Rainforest Romance
Bajos del Toro · Arenal · Las Catalinas
Costa Rica
Unwind with spa days and cloud forest walks in Bajos del Toro, enjoy gentle adventures around Arenal, and finish beside the sea in Las Catalinas. A Costa Rica escape made for two.
Slow down in a landscape alive with wonder
Costa Rica travel
Hand-picked hotels, private guides, and rainforest-to-beach adventure, bundled into an unforgettable trip.
Why we love Costa Rica
Volcanoes, cloud forests & two coastlines
Much more than merely a tropical vacation destination, Costa Rica is the original eco-tourist mecca, where five percent of all Earth's species reside on only 0.03% of the planet's land mass. Plus, according to the Happy Planet Index, Costa Rica is the happiest place on Earth. The country has an intense array of environmental attractions to tantalize your senses – majestic volcanoes, misty cloud forests, lush jungles, and hundreds of postcard-worthy beaches along two seductive, snaking coastlines. What more could you ask for?
01
Wildlife & wild places
02
Thrills & chills: adventure + R&R
03
Green in more ways than one
A starting point for your perfect escape
Where Costa Rica could take you
We're good company, and we give great advice
Why travel with Osaviva?
It's where Osaviva began.
Adrienne worked at an eco-lodge on the Osa Peninsula before founding Osaviva. We know this country from the rainforest floor up.
Lodges that live up to their photos.
Arenal, Monteverde, the Osa, Tortuguero: every region has a handful of standout stays, and we know which ones.
Our favorite secret: shoulder season.
May, June and November bring lush jungles, fewer crowds and the best value of the year. Ask us why.
We had an incredible experience with [Osaviva]! Adrienne and her team planned an amazing trip to Costa Rica, ensuring every detail was perfectly organized. The hotels were great, transportation was always on time, and the entire itinerary ran smoothly. Communication with Adrienne was seamless both before and during the trip, making everything stress-free. We truly appreciated the personalized service and attention to detail. Highly recommend [Osaviva] for a well-planned and hassle-free adventure!
Every detail organized
Logistics taken care of
★★★★★
Adrienne and team were so easy to work with, and truly took the detailed logistical stress off of planning AND getting through our vacation. They worked to finalize the perfect itinerary and answered lots of questions and have the scoop on the best tours and best places to stay!
Two wonderful trips
★★★★★
We have travelled twice on trips organised by [Osaviva] and we have loved them both. Everything was planned exceptionally well, the hotels were beautiful and we had an amazing time! We look forward to our next adventure with [Osaviva]!
Perfect honeymoon
★★★★★
Adrienne planned the perfect honeymoon for us. We were overwhelmed with the thought of planning it ourselves and put it off for years. We found everyone informative, honest, and helpful.
Our top picks
Where to stay
Nayara Tented Camp
La Fortuna
Nayara Tented Camp overlooks the rainforest with elevated platforms and sweeping views of Arenal Volcano. Spacious tents feature private pools and quiet decks washed in birdsong. Highlights are excellent onsite dining & the award-winning spa.
Costa Rica
Hotel Aguas Claras
Puerto Viejo
Hotel Aguas Claras brings a playful, artistic style to Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Twelve individually decorated bungalows and suites sit in tropical gardens near Playa Chiquita, with open-air showers, a beach club, and bicycles for the road into Puerto Viejo.
Costa Rica
Arenas del Mar
Manuel Antonio
Arenas del Mar occupies one of the few rainforest properties in Manuel Antonio with direct access to two beaches. Rooms are set among the trees where monkeys, sloths, and scarlet macaws are regular visitors. Trails link the accommodations to the shoreline, allowing guests to alternate between the forest and the Pacific.
Costa Rica
Lapa Rios
Osa Peninsula
Lapa Rios sits high above the Golfo Dulce with open-air bungalows overlooking one of Costa Rica's richest stretches of rainforest. Scarlet macaws, monkeys, and coatis are seen almost daily around the reserve. Guided walks begin from the lodge, while quiet beaches are only a short drive away.
Costa Rica
Nantipa Resort
Santa Teresa
Nantipa sits directly on Santa Teresa's broad beach, where contemporary bungalows and villas are only steps from the sand. Mornings bring surfers, long beach walks, and quiet swims before the afternoon heat arrives. As the sun sets, the beachfront restaurant becomes one of the liveliest gathering places on this stretch of coast.
Costa Rica
El Silencio Lodge
Bajos del Toro
El Silencio Lodge occupies a cool cloud forest valley where waterfalls, hummingbirds, and mist are part of the daily landscape. Spacious suites look across gardens and forested hillsides, with oversized decks that invite slow mornings. Walking trails begin on the property and lead to streams, waterfalls, and hidden corners of the reserve.
Costa Rica
When we plan a trip
Signature experiences
Nature
Cloud forests
If you only picture beaches and volcanoes, Costa Rica's cloud forests will surprise you. Cooler temperatures, misty trails, towering trees, and remarkable birdlife are a welcome, slower contrast to the rest of a Costa Rica itinerary.
Adventure
Arenal volcano & hot springs
If it's your first trip to Costa Rica, start with Arenal, the adventure capital of the country. Volcano views, rainforest, hot springs, wildlife, and adventure all come together in one place. It's also one of the easiest regions to pair with the beach.
sun, sand & surf
Pacific beaches & surf towns
After a few days exploring Costa Rica's volcanoes and rainforests, the Pacific coast is the perfect place to slow down. We often pair destinations like Nosara or Santa Teresa with inland regions to create a trip with a little bit of everything.
Wonder
Wildlife encounters
Sloths in the treetops, scarlet macaws overhead, howler monkeys announcing themselves before you spot their dark silhouettes in the canopy. Costa Rica's wildlife shows up in plain sight, and a few days here should be enough to spot far more than you might expect.
Discovery
The Osa Peninsula
For travelers who want to experience Costa Rica at its wildest, we head south. The Osa Peninsula is home to some of the country's most remote rainforest, extraordinary wildlife, and small lodges that immerse you in nature from the moment you arrive.
Culture
The Caribbean coast
Costa Rica's Caribbean coast feels like a different country altogether. Afro-Caribbean culture, laid-back beach towns, and lush jungle create a completely different atmosphere than the Pacific. It's well worth considering if you're looking for something a little less expected.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
The things travelers ask us most about Costa Rica, from the rainy season to which coast to choose. Have a question we haven't covered? Send it to
When is the best time to go?
December to April is dry season on the Pacific side. The Caribbean coast runs on its own pattern and is often driest in September and October. May, June and November are our favorite shoulder months.
How many days do we need?
Ten to fourteen days covers three regions comfortably, for example Arenal, the cloud forest and a stretch of coast.
How do we get around?
By private driver, rental car or short domestic flights. Roads are good but slow. A flight saves hours to the Osa Peninsula or Tortuguero, which is reached only by boat or small plane.
Can we drink the tap water?
In most of the country, yes. In remote areas, bottled or filtered water is the safer choice.
What currency is used?
The colón. US dollars are widely accepted, and cards work almost everywhere.
Will we see lava at Arenal?
Arenal has been in a resting phase since 2010, so you'll see its classic cone. The hot springs around La Fortuna are warmed by the volcano's heat.
