Hidden Gems in Costa Rica You Must Visit in 2026
Costa Rica often brings to mind places like Manuel Antonio, Monteverde and Tamarindo. Many travelers land, take pictures, relax near a pool and fly home again. Still far away from the crowds there are some spots that are untouched. The rivers, canyons, cave pools, village trails and quiet landscapes that never make it to glossy brochures. This is where Costa Rica shows its true side.
This guide highlights eight places worth adding to a 2026 itinerary. Slow travel brings the biggest reward. Small roads lead to the richest experiences. A step off the popular path opens a whole different country.
1. Poza Los Coyotes — A Calm Blue Hideaway in Guanacaste
A short twenty minute drive from Liberia will bring you to Poza Los Coyotes – one of the most surprising nature stops in this region. A river flows from the Rincón de la Vieja volcanic range and fills a series of natural pools. When the sun touches the surface and the water changes into shades of blue and green that almost look ethereal.
Entry costs around 1000 colones – less than two dollars. That alone makes it worth the stop. The area has three main points of interest:
| Area | What to Expect |
| Cueva del Coyote | Cave pool with bright blue water |
| Canyon Viewpoint | Narrow cliff path with photo spots |
| Las Pocitas | Larger pools for swimming and resting |
Visitors often rent an inner tube for a small extra cost. It helps a lot when moving from one pool to the next. Las Pocitas is where most people stay the longest. People swim, set a towel down, eat a snack, and relax for hours. Flowing water sets a slow pace.
Facilities remain basic. You get parking space and portable toilets. That simplicity protects the magic of the place. No loud music. No shops. Only nature, shade, and running water. Poza Los Coyotes works perfectly as a half-day stop before heading to beaches like Tamarindo or Playa Hermosa.
2. Bajos del Toro — Waterfalls Wrapped in Cloud Forest
Bajos del Toro sits inside a valley lined with thick green forest and cold streams. Waterfalls drop through the mist like silver ribbons. This region is best for travelers who enjoy long walks and quiet mornings.
Trails can range from easy to demanding. Early hours work best – with soft light and lower temperatures. After your hike, sit in a small café with coffee and watch fog move like slow smoke across the hills. Bajos del Toro is like a breath after city noise.
3. Isla Chira — Slow Life on the Gulf of Nicoya
Isla Chira gives visitors a look at everyday Costa Rican life without crowds or tour groups. Local fishermen run boats through mangrove channels. Birds come and go through the open sky. Nights end with gold sunsets that settle across the Gulf.
Family-run cabinas give visitors direct contact with the community. Bike rides, beach walks, fresh seafood and friendly conversations make a stay here special. Nothing rushes and time moves slowly.
4. Río Celeste — Blue Water Like Wet Paint
Inside Tenorio Volcano National Park lies Río Celeste. It is a river so blue that it looks like an alien landscape. Minerals in the water scatter sunlight and create that bright color. A round-trip hike takes about three to four hours. The waterfall viewpoint is very unforgettable on a clear day.
Rain may change the river color – so plan ahead. When the sky stays clear, Río Celeste turns into a showpiece of nature. One look stays in memory.
5. San Gerardo de Dota — A Valley for Stillness
San Gerardo sits in a narrow mountain valley surrounded by tall oak trees. Small rivers run through town. Stone paths lead to viewpoints where cloud mist settles like a blanket.
This area is famous for quetzal sightings. Guides know places where these birds often appear during sunrise. Days pass slowly with trout dinners, warm drinks, conversations near firelight, and long silent trails. Nights can get cold, so bring layers.
6. Isla San Lucas — A Prison Island with New Life
Isla San Lucas once held one of the toughest prisons of Costa Rica. Today, it serves as a national park filled with murals, history and slow-moving trails. Visitors walk through old cells, pass faded paint and explore quiet courtyards.
After the tour, people relax near the water on small beaches. Boats leave from Puntarenas and trips usually take half a day. It balances somber history with gentle nature.
7. Barra del Colorado — Raw Jungle and River Silence
Up near the border with Nicaragua lies Barra del Colorado – one of the most wild corners in the country. Boats move through brown rivers lined with palm trees and tangled forest. This region holds manatees, macaws, tarpon and even jaguars.
Road access is limited, so river travel plays a big role. Visitors come to fish, birdwatch, or explore wetlands where human presence feels small. Dawn is loud here, with howler monkeys calling across the canopy.
8. Montezuma — Waterfalls and Ocean Rhythm
Montezuma blends art, beach culture and jungle all in one small town. Mornings often start with a hike to a waterfall. Lunch takes place in a town near the coast. Afternoons stretch into slow walks across tide pools.
Markets sell handmade jewelry, paintings,and crafts. Yoga mats appear near sunrise along the sand. Sunsets drop slowly and leave red trails across water.
Planning Your 2026 Trip Into Costa Rica’s Hidden Corners
Remote spots work best with patient planning. These tips help:
| Tip | Why It Helps |
| Pick one region per trip | Avoid rushed travel |
| Rent a car | Reaches remote towns easily |
| Carry cash | Small places may not take cards |
| Start early | Rain and heat arrive fast |
| Protect rivers and trails | Trails stay open when cared for |
Sample routes for easy planning:
Guanacaste Water Route
Liberia → Poza Los Coyotes → Tamarindo → Rincón de la Vieja
Cloud Forest Loop
Bajos del Toro → San Gerardo → Chirripó región
Island and History Route
Isla Chira → Isla San Lucas → Paquera coast
Go slow. Spend long hours in rivers. Talk to locals. Walk paths that rarely see tour vans. The moments that stick are often the ones without crowds or noise.
Final Line
Costa Rica has well-known beaches and tourist zones, but its deep soul lives in hidden corners. Poza Los Coyotes offers bright volcanic pools with still water. Río Celeste shines like paint under sunlight. San Gerardo whispers through fog. Barra del Colorado stands wild and untamed.
Let 2026 be the year you choose smaller roads, fewer crowds, and stories worth carrying home for decades.
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