With volcanoes, beaches, cloud forests, and distinctive animals, Costa Rica is a natural wonderland. This is a country that attracts birdwatchers, luxury travelers, surfers, and backpackers alike.
The country's best museums and attractive squares are in San Jose, but the real gems are in the forests and small coastal communities beyond the capital.
The Pacific Coast is lined with endless stretches of sand and little communities that cater to surfers and sun lovers. Inland, the forested mountains offer their own set of thrills, including volcanoes, waterfalls, ziplining, and fantastic animal viewing. Check to the Caribbean coast for something completely different, with its tranquil waters, plentiful animals, and unique cultural vibe.
1. Manuel Antonio National Park
Beautiful beaches, rich woodland, and a diversified wildlife population characterize Manuel Antonio Park and the surrounding area.
As soon as you enter the park, you will notice shimmering butterflies and brightly colored birds darting about. From the pathways, you can observe howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, sloths, and the hard-to-miss capuchins. Join a Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour for a more in-depth experience. Guides frequently know exactly where the animals are and often have tripods and telescopes, which are perfect for viewing and shooting.
The majority of the activities in town revolve around the lovely oceanfront beach, where soccer matches break out in the afternoon and surfers enjoy the typically calm waves.
Restaurants and stores can be found across the street from the beach and further up on the hillside, some of which can be noisy at night. Inside the park, there are several equally excellent beaches for those who want to get away from the bustle of the main beach.
2. Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano National Park, located in the steep Cordillera de Tilarán, is one of the best places in the country to see volcanoes. The Arenal Volcano, a cone-shaped mountain with massive ash columns frequently spilling from the crater, is a major attraction here.
Arenal remained dormant from 1500 to 1968, when it erupted in a devastating eruption that killed 82 people and damaged two communities. Since then, it has been active on a daily basis, and visitors may expect to see anything from a cloud of ash to bright red lava flowing down the mountain depending on the day or week.
The park is also noted for its diverse biodiversity, with over half of all Costa Rican birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals being found inside its borders.
The Arenal Observatory Lodge, which opened in 1987 as a private observatory, is the only lodge within the Arenal Volcano National Park. It's on the south side of the volcano, on a macadamia nut farm. Views of the volcano and Arenal Lake in the opposite way are spectacular from the lodge. There are many hiking paths in the area, many of which lead to waterfalls and old and new lava flows.
3. Monteverde and the Cloud Forests
The Cloud Forests in Monteverde and Santa Elena are some of Costa Rica's best ecotourism destinations. This is the place to go if you want to immerse yourself in nature and see unique plants and wildlife without going too far off the beaten path.
The clouds that blanket these woodlands supply the essential moisture to keep the area's distinct ecology alive. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve are home to a variety of animals, amphibians, and reptiles, and many visitors come solely for bird watching. Look out for brightly colored frogs and wailing monkeys. Jaguars and pumas are more difficult to find.
One of the greatest ways to see the forest is to go on a guided hike. Canopy tours, which may include zip lines, bridges, and even cable cars, are another alternative.
Monteverde and Santa Elena are the region's two main tourist hubs, including lodging, restaurants, and even shopping and art galleries. By bus, it takes a little more than four hours to go to this location, which is located northwest of San Juan. Bring thick clothing because it can get cold up here.
4. Dominical
Dominical is a tropical backpacker's paradise, complete with dirt streets, stunning beaches, inexpensive lodging, casual open-air restaurants, and a welcoming atmosphere. Domincal is one of the top surfing spots in Costa Rica. Visitors find it difficult to leave, and their trips frequently grow into extended stays.
Dominical also draws affluent visitors, who can stay at tiny luxury inns and bed & breakfasts on the outskirts of town or in the hills overlooking the city. With howler monkeys greeting visitors in the morning and toucans flying near the pool, these venues are frequently kept apart and allow for close-up animal watching.
Vendors set up tables along the shore, beneath the shade of the trees, to offer crafts and other products. There are quieter beaches outside of town where you can locate your own particular spot.
Even in the dry season, when northern locations are arid and trees have dropped their leaves, Dominical is lush and steamy due to its southern location.
5. Tamarindo
Tamarindo, on the Nicoya Peninsula, is a popular surfing, beach, and party destination. Tamarindo, once a sleepy fishing community, is now a tourist hotspot with delicious restaurants and a variety of lodging options.
