10 Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica, it may be diminutive in size, but it is a colossal natural playground. Situated between Nicaragua and Panama, this country is home to the world’s highest concentration of flora and fauna, as well as a diverse landscape of mountains, valleys, forests, volcanoes, beaches, lakes, and rivers. Here is a rundown of the top destinations to explore in Costa Rica.
Rincon de la Vieja
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Situated in the North Pacific region of Costa Rica, the Rincon de la Vieja National Park derives its name from its primary attraction, a massive steaming volcano. This national park is a popular destination due to its captivating natural features, including craters, vapor vents, bubbling mud pits, hot springs, and an abundance of plant and wildlife.
Encompassing the volcano are vast acres of hiking trails that wind through lush greenery and cloud forests, unveiling breathtaking sights such as magnificent waterfalls, volcanic craters, mud cauldrons, and plains adorned with vibrant purple orchids. Among these trails, the most renowned is Las Pailas, a short circuit trail suitable for hikers of all skill levels.
This trail leads to steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots. Another trail, Sendero Cangreja, guides hikers to the park’s acclaimed Hidden Waterfalls, which cascade into picturesque lagoons and natural swimming pools. For more experienced hikers seeking a challenge, there is an eight-hour roundtrip trek to the summit crater of the volcano.
Aside from hiking, visitors to the park can partake in various activities such as camping, canopy tours, horseback riding, whitewater tubing, and indulging in the soothing hot springs. They also have the opportunity to spot a diverse range of wildlife species, including parrots, toucans, two-toed sloths, and howler monkeys. For a unique experience, some may choose to stay at one of the park’s working cattle ranches, where they can engage in daily chores like herding cattle and tending to horses. Most visitors access the national park through rental cars, taxis, or buses from the nearby town of Liberia.
Corcovado National Park
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Corcovado National Park is widely considered as the most precious gem in Costa Rica’s national park system. It boasts an abundance of wildlife that guarantees visitors plenty of sightings. Located on the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica, the park is home to various ecosystems, including mangrove swamps, rainforest, palm forest, cloud forest, beaches, and coastal habitats.
The park’s numerous hiking trails offer visitors a better chance of spotting some of Costa Rica’s rare and elusive species, such as red-backed squirrel monkeys, jaguars, harpy eagles, white-lipped peccaries, and Baird’s tapirs. Other animals that visitors may encounter include ocelots, pumas, sloths, coatis, monkeys (howler, spider, and white-faced capuchin), poison dart frogs, glass frogs, and various bird species.
A stroll along the beach may also reward glimpses of sea turtles, hermit crabs, pelicans, and scarlet macaws flying overhead. In addition to the wildlife, hiking trails also offer visitors the opportunity to explore interesting rock formations, exotic plants, and beautiful waterfalls. Canoeing on the river is another fun way to experience the park’s biodiversity.
To access Corcovado National Park, visitors can arrange tours, rent bikes, horses, 4WD vehicles, or opt for a bus ride from the closest town, Puerto Jimenez. The park also has four ranger stations that provide lodging, food, and camping facilities.
Tortuguero National Park
Despite its remote location in northeastern Costa Rica, the Tortuguero National Park remains one of the most popular national parks in the country, attracting a large number of visitors. Situated in the western Caribbean, this park is renowned for being a significant turtle sanctuary. The main highlight of the park is the nesting and hatching of sea turtles on its beaches.
The Tortuguero National Park boasts a diverse ecosystem consisting of rainforests, wetlands, mangroves, beaches, canals, and lagoons, thanks to its wet and tropical climate. This creates a haven for a wide variety of plant and wildlife species, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts. One of the most sought-after activities here is a guided walk along the beach, where visitors can witness mother turtles nesting and hatchlings making their way to the sea. The best time to observe green and hawksbill turtles is from July to October, while leatherback turtles nest from February to April.
However, the park offers more than just turtles. Visitors can explore the mangroves and canals by boat or canoe, providing opportunities to spot a diverse range of wildlife. Mammals such as manatees, sloths, river otters, tapirs, and various monkey species (including spider, howler, and capuchin monkeys) can be encountered here. The park is also home to a variety of bird species, including green macaws, toucans, parrots, and herons, as well as reptiles like giant iguanas, basilisk lizards, and crocodiles.
Reaching the Tortuguero National Park is an adventure in itself. Visitors must arrange a boat tour or rent a boat from the village of Tortuguero, which can be accessed by airplane from San Jose. The village of Tortuguero offers a range of amenities, including restaurants, accommodations, and tour operators.
