All Costa Rica

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Costa Rica

27 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Costa Rica

Updated January 28, 2026
Email

Cities

Unusual Attractions in Costa Rica

Places

Discover your next amazing Atlas Place.

Get more unusual and extraordinary places each week with the Atlas Obscura Places newsletter.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

See All 27 Things To Do in Costa Rica

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Costa Rica

In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Costa Rica

Flora 3
Nature 3
Rivers 3
Plants 3
Animals 2
Bridges 2
Trees 2
Insects 2

Costa Rica Leaderboard

Recent Costa Rica Activity

Stories About Costa Rica

The new species is about a foot long, and like other species, curls into a ball with their suckers pointing out when protecting their eggs.

New Species of Octopus Thrives in Deep Sea Nurseries

At warm, deep sea springs off Costa Rica's Pacific Coast, throngs of octopus "balls" gather to tend their brood.
by Roxanne Hoorn
Costa Rican designs for oxcarts are iconic and can be spotted throughout the country. The intricate patterns represent birds and foliage found in the dense forests, as well as spear tips from Indigenous and Aztec designs, and colors represent different regions.

A Look Inside the Last Colorful Oxcart Factory in Costa Rica

Uriel Alfaro Castro shows his handmade Aztec wheels, which outperformed European designs.
by Sarah Yeoman
Rocky’s doghouse was carefully dismantled after meteorite hunters purchased it in 2019. Though Rocky was sad to see his house go, it was soon replaced with a much nicer one.

Sold: A $44,000 Doghouse With a Hole in Its Roof

Rocky's home was struck by a rare meteorite, but don't worry, he's okay.
by Sarah Durn
The misty cloud forests of Costa Rica’s Cerro de la Muerte are home to several endangered species—including, say locals, spirits charged with protecting the mountain.

In Search of Nímbulos, Guardians of Costa Rica's Mountain of Death

Believers say the otherworldly protectors of Cerro de la Muerte's cloud forests face an uncertain future.
by Trevor Ritland and Priscilla Palavicini

Lists Featuring Costa Rica

Red Seabeach
The otherworldly landscape of Padar Island.
Black Sand Beach

10 Unique Beaches From Around the World

From bright red grass to stranded shipwrecks, these beaches are anything but ordinary.

10

Including Driftwood Beach, Red Beach , and Padar Island

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member