10 Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica
- Astha Garg
- Oct 26, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Dec 16, 2024
With a perfect blend of picturesque beaches, pristine waterfalls, majestic volcanoes, and impressive national parks, Costa Rica is one of the best places to visit in Central America. No wonder it draws tourists from all parts of the world, with the US, Europe & Canada accounting for the most number of tourists.
One interesting fact about Costa Rica is that it contributes to only 0.03% of the earth’s surface, yet makes up 5% of the earth’s biodiversity. This makes Costa Rica one of the most biodiverse places in the world, thanks to its conservation efforts in the 1990s.
Now, if you are confused about which place to visit in Costa Rica, take a sigh of relief as we are here to help you decide. We have listed down some of the best places to go in Costa Rica, ones that are top our list. Read on!
Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica
La Fortuna & Arenal
La Fortuna is our personal favorite! With the majestic Arenal Volcano towering over the town, La Fortuna is one of the best places to stay in Costa Rica. This town caters to all types of travelers, whether you are a family with kids, a couple, a group of friends, or a solo traveler. From rejuvenating hot springs and hiking trails to a pristine waterfall, a lake, wildlife tours, and ziplining, you can never go out of options here.
What’s more? You get enchanting views of the Arenal volcano no matter where you are in the town. The hot springs are to die for! There are a multitude of options available and you can either choose to stay at a resort with hot springs or purchase a day pass for the hot springs. We totally recommend Baldi Hot Springs, as it is suitable for all types of travelers.
Top Things To Do in La Fortuna
Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal 1968
La Fortuna Waterfall
Lake Arenal
Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges
Sky Adventures
Hot Springs
Bogarin Trail
ATV riding & Maleku culture tour
El Salto Rope Swing
Monteverde
Perched on the Cordillera de Tilaran mountain range in the Puntarenas district, Monteverde is another popular destination in Costa Rica. With a vast expanse of forest cover, Monteverde truly stands to its name (Monte for mountain & verde for green).
Its lush green vegetation is home to a wide array of plant species, birds, and animals making it one of the best places in Costa Rica for birding and wildlife watching. Moreover, Monteverde has some of the best ziplines in Latin America and draws tourists from all over the world looking to experience exhilarating adventures over the thick cloud forests. There are many adventure parks in Monteverde boasting captivating hanging bridges, butterfly gardens, reptile exhibitions, and other adventure activities like Tarzan swing, sky tram, etc.
The hotels in Monteverde are basic with few amenities. Amenities like a swimming pool and spa are rare. However, there are good options for budget hotels and hostels with shared rooms.
Top Things To Do in Monteverde
Ziplining
Hanging bridges
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
Santa Elena Cloud Forest
Night walk
Coffee & chocolate tours
Bat jungle
Frog pond
El Tigre Waterfall
Curi-Cancha Reserve
Puerto Viejo & Cahuita National Park
Puerto Viejo is one of my favorite beaches in Costa Rica. The deep blue color of the Atlantic Ocean takes my breath away every single time!
Puerto Viejo is great for beach hopping as each beach has its unique feature. The beaches of Playa Negra, Puerto Viejo, Playa Cocles, Punta Uva, and Manzanillo are one after another and great for relaxing under the sun and taking a dip in the ocean. Additionally, you can enjoy water activities like surfing, kayaking, and snorkeling.
There are a multitude of accommodation options in Puerto Viejo. From luxury boutique resorts, and beachfront hotels to hostels with dormitories. You will find many beachfront restaurants that offer live music and fire shows during the weekends. Do not miss renting a bike and riding along the town while you soak in the Caribbean vibes.
Top Things To Do in Puerto Viejo
Cahuita National Park
Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Beach hopping
Chocolate tour
BriBri village tour
Jaguar Rescue Center
Tortuguero National Park & Town
Also known as the “little Amazon of Costa Rica”, Tortuguero is a popular town on the north Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. The town has a network of canals, mangroves, and lagoons, and is accessible only by boat. This town is one of the most important sites for turtle nesting in Costa Rica.
Tortuguero protects 76,937 hectares of marine and terrestrial area, and Tortuguero National Park is the third most visited national park in Costa Rica. Turtle nesting tours and canoe tours are the most popular activities to do in Tortuguero.
When planning to stay in Tortuguero, it’s important to set your expectations straight. The hotels here are basic and may sometimes lack even basic amenities like a TV or an air-conditioner. But that presents an excellent opportunity to be close to nature and let go of the luxuries.
Top Things To Do in Tortuguero
Tortuguero National Park
Turtle nesting
Canal tour
Tortuguero Beach
Chocolate Tour
Cerro Tortuguero hike
Kayak tour
Night walk
Manuel Antonio National Park & Town
Owing to its breathtaking white sand beaches and abundance of wildlife, Manuel Antonio town is a popular choice for tourists. The main attraction of the town, the Manuel Antonio National Park, is the most-visited national park in Costa Rica and is also one of the best places to see sloths.
There is a beach inside the national park, which can only be accessed through the park and by paying a park entrance fee. This beach is one of the best beaches we have been to. The beach is less crowded than other public beaches and almost feels like a private beach.
The beaches outside the national park are public and are free for all. Playa Espadilla Norte is the most popular beach and is the center for all of the tourist activities like swimming, surfing, jet skiing, and parasailing. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas at this beach and relax & unwind.
The options for hotels are plenty and you will easily get what you are looking for, luxury or budget. The dining options are great as well!
