Costa Rica is a place of rich biodiversity, dense jungles with protected spaces, active volcanoes, running rivers, beautiful waterfalls and vibrant cities with warm weather that you can feel and enjoy as you arrive in this country of Central America.
You can view diverse animal species like macaws, sea turtles, monkeys, adorable sloths and native hummingbirds who live here freely, incredible national parks with thrilling activities of river rafting, surfing, ziplining, cave tubing, fishing, canyoning and hiking in beautiful nature.
The famous Arenal volcano and national park in northern Costa Rica, which is a short drive from La Fortuna, are some of the most famous attractions. It is one of the most biodiverse places in the world, attracting tourists from all over the world.
From 200 active volcanic formations and the blue zone of Nicoya Peninsula to delicious Gallo pinto, fresh Chifrijo and Casado served with Rondon and the famous Tarrazu is home to rare things that make it a must to visit. Here is a list of the 35 best places to visit in Costa Rica so that you can enjoy the best of the country.
Best Places to visit in Costa Rica
Playa Manuel Antonio
Visit Costa Rica’s famous Playa Manuel Antonio beach and national park, which is rich in biodiversity and the natural beauty of dense rainforests. You will be able to find rare species, such as three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchin monkeys, toucans, butterflies and colorful tropical birds. Spend a day on the pristine beaches of Manuel Antonio in a festive environment that is perfect for avid surfers.
Soak yourself in the vast greenery of rainforests across a tombolo on the Pacific coast and marvel at the serene beauty of the Biesanz beach or the vibrant nature of Espadilla Sur beach. Hike along the splendid Nauyaca waterfalls and take a tour of the 1,600-acre Manuel Antonio National park is a must to know more about Playa’s wildlife diversity.
If you are in Manuel Antonio, then you must participate in its cultural fusion to learn about international influences on its cultural traditions and have a taste of its festive vibe.
Jaco
Enjoy surfing and incredible sunset views on beaches like Playa Hermosa, Playa Herradura, or Jaco, which is close to the San Jose International Airport. Enjoy the nightlife at the beachside, dance clubs and bars. Drive to the Pura Vida gardens and waterfalls or Carara National Park, a paradise for birdwatchers.
Enjoy a unique experience of being surrounded by exotic butterflies with a lush backdrop of tropical gardens at Royal Butterflies, which is an amazing opportunity to learn about their lifecycle. Collect some handmade gifts or artworks of Costa Rican artists made of wood carvings, folk art silver jewelry, and handmade soap collections of Tico Pod Art House & Gifts or El Miro.
Take a hike of Catarata Bijagual waterfalls or the conservation project of Neo Fauna Zoo and click some photos with the JACO sign at Mirador de Jaco to make your journey memorable.
Arenal Volcano
Observe the volcanic activities of the most active volcano in Costa Rica and the World, the Arenal Volcano, which generates an underground rumble, bright orange lava flows and dramatic explosions out of flaming rocks daily, attracting thousands of tourists.
You can admire the beauty of Arenal Volcano from Mirador El Silencio which is one of the best viewpoints of this volcano.
Enjoy whitewater rafting, kayaking, and wildlife safari tours and experience sudden explosions from active volcanoes.
Discover the wildlife diversity of the Proyecto Asis near the La Fortuna waterfall, the butterfly conservatory of Arenal, the Natural Eco-Park, the Wild Frog Sanctuary, and the Arenal Oasis Wildlife that are home to colorful tree frogs and other rainforest animals.
Catarata del Toro
Admire the beauty of Catarata del Toro, the best waterfall in Costa Rica, which is situated in Bajos del Toro. Explore new places with extinct volcanoes, gigantic fig trees, hanging vines and meet hummingbirds, blue butterflies and even snakes.
Enjoy a long walk through the rainforest and walk down to the bottom of the falls to absorb some of the best views. You will find some escape places like Poas Volcano National Park, Volcan Irazu and the historic site of the National Museum of Costa Rica near Catarata del Toro. You can shop for souvenirs from the nearby shops like Fabrica de Carretas Eloy Alfaro, Innova Plant or Centro Comercial La Grieta to keep with you as a memory.
