This time we are not going to talk about the different beaches and already popular National Parks you can visit in Costa Rica; if you love the outdoor experiences this country offers you, we leave you three awesome places that not too many foreigners or expats know about:

Cerro Yarcazú: This mountain peak in Puriscal is an awesome option to enjoy nature and wonderful scenic and panoramic views. Located in La Cangreja National Park, one of the least visited parks in the country, which receives this name (The Crab) due to its shape and which in its highest point reaches 1,305 meters above sea level. Here you can walk through the trails immersed in the middle of the forest, there are some waterfalls along the way, when you reach the peak you can enjoy the views of Quepos and Parrita. This park has over 300 species of birds and a wide variety of small mammals like pumas and deer. To get here you have to take Route 27 and head towards Santiago de Puriscal, its a three hour drive.

La Muralla Waterfall: Located in Turrialba, close to the Guayabo National Monument, which if you haven’t visited before is also a great stop, this area in general is beautiful so you won’t regret making the drive. The walk to, and especially back, from the waterfall takes an effort so you have to be prepared with appropriate shoes and water bottles. There is a small swimming hole just a few steps away where you can sit and enjoy the view. If you want to stop for a bite in the area we recommend Rancho del Sapito, good food and it also has a small farm and entertainment for kids.

Bajos del Toro: This place is in Alajuela, close to Sarchí. Here you can find several amazing blue waterfalls. Tesoro Escondido (Hidden Treasure) and Las Gemelas (The Twins) are the most popular ones. The walk here is of approximately 3 kilometers, but finding yourself immersed in nature with sky blue waterfalls makes every step worth it. If you want to really get to know the entire area it is best if you get a local guide, don’t visit just one of the waterfalls, in this case they are not “all the same”, so make an effort to visit both sites.