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- Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve — Costa Rica’s first protected area, a compact but intense patch of dry forest and coastline. Hike the ridge trails at dawn, watch for coatis and rare birds, then drop down to nearly empty beaches; its history as the country’s conservation seed makes it feel special and rooted.
- Montezuma Waterfalls & Montezuma town — a scruffy, artsy fishing village with a trio of drop-dead waterfalls a short hike from town. Swim in natural pools, cliff-jump if you’re brave, then eat fresh ceviche and buy local crafts — the whole day feels authentic and small-scale.
- Ostional Wildlife Refuge (Olive Ridley arribadas) — one of the world’s few places where tens of thousands of olive ridley turtles nest in synchronized “arribadas.” Seeing a night-time mass nesting is primal
- Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve — Costa Rica’s first protected area, a compact but intense patch of dry forest and coastline. Hike the ridge trails at dawn, watch for coatis and rare birds, then drop down to nearly empty beaches; its history as the country’s conservation seed makes it feel special and rooted.
- Montezuma Waterfalls & Montezuma town — a scruffy, artsy fishing village with a trio of drop-dead waterfalls a short hike from town. Swim in natural pools, cliff-jump if you’re brave, then eat fresh ceviche and buy local crafts — the whole day feels authentic and small-scale.
- Ostional Wildlife Refuge (Olive Ridley arribadas) — one of the world’s few places where tens of thousands of olive ridley turtles nest in synchronized “arribadas.” Seeing a night-time mass nesting is primal and unforgettable; local community management means visits support people who live there. (Personal favorite — nothing else I’ve seen in Costa Rica matches the scale and local-backer energy.)
- Nicoya town & the Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepción — the peninsula’s cultural heart: colonial-era church, bustling markets, and real barrio life. Nicoya is also one of the world’s Blue Zones — spend a morning talking to elders, try traditional cuisine, and you’ll get a taste of the lifestyle that yields remarkable longevity.
- Nosara / Playa Guiones — more than just surf and yoga, Nosara has a strong community-led conservation vibe and a local culture shaped by long-term residents. Playa Guiones is an endless sandy break for surfers, and the town’s focus on sustainable development gives it a distinct, grounded feel you won’t get in flashier beach towns.
- Curú Wildlife Refuge (hidden gem) — a privately run reserve with mangrove estuaries, dry forest trails and quiet beaches. It’s excellent for wildlife viewing (howler monkeys, iguanas, many birds) without the crowds — take the estuary boat or a horseback ride to feel like you’ve found a local secret.
- Isla Tortuga — a small, picture-perfect island in the Gulf of Nicoya with white sand, turquoise water and great snorkeling. Day trips are common, but the island’s reefs and calm bays make it a genuine island escape that’s geographically tied to the Nicoya experience.
- Playa Sámara & Playa Carrillo (Carrillo = hidden gem) — Sámara is a mellow surf-and-market town with a friendly local rhythm; a short ride away Carrillo is a wide, palm-framed crescent beach with calm swimming and almost no development. Carrillo feels like a classic Costa Rican postcard — locals bring picnics and the vibe is slow and real.
- Santa Teresa & Malpais — the peninsula’s rugged southern tip where jungle meets world-class surf and a raw, bohemian village life. Trails thread through thick forest to secret coves; the mix of Costa Rican fishers and long-term travelers gives this place a unique, slightly off-grid character that’s hard to copy elsewhere.
- Punta Islita (hidden gem) — a low-key coastal town in Nandayure with cliffside lookouts, community art projects and small, friendly beaches. It’s quieter than the main surf towns and offers real, everyday village encounters — try the viewpoint hikes at sunset and chat with local artisans for a grounded slice of Nicoya life.
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Jungle and Beach Horseback Riding Tour - 2H 1/2
✓ Free cancellation
Safari & Buenavista Beach Horse Riding Tour
✓ Free cancellation
Surf Lessons for the whole family in Playa Sámara
✓ Free cancellation
Epic surf-lessons at beautiful Samara beach.
✓ Free cancellation
Samara Trails in Werner Sauter Biological Reserve
✓ Free cancellation
Costa Rica Private Guanacaste Airport (LIR) Departure transfer
✓ Free cancellation
Safari & Barigona Beach on horseback
✓ Free cancellation
Half-Day Dolphin Watching and Snorkeling in Samara
✓ Free cancellation
Ocean Kayak & Snorkeling to Chora Island
Dolphin Watching with Costa Rican Companies
✓ Free cancellation
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.