Stunning waterfalls, green rainforest and other nearby escape places will offer you a refreshing atmosphere far away from the city crowds.
La Fortuna Waterfall
Accept the invitation to engage with nature in the unique climate of La Fortuna waterfall and discover exotic flora and fauna, including toucans, capuchin monkeys, hawks, anteaters, sloths, great curassow, squirrels, howlers, tree frogs, tropical birds, and even snakes.
Besides being a picture-perfect destination with hot spring resorts and Lake Arenal nearby, La Fortuna has its own significance in Costa Rican history and culture as the falls are believed to be sacred where people used to perform rituals and ceremonies. This waterfall near the Chato Volcano is also connected to the local Maleku tribal culture.
San José
Visit the world-class museums, theaters, parks, and historic buildings in Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose. You can also view innovative creations and observe the mild, sunny Mediterranean climate. This extensive plain is surrounded by majestic volcanoes, green hills and rich biodiversity throughout the national territory.
In San Jose, you can go for a winery tour near the Santa Clara Valley, which is famous for its grape vineyards, and also visit the wildlife parks and watch the petroglyph rock carvings at a native American historical site. Indulge yourself into the taste of sushi, burritos, tacos or the Vatican banh mi cheering on the San Jose sharks and the burnt almond cake in the desert is a must.
The top highlights in San Jose are the Winchester Mystery House, the Municipal Rose Garden, the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, and the interactive tech space that you must visit to fill your journey with the beauty and history of San Jose.
Ecotermales Fortuna
Walk around the thermal pools and ecological garden and taste the authentic Costa Rican cuisine in the unique and enchanting hot springs resort of Ecotermales Fortuna to heal your body with some wellness treatments and ultimate family fun. This family-owned natural hot springs allow a limited number of guests each day, and you must visit them in the late evening to avoid crowds.
Ecotermales Fortuna has five pools, one with a cascading waterfall that reaches up to 108 F. The magnesium-rich waters of hot springs heated by Arenal volcano’s natural energy and dining at the authentic home-style Costa Rican restaurant will refresh you after a long day.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
Explore the staggering biodiversity of Monteverde’s cloud forest with more than 2,500 plant species, including numerous orchids, ferns, and bromeliads, all covered in mosses and epiphytes that create a magical world.
You will get a chance to discover a series of flora and fauna apart from over 400 bird species, more than 3,200 species of plants, 120 types of mammals, amphibians and reptiles of 161 types, and thousands of insects in their natural habitat.
Visitors love to see how the rare birds like resplendent quetzal, three-wattled bellbirds and animals like jaguars, pumas, monkeys and red-eyed tree frogs live here together. The dry season of December through April is perfect for visiting this biological reserve as the days are mostly sunny with a gentle cool breeze this time.
Rio Celeste
Visit Rio Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park and observe how the composition of the river water has produced a mysterious blue color in its water, scientifically when colloidal silica of water particles reflects the light that shines onto it and creates a blue image of a river in the human eyes.
Discover morpho butterflies, sloths, howler monkeys, snakes and lizards around natural hot springs and forest trails on your way to stunning Rio Celeste.
However, locals believe that the river got its color when God finished painting the sky and dripped his paintbrush in the river. You will see two different-colored rivers to meet and suspend silicon, oxygen and aluminum remains in the river but you can’t swim here because of the copper sulfate presence in the water. So enjoy the beauty of this blue river of Costa Rica, which you can view only on our journey.
Nicoya Peninsula
Visit the national parks, Montezuma and Samara beach and discover wildlife in this one of the five blue zones of the world, Nicoya peninsula.
Spend a day on the beach of Santa Teresa, Mal Pais or Playa Carmen with your family and enjoy the best surfing experience of Nicoya in Playa Grande, Playa Langosta and Playa Negra that will fill your journey with adventure.
You must visit the Montezuma waterfalls and Cabo Blanco nature reserve at this international wellness destination, where thousands of tourists come every year to heal themselves. You can prefer the rainy season of May to visit here as the natural environment will be green and hotels will have lower rates.
