Adventures and Eats in Costa Rica: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Costa Rica is one of those places that instantly takes your breath away! I got to spend a week in Playa Palo Seco over spring break with my second family. I had so much fun, and I can’t wait to share all of the fun activities I did and local food spots I ate at during my time there. I also want to give a huge shout out to the Kovacs family, who let me tag along with them on their trip and stay in their beautiful home- you guys are seriously the best! Without further ado, here are some of the best adventures and eats near Playa Palo Seco!

Ziplining in Manuel Antonio

I kicked my Costa Rica trip off with some ziplining in Manuel Antonio! This was my first time ziplining, and it did not disappoint. I highly recommend the Manuel Antonio Canopy Tour. It’s $90 and includes pickup, drop off, and a delicious lunch. The zip lining itself is the longest in Central America (almost a mile) and offers incredible views of the rainforest from above!

Palo Seco Beach

Palo Seco Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever stepped foot on. It is a black sand beach that offers stunning views of the ocean and endless palm trees. Whether you enjoy water activities or strolling on the beach searching for sand dollars, it is the perfect spot to have a peaceful beach day!

Rainmaker Conservation Park

The Rainmaker Conservation Park might have been my favorite thing in Costa Rica! I opted for the self-guided tour so I could explore at my own pace. The tour is $12 and gives you access to two miles of well-marked trails in the jungle. There are hanging bridges, platforms with beautiful views, and waterfalls with swimming holes!

Parque Nahomie

Parque Nahomie in Quepos, Costa Rica, is a beautiful spot to take a stroll and hop in the water. You can easily access the bay, which has great snorkeling and diving conditions on clear days. Although the water was turned up when I went, I swam across the bay to a nice little beach. If you are not a strong swimmer, you can also access the beach by hiking!

Mangrove Tour

Although I did not book a mangrove tour, the Kovacs’ neighbors took us out on their boat, where we got to see the mangroves. We also came across a kayaking tour, which looked like a wonderful time! The estuary is stunning and the perfect place to come across some wildlife. A quick Google search will offer you a variety of different tours to choose from!

Playa Espadilla Beach

Unlike Palo Seco Beach, Playa Espadilla Beach is very lively, so if that is more your vibe, you will love it! You can rent chairs, go parasailing, ride a jet ski, and try surfing, all while enjoying the turquoise water and beautiful views. There are also a ton of cute shops and restaurants near by!

I had a ton of great food while I was in Costa Rica. Everything tasted so fresh, and I tried so many amazing local dishes! Here are a few of my favorite restaurants:

Bar Restaurante La Canada

Located in downtown Parrita, this restaurant offers a variety of different dishes that will not disappoint! I ordered the pescado Casado, and it was delicious. Everything was made fresh, and they were playing some great throwbacks, which made the experience even better!

Ronny’s Place

Ronny’s Place is located in Quepos, offers stunning ocean views, and has plenty of seating! The homemade chips and guacamole were amazing, and I also ordered a pina colado which came served in a pineapple. They have a huge menu, and I ordered the shrimp alfredo, which I highly recommend!

Bar Restaurante Arave

Arave is an amazing hole in the wall restaurant with so many delicious dishes to choose from! I became quite fond of pescado casado’s while I was in Costa Rica, so that’s what I ended up ordering, and it was very good. The staff was also so friendly and hospitable during our meal!

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed my Adventures and Eats is Costa Rica: The Ultimate Travel Guide! In case you missed my last blog post, you can click here to read it!