What makes Costa Rica holidays so memorable?

What makes Costa Rica holidays so memorable?

Ask ten members of the Latin Routes team to describe their Costa Rica holidays and you'll get ten different answers. Some immediately think of sloths hanging lazily in the trees, others remember turtles nesting on remote beaches or monkeys causing mischief in national parks. For some, it was hiking beneath volcanoes or crossing rainforest canopies on hanging bridges. For others, it was the quieter moments, sitting beside a river, watching the sunset over the Pacific or experiencing Costa Rica through the eyes of their children.

That's one of the reasons Costa Rica holidays continue to be among our most popular trips. The country offers extraordinary wildlife, beautiful beaches, cloud forests, volcanoes and adventure, but it's often the unexpected moments that travellers remember most.

We asked members of the Latin Routes team to share the experiences from their own Costa Rica holidays that have stayed with them long after they returned home. Looking through the responses, a few clear themes emerged.

Wildlife appears when you least expect it

Wildlife was the first thing almost everyone mentioned.

Many travellers choose Costa Rica holidays because of the country's incredible biodiversity, but several team members were surprised by just how often they encountered animals throughout their trip.

"The amount of wildlife everywhere you go," says Giuliano Varela. "From the sides of the road to national parks and even open areas in hotels, wildlife is everywhere."

That feeling was echoed by Chelsea Halkou: "What surprised me most was how much wildlife was just in plain sight and not having to look for it."

Sarah was also struck by how much nature dominates the experience.  "Costa Rica is all about getting out into nature. Wildlife isn't just something you visit, it's part of the entire journey."

It's a simple observation, but one that appeared repeatedly throughout the team's responses.

Unlike some destinations where wildlife encounters are limited to dedicated excursions, Costa Rica often feels like one giant nature reserve. Animals appear when you least expect them, whether you're travelling between destinations, relaxing at your lodge or sitting down for breakfast.

Some of the team's most memorable moments involved sloths.  

"We were sitting eating breakfast and a sloth climbed down the tree right next to us," recalls Chelsea.
For Jenna Gordon, one particular sloth encounter still stands out: "Seeing a sloth come out of a private garden and slowly, very slowly, make its way down the fence and across the road."
Meanwhile, Celeste remembers seeing mother and baby sloths together in Cahuita National Park.

Of course, not every wildlife encounter was quite so peaceful.
"Whilst at Manuel Antonio, a group of capuchin monkeys distracted us whilst another one robbed a piece of fruit from a lady," laughs Giuliano.

For Alex Wessely, it was one of Costa Rica's most iconic birds that created his favourite memory.
"Seeing the elusive quetzal."  

And for Nicole Mifsud, a turtle experience became one of the defining moments of her trip."I got to watch a turtle nesting her eggs, which was pretty special."

It's these spontaneous encounters that make Costa Rica holidays feel so immersive. Wildlife isn't something you visit. It's simply part of everyday life.

Costa Rica through a family's eyes

One perspective that stood out was that of Company Director Jess Dennison, who explored Costa Rica with her family.

While many destinations focus on either adults or children, Jess found that Costa Rica managed to appeal to everyone.

"The children were completely fascinated by the wildlife," says Jess. "Every monkey sighting felt like the most exciting thing they'd ever seen and spotting sloths quickly became a daily mission."

For families, one of the great strengths of Costa Rica holidays is that the experiences are genuinely shared. Parents enjoy the wildlife, scenery and adventure just as much as their children.

Tortuguero was one of Jess's standout highlights.  "Arriving by boat felt like an adventure before we'd even reached our lodge. The journey itself became part of the experience."

That sense of discovery runs throughout the country. Whether travelling through Tortuguero's waterways, spotting wildlife from a rainforest lodge or spending time on the beach, there always seems to be something new around the corner.

Jess also loved the variety.  "One day we were exploring rainforest waterways, the next we were looking for wildlife or spending time by the beach. There was always something different to experience."

Sarah believes this variety is one of Costa Rica's biggest strengths.  "You can experience volcanoes, rainforest, cloud forest and beaches all within one holiday."

That variety is one of the reasons Costa Rica holidays work so well for families. The country offers enough adventure to keep children engaged while still delivering the wildlife, scenery and relaxation that parents are looking for.

The experiences we'd recommend to every traveller

When we asked the team which experiences every visitor should include during their Costa Rica holidays, some clear favourites emerged.

The hanging bridges were mentioned again and again.

"The hanging bridges and the zip wiring are a must in Monteverde," says Nicole.

Gaynor agrees.  "The hanging bridges. Being up amongst the trees gives you a completely different perspective of the rainforest."

For Jenna, the combination of hanging bridges, volcano hikes and adventure activities around Arenal created some of her favourite memories. "The hanging bridges and zip lining were amazing. Even getting stuck face down halfway across the zip line became a funny memory afterwards."

Arenal dropitself featured heavily throughout the discussion.

