plastic if you see it !

Such an amazing beach. Definitely worth making it out here and going away from the busy beaches in town. There is a great cafe and surf shop by the entrance too. Not super busy and even a good lil parking area. My favorite beach in the area.

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!!!

Amazing park!! We saw white faced monkeys, tons of macaws, poisonous frogs, a bat, a tarantula, eyelash viper, parrots and other tropical birds, etc. etc. Hiiiighly recommend hiring a guide when you get to the park (cash only, we paid $35 pp) - we wouldn't have seen/noticed anything but maybe the macaws & frogs without the help of our amazing guide Andre! And they will get up close shots with their scopes for some incredible photos.

We came as soon as they opened but unfortunately didn't stay more than 40min because we forgot to bring our bug spray. It's a must for this park we were immediately surrounded by hundreds of bugs. They don't sell any at the park so make sure you bring your own. We bought our tickets online for 10$. There were guides at the entrance of the park which would be smart to get one they are able to spot the animals and insects a lot easier than most people. I believe they charge 25$ per person for around 3 hours. We'll be back prepared for the next hike

Get your ticket online. The entrance was no line at 10am. The trail was reasy to follow. It started raining during my walk. The frogs and snakes started moving. It was really dark in the dense parts so prepare for that. There was biting horse flies but the are easily neutralized. Mosquitoes weren't an issue for me even with my shirt off during the heavy rain. Overall great trail ill have to return to experience it on a sunny day. I walked up to the croc bridge. Its 2 kilometers and felt a bit far esp with 18 wheelers flying by. I'd recommend a taxi for most. But its a neat spot with food and crocs and macaws flying around. Check it out for sure.

Carara National Park is a hidden gem for nature lovers! The biodiversity here is incredible—you can see everything from scarlet macaws to monkeys, butterflies, and so much more. We opted to explore the park with a local guide, and it made all the difference. Without their keen eye and deep knowledge, we would have missed so much of the wildlife that was camouflaged or high up in the trees. The trails are well-maintained, and the experience felt peaceful and immersive. Highly recommend hiring a guide—you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the park and its amazing ecosystem.

We really enjoyed walking through this park! I would recommend stopping by. It'll take a couple of hours to go through and look at all of the vegetation and inhabitants.

Visited on a sunday in early August 2025. Complicated system of ticket purchase must be changed to make it more easy, especially for some not-so computer savy types like me! So we spent about 15 mins trying to get on-line to purchase the tickets and that was no nice. But everything else is nice in this park! Walk slowly, search out the mixted bird flocks - find the antbirds! If you find birds you will be really really be getting your birding fix, we got Bicolored Antbird as well! I would recommend a guide to anyone not in full knowledge of the difficulties of finding wildlife in such a dense, dark place. Otherwise, selfies and jungle photos easy!

Very nice well marked trails to hike on, saw many different types of birds, insects, (leaf cutters ants careful where you step) and we saw a type of wild pig moving around in a group of 6 or so, a very enjoyable hike with some monkeys coming down to get a look at us

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.

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.

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.

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.