Uvita has a truly serene stretch of beach that invites you to dive into Costa Rica's incredible Southern Pacific coastline. If you want to see some of the country's rarest wildlife, go just a little ways off the beaten path to this coastal eden. This remote beach is one of the top places for seeing humpback whales and Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. Year-round, you can go on a boating tour to see dolphins or take a sport fishing tour. Make your way to one of the smaller offshore islands (like Ballena Island) to get even further from typical beach attractions. Guests have their choice of Ocean view villas or jungle lodges. Either way, Uvita accommodations promise stunning sunsets and glorious views. Uvita is south of Manuel Antonio National Park and, home to a famous sandbar that's shaped exactly like a whale's tale. This beach is a scenic reminder of why Costa Rica's sparkling waters are such an important haven for marine animals.

How could anyone miss this? Pristine white-sand beaches. Incredible surfing. Delicious seafood and tropical fruits. Friendly locals. How is a place like this off Costa Rica's beaten path? The unassuming town of Nosara holds a beautiful secret. The city itself might not entice you to spend your vacation there, but the nearby beach hamlet of Guiones will! You'll emerge from Nosara to be greeted by pristine white-sand beaches, excellent surf waves, and luxurious accommodations to take in all of this natural beauty. Within this little gem, you can kayak across sapphire waters, view marine life on snorkeling excursions, reel in the catch of the day on a sport fishing excursion, or simply bask in warm sunlight. Nosara's Guiones Beach tends to cater to those seeking a luxurious, yet down to Earth, beach getaway, so there are plenty of opportunities to indulge in fine cuisine, yoga resorts, and deluxe amenities. The thriving expat community might encourage you to stay, or at least add this locale to your roster if you're a digital nomad. The moral of the story? Travel is an adventure, and going off the beaten path in Costa Rica is full of rewards.

Experience Costa Rica's Caribbean culture in Cahuita, a laidback village where bikes are the main mode of transportation. Try some Caribbean spice at the small selection of local restaurants and bars. Cahuita is right on the coast, and nearby you can visit the black sand beach of Playa Negra. You can also find a white sand beach inside the Cahuita National Park. For snorkeling, explore the coral reef that grows between the two beaches. Because Cahuita isn't as large as nearby Puerto Viejo, it's easier to find pristine, calm beaches. You'll actually see the sand instead a sea of umbrellas and beach blankets. From the village, it's a short distance from Cahuita National Park, a free wildlife reserve. Take nature walks on paths that lead from the rainforest to the ocean. Along the way, you'll have the best chance of seeing capuchin monkeys and sloths. Cahuita is a quintessential beach town in Costa Rica, minus the crowds. It's also a place where you can straight go from the sand to a local restaurant — casual, friendly businesses are used to seeing sandy feet.

It doesn't get much more off the beaten path than this. Carate is on the edge of one of the world's most impressive stretches of jungle — Corcovado National Park. Treks through this part of the jungle can be quite intense, but Carate offers a truly remote and peaceful place to put up your feet and experience a stretch of beach unmarred by the usual beachtown ruckus or any development whatsoever. This area attracts true nature lovers, and the accommodations reflect that. Choose from a range of eco lodges, including gorgeous retreats that emphasize wellness and oneness with nature. The stretch of road between Puerto Jimenez, Cabo Matapalo and Carate (where the road literally ends) you will find a number of high end eco resorts should you wish to widen your range of accommodation choices. Walk on the dark sand of Playa Madrigal and revel in the windswept beauty of the Osa Peninsula. This beach is connected to the trail that leads to the Sirena Ranger Station, one of the main stops to see wildlife in the rainforest. Follow a guide on a trail through Corcovado National Park, or hop in a boat for a marine wildlife tour of the nearby Isla de Caño — one of Costa Rica's hotspots for snorkeling and diving. Sport fishing tours introduce you to some of the enormous fish that thrive in the deep, cold waters of the Pacific.