Rolling coffee plantations, cloud forests, mountain valleys, and cool evenings give the Southern Highlands a completely different feel from Costa Rica's beaches and rainforests. Whether you're staying near San Gerardo de Dota or AltaGracia, this is a region for travelers who enjoy scenic drives, quiet mornings, and spending a few days at a slower pace.
At a glance
| Best for | Birdwatching, coffee, wellness, couples, and cooler weather |
|---|---|
| Recommended stay | 2–4 nights |
| Pairs well with | The Central Valley, Dominical, Uvita & Ojochal, and the Osa Peninsula |
| Closest airport | Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) |
| Best time to visit | Year-round; December through May for quetzal breeding season |
| Budget | $$–$$$$ |
Why stay in the Southern Highlands?
The Southern Highlands are spread across several distinct areas, each offering something a little different. Around San Gerardo de Dota, visitors come for cloud forest hiking, waterfalls, trout fishing, and some of the country's best birdwatching (for the resplendent quetzal, in particular). The Los Santos region is Costa Rica's coffee heartland, where family-run farms and larger estates produce some of the country's finest beans. Farther south, around AltaGracia, the focus shifts toward luxury resorts, horseback riding, and wellness.
Start the morning with a walk through the cloud forest, visit a local coffee farm in the afternoon, and enjoy dinner overlooking the mountains as the temperature cools for the evening.
Our take: We like adding the Southern Highlands when clients want to break up a beach-heavy itinerary or experience inland Costa Rica without needing to venture too far from the Central or South Pacific coast. Three nights here is usually the sweet spot, and it pairs particularly well with Uvita, Ojochal, or the Osa Peninsula.
Are the Southern Highlands a good fit?
The Southern Highlands are a great fit if you:
- Enjoy mountain scenery and cooler temperatures.
- Love coffee, birdwatching, and nature.
- Appreciate boutique lodges and luxury mountain resorts.
- Prefer quieter destinations over busy tourist towns.
- Want to experience a different side of Costa Rica beyond the beaches.
Another destination may be a better fit if you're looking for surfing, nightlife, or a destination built around adventure activities.
Best things to do
Tour a coffee farm
The Los Santos region produces some of Costa Rica's finest coffee. Visiting a working farm offers insight into every stage of production, from harvesting and processing to roasting and tasting, while showcasing why this high-altitude region is so highly regarded by coffee growers.
Search for resplendent quetzals
San Gerardo de Dota is one of Costa Rica's premier destinations for quetzal sightings. Early morning guided walks offer the best opportunity to see these remarkable birds, along with dozens of other highland species that thrive in the cloud forest.
Explore the cloud forest
Trails around San Gerardo de Dota pass through cool mountain forest filled with towering oaks, moss-covered branches, orchids, and rushing streams. The hiking here is quieter than Monteverde, making it a favorite among nature lovers.
Visit mountain waterfalls
Numerous waterfalls are scattered throughout the region, many reached by short hikes through cloud forest. Their flow is particularly impressive during the green season when rainfall feeds the surrounding rivers.
Go horseback riding
The rolling hills and valleys surrounding Pérez Zeledón are ideal for horseback riding. Guided rides cross rivers, forests, and cattle ranches while offering beautiful views of the Talamanca Mountains.
Enjoy a wellness retreat
Hacienda AltaGracia has helped establish the Southern Highlands as one of Costa Rica's premier wellness destinations. Spa treatments, yoga, guided hikes, equine experiences, and locally inspired cuisine encourage travelers to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Discover local communities
Small mountain villages throughout the region provide a glimpse into everyday rural life in Costa Rica. Local cheese producers, coffee growers, family-run restaurants, and roadside fruit stands offer authentic experiences away from the country's better-known tourist routes.
Where to stay
The Southern Highlands offer two very different experiences.
Stay in San Gerardo de Dota if birdwatching, hiking, cloud forest, and coffee country are your priorities. Lodges here are generally smaller and immersed in nature, with many offering private trails and easy access to quetzal habitat.
Stay near Pérez Zeledón if you're looking for a luxury retreat. Resorts in this part of the region focus on wellness, horseback riding, exceptional dining, and expansive mountain landscapes rather than sightseeing.
Our favorite hotel
Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection
One of the finest luxury resorts in Central America, Hacienda AltaGracia combines world-class wellness, exceptional dining, horseback riding, guided outdoor experiences, and spacious casitas overlooking the Talamanca Mountains. It's one of our favorite properties in Costa Rica for couples, honeymooners, and anyone looking to slow down between more active parts of their itinerary.
Best time to visit
The Southern Highlands are rewarding throughout the year.
Thanks to the higher elevation, temperatures remain comfortably cool compared to much of Costa Rica. December through April generally brings clearer mornings and excellent hiking conditions, while the green season transforms the mountains into vibrant shades of green and keeps rivers and waterfalls flowing.
The cooler climate makes this one of Costa Rica's most refreshing destinations, particularly after spending time along the coast.
Pair it with
- Central Valley for coffee, culture, and convenient access to San José.
- Dominical for surfing, waterfalls, and the Pacific coast.
- Uvita and Ojochal for whale watching, beaches, and boutique hotels.
- Osa Peninsula for Corcovado National Park and one of the world's most biodiverse rainforests.
Getting there
The Southern Highlands fit naturally into itineraries linking San José with Costa Rica's South Pacific. Mountain roads are well maintained but winding, so we generally recommend avoiding long drives after dark.
Approximate driving times:
- San José: 2.5 to 4 hours
- Dominical: 2 to 3 hours
- Uvita: 2 to 3 hours
- Osa Peninsula: 4 to 6 hours
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay in San Gerardo de Dota or near Hacienda AltaGracia?
Choose San Gerardo de Dota if hiking, birdwatching, and cloud forest are your priorities. Choose Hacienda AltaGracia if you're looking for a luxury resort where wellness, horseback riding, and the property itself are central to the experience.
Is this a good destination for birdwatching?
Absolutely. San Gerardo de Dota is one of Costa Rica's best places to search for resplendent quetzals, along with hummingbirds, tanagers, woodpeckers, and many other highland species.
Is the Southern Highlands cold?
Not cold, but noticeably cooler than the rest of Costa Rica. Evenings and early mornings can be quite crisp, so packing a light jacket or sweater is a good idea at any time of year.
How many nights should I stay?
Two to three nights is ideal. That gives you enough time to experience the mountains, enjoy a coffee tour or guided nature walk, and fully appreciate the slower pace that makes this region so different from Costa Rica's beaches and rainforests.
