Beyond the Tourist Trail

The best of Costa Rica’s off the beaten path locations in one itinerary

Take in the sparkling Caribbean waters in Punta Uva, hike through the wildest jungles to epic waterfalls in Bajos Del Toro and relax in the thermal waters of the Rincón De La Vieja volcano on this adventure heavy itinerary.

Airport: Fly into Juan Santa Maria (SJO), Fly out of Liberia (LIR)

Itinerary Length: 2 weeks at a relaxed pace

Adventure Level: Unmatched

Best Time of Year: December-April

Punta Uva (Days 1-4)

Punta Uva is a stunning beach destination on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, known for its soft white sand, clear turquoise waters, and lush jungle backdrop. Located just south of Puerto Viejo in the Limón Province, it’s an ideal escape for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those craving a laid-back tropical experience. .

Getting to Punta Uva

The drive from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) takes about 5-6 hours (despite Google Maps estimating 4), so plan for a full day of travel—but trust me, it’s worth it. Route 32 is a major transportation route between the port city of Limón and the Central Valley, so expect to share the road with large freight trucks. Between May and November, heavy rains and dense fog can cause road closures, so be sure to check Waze before heading out. This drive is like stepping through a climate portal—descending from the mountains, you’ll immediately feel the warmth of the Caribbean. Make a few stops along the way to admire the towering monster-covered cliffs and the untouched beauty of Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Once you arrive in Punta Uva, let the stress melt away. The area is perfectly positioned between the vibrant towns of Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, both rich in Afro-Caribbean culture, lively music, and incredible food. Be sure to try the local dish, Rice and Beans—a fragrant coconut-infused rice paired with fall-off-the-bone stewed chicken at a place like Lidia’s . This region is also unique in that English is widely spoken, often blended with Patua, a mix of Spanish, French, and English.

Things to Do in Punta Uva

Kayak Through Punta Uva’s Mangroves
For a peaceful adventure, rent a kayak and paddle through the Punta Uva River, which meanders through dense mangroves and tropical forests. This serene setting is ideal for spotting wildlife, including howler monkeys, sloths, and vibrant bird species like the Lapa Verde. Guided tours are available for those who want a deeper dive into the local ecosystem.

Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center
Animal lovers shouldn’t miss the Jaguar Rescue Center, located near Puerto Viejo. This rehabilitation facility rescues and cares for injured or orphaned wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, and wild cats. Guided tours provide an up-close look at their conservation efforts and help support the center’s mission.

Take a Surf Lesson
While Punta Uva’s waters are calm, Playa Cocles (just a short drive away) offers some of the best waves for beginner and intermediate surfers. Several local surf schools provide lessons, making it a great spot to try surfing for the first time.

The wave break at Cocles Beach is perfect for beginner and intermediate surfers, and the white sand is just a plus!

Bajos Del Toro (Days 5-8)

From Punta Uva to Bajos Del Toro is an adventure in itself and will again take a full day, so be sure to leave early and take many breaks. This drive is probably one of the most scenic throughout Costa Rica and is definitely off the beaten path. You’ll pass by pineapple farms and may even get a look at the famous PinkGlow pineapples created by Dole. Stop by a local fruit stand and try a rambutan (mamón chino) or pick up a few kilos of passion fruit (maracuyá) to make a refreshing drink upon arriving to Bajos Del Toro.

Bajos Del Toro is known as the land of the waterfalls and is hands down one of the coolest places in Costa Rica. I dream about this place at least once a week, and it boggles my mind that it’s been mostly left undiscovered and untouched by tourism. Here is my plea to leave no trace when you enter this sacred space. This small little town is the jumping off point for so many waterfall hikes and adventures.

The unique shape of the Pintada waterfall in Bajos Del Toro, and its bright turquoise waters, definitely rival the more touristed Rio Celeste.

Things to Do in The Bajos Del Toro Region

As we said, there’s so much to do here, and it can honestly get overwhelming, but whatever you do, we highly recommend using a guide who is local to the area and knows the safety precautions around entering the rivers, which can at times experience flash flooding. We’ve used Senderos del Toro (Trails of Toro) several times and think they are the most knowledgeable out there.

Hike to The Seven Blue Falls
Costa Rica’s lesser known blue river, but arguably more stunning, is located on private property and makes for an awesome all day adventure. Trek through the lush farmland and forests as you visit Las Gemelas (The Twins), Tepezquintle, Celestial, Turquesa and save the Pintada (Painted) for last. If you aren’t much of a hiker, or want to take a relaxed approach, Pintada waterfall is the most unique looking and has the richest turquoise water.

Hike to Quebrada Gata and Barroso Canyon
Locals call this hike the Jurassic Park hike, since you drop into a secluded canyon surrounded by towering 200-meter cliffs with lush green vegetation clinging to every surface, fed by the mist of the surrounding waterfalls. You’ll start at a hydroelectric plant and walk through the Bull (toro) river, climbing over boulders, and swimming through pools of crystal clear water before arriving at the majestic Barroso Canyon. Then, you’ll hike back and up another river to the Quebrada Gata, where the power of water is fully realized and three waterfalls come crashing over you.

Hike to Vuelta al Cañon Waterfall
Vuelta al Cañon Waterfall has become famous on Costa Ricans’ Instagram accounts, but that doesn’t mean it’s been spoiled, and certainly still qualifies as off the beaten path. Reason being, it’s a challenging hike that takes most of the day, but the reward is absolutely worth it. This waterfall appears to submerge itself as it hits the ground, before popping back over moss covered rocks and resuming its path down the river. It’s places like this that make it hard to believe that Costa Rica is real.

The mossy green rocks and the ethereal falls shaped by years of water erosion, make swimming in Barroso Canyon feel like diving into a secret realm.

Rincon de La Vieja (Days 9-12)

Located in the remote Northern Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, Rincon de la Vieja is a geothermal wonderland packed with adventure, biodiversity, and stunning landscapes. This area is best known for Rincón de la Vieja National and the active namesake volcano. The park is one of the few places in Costa Rica where you can witness geothermal features like steaming fumaroles, boiling mud pools, and hot springs. Its also known for its diverse ecosystem, as the area transitions between tropical dry forest and cloud forest, making it a biodiversity hotspot for exotic birds like Keel-billed toucans, motmots, and blue-crowned trogons and rare mammals, like tapirs, anteaters, and even elusive jaguars. If you’re looking to get your volcano fix, but want to get off the beaten path, Rincón de la Vieja offers a more rugged experience compared to the popular Arenal Volcano.

The Cangreja waterfall tumbles into its blue pools below.

Things to Do in Rincón de la Vieja

Hike to Las Pailas – A relatively easy loop trail (3 km) that takes you past boiling mud pots, steam vents, and mini geysers.

Hike to La Cangreja Waterfall – A challenging but rewarding 10 km round-trip hike leading to a beautiful blue waterfall.

Visit the Hot Springs – Take a dip in the natural thermal pools at Sensoria Costa Rica and try their golden mud bath experience for a truly luxurious day.

Horseback Riding – Explore the scenic Guanacaste ranchlands and forests on horseback.

Ziplining & Canyoning – Several eco-lodges offer ziplining and canyoning tours over rivers and waterfalls.

Tubing on Rio Negro – A thrilling river tubing experience over five km (three miles) of Class II and III rapids along this narrow, rushing river of crystal clear water.

Rincón De La Vieja Volcano towers over the Guanacaste dry forest.