Irazu Volcano
Observe the craters of the Irazu Volcano at Costa Rica’s highest active volcano, Irazu Volcano National Park, which has mountains, low vegetation and cold weather all in one setting. You will find lush tangles of forest shaped by the volcano’s explosion, green crater lakes and cliffs of volcanic rock under the ethereal canopy of clouds at this park.
You can travel to Irazu volcano from San Jose for a one-day trip covering the national park in the morning and spend an afternoon at Cartago City and Oroso Valley. You can have a half-mile hike around the Diego de la Haya, Playa Hermosa, and La Laguna craters for spectacular views over the crater lakes.
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Take the popular nature tour of La Paz Waterfall Gardens in San Jose. Here, you can see the five famous waterfalls and the largest wildlife sanctuary in Costa Rica, which has over 100 animal species and long cloud rainforest hiking trails.
Enjoy a visit to the Aviary butterfly observatory, hummingbird garden, Serpentarium, jungle cats exhibit and frog exhibit to spend two hours with jungle cats, monkeys, jaguars, pumas, scarlet macaws, aracari, black-handed spiders, hummingbirds, frogs and sloths, ocelots, margays.
It is better if you can visit during the dry season of December to April, and you will need to spend $42 for adults and $26 for children 3 to 12 years old if you want to visit La Paz waterfall.
You can also visit the historical house museum Casita, which has petting zoos and ox carts, a ranarium, orchid exhibits, and trout lakes, to have the best eco park experience in Costa Rica.
Guanacaste
Experience the adventure of challenging ziplines at Guanacaste and the longest ocean-view zipline in Costa Rica at Diamante Adventure Park. Spend a day on the stunning beaches lined with oak trees, tamarind trees, coconut trees and cattle ranches of Guanacaste to soak in the beauty of nature and enjoy swimming, surfing, fishing and water sports in the clear water.
Play with the easy waves on the surfing beach of Tamarindo and, go for tiny shell hunting at the tranquil beach Playa Conchal and embrace yourself with the pura vida lifestyle and dining and shopping experience of Samara beach. Discover the fumaroles, hot springs and mud pots in the diverse landscapes of the geothermal marvel Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja.
The wildlife experience of Sensoria’s land of senses and coffee, interactive chocolate and fresh juice or sugar cane of Cafe Tio Leo is a unique experience of Guanacaste.
Corcovado National Park
Discover rich biodiversity, flora and fauna in lowland rainforest to highland cloud forest, the key Ranger Station of Sirena, and the challenging hiking trails of Los Patos and La Leona Sirena in the serene environment of Corcovado National Park that inspires nature lovers and ecologists to come to this place.
Be ready to meet with jaguars, tapirs, and scarlet macaws and hike the lush rainforest to spot the monkeys hanging from trees as you enter Corcovado National Park. Witness the astonishing variety of Costa Rican monkey species like howler, spider, capuchin and squirrel monkeys as well.
The delicate ecosystem, day tour to La Leona, beaches of Playa Llorona and Playa San Josecito will give you a relaxing experience and nightlife at beachside clubs will give you some of the best experiences of Corcovado National Park.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Visit Cahuita National Park, the stunning white sand beaches of Puerto Viejo and the jaguar rescue center near it, sheltering sloths, monkeys and diverse bird species besides jaguars. Know about cultural diversity and enjoy the Afro-Caribbean festival, chocolate tours, biking and hiking with the musical nightlife and Caribbean cuisine.
Take an adventure of surfing on the challenging waves of Playa Cocles and Salsa Brava and marvel at the beauty of coral reefs and diverse marine life while hiking across scenic trails and snorkeling on clear water at the Cahuita National Park. Feel the cultural richness of Puerto Viejo and feel its influence on food, reggae music, and local festivals.
Buy some cacao beans, sample delicious chocolate on chocolate tours, biking and hiking through the lush rainforest trails and shop for something from the shops of paintings, sculptures, jewelry, Caribbean-inspired clothes, and organic and eco-friendly products that you can bring home as a memory.
