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Eco-Travel in Costa Rica

Amanda Pratt Along to the path to the beach at the Harmony Hotel, Nosara.

Photo: Amanda Pratt

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In the country that more or less invented eco-travel, you’ll find lush jungles, enormous turtles, untouched beaches—and rapidly expanding luxury-resort developments. Read the article

Our Picks

11 Hotels 2 Restaurants 7 Activities

Destinations: Costa Rica · Santa Teresa · Central and South Pacific Coast · San José · Tortuguero · Corcovado National Park · Puerto Jimenez · Osa National Wildlife Refuge · Playa Carbonera · Punta Islita · Peninsula Papagayo · Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve · Nicoya Peninsula

Themes: Adventure · Beaches + Islands · Eco-Travel

Inspired by: The New Costa Rica — by Julian Rubinstein, Published Oct. 2007

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Hotels (11)

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    Tiskita Lodge

    · T+L Favorite

    Central and South Pacific Coast | Latin America | Costa Rica | The Southern Pacific Coast

    Extravagant ocean views are de rigueur at this 800-acre hillside establishment near the less- traveled Panamanian border. Owner and environmental a... More
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    Harmony Hotel

    Nicoya Peninsula | Latin America | Costa Rica | The Resorts, Volcanos & Cloudforests of Guanacaste and the North

    The Harmony sits a stone’s throw from Playa Guiones in the sleepy Pacific coast surf town of Nosara. Its 24 rooms are stylishly spare, with vaulted

    ... More
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    Arenal Observatory Lodge

    · T+L Favorite

    Costa Rica | Latin America

    Close enough to Arenal Volcano for visitors to hear and feel the nearly constant rumbling, this observatory (on a hillside just over a mile from th

    ... More
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    Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge

    Corcovado National Park | Latin America | Costa Rica | Osa Peninsula | Central and South Pacific Coast | The Southern Pacific Coast

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    Lapa Rios

    · T+L Favorite

    Playa Carbonera | Latin America | Costa Rica | Osa Peninsula | Central and South Pacific Coast | The Southern Pacific Coast

    If the idea of open-sided, thatched-roof bungalows with netted teak beds, private decks with hammocks, and secluded outdoor showers stirs you, you’

    ... More
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    Hotel Punta Islita

    · T+L Favorite

    Punta Islita | Latin America | Costa Rica | The Resorts, Volcanos & Cloudforests of Guanacaste and the North

    At nearly 15 years old, Hotel Punta Islita is a granddaddy of Costa Rica’s eco-resorts.  This attentively run mainstay shares its crescent-shaped s

    ... More
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    Four Seasons Resort at Peninsula Papagayo

    · T+L Favorite

    Peninsula Papagayo | Latin America | Costa Rica | The Resorts, Volcanos & Cloudforests of Guanacaste and the North

    Take Four Seasons pampering (chilled lemon-scented towels delivered to your chaise at the pool), cross it with the charm of location (just north of

    ... More
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    Monteverde Lodge & Gardens

    · T+L Favorite

    Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve | Latin America | Costa Rica | The Resorts, Volcanos & Cloudforests of Guanacaste and the North

    This rustic eco-lodge in the lush, misty Tilarán Mountains set the standard for environmentally sustainable properties here when it opened in 1990.

    ... More
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    El Remanso Hotel

    · T+L Favorite

    Osa National Wildlife Refuge | Latin America | Costa Rica | Osa Peninsula | Central and South Pacific Coast | The Southern Pacific Coast

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    Florblanca

    Santa Teresa | Latin America | Costa Rica | The Resorts, Volcanos & Cloudforests of Guanacaste and the North

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Restaurants (2)

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    Miss Junie's

    · T+L Favorite

    Tortuguero | Latin America | Costa Rica | The Central Valley & Caribbean Coast

    This isn’t a restaurant. It’s a place of pilgrimage—for hearty Caribbean fish stews and robust jerk chicken. Reservations are needed, so drop in to... More
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    Bakea

    · T+L Favorite

    San José | Latin America | Costa Rica

    Chef Camille Ratton marries French technique with fresh Central American ingredients. Don’t miss the tarta de pasiones with crème of passion fruit. More
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Activities (7)

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    Osa Aventura

    Puerto Jimenez | Latin America | Costa Rica | Osa Peninsula | Central and South Pacific Coast | The Southern Pacific Coast

    An independent group of naturalists directed by biologist Mike Boston leads custom wilderness treks on the Osa Peninsula. More
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    Horizontes

    San José | Latin America | Costa Rica

    This long established agency can organize botany, birding, or photography tours, and more. More
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    Tortuguero National Park

    · T+L Favorite

    Tortuguero | Latin America | Costa Rica | The Central Valley & Caribbean Coast

    One of the most remote areas in Costa Rica, this 47,000-acre coastal preserve—which encompasses an intricate series of jungle canals, lagoons, and

    ... More
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    Sky Trek

    Central and South Pacific Coast | Latin America | Costa Rica | The Southern Pacific Coast

    The most dramatic zipline tour around, featuring 11 lines and the country’s tallest platform. More
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    Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve

    · T+L Favorite

    Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve | Latin America | Costa Rica | The Resorts, Volcanos & Cloudforests of Guanacaste and the North

    Nearly 5,000 feet above sea level—and reached via a four-hour, precipitous, unpaved drive from San José—this 25,700-acre, amazingly biodiverse pres

    ... More
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    Corcovado National Park

    · T+L Favorite

    Corcovado National Park | Latin America | Costa Rica | Osa Peninsula | Central and South Pacific Coast | The Southern Pacific Coast

    Corcovado’s 127,000 acres of lush primary rainforest protect an extraordinary array of wildlife. Central America’s largest population of scarlet ma

    ... More
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    Costa Rica Expeditions

    · T+L Favorite

    Costa Rica | Latin America

    The oldest and most reputable adventure outfitter in the country (founder Michael Kaye left his native New York to open the biz in 1978), Costa Ric

    ... More
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Similar Trips (4)

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    A Stress-free Trip to Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula

    Costa Rica, Peninsula Papagayo, Nicoya Peninsula

    Have you ever felt that the endless planning, maneuvering, and (not least) paying required for a relaxing vacation tends to cancel out the "relaxing" part?Problem solved: journey to Costa Rica’s Ni

    ...

  • 200703_beach_trip_thumb

    Affordable Beaches in Central & South America

    Chile, San Pedro, Placencia, Venezuela, Santiago & Around

    Intimate resorts in Buchupureo, Chile, and Ambergris Caye, Belize prove that sand, surf, and lovely lodgings don't have to break the bank.

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    Design Your Own Adventure in Costa Rica

    Costa Rica, Santa Teresa, Manuel Antonio, Santa Barbara De Heredia, Tortuguero

    Planning a trip to Costa Rica—where your choices are virtually endless—can be overwhelming. Here, some options for Central America's jungle-and-beach paradise, whatever your interest.

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    Galápagos Islands with Kids

    Costa Rica, Quito, Galapagos Islands

    Theres still a primordial place where birds, lizards, and sea lions have no fear of people. Follow in Darwins footsteps and take the ultimate family adventure: a cruise of Ecuadors extraordinarily ...

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