You are currently organizing your stay in Costa Rica and you are wondering which must-sees to include in your tour? This small Central American country is full of natural treasures among which it can be difficult to make choices. To guide you, we have put together our top 13 Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica.
1- Tamarindo
Sun-drenched Tamarindo attracts large crowds with its array of sparkling Pacific beaches and palpable Tico charm.
Located on the northern edge of the Nicoya Peninsula, the town has its own three kilometers of sand. Leatherback turtles creep and crawl along the shoreline (Playa Grande is best known for this), while a medley of marlin and giant tuna fishermen attracts sport fishermen and the surf swell attracts runners year-round.
Add to that a handful of great hotels and backpacker guesthouses, casual beach bars, and access to almost all of Guanacaste’s beautiful national parks – Palo Verde, Rincon de la Vieja, and others – and it’s easy to see why this one’s a must!
2- Rincón de la Vieja volcano
In the northwest of the country, in the Guanacaste mountain range, the Rincón de la Vieja volcano rises in the National Park of the same name. Like this 1895 meter high volcano, still active, the park is the scene of many volcanic events. Observe the small boiling mud holes, discover different waterfalls and bathe in the bubbling mud pools! This 14,083-hectare reserve lets you experience geothermal activity up close. An unforgettable experience to include in your stay in Costa Rica.
3- Alajuela
Oddly left unknown by many travelers who land on nearby runways in San Jose, Alajuela is a fascinating colonial city (the second largest in all of Costa Rica, in fact) that has settled among the verdant peaks of the beautiful central valley.
Steeped in history and a proud political past, the center has become a hotbed of revolutionary and patriotic sentiment (just look up the much-loved local hero, Juan Santamaría, who almost single-handedly caused the removal of the pretentious William Walker in 1856).
The city center is a peaceful mix of elegant Baroque facades (don’t forget to see the beautiful church of La Agonía), while the towering peaks of the Poas volcano dominate the horizon – one of the best crater viewing sites in the world!
4- The cloud forest of Monteverde
Still in the northwest of the country, in the middle of the mountainous region, visiting Monteverde in Costa Rica remains THE paradise for adventure tourism enthusiasts. Observe this small city perched in the middle of a green setting at 1440 meters of altitude. A magical place that could only occupy the second place of this top 10 of the unmissable during a vacation in Costa Rica.
Visit here the cloud forest, in which footbridges allow you to walk in the middle of the trees which seem to touch the sky. Then be careful not to miss the flight of the Quetzal, emblematic bird with emerald green plumage: it rarely shows itself!
Finally, take the suspension bridges of Selvatura Park or stroll through the butterfly garden of Monteverde.
5- Montezuma
A cocktail of the artist and outdoors, wilderness and luxury, Montezuma has been increasingly frequented by Costa Rican tourists since its days as a sleepy fishing town that pulled out floating wooden boats to catch whitefish in the swells of the Puntarenas Pacific.
Today, yoga retreats and eco-lodges lurk in the hills, surf shacks, and surf schools cling like limpets to the rocks surrounding the popular swells of Sunset Reef and Montezuma Bay, cocktail bars masquerading as salt-washed beach shacks and fine restaurants holes in the street.
With few cars and little infrastructure, Montezuma has also retained its rustic feel, making it a great place to relax and unwind on the West Coast!
6- Manuel Antonio National Park
The Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most famous sites in Costa Rica. It also remains a must-see for nature lovers. In addition, despite its small area (a little less than 20 km2), it concentrates many animal species. Among others, you will be able to see iguanas, snakes, howler monkeys, and different birds. Located on the central Pacific coast, it has been ranked as one of the 12 most beautiful national parks in the world by Forbes magazine! With its heavenly beaches and rainforest, Manuel Antonio National Park is likely to leave you with one of the most indelible memories of your trip to Costa Rica.