"The views of the volcano were amazing whether you hike it or not," says Nicole.

Others preferred experiences that encouraged travellers to slow down and appreciate the country's natural beauty.

"Wildlife viewing," says Rob Jacobs simply.

It's difficult to argue with that recommendation.

For Celeste, local guides are the key to getting the most from Costa Rica holidays. "Visit one of the national parks with a local guide. They spot wildlife you would never find on your own."

Meanwhile, Alex Wessely recommends venturing beyond some of the more familiar routes. "The Sarapiquí night walk tour or Río Perdido canyon adventure."

Together, these recommendations perfectly capture the diversity of experiences available across Costa Rica.

Adventure comes in many forms

While wildlife featured heavily in the team's responses, Costa Rica is also one of Latin America's great adventure destinations.

One of the most memorable experiences came from Chelsea's visit to Pacuare Lodge, deep within the rainforest.

"The adventure kicked off with rafting in on the Pacuare River. It was the most exhilarating way to arrive anywhere."

For many travellers, the journey to Pacuare becomes just as memorable as the stay itself. Reaching the lodge involves navigating exciting river rapids surrounded by dense rainforest, immediately creating a sense of adventure and escape.

Chelsea was equally impressed when she arrived.   "We stepped into Linda Vista Villa and honestly my jaw dropped."

Her experience perfectly highlights another side of Costa Rica holidays. Alongside wildlife and adventure, the country is also home to some exceptional lodges that combine luxury with extraordinary natural settings.

Whether it's rafting through rainforest canyons, zip lining through the canopy or exploring rivers by boat, Costa Rica offers countless opportunities to step outside your comfort zone.

The moments we'll never forget

Some memories stay with you long after a holiday ends.

For Rob, it was witnessing one of nature's most remarkable spectacles. "We saw the hatching of turtles, literally hundreds each morning running to the sea."

For Nicole, watching a turtle laying eggs remains equally unforgettable.

Elsewhere, sunsets featured prominently in the team's responses.

"The sunset from Ronny's Place in Manuel Antonio. Amazing views and cocktails," says Gaynor Atherton.

Rob also highlighted the sunsets in Manuel Antonio as one of his strongest Costa Rica memories.

There were plenty of lighter moments too.

"I nearly lost my teeth surfing in Puerto Viejo!" laughs Jenna.

And Giuliano's monkey theft story continues to raise smiles around the office.

These moments weren't necessarily the ones people planned for. They simply happened naturally, often when least expected.

That's exactly why they remain so memorable.

The places we'd return to tomorrow

If a free flight to Costa Rica was leaving tomorrow, where would our team go?

Several people immediately chose the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park.

"I'd love to go back and visit Corcovado National Park and the Osa Peninsula," says Jenna.

Alex Lopez agreed, naming Corcovado as the destination he would most like to revisit.

Giuliano would happily return to Manuel Antonio and Drake Bay.  "I would love to go back to Manuel Antonio and Drake Bay to see wildlife again."

For Rob, Tortuguero remains high on the list thanks to its remarkable wildlife experiences.

Gaynor highlighted both the Nicoya Peninsula and Arenal's hot springs, while Alex Wessely would head straight back to Sarapiquí.

Nicole's answer perhaps summed up Costa Rica best.  "I'd love to visit the hanging bridges again and sit in silence and just appreciate the nature"

While many team members immediately named a favourite destination, Sarah's answer was slightly different.  "I'd love to do the whole journey again, but at a slower pace."

It's a sentiment many returning visitors share. Costa Rica isn't necessarily a destination you 'tick off'. It's one that encourages you to slow down, spend more time in nature and discover places you may have rushed through the first time.

It's a reminder that while Costa Rica holidays are packed with adventure, some of the most rewarding moments come from simply slowing down and taking in your surroundings.

Why Costa Rica keeps drawing people back

Looking across all of the team's responses, it's easy to understand why Costa Rica holidays inspire such loyalty among travellers.

The country offers incredible wildlife, beautiful beaches, active volcanoes, cloud forests, family-friendly adventures and some of the most immersive nature experiences in Latin America.

But what stood out most wasn't the destinations themselves.

It was the moments.

A sloth appearing beside the breakfast table.

A monkey stealing somebody's fruit.

A turtle making its way across the sand.

A family discovering wildlife together for the first time.

A sunset over the Pacific after a day spent exploring the rainforest.

For Jess, it was seeing Costa Rica through the eyes of her children. For Alex, it was spotting a quetzal. For Nicole, it was watching a turtle nest. For Gaynor, it was a sunset in Manuel Antonio. For Chelsea, it was arriving by raft at Pacuare Lodge. And for Sarah, it was the incredible variety that makes every stage of a Costa Rica holiday feel different from the last.

Those experiences may all be different, but together they explain exactly why Costa Rica holidays stay with people long after they've returned home.

And why so many travellers find themselves planning a return visit before the first one is even over.

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