Explore Costa Rica
Since you're joining us in Costa Rica, we'd love for you to experience more of what makes this place so special to us. We HIGHLY recommend using the wedding as a chance to explore the country's incredible beaches, volcanoes, jungles and wildlife. Here are a few destinations we recommend adding to your trip.
Travel Tip for those in the US: Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, Jan 19 - just days before the wedding. If you're flying in early, this federal holiday gives you a bonus travel day without burning PTO!
El Silencio Lodge and Spa
El Silencio holds a very special place in our hearts, especially for Giovanna. Long before it became the eco-lodge it is today, this land was her grandfather Moisés' farm, where she spent years of her childhood roaming these mountains and swimming under its many waterfalls. The history here is deeply personal to the Herrera family, woven into every trail and valley.
We may be a little biased, but we genuinely believe El Silencio is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Nestled in the cloud forest about 1.5 hours northwest of San José, it's an easy addition to your trip whether you're arriving early or winding down after the wedding.
*Approx. 1.5 hours from San José
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If you're short on time and don't want to venture too far from San José, The Retreat is our go-to recommendation for getting a true taste of Costa Rica without the long drive. Nestled on a mountain above Atenas, it offers sweeping views of the rainforest and the Pacific Ocean that will stop you in your tracks.
This is another place that holds a special spot in our hearts. We've spent a lot of time here over the years, and it never gets old.
They offer daily yoga classes, a full spa, cooking classes, and a great restaurant. Whether you're staying for a few nights or just coming up for a day visit, it's definelty worth checking out.
*Approx. 45 min drive from San José
Can also be a day trip
The Retreat
A longtime favorite of the Herrera family, Manuel Antonio holds a special place for us, it's where we've spent countless days on the beach, sipped cocktails out on the boat, explored the jungle and waterfalls, and made some of our best memories together.
The crown jewel is Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most biodiverse parks in the world. Wildlife sightings here are practically guaranteed (monkeys swinging overhead, sloths hanging in the trees, and colorful birds at every turn). The park also has stunning beaches tucked inside, so you can go from a nature hike to a swim without ever leaving.
Just offshore, the fishing is amazing. Marina Pez Vela is the launching point for some incredible deep-sea and inshore fishing trips (sailfish, marlin, and mahi-mahi are all fair game). "Don't even ask Teddy he still won't stop bragging about the sailfish he caught" - G
Make sure to stop by or stay at the Karahé Hotel. You'll want to enjoy their cold drinks and snacks right on the sand, a Herrera family staple.
While you're in the area, don't miss:
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Nauyaca Waterfalls
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Dominical: A laid-back surf town with a funky beach vibe, and some excellent restaurants about 45 minutes south. For the surfers: great river mouth wave and powerful consistent beach breaks with easy access.
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Uvita & Marino Ballena National Park: Just beyond Dominical, this is where you can walk out on the famous "whale tail" sandbar at low tide. Whale watching tours also run from here between December and April, so January is perfect timing!
*Approx. 2.5 - 3 hours from San José
Manuel Antonio & Nearby Spots
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The Guanacaste Coast
If you're flying in or out of Liberia (LIR), the Guanacaste coast in the NW of the country is HIGHLY recommended and one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Costa Rica, and there's no shortage of great places to base yourself. January is peak season up here: dry, sunny, and perfect.
A few spots worth knowing:
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Papagayo Peninsula (~40 mins from Liberia Airport): Stunning protected bay with calm, clear water. More polished and resort-oriented than the surf towns further south, with spectacular sunsets and some of Costa Rica's best hotels, including the Four Seasons and Andaz.
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Las Catalinas (~1 hr from Liberia Airport): A Herrera family favorite and one of our New Year's spots. Completely car-free, built on a hillside above two beautiful beaches, with cobblestone streets and a Mediterranean feel unlike anywhere else in the country.
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Playa Flamingo (~1 hr from Liberia Airport): With a great marina for fishing or charters and an upscale, relaxed vibe.
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Playas del Coco (~30 mins from Liberia Airport): The closest beach town to the airport.
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Playa Conchal (~1 hr from Liberia Airport): One of the most stunning beaches in the country, famous for the billions of tiny shells that make up its sand.
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Hacienda Pinilla (~1 hr from Liberia Airport): A sprawling private community with excellent surf breaks, a world-class golf course, and a fantastic beach club.
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Nosara and Santa Teresa: These two deserve their own section. Find below.
Monteverde is classic Costa Rica. This is the center of the cloud forest, and unlike anything else in Costa Rica. It's misty and cool, the trails wind through dense jungle, and another place you're pretty much guaranteed to see more wildlife than you'd expect.
There's also great zip-lining through the canopy, hanging bridges if you want something a little more low-key, and a charming little town with good food, local coffee, and chocolate you'll want to bring home.
Recommended hotels:
*Approx. 3 hours from San José
or 2.5 hours from Liberia
(right in between both)
Monteverde
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Volcán Arenal / La Fortuna
Arenal is one of those places that feels almost too dramatic to be real. The volcano dominates the skyline, and the town of La Fortuna sits right at its base.
