DIY Costa Rica is a best of Costa Rica content portfolio documenting firsthand travel experiences, tips, photos, and recommendations for do-it-yourself Costa Rica travelers. Written by Nikki Solano—author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) published by Moon Travel Guides; CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts); operator of the Costa Rica Travel Blog; and creator of the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course.
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Wondering where you should go in Costa Rica? Our Costa Rica Destination Tool narrows down 66 Costa Rica destinations according to nearly 150 criteria in less than 1 minute. Try it now!
Or, check out some of the other cool things you can do on DIY Costa Rica:
View our DIY Costa Rica General Recommendations below
(scroll to the bottom of the page for our DIY Costa Rica Destination Recommendations)
Best Adventure Tour
Offering the most thrilling and adrenaline-packed bang for your buck. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Adventure Tour
Best Hot Springs
You’re bound to overpay for something during your vacation. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Hot Springs
Best Zip-Line Tour
Because we’ve participated in too many to not have a preference. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Zip-Line Tour
Best River For White Water Rafting
Our greatest love, after each other. Find out what.… Continue reading Best River For White Water Rafting
Most Convenient Waterfall To Visit
Stunning beauty that’s simple to see. Find out what and where.… Continue reading Most Convenient Waterfall To Visit
Coolest Animal To See Up Close
Cute, but not at all cuddly. Find out what.… Continue reading Coolest Animal To See Up Close
Best Soda Restaurant (Caribbean)
With an owner as sweet as her Caribbean sauce. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Soda Restaurant (Caribbean)
Best Volcano To Visit
Considering convenience and location, this one is preferred. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Volcano To Visit
Best Safari Float
White-water rafting’s reserved, timid, and less-adventurous sibling. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Safari Float
Best Soda Restaurant (Inland)
You can count on this place to serve good, homemade, Costa Rican food. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Soda Restaurant (Inland)
Best View Of The Sunset
This spot is one of our best-kept secrets. Oops, until now. Find out which.… Continue reading Best View Of The Sunset
Best Place To See Capuchin Monkeys
Other than in Friends, Ace Ventura, Outbreak, and George of the Jungle, of course. Find out where.… Continue reading Best Place To See Capuchin Monkeys
Best Adventure Tour Operator
You say jump. They say how high. Then they throw themselves over rock faces and rappel down waterfalls. Find out who.… Continue reading Best Adventure Tour Operator
Best Accessible Tour
Ideal for the mobility- or visually-impaired. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Accessible Tour
Best Hummingbird Garden
100% awesome, 100% free. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Hummingbird Garden
Best Novelty Restaurant
Novelty can be overrated. In this case, it just works. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Novelty Restaurant
Best Place To Scuba Dive
Costa Rica’s “Big Blue” (but with tanks). Find out where.… Continue reading Best Place To Scuba Dive
Best Place To See Scarlet Macaws
See the bird that Barbie couldn’t resist creating a doll after. Find out where.… Continue reading Best Place To See Scarlet Macaws
Best Night Tour
This tour kicks off with a spectacular sunset view. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Night Tour
Best Place To See Toucans
Beyond the Fruit Loops box. Find out where.… Continue reading Best Place To See Toucans
Best Mud Bath
At this place, getting down and dirty is encouraged. Find out where.… Continue reading Best Mud Bath
Best Place To Hear Howler Monkeys
Are you a carpe diem person? If so, make the most of this unique travel moment. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Place To Hear Howler Monkeys
Raddest Beachfront Restaurant
Dine here to chill with surfers and a pair of adorable sisters. Find out where.… Continue reading Raddest Beachfront Restaurant
Best Place To See Caimans
This spot is ideal for senior travelers and children. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Place To See Caimans
Best View Of The Guanacaste Plains
This spot resembles an African savanna. Find out which.… Continue reading Best View Of The Guanacaste Plains
Best View Overlooking The Pacific
Take in a stunning ocean view while you dine. Find out where.… Continue reading Best View Overlooking The Pacific
Best Zip-Line Cable
This zip-line cable builds in intensity and ends with a metaphorical bang. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Zip-Line Cable
Best Aerial Tram
The best of its kind in Costa Rica. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Aerial Tram
Best Late-Night Restaurant
Late-night cravings? Problem solved. Find out where.… Continue reading Best Late-Night Restaurant
Best View Of The Arenal Volcano
With so many viewpoints to choose from, this one came out on top. Find out which.… Continue reading Best View Of The Arenal Volcano
Best Place To See Crocodiles
