The Costa Rica travel experiences our specialists still talk about

Costa Rica holidays have a habit of staying with you long after you've unpacked your suitcase. Ask anyone in the Latin Routes team who's travelled there and they'll happily tell you about the sloth that appeared metres away, the sunrise interrupted by howler monkeys or the rainforest lodge they still dream about. While Costa Rica is famous for its wildlife, volcanoes and beaches, it's often the unexpected moments that leave the biggest impression.

To find out what makes Costa Rica holidays so special, we asked 11 of our Travel Specialists and destination experts to share the experiences they still talk about today. Their answers revealed some clear favourites, a few surprises and plenty of inspiration for anyone planning their own adventure.

Costa Rica holidays are about much more than ticking off the highlights

One thing became obvious as we read through every response: nobody simply listed attractions.

Instead, they talked about how Costa Rica made them feel.

Company Director Jessica Dennison has often described Costa Rica as "one of the easiest destinations to recommend because every traveller experiences it differently". Families fall in love with the wildlife, adventurous travellers head for volcanoes and white-water rafting, while honeymooners find secluded rainforest lodges and peaceful beaches. That flexibility is exactly what our own team reflected.

Alex Lopez summed it up perfectly.  'Costa Rica is Pura Vida. It's a great destination for everyone. Amazing for wildlife spotting and soft adventure seekers, with rainforest, cloud forest, incredible national parks and beautiful beaches on both coasts.'

Meanwhile, Celeste said: 'There is no rush to anything. Nature is what is prioritised. It's the perfect place to escape the modern world.'

Perhaps that's why so many of our specialists have returned more than once.

The wildlife encounters we'll never forget

If there's one reason Costa Rica holidays become unforgettable, it's the wildlife.

Several members of the team admitted they expected to see animals on guided excursions, but weren't prepared for just how often wildlife appears naturally throughout the day.

Chelsea remembers sitting down for breakfast at Pacuare Lodge.  "A sloth climbed down the tree right next to us. I've never heard wildlife like it around our room either. It was incredible."

Nicole had a similarly memorable encounter. "Watching a turtle laying her eggs was really special."

For Alex , one early morning in Tortuguero has stayed with him ever since, "I headed to the canal at sunrise and suddenly a group of monkeys came racing through the canopy above me. It felt completely wild and spontaneous."

Tom simply laughed about how often wildlife appeared. "The sheer number of animals literally everywhere surprised me."

Even Celeste's funniest memory involved wildlife.  "We paid for a sloth tour only to see one right outside the restaurant that evening!"

Jessica often says one of Costa Rica's greatest strengths is that wildlife isn't confined to national parks. It's part of everyday life, whether that's monkeys swinging above your lodge, scarlet macaws flying overhead or sloths quietly resting beside the road.

The places that completely exceeded our expectations

When we asked everyone which destination they'd recommend most, some familiar names appeared again and again.

Pacuare

No destination received as much praise as Pacuare.

Chelsea described it as:  "One of my favourite places ever. The whole experience was magical."

Nicole loved the journey itself.  "You raft into the lodge before you've even arrived, so the adventure starts immediately."

Alex Lopez recommends Pacuare to anyone looking for unforgettable rafting combined with one of Costa Rica's finest rainforest lodges.

It isn't simply somewhere to stay. It's an experience.

Osa Peninsula

For wildlife lovers, there was overwhelming agreement.

Alex Wessely called the Osa Peninsula:  "Without a doubt the best wildlife destination in Costa Rica."

Tom agreed.  "Purely because of the biodiversity and incredible nature viewing opportunities."

Corcovado National Park featured repeatedly as somewhere every wildlife enthusiast should consider.

Monteverde

Almost everyone who visited Monteverde described it differently.

Alex W called it:  "A mystical land with the clouds in the treetops."

Tom loved the gloomy, atmospheric cloud forest.

Sarah adds in that ziplining in Monteverde was one memory she'll always enjoy.

Nicole appreciated the peaceful feeling of being surrounded by nature.

The common thread?

Monteverde feels completely different from anywhere else in Costa Rica.

Best things to do in Costa Rica according to our team

When asked about the experiences they'd recommend to every client, clear favourites emerged.

Walk the hanging bridges

Recommended by Alex Lopez, Nicole, Tom and Alex Wessely.

Walking through the rainforest canopy gives an entirely different perspective of Costa Rica's forests and offers fantastic opportunities to spot birds, monkeys and sloths.

Experience Costa Rica's wildlife at night

Alex Wessely highlighted Sarapiquí's night walks as one of the best wildlife experiences he's ever had.

The rainforest changes completely after dark.

Raft into Pacuare Lodge

Not just transport.

An adventure.

Several specialists agreed this is one of the country's most memorable arrivals.

Visit Tortuguero

Nicole loved seeing turtles nesting.

Alex Lopez still remembers the monkeys racing overhead at sunrise.

Tom loved the complete absence of roads.

Every member who visited described Tortuguero as somewhere unlike anywhere else in Costa Rica.

Discover Rio Perdido

Alex W chose Rio Perdido's canyon adventure above everything else.  "Climbing and ziplining through the canyon whilst listening to howler monkeys is the most thrilling activity I've done."

What surprised us most about Costa Rica holidays

One of the most interesting questions asked what exceeded expectations.

The answers were wonderfully varied.

For Chelsea...  "How much wildlife was simply in plain sight."

For Tom... "How green everything is and how eco-conscious the country feels."

For Nicole... "The amount there was to do for adrenaline lovers."

For Celeste...  "The Caribbean coast. Puerto Viejo felt completely different from the Costa Rica many people imagine."

Jessica has written previously that Costa Rica constantly surprises repeat visitors because every region offers something different. From the cloud forests of Monteverde to the Caribbean atmosphere of Puerto Viejo and the remote wilderness of the Osa Peninsula, it's a country that rewards travelling beyond the obvious.

Our Costa Rica travel tips

Our specialists shared plenty of practical advice too.

They recommend:

• Slow down and embrace 'Pura Vida' rather than rushing between destinations.

• Carry mosquito repellent for rainforest regions.

• Bring binoculars if wildlife is high on your wish list.

• Don't worry too much about occasional rain. It's part of what makes Costa Rica so beautifully green.

• Consider a self-drive holiday if you enjoy flexibility, but allow plenty of time for scenic stops.

• Include both rainforest and beach destinations to experience Costa Rica's incredible diversity.

• Get up early. Dawn is often the best time for wildlife sightings.

As Gaynor Atherton puts it:

'A self-drive is a great way to take your time around Costa Rica. The journeys are part of the experience, with plenty of opportunities to stop for wildlife or lunch along the way.'

The experience everyone agreed on

Out of every answer, one message stood above everything else.

• No matter where they travelled, every specialist talked about moments rather than landmarks.
• It wasn't just seeing a volcano.
• It was watching monkeys leap through the trees at sunrise.
• It wasn't just staying in a rainforest lodge.
• It was falling asleep to the sounds of the jungle.
• It wasn't simply visiting the beach.
• It was sharing it with sloths, scarlet macaws and unforgettable sunsets.

That's what makes Costa Rica holidays so rewarding.

As Jessica Dennison often says, "No two Costa Rica holidays are ever the same. Whether you're travelling as a family, planning your honeymoon or looking for your next wildlife adventure, every itinerary is shaped around the experiences that matter most to you."

If our team's stories prove anything, it's that Costa Rica has a remarkable way of creating moments you'll still be talking about long after you return home.

Speak to one of our Travel Specialists and we'll help create  truly individual Costa Rica holidays inspired by first-hand experience.