8 Reasons to Visit Costa Rica (Why it Belongs on Your Bucket List)
While family trips have always been a priority for us, until recently, we had always taken trips within the United States. But 2024 was the year—we wanted to show our kids another part of the world. Why visit Costa Rica? We wanted to take our family somewhere to engage with a different culture but also do kid-friendly activities our children would enjoy. For their first international trip, we needed a country that was easy to get to and not too far outside their comfort zone. Several destinations made the short list, but after much deliberation, we decided Costa Rica offered everything we were looking for!
I am here to tell you—it was the BEST family trip we have ever taken. From start to finish, it was amazing and offered the perfect blend of vibrant culture and raw adventure we were looking for.
To sum it up, here are 8 reasons you should put Costa Rica on YOUR bucket list:
Why Visit Costa Rica?
1. Wildlife is Everywhere
Costa Rica’s reputation for biodiversity is no secret, and it lives up to it 100%. Monkeys, sloths, frogs, and neon-colored birds aren’t tucked away in cages- they’re your neighbors. I’ve never been to a place where people and wild animals comingle in such a way. There is something about being on “their turf.” It is humbling and exhilarating all at the same time. Watching a sloth move through the canopy in its natural habitat is a core memory my kids won’t soon forget.
2. A Living, Breathing Garden
What can I say? The whole country is like one gigantic botanical garden. Everywhere you look is beautiful, with colors so vibrant they look filtered. Lush, emerald green trees stretch 200 feet high while ferns, palms, and flowers carpet the forest floor. Orchids, bromeliads, and other tropical flowers fill in the gaps. It feels alive.
3. Food- Fresh and Flavorful
It’s delicious! Costa Rica’s most popular dish is casado—a hearty plate of rice, black beans and your choice of protein. (Pro tip: If the rice and beans are pre-mixed, it is called Pinto Gallo). This is the “comida tipica” (traditional food) and it can be found on every menu, everywhere. Simple but delicious, it is often served with a side of tortillas and plantains. But, regardless of what you eat, most food is locally farmed and is fresh and flavorful. Oh—and lest I forget to tell you—the pineapple is absolutely divine! Try it in a piña refresca con leche (with milk- like a smoothie) or sin leche (without milk- basically fruit juice)- it’s a party in your mouth.
Generally, the dining experience in Costa Rica is very casual. Sodas are small, family-owned restaurants that serve budget-friendly, traditional cuisine. The are often open-air and primarily open for breakfast and lunch. You will find sodas everywhere- in towns and along the side of the road. But don’t let the humble signage fool you; this is where you’ll find the best meals for a fraction of resort prices.
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4. Culture- The Spirit of Pura Vida
The Costa Rican people, or Ticos as they refer to themselves, are endlessly hospitable and friendly. Everyone wears a smile and life is lived with enviable optimism. “Pura Vida,” literally meaning “pure life,” is the national motto of Costa Rica. While the phrase can mean “hello,” “goodbye,” “it’s all good,” or “thank you,” the essence of Pura Vida is a lifestyle that prioritizes happiness and connection. The spirit of Pura Vida is palpable everywhere you go. No one is in a hurry; no one seems stressed. While you’re there, take some time to chat with the locals (many speak at least some English). As you do, smile, relax and let Pura Vida take hold.
5. Adventure is the Default
While it is possible to enjoy an all-inclusive resort experience in Costa Rica, the opportunities for adventure abound and are not to be missed. Costa Rica is nature’s ultimate playground! Zipline through the jungle on some of the longest cables in Central America, rappel down waterfalls, and go white-water rafting. Traverse suspension bridges through the clouds and go deep sea fishing. If you can dream it, you can do it. Go have fun!
6. Two Coasts, Two Personalities
Do you enjoy the calm, clear waters of the Caribbean or the more rugged, high-surf waters of the Pacific? In Costa Rica, you don’t have to choose! With only a 5-8 hour drive between the coasts, it is possible to experience both. To the east, in Cahuita National Park, for example, you can tap into the laidback, bohemian vibes of the Caribbean and lounge on a white sand beach surrounded by palm trees. Or, to the west, you can surf the waves and kayak the coves surrounded by rainforest jungle. How ever you imagine your “best beach,” you can find it in Costa Rica!
7. World-class Coffee
Costa Rica may only produce 1% of the world’s coffee, but they prioritize quality over quantity. Due to the ideal volcanic growing conditions, their world-renowned Arabica beans command a premium on the international market for their rich flavor profile and sustainable growing standards. While you’re there, be sure to tour a coffee farm and learn how they do it. Stop at a roadside coffee shop. Enjoy a cup brewed using the traditional Chorreador (a traditional wooden stand with a cloth filter). If you’re not a coffee snob before you go, you will be when you leave!
8. Ethical (and Delicious) Chocolate
The same microclimates that make the coffee world-class also produce incredible cacao, the main ingredient in chocolate. Because conservation is a predominating cultural value, it is no surprise that the Costa Rican chocolate industry is known for its sustainable farming practices and fair-trade production policies. So, indulge—when you satisfy that chocolate craving, you directly impact the local community in a positive way.
Visiting Costa Rica Soon?
If you’re going to visit Costa Rica soon, you’ll want to check out my post about how to pack light. Since you will surely want to visit more than one area of the country, plan to only take a carry-on. You can do it!