La Fortuna is a great little base, easy to get around, good restaurants, and plenty to keep you busy. The hot springs here are a highlight, fed by the geothermal activity of the volcano itself.
Beyond the springs, there's great hiking, zip-lining, white water rafting on the Río Toro, and the famous La Fortuna waterfall if you're up for the hike down. It's one of the more activity-packed destinations in the country.
Arenal is about 2.5 hours from San José and pairs really well with Monteverde, the two are relatively close and make for a natural combo if you're planning a few days in the northern highlands. A great place to stop for a few days between the two airports.
*Approx 3 hours from San José
or 2.5 hours from Liberia
Nosara
Nosara is one of our favorite places.
It's built around two things: surf and yoga. The waves here are some of the most consistent in Costa Rica, making it a great spot whether you're a seasoned surfer or just getting started. No big hotels crowding the shore, just jungle meeting sand which gives it a really unique vibe.
Make sure you check out Ostional. Just up the road from the town of Nosara, and one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the world. Olive Ridley turtles come ashore here in massive numbers to nest, and January is a great time to witness it. A personal favorite break of Teddy and his friends. Excellent if you want to explore beyond Guiones.
The yoga scene is great. Check out the Bodhi Tree.
It's a little off the beaten path, about 1.5 hours from Liberia (LIR) on some bumpy roads, and honestly that's part of what makes it special. It hasn't been overdeveloped, and the community works hard to keep it that way. Rent a board, find a class, eat well, and just be there for a while.
*Approx. 4.5 hours from San José
or 1.5 hours from Liberia
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Los Sueños
If you're looking for something easy and close to San José, or just want a day or two to decompress before or after the wedding, Los Sueños is a great option. It's only about an hour and a half from the city, sitting right on the Pacific coast in Herradura Bay.
The main draw here is convenience. The marina is world-class and one of the best jumping-off points for deep-sea fishing in all of Costa Rica (sailfish, marlin, roosterfish, tuna, etc) the waters off Los Sueños are seriously productive, and there's no shortage of experienced captains and charters to take you out. Add in restaurants and comfortable accommodations right on the water, and it makes for a very easy, enjoyable stay.
The beach at Los Sueños itself isn't the main attraction, but there are some great options nearby worth exploring. Playa Hermosa just down the road has one of the best surf breaks in the country, and several other beautiful beaches are easily reachable by car or boat.
*Approx. 1.5 hours from San José
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is another favorite. Teddy did a surf trip here with his San Diego crew a few years back and still talks about it, the kind of trip that they've been chasing ever since.
It's a raw, beautiful stretch of coastline on the southern Nicoya Peninsula with powerful, consistent waves that draw surfers from all over the world. Dense rainforest goes right up to the beach and its just incredible. It's a bit of a journey to get there, about 3 hours from Liberia. You can also get there from San José involving a ferry crossing from Puntarenas, but that's part of the charm. The remoteness keeps it from getting too overrun.
Beyond the surf, Santa Teresa has quietly become one of the coolest little beach towns in Central America. Great restaurants, a strong yoga scene, and a laid-back international crowd that somehow never feels too touristy. You can eat incredibly well here, catch a sunset with a drink in hand, and feel like you found something special.
If you're a surfer, this one's a must. And even if you're not, it's worth the trip just to be there.
*Approx. 4.5 hours from San José (includes a ferry) or 4 hours from Liberia
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Witch's Rock
Witch's Rock is about as close to a pilgrimage as surfing gets in Costa Rica. Teddy has made the trip multiple times with friends, it's become something of a New Year's tradition, and for good reason.
The wave itself is legendary. A powerful, hollow beach break inside Santa Rosa National Park, it's one of the most iconic surf spots in the country and only accessible by boat charter out of Playas del Coco or Tamarindo, which is half the fun. The journey out there, the remoteness of it, the fact that you have to earn it a little, it all adds to the experience.
Because it sits inside a national park, the surrounding area is raw and largely untouched. There's no town, no restaurants, no resort, just jungle, wildlife, and waves. If you're looking for a full surf experience rather than a beach vacation, this is it.
It's best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers, the waves here are serious, but if that's your thing, it's an unforgettable day or multi-day trip. Most people charter a boat out of Playas del Coco, which is about an hour from Liberia (LIR), making it very doable if you're flying in or out of Guanacaste.
*Approx 1 hour boat ride from Playas del Coco
Puerto Viejo
Unlike anywhere else in Costa Rica, or Central America. The vibe is distinctly Caribbean: reggae, Afro-Caribbean culture, colorful architecture, and a slow pace of life. A completely different side of the country, and well worth the trip.
The food is arguably the best in Costa Rica, with fresh seafood and Afro-Caribbean flavors that punch way above the town's size. For surfers, January is peak season on the Caribbean coast. And the beaches stretching south toward Manzanillo are some of the most beautiful and unspoiled in the country.
One heads up: the Caribbean doesn't follow the Pacific's dry season pattern, January can see some rain. Don't let it put you off though; it's part of what keeps this side of the country so lush.
*Approx 4 hours from San José
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