Thinking about Costa Rica for your next trip? Let Guido and Agnes be your source of inspiration!
In 2024, one of Impactful Travel’s founders Guido and Agnes explored nearly every corner of Costa Rica—connecting with local communities, uncovering hidden gems, and immersing themselves in the country’s breathtaking diversity. Their mission? To experience the destination firsthand and gather the insight and inspiration needed to start creating custom trips that focus on community tourism and conservation, taking our travelers to the most unique parts of Costa Rica.
While we’re putting the finishing touches on our full Costa Rica destination guides, here’s a first look at their unforgettable journey—filled with beautiful moments, local encounters, and sustainable travel highlights. This trip inspired our five example itineraries across Costa Rica’s most unique spots—each one fully customizable to your style of travel. Scroll through, get inspired, and start dreaming up your perfect Costa Rica adventure!
Welcome to the Land of Pura Vida!
Greetings from Costa Rica, where Agnes and I (Guido) have been soaking in the country’s vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty. This journey was all about discovering authentic, meaningful travel experiences—guided by locals, rooted in community, and surrounded by nature.
Now, we’re excited to share some highlights from our trip. These places and people have deeply inspired us, and we can’t wait to help you experience them too. So take a look, get inspired, and when you’re ready, reach out to us to start crafting your custom Costa Rican adventure.
The Caribbean Coast: Beaches, Jungle, and Deep Cultural Roots
In Puerto Viejo, nestled between pristine beaches and dense jungle, we found a community as vibrant and diverse as the landscape itself. We had great food, made chocolate and learned about local refreshing drinks. We met Carleen, a charismatic local who introduced us to Caribbean cooking and regaled us with fascinating stories. She still proudly speaks Limonese Creole: a local dialect full of history.
We visited BriBri families living deep in the jungle—an Indigenous community whose language shares surprising connections with the Peruvian Andes. A bit further up north, we were inspired by Jurgen of Selva Bananito Lodge, whose sky-high enthusiasm for conservation was infectious. And finally, in the Tortuguero channels, we found a hidden ecolodge offering the best wildlife experience!
Dota & Rivas: Cloud Forests, Quetzals, and Community
Our journey continued in Dota and Rivas, where we hiked to an off-grid cabin in a private reserve, and woke up finding ourselves surrounded by toucans, squirrels, and even a family of wild peccaries. We visited several amazing hotels in San Gerardo de Dota, an absolute birder’s paradise. We learned about organic agriculture and kombucha brewing from a local powerhouse woman.
Our favorite visit was to Providencia: we were moved by this community working together to preserve their traditions and create opportunities for youth through tourism. Their dedication to sustainable tourism was a testament to the power of impactful travel. They also had the perfect quetzal-spotting place; we were there by ourselves surrounded by several colorful males and a female for an hour. Surreal!
Read our next blog: Why Community-Based Tourism is the Future of Travel in Costa Rica
Alajuela Province: Between Icons and Hidden Gems
After crossing the country once more to pay a quick visit to a perfect Tortuguero-alternative, we arrived in the area around the famous Arenal volcano. Despite witnessing the harsh realities of mass tourism here, we remained committed to discovering responsible alternatives. We found solace in the less-traveled parts of Río Celeste and admired the work of organic farms offering comfortable accommodation. The community-based tourism initiatives we encountered, particularly those led by young people, served as a beacon of hope for the future of sustainable travel. So inspiring!
The Rugged Northwest: Culture, Beaches, and Local Heritage
Our travels led us further north-west to Guanacaste, where we encountered more history and cultural heritage. We engaged in hands-on cooking classes, learned about medicinal plants, and marveled at the pottery skills of the local Chorotega community. Despite the region’s dry climate and rugged road conditions, its spirit was far from parched. Around Nosara and Sámara, we got a taste of the Pacific beach life, where surfers and pensioners mingle with the locals.
The Osa Peninsula: Nature, Gold, and Conservation
Our final destination was the wild and magical Osa Peninsula. Passing through the picture-perfect Uvita beach along the way, Osa truly embodied the “save the best for last” sentiment! While we marveled at Osa’s famous pristine nature on our hikes all over the peninsula, it was the diverse community tourism and conservation initiatives that left a lasting impact.
From unforgettable hikes to community-led conservation projects, this region is the beating heart of Costa Rica’s eco-tourism movement. One of our trip highlights? A gold-panning experience with Juan, where storytelling and sustainability came together in the most unexpected and beautiful way. It turned out to be one of our favorite experiences in all of Costa Rica!
👉 Want the full Costa Rica experience? Dive into our extended itinerary—Tour Authentic Costa Rica, the Local Way
Q&A with Guido & Agnes
What did you love most about Costa Rica?
Guido: Without a doubt, the abundance of wildlife. Everywhere you go, nature surrounds you. But beyond the nature, we were inspired by all the off-the-beaten-path destinations where communities are preserving traditions and making tourism a force for good.
Which destination surprised you the most?
Agnes: The Caribbean Coast. It has everything: beaches, jungle, food, culture, wildlife—and it’s less crowded than other areas, making it a wonderfully authentic place to explore.
👉 Customize our 7-day itinerary example Hidden Gems of Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast Trip and experience wild canals, lush trails, and local hearts
Ready to Design Your Custom Costa Rica Adventure?
Whether you want to spot quetzals in the cloud forest, meet cocoa farmers in the jungle, or unwind on Pacific beaches, we’re here to help you build a trip tailored to your interests, values, and pace. Every destination mentioned above is ready to be part of your custom itinerary.
We will ensure that:
– Your trip is packed with experiences that fit you.
– You will have intimate encounters with Costa Rica’s famous wildlife.
– You will meet inspiring Ticos—from local guides to Indigenous communities—who bring the country’s culture to life
– You will not have to worry about logistics at all.
– You will have a complete and diverse experience without feeling rushed.
Let’s get started!
Click here or contact us directly to plan your dream Costa Rican escape.
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Be among the first to experience Costa Rica with us – discover hidden gems through our unique trips and enjoy an exclusive discount. The first 20 bookings will enjoy a $200 discount on customized trips of 8 days or longer—don’t miss out! Valid through the end of 2026.
See you in Costa Rica—¡Pura Vida!
I love how Guido and Agnes focused on connecting with local communities during their Costa Rica journey—it really captures the essence of sustainable travel. Their approach of gathering inspiration firsthand makes the upcoming itineraries feel much more authentic and experience-driven. Can’t wait to see how those local encounters are reflected in the final guides!