Rio Pacuare
The Pacuare River flows approximately 67 miles to the Caribbean and is a popular destination for water rafting, river boarding, kayaking and other watersports.
While tourists regard it as one of the best rivers in the country, it is also a habitat to a variety of Indigenous communities, flora and fauna which are inclusive of parrots, sloths and toucans. Get sucked in by the rainforest and the waterfalls creating a dramatic scenery.
This is the top destination for whitewater rafters as its rapids range from Class II to Class IV in terms of difficulty levels. During the monsoon season, from June to October, the river runs faster and the rapids are more challenging and are the most challenging because of high water flows from September to October.
Proyecto Asis
Visit the wildlife rescue center of Proyecto Asis near La Fortuna in Costa Rica and join its educational facilities and guided tours, which present local wildlife in their habitats and conservation efforts and interact with them.
The educational programs of Proyecto Asis will introduce you to the rescued orphaned, injured wildlife diversity of monkeys, sloths, toucans, and parrots telling about their behaviors and their challenges in the wild. You can feed the animals and participate in enrichment activities for the conserved animals.
You can donate some funds for animal rescue operations and buy some local crafts and educational materials. The park is accessible to visitors from La Fortuna and other nearby places using the local bus system and taxi. The dry season of December to April and the green season from May to November are perfectly suited to visit Proyecto Asis.
Limón
Feel the beauty of the coral reefs at the Cahuita National Park by viewing the endangered sea turtles at the biodiverse Tortuguero National Park connected with canals, the sloth sanctuary for rehabilitation of sloths, and mangroves, wetlands, the coastal forest of Gandoca Manzanillo wildlife refuge.
Enjoy surfing at Puerto Viejo and Playa Cocles on Limon’s Caribbean coast, birdwatching, hiking and natural observation of the Caribbean coast at Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.
Explore the historic buildings, bustling waterfront and local markets of the provincial capital, Puerto Limon and learn about the city lifestyle. If you are here in October, then don’t miss the vibrant nature of Caribbean culture with parades, dance, and music of the annual carnival.
Limon offers a blend of natural wonders and cultural celebrations that will fill your journey with adventure, offering a diverse and relaxing experience.
Cahuita National Park
Enjoy stunning coastal views, vibrant coral reefs, scuba diving adventures, hiking trails along rainforests and picture-perfect beaches. The Cahuita National Park offers an interaction with diverse wildlife of howler monkeys, iguanas and white-faced monkeys, and more. The Punta Cahuita scenic point offers iconic views and a chance to engage in birdwatching along trails near mangrove swamps.
The Cahuita National Park is one of the first national parks in the country.
Learn about marine biodiversity with the largest coral reef systems in Costa Rica, along with colorful tropical fish, sea turtles and occasional views of dolphins and small sharks at Cahuita National Park. Enjoy sunbathing, picnicking on the beaches of Playa Blanca and Playa Vargas or snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving in the clear waters.
Take a long walk along the coastal trail from Cahuita to Puerto Vargas with stunning ocean views and keep your eyes open for toucans, kingfishers, herons and some other migratory bird species.
The marine biodiversity, serene beaches, long trails, scenic views and bird-watching opportunities of Cahuita National Park will stay in your memory for a long time.
Tamarindo Beach
Enjoy the fun and the vibrant atmosphere of Tamarindo Beach on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica and fill your journey with adventures of surfing, wildlife watching, sportfishing, snorkeling and diving, nature walks and eco tour in a tropical day forest.
Absorb breathtaking views of sunset on a relaxing cruise ride with dolphin views, learn about local flora and fauna while going on nature walks with experienced guides and try sportfishing on sailfish, dorado, marlin, and other game fishes on a charter boat in the deep sea if you are quite interested about it.
Interact with wildlife at the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge and Marino Las Baulas National Park, and then enjoy the night with a party at the beachfront bar, restaurant, or club with live music.
Teatro Nacional Costa Rica
Come and explore the historical significance and architectural beauty of Teatro Nacional Costa Rica or the National Theater of Costa Rica, a cultural gem in the downtown area of San Jose. Whilst on a guided tour, you can explore art exhibitions, special events and other secrets.