7- Samara and the Nicoya Peninsula
Also present in our top 5 of the most beautiful beaches of Costa Rica, the beach of Samara, leaning against the village of the same name, is certainly part of the unmissable of this superb country. The beach is located in the south of the Nicoya Peninsula, in Guanacaste, in the northwest of the country. Samara offers calm and crystalline waters to swimmers of all ages and water sports enthusiasts. To the west, the reef of Samara Bay gathers a multitude of rays and tropical fish.
Its 7 kilometers of white sand see the reflections of the sun vary according to the time of the day. It is also the starting point for the island of Chora, which lends itself to sport fishing. This small territory known for its pink sand is also the habitat of many marine birds.
8- Arenal volcano
If Costa Rica is known for its beaches and its tropical forest, it is also known for its volcanoes! It is thus in all evidence that the Arenal volcano and its National Park rose to the 4th position of this classification. Located in the northeast of the country, this volcano is among the most active in the country. It is recognizable by its almost perfect conical shape. Accessible from La Fortuna, which it overlooks from the top of its 1720 meters, it can be appreciated through many activities.
Horseback riding, hiking, biking, zip-lining, canoeing, and bathing in its hot springs are some of the activities to be enjoyed in the park.
9- Tortuguero National Park
Impossible to miss the most famous of the Costa Ricans: the turtles! The Tortuguero National Park is a privileged place to observe these animals with their particular gait. Located in the province of Limón, on the Caribbean coast, it allows you to appreciate its magnificent landscapes by boat or kayak, before making the most memorable encounter of your trip to Costa Rica.
Between June and October, the green turtles are in their laying period. This phenomenon is observed at night, in small groups. And if planning in hand, you take into account these dates to define when to leave for Costa Rica and visit the number 1 of the best spots in the country?
10- Sarapiqui Valley
It is in the northeast of the country that is located the 7th spot of our top 10 of the inescapable to see during your vacations in Costa Rica. The Sarapiqui Valley is perched at several hundred meters of altitude. The valley spreads its exuberant vegetation over a dozen protected areas. It is the case of the National Park Braulio Carrillo or Tirimbina, for example. It is an infinite playground for those who wish to observe monkeys and tropical birds. The valley is home to hundreds of species of mammals among palm and banana trees. Make your way on horseback or try your hand at rafting or ziplining in this beautiful park.
11- Chirripó National Park
Stretching from the tropical rainforests of the Chirripó lowlands to the mountainous cloud forests of the Cartago highlands, this 50,000-hectare national park is one of the least visited in the country.
Spanning three different provinces, its center is topped by the highest peak of Cerro Chirripó – the highest mountain in Costa Rica at 3,820 meters.
Climbers who wish to conquer this great monolith embark on hiking trails that wind their way to the summit through alpine tundra and primeval forests, where panoramic views of countless volcanoes, the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and vast jungle canopies are the rewards.
Others come to camp in the company of primates and roaring cataracts, remote mountain lakes, and sloths.
12- Marino Ballena National Park
Still, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, we advise you to visit the Marino Ballena, National Park. The park is located a little further south. With more than 5500 hectares, it is one of the favorite sites to observe whales and dolphins. This marine fauna resides there mainly from July to October. In the park, it is possible, at low tide, to reach Punta Uvita on foot. Discover the latter for its unusual shape of a whale tail, which can be seen when the sea retreats. Observe the whales that can be seen from the beaches of Uvita or Playa Hermosa. The best thing to do is to book an excursion for a boat ride alongside these imposing mammals.
13- Corcovado National Park
Unquestionably one of the most coveted natural landscapes for travelers crossing the hinterland of Costa Rica, Corcovado National Park is the crown jewel of the salty, jungle-covered Osa Peninsula…
Nestled in the heart of the south, far from the surfy swells and beach resorts, this land of tapirs and anteaters, sloths and squirrel monkeys, colorful macaws, and majestic margay cats is home to a wilderness camp and ranger shelters for intrepid visitors…
Trails like the popular El Tigre offer some of the best wildlife viewings, while the waters between the shore and the rugged Pacific island of Caño promise killer whale and dolphin sightings!
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