No organized tour, money, or chunk of itinerary time required. Find out where. … Continue reading Best Place To See Crocodiles
Best Coastal Tour
This tour gave us a new perspective: seeing the world from the outside looking in. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Coastal Tour
Best Place To See Coatis
Watch out for these adorable, living roadblocks here. Find out where.… Continue reading Best Place To See Coatis
Best View Of The Sunrise
This spot is shockingly quiet for a top tourist destination. Find out which.… Continue reading Best View Of The Sunrise
Best View Of The Central Valley
This spot depicts Costa Rica’s chaotic capital city as rather calming. Find out which.… Continue reading Best View Of The Central Valley
Best View Overlooking Arenal Lake
This viewpoint’s name says it all. Find out which.… Continue reading Best View Overlooking Arenal Lake
Best Extreme Hike
Because if you wanted a sleep vacation, you would’ve stayed at home in bed. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Extreme Hike
Best Intermediate Hike
This hike builds like a crescendo and it’s music to our ears. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Intermediate Hike
Best View Of The Continental Divide
This spot stirs up emotions for us like no other in the country. Find out where and why.… Continue reading Best View Of The Continental Divide
Best View Of Volcano Lava Rocks
You’ll want to say you saw these during your vacation. Find out which.… Continue reading Best View Of Volcano Lava Rocks
Best Surf Town
This surf city would have been loved by Jan and Dean. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Surf Town
Best Coffee
You simply cannot leave Costa Rica without enjoying a cup of this. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Coffee
Most Likely Fruit To Give You Montezuma’s Revenge
Beware of this or you’ll end up frequenting the bathroom more than the beach. Find out what.… Continue reading Most Likely Fruit To Give You Montezuma’s Revenge
Best Butterfly Garden
Get free access if you stay at the hotel across the street. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Butterfly Garden
Best Shallow Beach
Waves crash and glide across the sand for miles here. Find out where.… Continue reading Best Shallow Beach
Best Beach Hostel
It combines inner peace and outward socialization. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Beach Hostel
Best Museum
Super interesting and entertaining, as far as museums go. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Museum
Best Art Gallery
My heart smiles here. Find out where and why.… Continue reading Best Art Gallery
Most Breathtaking Architecture
We worship the architecture on display here. Find out where.… Continue reading Most Breathtaking Architecture
Best Vacation Rental Property
This vacation property is our home away from home. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Vacation Rental Property
Best Ancient Ruins
There’s something calming yet unnerving about this place. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Ancient Ruins
Best Historical Site
For those who may rest their body but not their mind while on vacation. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Historical Site
Best Airport
Commercially and geographically, it’s the best to fly to. Find out which and why.… Continue reading Best Airport
Best Souvenir Purchase
As if vacations aren’t expensive enough, we think you should buy this. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Souvenir Purchase
Best Fruit Smoothie
Regardless of whether daily loves you or hates you. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Fruit Smoothie
Best Place For White Sand
Assuming you’re one to care for it. Find out where.… Continue reading Best Place For White Sand
Best Street Vendor Purchase
There’s nothing more refreshing than this on a hot travel day. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Street Vendor Purchase
Best Theater
Prestige without pompousness. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Theater
Best Breakfast Menu Item (Non-Traditional)
A combination good enough for Jack Johnson to sing about. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Breakfast Menu Item (Non-Traditional)
Best Woodshop
This shop offers what most souvenir stores don’t. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Woodshop
Most Stressful Encounter During A Road Trip
Learn from our mistakes. Find out which.… Continue reading Most Stressful Encounter During A Road Trip
Most Underrated Hotel Amenities
Simple pleasures equal trip treasures. Our favorite is underrated. Find out which.… Continue reading Most Underrated Hotel Amenities
Best Item To Rent For A Day
With this, adventure doesn’t need to be expensive. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Item To Rent For A Day
Best Shortcut
Time is money. Make the best use of both. Find out how.… Continue reading Best Shortcut
Most Stunning Product Of A Chemical Reaction
Cool enough for Bill Nye The Science Guy. Find out what.… Continue reading Most Stunning Product Of A Chemical Reaction
Best Breakfast Menu Item (Traditional)
You’ll eat it over and over again. We’re not kidding. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Breakfast Menu Item (Traditional)
Best Place For Black Sand
We bet we fooled you with this pick. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Place For Black Sand