Enjoy a visit to other historical buildings, museums, and parks near this neoclassical architecture.
The guided tours of this theater will lead you to the main auditorium, foyer, magnificent columns, and ornate balconies across the marble staircases. You can enjoy ballets, concerts, operas and other theatrical performances, followed by art exhibitions of the works of local and international artists.
One of the most famous pieces of artwork here is Alegoria al café y el Banano, an idyllic canvas of coffee and banana harvest from Italy.
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary
Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary has protected many local species like macaws, three types of monkeys, coatis, a toucan and sloths, with a noble mission to rehabilitate and reintroduce the injured, orphaned and illegal pets to the wild and look after them.
Go for wildlife rehabilitation tours at the sanctuary to learn more about the injured and rehabilitated animals, educational programs presenting the importance and challenges of protecting biodiversity, and animal encounters. Interact with the rescued animals and go for an adventurous walk across the jungle trails.
You will get unique and educational experiences of wildlife conservation efforts and contributing to the preservation and welfare of Costa Rica’s native wildlife.
Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates
Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates, located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, offers different kinds of attractions for nature lovers and adventure seekers. These activities include horseback riding, waterfall tours, ziplining, nature trails, educational tours, and cultural activities.
The educational tours of Black Stallion Eco Park & Estates will inform you about sustainable agriculture, organic farming methods, local flora and fauna, and natural conservation processes and hiking trails will provide bird and wildlife watching opportunities in their natural habitat.
Don’t forget to click pictures with rolling hills, escape places, forests, and a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean to keep them as memories with you.
Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park on the northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is known as the “Amazon of Costa Rica” for its network of navigable freshwater canals. It is famous for its sea turtles, wildlife diversity of monkeys, caimans, and birds, especially parrots, mangrove forests, and the rich culture of Tortuguero village.
Explore the ecosystem variety at Tortuguero National Park, which has rainforests, swamps and beaches beside mangroves inhabited by mammals, birds and insects. You can use the nature trails to get access to different habitats and conservation centers for howlers, spiders, capuchin monkeys and sea turtles.
You will find one of the most biologically diverse regions in Costa Rica with aquatic trails to see the sea turtles laying their eggs and important manatee habitat at Tortuguero National Park.
Nauyaca Waterfalls
Check out the stunning beauty of Nauyaca Waterfalls, near the town of Dominical, and relax by going for a swim, photoshoot and hiking or engage yourself in the adventure of horseback riding through the countryside and along the trails. There are two waterfalls of 150 feet and 65 feet to offer some wonderful views of the surrounding area.
Enjoy Don Luno’s 45-minute horseback riding tour to the falls, which costs $80, or swim in the bottom tier of the falls and relax in hammocks afterward with a coffee drink.
Dulce Nombre
The picturesque mountain town of Dulce Nombre de Jesus is located in the central valley of Costa Rica. Here, you shall find a peaceful environment coupled with picturesque landscapes and friendly locals.
You can first indulge yourself in exploring the Cantarata del Toro waterfall. You can then stroll through the peaceful streets and admire the architecture of the buildings around, in particular, do check out the Dulce Nombre de Jesus Church.
Do check out the Spirogyra Butterfly Garden to delve into a world of butterflies. You will find a variety of species in this sanctuary.
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
Enjoy bird watching, wildlife viewing, guided boat tours, scenic wetlands and environmental education, and photography opportunities in the picture-perfect landscapes of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, which is a rich center and breeding ground for migratory birds, floodplains and marshes.
Watch for herons, egrets, storks, spoonbills, ibises, anhingas, kingfishers and many other migratory birds from more than 350 bird species in this paradise of bird watchers. Search for cougars, ocelots, peccary, jaguars, tapirs, panamanian white-faced capuchins, mantled howler and Geoffroy’s spider monkeys in the photographic ecosystem of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.
Dave & Dave’s Costa Rica Nature Park
Engage yourself in the immersive experience of nature and conservation in Dave & Dave’s Costa Rica nature walk with swimming holes and waterfalls, hiking through primary and secondary rainforests, bird watching and cultural experiences of Costa Rica’s tradition.