Playa Jaco is one of the 10 Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica
Playa Jaco, located less than two hours away from San Jose, is an immensely popular destination due to its abundance of attractions. From stunning beaches to diverse wildlife, outdoor activities, and vibrant nightlife, Playa Jaco offers the best of Costa Rica.
Despite attracting a large number of tourists, Playa Jaco maintains its cleanliness and tranquility, making it an ideal spot for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and sport fishing. For those interested in learning to surf, there are local surfing schools and classes available.
Situated near tropical jungles, nature reserves, and national parks, Playa Jaco also provides fantastic eco-tours. Visitors can indulge in activities such as horseback riding, canopy tours, ATV expeditions, safaris, whitewater rafting, and wildlife viewing, including monkeys and scarlet macaws.
Being highly accommodating to tourists, Playa Jaco boasts a diverse range of restaurants serving both international cuisines and traditional Costa Rican dishes. Moreover, the nightlife scene in Playa Jaco is renowned throughout Costa Rica, offering numerous options such as casinos, bars, discos, nightclubs, and dive bars.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park, although the smallest national park in Costa Rica, attracts the highest number of visitors due to its convenient location near San Jose. This park is renowned for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and a plethora of activities. Situated on the mid-Pacific coast of Costa Rica, close to Quepos, Manuel Antonio encompasses a variety of ecosystems including lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and vibrant coral reefs, making it a sought-after destination for families, backpackers, surfers, snorkelers, birdwatchers, and ecotourists.
The park offers an extensive range of outdoor activities and adventures, catering to different interests and preferences. Visitors can indulge in swimming, surfing, snorkeling, diving, sea kayaking, whale-watching, sport fishing, whitewater rafting, and mountain biking. Numerous hiking trails within the park provide breathtaking views, opportunities to witness waterfalls, and glimpses of fascinating wildlife such as howler monkeys, iguanas, parrots, and potentially the endangered titi monkeys.
To access Manuel Antonio National Park, visitors can conveniently take one of the frequent buses operating from Quepos, which also provides various options for accommodation, dining, and nightlife.
Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano, located in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica, is a popular tourist destination due to its perfectly symmetrical shape and stunning views over the green hills and pastures. Although it was once the most active volcano in the country.
It has been in a resting phase since 2010, putting a pause on its frequent small explosions and spewing lava shows. However, the area surrounding the volcano still offers plenty of exciting activities and outstanding sights, including the Arenal Volcano National Park, which protects the dormant Chato volcano and offers picturesque landscapes of lakes, rivers, mountains, and rainforests. Visitors can enjoy a variety of adventures such as fishing, whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, hiking, horseback riding, ziplining, canopy tours, caving, and waterfall rappelling.
Nature and wildlife enthusiasts will find the Arenal Volcano area a paradise with its many species of exotic flowers, mammals like howler monkeys, deer, and jaguars, and birds such as parrots and resplendent quetzals. Additionally, tourists can indulge in a number of hot springs ranging in every style and budget, all with beautiful views of the volcano, thanks to Arenal’s geothermal activity. Several resorts in the area offer accommodation and tour operations, making it easy for visitors to explore the region.
The small town of La Fortuna de San Carlos serves as the gateway to Arenal Volcano and can be easily reached by bus from San Jose.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a captivating destination, nestled amidst lush green mountains and tropical jungle. The serene atmosphere, enveloped in clouds, creates a symphony of nature’s melodies, with the calls of exotic birds, animals, reptiles, and insects. Situated along the Cordillera de Tilarán mountain range in central Costa Rica, this reserve is highly sought after by tourists for its breathtaking natural beauty, remarkable biodiversity, and plethora of activities.
To reach the reserve, one can take a bus from the nearby town of Monteverde. Upon arrival, visitors will find a cozy lodge, a restaurant, and a gift shop. Among the most popular activities here is hiking along the numerous trails, where one can marvel at stunning waterfalls and admire the vibrant array of exotic flowers and plants. Keep an eye out for glimpses of wildlife species such as tapirs, agoutis, frogs, wild pigs, monkeys, porcupines, butterflies, and the rare resplendent quetzal, a bird once revered by the Mayans.
For a different perspective of the cloud forest and its abundant wildlife, visitors can also enjoy horseback riding, canopy tours that take them over the treetops, thrilling zipline adventures through the jungle, and Sky Walks across suspension bridges.