Tamarindo Beach, which stretches for 1.5 kilometers, is where the town is located. The area is well-known for its surfing, with a variety of breaks suitable for both experienced and novice surfers. The best months to visit are November and December when the waves are at their peak.
In addition to eco-friendly adventures and activities, the area around Tamarindo is recognized for eco-friendly adventures and activities such as snorkeling, diving, horseback riding, ziplining, and turtle viewing during the season. Playa Grande is one of Costa Rica's most prominent leatherback turtle nesting beaches.
6. Mal Pais and Santa Teresa
Mal Pais, on the Nicoya Peninsula, is famed for its big waves, which draw surfers from all over the world. The town of Santa Teresa is the primary attraction in the area, although the Mal Pais, which includes the villages of Mal Pais and Manzanillo, is a chain of villages and beaches.
The region is now a mix of backpackers, surfers who never made it out, and tourists who wished they had planned a longer holiday. The region is more trendy and has more of a scene than Dominical, and it has become more upmarket as a result of development.
7. Jaco
Jaco is a fantastic option for those who want to go away from San Jose but still have access to the conveniences and luxuries of a larger town or metropolis. The beach is large and nice, but it is only mediocre by Costa Rican standards.
Surfing and swimming are excellent, with smaller waves than in other parts of the coast. Modern residences and stores, a diverse selection of good restaurants and hotels, and other modern comforts distinguish Jaco from the several coastal communities along this stretch of the Pacific, making it a favourite choice among ex-pats and retirees.
8. Tortuguero National Park
Visitors visiting Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean Coast may be looking for something a little different and off the main path. This area, which is only accessible by boat or plane, is one of Costa Rica's wettest and offers a unique experience compared to the rest of the country. Because the park is an important nesting place for green sea turtles, turtle viewing is the most popular pastime here.
While there are numerous beaches, the coastline area is not suitable for swimming due to the severe surf and strong currents. Sharks are a common sight. Hundreds, if not thousands, of green and leatherback turtles can be seen nesting and laying eggs on the beaches overnight (guides are required). The number of turtles nesting in the area has increased as a result of recent conservation measures.
Monkeys, sloths, and kinkajous can be seen while trekking or taking a boat ride along the canals. Peccaries and tapirs can also be found, but they are more difficult to spot. Freshwater turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs, toads, and other amphibians are also frequent.
9. Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park
The secluded Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park are located in southern Costa Rica, beyond the magnificent beaches of Dominical.
The park, which was established in 1975, protects what is considered to be Central America's best remaining length of Pacific coastal rainforest. It has a large route system and is popular with hikers who want to go for long distances.
Other popular activities in the area include diving, snorkeling, and fishing, in addition to surfing. The area's major town is Puerto Jiménez, and the Drake Bay area has several excellent lodges.
10. The National Theater in San Jose
Costa Ricans are proud of the National Theater, which is regarded as San José's most impressive structure. The reigning coffee barons voted for a tax on coffee exports in the 1890s to fund the theater's construction, and European artisans were brought in to design the structure.
The building, which was completed in 1897, has a traditional Renaissance columned façade with statues representing Dance, Music, and Fame. The pink marble foyer has allegorical images of Comedy and Tragedy, as well as painted paintings reflecting Costa Rican life themes.
The most renowned of the paintings is one by Arturo Fontana, which depicts coffee harvesting and export in Milan in 1897.
11. Rincón de la Vieja National Park
This park's primary attraction is the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. A hike to the summit is one of the most popular activities. This 9.6-kilometer trek begins in Las Pailas and climbs to the peak through a variety of ecosystems. The vistas are breathtaking. On a clear day, you can see well into Nicaragua from the Nicoya Penisula.
Other, less difficult treks go to hot springs and waterfalls. The park is also home to a diverse range of species, including tapirs, sloths, monkeys, and large cats like the jaguar, puma, and ocelot.
12. La Paz Waterfall Gardens
This privately owned nature park in Costa Rica is a must-see sight. The park, which spans 70 acres, is home to a diverse range of animals, including monkeys, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other species.
The park's feature is the La Paz waterfall. Rainwater from the cloud woods cascades 37 meters down a cliff and into a pool below. Your entry ticket also grants you access to the serpentarium, butterfly observatory, jungle cat exhibit, and ranarium, in addition to the waterfall (frog exhibit).