Best Luxury Hotel Bathroom
Because bathrooms deserve attention too. Especially this one. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Luxury Hotel Bathroom
Coolest Tree
Don’t walk past Mother Nature’s best, marvel at it. Find out what.… Continue reading Coolest Tree
Best Yoga Pose
According to where you plan to visit. Find out which. Namaste.… Continue reading Best Yoga Pose
Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack
Sunscreen, check! Hiking shoes, check! Don’t forget this item, too. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack
Best In-Pool Hot Springs Feature
For the utterly lazy and supremely spoiled. Find out what.… Continue reading Best In-Pool Hot Springs Feature
Best Poolside Cabañas
If you need a reason to never go home, these are it. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Poolside Cabañas
Best Way To Avoid A Parking Ticket
Practicing due diligence. Find out how.… Continue reading Best Way To Avoid A Parking Ticket
Best View Overlooking The Town Of La Fortuna
This spot offers a view of the San Carlos region from above. Find out which.… Continue reading Best View Overlooking The Town Of La Fortuna
Best View Overlooking The Caribbean Coast
This spot is worth the climb. Find out which.… Continue reading Best View Overlooking The Caribbean Coast
Most Common Dining Expression
Eat, drink, and enjoy. But first, enunciate. Find out what.… Continue reading Most Common Dining Expression
Best Nature Tour Operator
Our unofficial tagline for this company is “Girls rule and boys drool.” Find out which and why.… Continue reading Best Nature Tour Operator
Best Place To Feed Pigeons
So you can be like the Central Park bird lady in Home Alone 2. Find out where.… Continue reading Best Place To Feed Pigeons
Best Post-Meal Treat
You don’t even need to order it to try it (sometimes). Find out what.… Continue reading Best Post-Meal Treat
Weirdest Drink To Order
Would you believe us if we said it’s good for you? Find out what.… Continue reading Weirdest Drink To Order
Best French Fry Doppelganger
We bet you can’t eat just one of these non-potato chips. Find out what.… Continue reading Best French Fry Doppelganger
Must-Try Fruit (Cooked)
Eat it in pieces or drink it as beer. Find out what.… Continue reading Must-Try Fruit (Cooked)
Must-Try Fruit (Raw)
This one’s a (fruit salad) toss-up. Find out which.… Continue reading Must-Try Fruit (Raw)
Best Swimming Lagoon
This spot, rich in emerald green, is enough to make Dorothy jealous. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Swimming Lagoon
Best Use Of An Extra Two Dollars In Your Pocket
You’re about to make someone very happy! Find out who and how.… Continue reading Best Use Of An Extra Two Dollars In Your Pocket
Most Addictive Local Pastime
This is a Tico’s guilty pleasure. Find out what.… Continue reading Most Addictive Local Pastime
Best Slogan To Recite
You don’t need to know Spanish to say this. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Slogan To Recite
Best Site For A Titanic “I’m The King Of The World” Moment
Because in 1997 we were all on board with Leo’s optimism. Relive that moment; find out where.… Continue reading Best Site For A Titanic “I’m The King Of The World” Moment
Best Opportunity To Take A Selfie
Kardashian-style photography at its best. Find out which.… Continue reading Best Opportunity To Take A Selfie
Best Romantic Gesture
Go on, make Madonna proud. Express yourself. Find out how.… Continue reading Best Romantic Gesture
Best Donation Item To Bring From Home
Travel philanthropy at its best. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Donation Item To Bring From Home
Best Way To Get Into The Costa Rican Spirit
You might as well call yourself a Tico (Costa Rican) if you do this. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Way To Get Into The Costa Rican Spirit
Most Important Reason For Keeping Colones On Hand
Sometimes a little change can make a big difference. Find out how.… Continue reading Most Important Reason For Keeping Colones On Hand
Most Likely Beach Companion
Their presence is greater at a particular time of day. Find out what and when.… Continue reading Most Likely Beach Companion
Best Hanging Bridge
We’re pretty sure Led Zeppelin had a hand in creating this. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Hanging Bridge
Best Holiday Celebration
One of few times we recommend roaming around after dark. Find out when and why.… Continue reading Best Holiday Celebration
Best Semana Santa (Easter Week) Tradition
Our mother/mother-in-law would be proud to know we included this. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Semana Santa (Easter Week) Tradition
Most Dangerous Roadway Bridge Crossing
In life, there are bridges we must cross. For years, this one in Costa Rica was questionable. Find out which.… Continue reading Most Dangerous Roadway Bridge Crossing
Best Navidad (Christmas) Tradition
Is it December 25th yet? We cannot wait to eat these. Find out what.… Continue reading Best Navidad (Christmas) Tradition
Most Erroneous Costa Rica Travel Myth
Truth or dare? We pick truth. It’s time to dispel this popular myth. Find out which.… Continue reading Most Erroneous Costa Rica Travel Myth
Use our Costa Rica Destination Tool to find out which of the following places we believe you should visit according to your unique preferences, wants, and needs:
