Forget polished theme parks; these oversized, slightly uncanny dinos look weirdly intense set against the dense Costa Rican forest. Wear old sneakers because the trail at Rincon de la Vieja turns into a legit mud pit instantly. Budget two hours for the loop, then plunge into the natural volcanic river to cool off. Skip driving yourself—the local roads are brutal. Book the $175 guided shuttle from Liberia to avoid a total suspension nightmare.