The guided tours within this park will share some information about ecology, wildlife behavior and conservation efforts with you while the educational programs will introduce you to the sustainable style of living. The botanical gardens will present some native plants and medicinal herbs to you and you will get to know how precious they are. For adventure seekers there are ziplining and waterfall rappelling options.
Visit this nature park in Costa Rica to gain experience with Colibri, toucans and frogs. You can take buses from San Jose to Dominical but it’s better to use a private shuttle or rent a car.
Tabacón Hot Springs
Spend a day in the five star resort of Tabacon hot springs in Costa Rica connected with a network of thermal springs heated by the magma of Arenal volcano and rich in sulfur, calcium, magnesium and potassium with healing power from diseases like arthritis, muscle stress and skin conditions.
You can get free access to their thermal pools and river if you stay there overnight and hotel guests can have access to Shangri-La Gardens, an area for adults only. Relax yourself with special service of volcanic mud wraps, hot stone massage and aromatherapy sessions of spa and dine on delicious food at night with your special one.
The resort looks more beautiful in its location amidst botanical gardens of native plants and exotic flowers for a leisure walk through it.
For poolside dining, adventure activities like horseback riding, volcano tours and nature walks with luxurious experience in a natural setting offer a beautiful staycation at this resort.
Uvita
Check out the stunning natural beauty and marine life in the small town of Uvita. The town is also home to the Marino Ballena National Park and the Corcovado National Park both of which are rich in diversity when it comes to flora and fauna.
Witness the beauty of the Playa Uvita, Cascada Verde and the Nauyaca waterfalls, along with a unique experience of whale watching, kayaking and paddleboarding, and surfing in the Dominical of Uvita.
Hike across the tropical rainforests and explore the rich diversity of sloths, monkeys and birds in the lush jungle near the waterfalls and watch the humpback whales migrating from December to April and July to October. Sunbath or swim in the calm waters of Playa Uvita along the coastline or mangrove estuaries.
Dive into the Costa Rican culture from the small shops and restaurants serving fresh seafood and traditional cuisines in a comfortable atmosphere and bring something to keep Uvita in your memory.
The Poas Volcano
The Poas Volcano vibrates with steaming volcanic lake views, deep rain-fed Botos Lagoon with smoking fumaroles, longer hikes with incredible opportunities to spot hummingbirds and wildflowers, volcanic activities at the visitor center and hiking trails at Poas Volcano National Park filled with diverse plant and animal species.
Experience the periodic emission of sulfur dioxide-like gasses and steam from Poas volcano’s crater, the beautiful crater lake of Laguna Botos surrounded by lush cloud forest and learn about its ecosystem and safety measures at the visitor center. Find out diverse plant and animal species from bromeliads, and orchids to elusive resplendent quetzal.
You can also explore the coffee plants in local farms or visit waterfalls like La Paz waterfall gardens and enjoy outdoor activities in the surrounding regions to witness geological forces at work in Costa Rica’s volcanic landscapes.
Alajuela
Observe the rich cultural heritage and enjoy the beauty of natural parks, historic buildings, neo-gothic style cathedrals, bustling public market, historical and cultural museums with significant events, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center, palms, orchids and bromeliads at La Garita botanical gardens and agricultural fairs throughout the year.
Visit the central park Juan Santamaria, named after the national hero of Costa Rica and relax in the local atmosphere, offer prayers at the 19th-century Cathedral of Alajuela with your family and praise the design of stained glass windows and intricate interior. Deep dive into Alajuela’s history and culture with the exhibits and artifacts on Juan Santamaria at Museo Historico Cultural Juan Santamaria and identify native Costa Rican birds at Zoo Ave.
Enjoy an adventurous journey with horseback riding in the lush landscapes and volcanic terrains and don’t forget to taste some coffee and bring coffee beans from local coffee plantations.
Tortuguero
Spot the tapirs, anteaters, sloths, coatis, three different species of monkeys and rarely spotted jaguars at the Tortuguero National Park, go on an adventure of canal tours by boat or kayak, green Macaw of the Ara Manzanillo sanctuary, sea turtle nesting and get a glimpse of Caribbean culture at the small Tortuguero village.
