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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Costa Rica

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

Updated July 14, 2026
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Stories About Costa Rica

GPS-tagging whimbrels on Chiloé Island in southern Chile.

Wings of Survival

A world-first race with nature
by Timm Döbert, Community Contributor
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, Atlas Obscura
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, Atlas Obscura
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, Atlas Obscura
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, Atlas Obscura

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.
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