Top Things To Do in Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio National Park
Parasailing
Catamaran sailing
Jet ski
Damas Island Mangrove Estuary
Tamarindo & Playa Conchal
A popular beach town on the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Tamarindo is known for its surf breaks, mesmerizing sunsets, and active nightlife. The town is dotted with surf schools, beachfront restaurants, art galleries, and souvenir shops.
It is common to come across fire shows and live music at restaurants during weekends. Many restaurants and bars offer happy hour during sunset. Sipping on a cocktail while watching the sunset on the beach is one of my favorite things to do in Tamarindo. Also, do sign up for surf lessons if you are into water sports. The surf breaks here are one of the best in Costa Rica!
The town is a popular choice for international tourists. The hotels and restaurants here are a bit pricey, and Tamarindo is known to get overcrowded during the holiday season, i.e. Christmas & New Year’s. Therefore, plan accordingly!
While in Tamarindo, do take some time to visit Conchal Beach. Conchal is rated as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The beauty is attributed to its unique sand which is made of crushed sea shells. The beach is only a 30-minute drive away from Tamarindo and many shared cabs offer you a ride.
Top Things To Do in Tamarindo
Playa Conchal
Surfing
Sunset sailing
Horse riding
Marino Las Baulas National Park Estuary boat ride
Beach hopping
Santa Teresa & Mal Pais
Santa Teresa is a popular beach town on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in the Puntarenas district of Costa Rica. Lined with palm trees, this town is known for yoga & wellness, surf breaks, and stunning ocean waves.
A former fishing village, the town runs along a 4-km-long street, with lush greenery on one side and the Pacific coast on the other. The town is still developing, and many amenities, like a gas station, are missing in the town. The hotel options are limited and are a bit overpriced. Yet, Santa Teresa has gained popularity amongst both national and international tourists for its rustic vibe and vibrant culture.
The neighboring town of Mal Pais is a good place to spend a few hours. You can also choose to stay at Mal Pais if you are looking to avoid the crowds.
Top Things To Do in Santa Teresa
Mal Pais
Surfing
Yoga & wellness
ATV riding
Montezuma Waterfall
Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve
Uvita & Marino Ballena National Park
Lying on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in the Puntarenas district, Uvita is a small coastal village engulfed with dense, lush green rainforests. The golden sand beaches and rainforest-covered hills are testimony to the unspoiled beauty present here.
Marino Ballena National Park is the highlight of this beach town. Established in June 1992, this national park was the first marine park in Costa Rica and Central America and protects around 15 kms of shoreline. The park is popular for humpback whale-watching tours between July and October as humpback whales use the protected waters as their breeding grounds during this time.
The park is also known for Whale’s Tail, a natural formation of sand and rocks in the shape of a whale’s tail during low tide. In fact, this is the first image that comes up when you google Marino Ballena National Park.
There are many snorkeling and scuba diving tours from Uvita. The Envision Festival, an annual music festival, is held at Uvita every year and tickets get booked much in advance.
There is no dearth of accommodation options at Uvita. From boutique hotels, and mid-range hotels to hostels with dorms, you will find lodging options for every type of budget.
Top Things To Do in Uvita
Marino Ballena National Park
Humpback whale watching
Uvita waterfall
Caño Island snorkeling & scuba diving
Beach hopping
Envision festival
Poas Volcano National Park & La Paz Waterfall Gardens
If it’s your first visit to Costa Rica and you haven’t seen a volcano before, we highly recommend visiting Poas Volcano National Park. It’s just a 1.5-hour drive from San Jose and 1 1-hour drive away from the San Jose airport.
With one of the largest craters in the world, Poas Volcano is situated at a height of 8,848 ft above sea level. There are 2 trails at the park. The main trail leads to the observation area of the active crater, and the other one leads to Lake Botos, which is an inactive crater. The tickets to the park need to be booked in advance. Due to high altitude and volcanic activity, people with medical conditions and pregnant women are not advised to visit the park. There is a cafe at the park and you need a maximum of 2 hours in the park.
Tourists often club the visit to the Poas Volcano National Park with La Paz Waterfall Gardens which is a 35-minute drive away. This nature park is an animal sanctuary with over 100 species of animals. There are 5 waterfalls and 3.5 kilometers of cloud and rainforest hiking trails inside the park. There is an option to include a buffet lunch for an extra charge. The Peace Lodge inside the park is an 18-room 5-star boutique property with views of the Poas Volcano and La Paz River.
Drake Bay & Corcovado National Park
Drake Bay lies in the Osa Peninsula, on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It is one of the most biodiverse places in Costa Rica. If you are looking for “not-so-touristy” places in Costa Rica, Drake Bay will not disappoint you. The Bay is off-beaten, accessible only by boat, plane, and by car during the dry season.
The highlight of this small town is the Corcovado National Park which occupies one-third of the peninsula. The town is also used as a base for snorkeling and scuba diving tours to Cano Island.
The lodging options here are handful and basic with only a few options for boutique hotels outside the main town. If you are someone looking for a luxurious experience, this town may not be the right choice for you. That said, this town offers a rustic experience to those looking for unspoiled beauty and wilderness.
Top Things To Do in Drake Bay
Corcovado National Park
Caño Island snorkeling
Whale & dolphin watching
Sierpe Mangrove Tour
Bioluminescence tour
Final Thoughts
If you are on a short trip to Costa Rica, the places you can cover in the short time depends on which airport you are landing in, and what your expectations from the trip are. Adventure or leisure? Well, no matter where you decide to go, we hope you have one of the most memorable trips of your life in Costa Rica.
We hope the blog was helpful. If there are any suggestions, please write to us in the comments section below.
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