It is a shame that tourist numbers in Costa Rica put people off visiting what is arguably the best destination in Latin America for a combination of wildlife and activities. Some areas are undoubtedly touristy and being in a group at some point is unavoidable, but there are several things to be aware of to make your trip as original as possible.
You could simply avoid the beaten path altogether (Tortuguero, Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio). However, the tourist board promotes these areas with good reason so it is a shame to miss them, and if they are included then we can recommend the smaller, more secluded hotels. If ignoring the popular regions, there are isolated eco-lodges like Pacuare Lodge, El Silencio, Casa Corcovado or Rio Celeste Hideaway located in the jungle away from any civilization.
Pacuare Lodge
There are so many volcanoes and national parks in Costa Rica that it is simple enough to get off the beaten track and visit the parts that most do not. Cahuita in the South Caribbean is far away from the beach resorts of the Pacific Coast, while there is Los Quetzales for birdwatching and Cano Negro wildlife refuge on the Nicaraguan border, to name but a few.
High season in Costa Rica is November to April as the rainy season tends to run from May to October, so it is worth avoiding the peak times of Christmas, Easter and the summer holidays if you really want to avoid the crowds. September and October are typically the wettest months but the shoulder months of May and November when there are fewer people on holiday are worth considering.
Whenever you go we can design the right trip for you and there are many benefits of Costa Rica having a great tourist infrastructure, such as the variety of hotels and high level of spoken English.
Read our top tips for avoiding crowds in Costa Rica here>
