Travelers seek out pura vida in Costa Rica, the intoxicating “no worries'' lifestyle that the country is known for. It’s a sensation you can detect in the busy streets of San José or quietly watching sea turtles nest on a virgin beach. Pura vida exists in the adrenaline rush of zip lining from a waterfall or the calming waters of a natural hot spring. And in the country that practically invented ecotourism, visitors don’t just experience pura vida, but contribute to it.

Most Costa Rican trips begin and end in San José, but there’s much more to the capital city than the airport. Get historical and cultural context by exploring San José’s museums, market places, and diverse barrios before venturing off to nature destinations, and don’t pass over the food. San José is also the gastronomical capital of the country and you could spend the entire trip trying everything from Indigenous cuisine to innovative tasting menus.

Finca Rosa Blanca Inn & Coffee Plantation is an authentic Costa Rican boutique hotel in the Central Valley Highlands, just 20 minutes from the San José Airport. This intimate inn is an ideal option for families looking to experience authentic Costa Rican culture in a sustainable and enriching setting.

Arenal Volcano went dormant in 2010 after decades of spewing lava, but the surrounding national park is a wonderland for travelers with a taste for adventure. Experience the park from above through canopy-level suspension bridges, at ground level on hiking trails bursting with wildlife, or whitewater rafting the Sarapiquí River. Whether you need a break or just identify with the native sloths, the healing waters of the volcanic hot springs are the perfect place to wind down.

At Nayara Gardens, you can embrace your inner explorer as you walk through tropical gardens adorned with heliconia and bougainvillea. Discover hidden ponds full of colorful koi fish and lily pads. Enjoy the Termas, seven mineral hot springs secluded in the rainforest or the swim-up bar for a refreshing tropical mojito and fresh guacamole.

Monteverde’s variable climate and high altitude have produced extreme biodiversity. The area is home to over 100 species of mammals, more than 400 species of birds, thousands of insect and plant species, and the largest number of orchids in the world. It is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges worldwide.

Retreat into Costa Rica's cloud forest at the Senda Monteverde, a haven of peace and nature right on the slopes of Monteverde's natural reserve. Nature-loving families will feel at home in this boutique hotel from the Cayuga Collection which blends contemporary hospitality with the jungle outside. The on-site restaurant has a locally-sourced menu with both Costa Rican and international cuisines.

Within the biodiverse province of Guanacaste, the small coastal town of Las Catalinas feels like an experiment for utopian life. Cars are neither allowed nor necessary, as wide-open pedestrian pathways weave through the town and surrounding nature. The lifestyle leans toward organic meals and yoga on the beach, in line with Las Catalinas' mission of sustainable and fulfilling travel.

Its exterior painted cheerful yellow, 4 Calle Cartagena is ideal for families as this spacious home is built for fun, both inside and out. Perhaps the property’s most prized feature is its open-air courtyard with a pool; two loungers; hammock terrace; covered terrace; and covered dining room with a cross-barrel vaulted ceiling, table for eight, barbecue, and bar.

Chat with an Origin curator and we’ll start planning your own personalized trip to beautiful Costa Rica.

Property images courtesy of Finca Rosa, Nayara Gardens, Senda Monteverde, and 4 Calle Cartagena. All other images courtesy of Unsplash.