This past December, BBC Travel recognized Costa Rica as one of the best destinations to visit in 2026, highlighting its extraordinary biodiversity, environmental leadership, and the rare intersection of nature and well being. Out of the 20 destinations selected worldwide, five are located in Latin America, with Costa Rica standing as the only country from Central America included on the list.
The article describes Costa Rica as a place where wilderness and wellness naturally coexist. From waking up to the sound of howler monkeys to paddling through coastal waters, practicing meditation or yoga, and hiking through protected landscapes, the country offers an unusually wide range of experiences within a single journey. While the piece focuses on the Osa Peninsula, these qualities are not confined to one region. They are deeply woven into the Costa Rican landscape and into the way the country is lived and experienced as a whole.
Here in Town, those same values take shape in a different but equally meaningful way. At Las Catalinas, nature, movement, and daily life are closely intertwined, with the added ease of walkability. A day might include renting a paddleboard or kayak at Pura Vida Ride, heading out to the trails on a bike, or hiking through the surrounding hills. Yoga or personal meditation can naturally become part of the rhythm of the day, with guided sessions also available at Center of Joy, adding another layer to the experience.
Wildlife is never far. Deer, anteaters, howler monkeys, armadillos, and a wide variety of birds are regular neighbors here, along with countless other species that quietly coexist alongside daily life. After a day outdoors, it is just as easy to walk to a restaurant, enjoy dinner or a drink, watch the sunset by the beach, and return home on foot.
The possibilities are many, and they unfold naturally. Anyone who has spent time in Town will likely agree that living well here feels easy. Costa Rica is, without question, a one of a kind destination, and experiences like this help explain why so many of us agree with the BBC. It is not only a place to visit in 2026, but a place that many who came to explore have chosen to make their forever home.