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Costa Rica's Pacific, Costa Rica

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Costa Rica's Pacific

Howler monkeys at breakfast, surf after lunch.

🏔️ Wild & remote🌿 Reset & restore☀️ Sun & slow
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Photo: Rodtico21 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Executive Summary: Costa Rica's Pacific (Costa Rica) is at its prime during Dec–Apr. Characterized by wild & remote, reset & restore, sun & slow, it ranks #54 on the Luxe score and is best suited for with the kids and the two of us and just me planning a about a week or two weeks or more journey.

The feeling

Rainforest meets the Pacific, with eco-lodges and yoga retreats along the coast. The dry season runs from December to April.

The scorecard #54 of 63

3.4Luxe score out of 5 · #54 of 63
🍜 FoodGood, varied food
🏞️ SceneryBeautiful landscapes or cityscapes
🛎️ Luxury staysGood choice of luxury hotels
🛡️ SafetyGenerally safe with normal precautions
🧭 Easy to visitEasy: good transport and visitor services
💞 RomanceVery romantic
🍸 NightlifeQuiet evenings, a few bars
🧸 Family–Not scored: the model wasn't sure
💸 Cost$$$$Expensive
👥 CrowdsBusy in peak season

Scored across structured editorial rubrics from our notes on Costa Rica's Pacific. How we score →

When to go

At its best Still lovely Off season

Best for
🧸 With the kids · 💞 The two of us · 🎒 Just me
Give it
About a week or Two weeks or more
Right now
Off season in October; aim for Dec–Apr.

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✺ Your Luxentravel trip

Three days on Costa Rica's Pacific

Three days where the rainforest meets the Pacific, with howler monkeys at breakfast, sloths in the canopy, surf in the afternoon and yoga as the sun goes down.

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  1. Day 1

    Manuel Antonio's rainforest

    Morning

    Walk Manuel Antonio National Park early with a naturalist guide, spotting sloths, capuchin monkeys and toucans.

    Afternoon

    Swim on one of the beaches inside the park, then take a surf lesson at Playa Espadilla.

    Evening

    Watch the sunset from a hilltop lodge, then a dinner of fresh fish and tropical fruit.

  2. Day 2

    Waterfalls and a whale's tail

    Morning

    Drive south along the coast toward Dominical and hike or ride in to the Nauyaca waterfalls, with a swim in the pools below.

    Afternoon

    Continue to Uvita and walk the whale's tail sandbar at Marino Ballena National Park at low tide, watching for humpbacks in season.

    Evening

    Return north along the coast for dinner as the jungle comes alive.

  3. Day 3

    Slow jungle day

    Morning

    Join a sunrise yoga class, then breakfast on your terrace with howler monkeys calling.

    Afternoon

    Kayak through the mangroves of Isla Damas, watching for crabs, birds and monkeys.

    Evening

    A massage at the spa and a final dinner overlooking the ocean.

Where to stay

An eco-lodge or boutique hotel on the hills above Manuel Antonio, with views over the rainforest and sea.

Our tip

Hire a naturalist guide with a spotting scope for the national park; they find wildlife you would walk straight past.

When

Best Dec–Apr; still lovely Jul, Nov.

✺ Make it happen

From daydream to departure

Live from travel partners when you ask: real fares, a walk through the city, guided trips and ferries. You book with them directly.

★ marks Costa Rica's Pacific's best months. We search ±3 days around the middle of the month.

Live fares from Kiwi.com; prices change quickly and are confirmed when you book with them.

✺ Pair it with

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