Discover caimans, toucans, river turtles and herons on a boat tour through the canals of Tortuguero from close and arrive at the beaches or tranquil waterways. You can find endangered turtles, especially green turtles and the endangered Hawksbill turtle on guided night tours. Visit the local shops and restaurants of Tortuguero village and interact with friendly villagers.
From hiking on Tortuguero Hill for panoramic views, kayaking and canoeing adventure, refreshing air, sportfishing opportunities of pristine beaches and educational exhibits on the life cycle of sea turtles, the Turtle Museum invites thousands of visitors for a memorable experience.
Rincón de la Vieja
Rincón de la Vieja National Park in northwestern Costa Rica has many attractions like volcanic landscapes, diverse ecosystems, picturesque waterfalls, Las Pilas loop trail and adventures of mountain biking, rappelling down waterfalls and natural pools but it’s famous for two active volcanoes, hot mud pools, steam holes, and sulfurous fumaroles.
Explore the wildlife diversity of monkeys, iguanas, raccoons and sloths, impressive stratovolcanic activities and geothermal features. Visit the tropical forests and the volcanic rock formations along with deer and wild cats near the Las Pilas loop trail. The turquoise pool, vegetation, and Oropendola waterfall cascading into a warm swimming pool of La Cangreja waterfall are also beautiful.
Experience the local life of nearby Curubande town, park adventures and swim in natural pools created by waterfalls to relax after a long day. You can reach here from Liberia via private transport only.
Sarapiquí Region
Visit the Sarapiqui region within the confines of Heredia province in northeastern Costa Rica and explore a number of attractions from a biological station, cacao plantation, Sarapiqui river and educational exhibits on wildlife, birdwatching to chocolate tours, butterfly gardens, nature trails and cultural heritage.
Participate in the educational exhibits of butterfly gardens on the life cycle and conservation of butterflies at their natural habitat or birdwatching at La Selva Biological Station, Tirimbina Biological Reserve and riverbanks. Know about Costa Rican rural life at local communities and family-owned farms with demonstrations of crafts, music and chocolate-making processes.
If you are a nature lover, adventure enthusiast or even a family person, you must visit the Sarapiqui region to explore rainforests, rafting down rivers and, most importantly, to learn about Costa Rica’s efforts in wildlife conservation in a natural setting.
Conclusion
If you are looking for breathtaking natural landscapes and biodiversity of national parks, want to spend a vacation exploring rare animals and birds while diving into the adventure of river rafting, cave tubing, canyoning, zip lining on the beaches and rappelling down waterfalls, then Costa Rica with its one of a kind biodiversity and handful adventures is waiting for you this autumn.
FAQs
Q1) How to get around Costa Rica?
Costa Rica’s public transport is the most reliable way to get around Costa Rica, while the inexpensive buses that run frequently from Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose, are the best to travel anywhere in Costa Rica at an affordable price.
Q2) How can I reach Costa Rica?
You can take a flight from your home country and reach San Jose’s Juan Santa Maria Airport or Liberia’s Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport and then by car you can reach your destination. Only you have to apply for a Costa Rica consular visa at a Costa Rica consulate in their home country if you want to stay in Costa Rica for up to 30 days.
Q3) When shall I visit Costa Rica?
The mid-monsoon months of May, June, and autumn months from September to November are best suited for visiting Costa Rica to travel in fewer crowds and at an affordable price as these are off-seasons.
Q4) Why is Costa Rica the Perfect spot for a vacation?
Costa Rica is lined with volcanoes, rainforests, zip lining adventure, world-famous coffee shops and the Pura Vida or “pure life” of Costa Rica that makes it the perfect spot for a vacation whether you are a family person, adventure enthusiast or a peacemaking nature lover.
Q5) What is the weather like in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica observes tropical weather with a short and moderately dry season from January to March with an intense and long rainy season in April, May, and June towards the south around the year. The maximum average temperature reaches 31°C while the average maximum temperature remains at 22.7 in the year.