Moreover, within the reserve, there is a dairy farm that was established by Quakers in the 1950s. Here, visitors have the opportunity to purchase cheese and ice cream, as well as take part in a tour to witness the cheese-making process. Additionally, there is a nature center where visitors can stroll through butterfly gardens and delve deeper into the remarkable biodiversity of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
Tamarindo
Tamarindowiki / Wikipedia
Tamarindo is a highly sought-after destination for family vacations and eco-adventures due to its year-round sunshine, stunning views, relaxed atmosphere, and convenient access to national parks. Situated on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, Tamarindo stands out as one of the best developed and easily accessible beach towns in the region, boasting well-maintained roads and a plethora of tourist amenities.
Located less than an hour away from Liberia, Tamarindo is a small tropical paradise that can be effortlessly explored on foot, by taxi, rental car, or scooter. The town’s main attraction is its expansive beach, offering visitors a wide array of activities such as swimming, surfing, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, and boat cruises.
With its deep-sea waters abundant in snapper, marlin, grouper, tuna, and other prized fish, Tamarindo has become a haven for sport fishing enthusiasts, boasting top-notch fleets and numerous fishing operations. Golf enthusiasts will also be delighted by Tamarindo’s world-class golf courses.
Thanks to its close proximity to the rainforest, Tamarindo provides visitors with the opportunity to embark on thrilling adventures like jungle trekking, ATV tours, horseback riding, and whitewater rafting. Additionally, the nearby Marino Las Baulas National Park, which serves as a vital sanctuary for nesting leatherback sea turtles, offers excellent hiking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
San Jose
Costa Rica’s capital and largest city, San Jose, is a bustling metropolis nestled amidst picturesque green valleys and mountains. This modern city offers a wide range of amenities, including accommodation, shopping, dining, nightlife, and a thriving arts and culture scene. Exploring San Jose is a breeze, as it can be easily traversed on foot, by taxi, or by bus. Situated on a plateau in the heart of the country, San Jose serves as an excellent starting point for venturing out to other captivating destinations in Costa Rica.
The city’s downtown area is a captivating blend of historic Spanish architecture and contemporary buildings. Here, you’ll find iconic landmarks, government institutions, cultural venues, and the lively hum of traffic. San Jose is home to several museums that provide fascinating insights into the country’s history, culture, art, and wildlife. Additionally, the city boasts numerous performing arts centers and theaters that host a variety of concerts, dances, and dramas throughout the year.
Among these, the National Theater stands out as a remarkable architectural gem, revered as one of the country’s most impressive attractions. Visitors can also indulge in retail therapy at San Jose’s vibrant markets, where they can find unique souvenirs, or explore the expansive San Pedro Mall, one of Central America’s largest shopping centers.
For those seeking relaxation and outdoor recreation, San Jose offers a plethora of charming plazas, verdant green spaces, and public parks adorned with gardens, lakes, sports facilities, and artistic installations. Some of the most popular ones include the National Park, San Jose Central Park, and the La Sabana Metropolitan Park. Families can also visit the Simon Bolivar Zoo, which showcases a diverse array of animal species from Costa Rica and around the world.
Chirripo National Park
The Chirripo National Park, located in the southern region of Costa Rica, spans across the provinces of Limón, Cartago, and San Jose. This expansive park is a haven for ecotourists and nature enthusiasts, as it safeguards a wide range of habitats and wildlife species. Named after the towering Cerro Chirripó, the highest mountain in the country, the national park boasts a diverse landscape that includes treeless mountain plateaus, fern groves, marshlands, lush rainforests, and glacial lakes. These varied ecosystems provide a thriving environment for a plethora of flora and fauna.
Within the national park, there are several notable attractions that captivate visitors. The La Amistad International Park Cloudforest, Rabbit Valley, Monte Sin Fe, and Cerro Terbi are all natural wonders that offer awe-inspiring views. Well-marked trails traverse the park, allowing visitors to appreciate the diverse landscapes and encounter fascinating creatures such as monkeys, iguanas, and the rare resplendent quetzal bird. It is important to note that climbing to the mountain summit requires a 3-day roundtrip and entails chilly night temperatures.
In addition to its natural beauty, the Chirripo National Park is also a destination for technical rock climbing, making it a unique spot in Costa Rica. Ranger stations are conveniently located throughout the park, providing camping facilities, rustic lodging options, and valuable visitor information. Access to Chirripo can be obtained from the town of San Isidro de El General.
