Costa Rica Without the Crowds: Where to Go If You Prefer Mountains, Nature and Real Local Life
By the Bluesky Lodge & Farm family, NicoyaUpdated October 1, 2026
Short answer
Head inland. The hills around Nicoya, in Guanacaste, are quiet, green and truly local, with nature all around, the Nicoya Blue Zone on your doorstep and the beach just 45 minutes away. You get the best of Costa Rica's Pacific side without living in a tourist town.
The problem: the Costa Rica everyone visits
Most itineraries follow the same loop: Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, then a beach town like Tamarindo. They're famous for good reasons, but in high season they're busy, priced for tourists, and sometimes it feels like you're mostly meeting other travelers.
Mountains or beach? Why not both
If you prefer nature, wildlife and mountains to lying on the sand, you don't have to choose. Base yourself in the hills and treat the beach as a day trip:
- Mountain base: quiet nights, fresh air, a 180° view, and nights that feel cooler and less humid than the coast. See why it's cooler up here.
- Beach by day: Playa Sámara (45 min) for calm water and beginner surfing, Tamarindo (about 1 h), or Nosara (about 1 h 30).
What makes the Nicoya mountains different
Real Costa Rican life
Nicoya is a working town of farmers, ranchers and families, not a resort strip. It sits at the heart of the Nicoya Blue Zone, one of the few regions in the world known for unusually long, healthy lives. Shopping, sodas (local restaurants) and the bus station are 10 minutes from the lodge.
Nature that isn't on every postcard
The Nicoya Peninsula is covered in tropical dry forest, a rarer ecosystem than rainforest, home to howler monkeys, iguanas and many birds. Around us:
- Barra Honda National Park (30 min): limestone caves with stalactites and guided descents.
- Llano de Cortés waterfall (about 1 h 30): a wide waterfall with a swimming pool at its base.
- Vista del Mar mountain route (about 1 h 30): a 4x4/ATV trail to a high viewpoint over the ocean, then down to Playa Marbella.
- Horseback riding and ATV tours in the hills and along the beaches.
A farm next door
Bluesky Lodge sits above our own sustainable farm, where volunteers from around the world help with the animals, gardens and building projects. It's part of daily life here. See volunteering on our farm.
Who this is (and isn't) for
You'll love it if you like a bit of adventure: the last kilometer to the lodge is a steep 4x4 road (or a ride up with us from the gate), the nights are quiet, and nature is close. See how to get here.
It's probably not for you if you want to walk to beach bars, nightlife and room service. Tamarindo or a resort on the Papagayo coast will make you happier.
Bonus: it costs less
Outside the tourist towns, prices are local prices. In our experience, staying near Nicoya costs roughly half of comparable places in Sámara, Nosara or Tamarindo. See is Costa Rica expensive?
Frequently asked questions
Where can I go in Costa Rica to avoid tourists?+
Skip the famous beach towns and stay inland, in ordinary Costa Rican towns and the hills around them. The mountains around Nicoya in Guanacaste are a good example: quiet, local, affordable and still under an hour from the beach.
Should I stay in the mountains or at the beach in Costa Rica?+
If you love nature, quiet and cooler nights, stay in the mountains and visit the beach for the day. In Nicoya you can do both: Bluesky Lodge is in the hills, 45 minutes from Playa Sámara.
What is there to do around Nicoya?+
Explore the Barra Honda caves (30 min), spend the day at Sámara beach (45 min), visit waterfalls such as Llano de Cortés, ride horses or ATVs in the hills, and experience daily life in the Nicoya Blue Zone, one of the places in the world where people live the longest.
Is Nicoya good for adventurous travelers?+
Yes. Even getting to Bluesky Lodge is an adventure: the last kilometer is a steep 4x4 road up the mountain. If you prefer paved roads and resorts, the coast will suit you better.
Come and see it for yourself
A-frame cabins, an infinity pool and a 180° view over the Nicoya mountains, 10 minutes from town and 45 minutes from the beach.
