The 20 most beautiful places to visit in Costa Rica

Nature, nature and nothing but nature! Visiting Costa Rica is a real return to sources!

Costa Rica is often presented as the nature destination par excellence. It’s not just a myth! If you are a lover of fauna and flora, forest and volcanoes, sea and mountain, you have chosen the right destination. Costa Rica will keep its promises. On the other hand, lovers of old stones will not find their account. We can't have it all!

Located south of Central America, west of Panama and south of Nicaragua, Costa Rica is a real Eden. It concentrates on a small area a wide variety of animal species and plants. The country has two maritime facades, one opening onto the beautiful Caribbean Sea and the other overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Finally, between valleys, mountains and volcanoes, Costa Rica will seduce lovers of activities with strong sensations.

Beyond these natural beauties, you will appreciate Costa Rica for the principles it defends. A resolutely pacifist and strong defender of animal and environmental causes, Costa Rica has been able to protect its natural heritage and focus on sustainable pro-development issues. It is pleasant, as a traveller, to stay in a country like this!

Welcome to the Wonderland!

1. Manuel Antonio National Park

Located by the Pacific Ocean, the Manuel Antonio National Park marvelled by its tasty mix of beautiful beaches — lined with dense vegetation — where swim enthusiasts can relax in warm and quiet water, and forest trails where hide and show themselves screaming monkeys, lazy, iguanas and parrots. Watch your bags, it’s not uncommon for a raccoon to get rid of your effects, edible or not!

2. The Irazù volcano

What to do in Costa Rica? Discover his many volcanoes! As a volcanic country par excellence, Costa Rica has several specimens that each have their particular characteristics and attractions. The volcano Irazù , from the top of its 3,432 meters, is interesting to see for its lunar landscapes that surround it and its beautiful lagoons with blue-green tones that fill its craters. Prefer a visit in the morning.

3. Monteverde Cloud Forest biological reserve

Monteverde biological reserve is quite singular, since it is an altitude forest that plunges its visitor into a thick and constant mist! The atmosphere is very strange, but quite attractive. Between suspended bridges and zip lines, the adventure will catch you! Who knows? Perhaps you will have the chance to see a Quetzal?

4. Mont Chirripo

Are you a mountaineer? Start in a two-day hike that will lead you to the top of the Cerro Chiripo , roof of Central America that peaks at 3,820 m. After 8 hours of ascension, the first meters are the most delicate, you will spend a night in refuge, to descend the next day. The view from the top is breathtaking. Think about booking!

5. Tortuguero National Park

If you want to feel privileged, take a flight or bus from Limon, then a boat, to go to Tortuguero National Park, located northeast of the country. One of the main interests of this park is to attend, in the sunset, at the turtle deck on the beach. This is only possible in July and August. Outside this period, nothing prevents you from going there to admire other locals: lazy, caiman, screaming monkeys, parrots, etc.

6. The beaches of the Guanacaste peninsula

Visiting Costa Rica is debusting wildlife, admiring flora and tapping volcanoes. It is also an opportunity to relax in heavenly setting, on one of the many Pacific beaches, and especially on the Guanacaste peninsula.

De Playa Hermosa passing by Playa Samara or Playa Santa Theresa, you will only have the embarrassment of choice to keep you! Playa Penca is probably the most isolated, while Playa del Coco is more lively.

7. Rincon National Park of Vieja

Located northeast of Liberia, the Rincon National Park of Vieja is interesting for its geothermal activity and for its wildlife. You can see a tattoo or a monkey while letting yourself be surprised by a geyser!

8. Poas Volcano National Park

The Volcano Poàs is one of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes. Therefore, it is very strange to observe Smokingolles that escape from acid lakes in ochre colors, from the site's mirador! You will soon find our human position, facing the greatness and power of nature!

9. Nosara

Located on the Guanacaste peninsula, the region of Nosara is like Costa Rica, a space between sea and jungle. Whether you're a fan of surfing, kayaking or stuffing, whether you want to hike or visit an animal shelter, Nosara and its surroundings can only fill you!

10. Turrialba volcano

Not far from the Irazù volcano, the Turrialba volcano is not as impressive as its neighbour, but deserves to be ventured on the paths that snake along its flans. Be sure to wake up, because the clouds do not wait to cover the crater peaks of this old man still active!

11. The village of Montezuma

Live to Montezuma who wants to cut off from the time and worries of the current world. Visiting Costa Rica is also enjoying this unique atmosphere and this so positive and relaxed mentality.

" Pura Vida You will often come from the mouth of the inhabitants. The village of Montezuma, located on the Guanacaste peninsula, has this nice little hippie side, which will make you forget everything! Are you wondering what to do in Costa Rica? Listen to the reggae and look at the time!

12. Corcovado National Park

The Osa Peninsula, which is protected from tourist affluence, is home to the Corcovado National Park . Located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the park – like Manuel Antonio – combines dense vegetation, large biodiversity and turquoise waters. Attention, this park is only accessible in 4×4, from Puerto Jimenez.

13. Isla del Cano

Pure Costa Rican jewel, Pacific pearl, Isla del Cano is the paradise of amateurs snorkeling and diving. White sand, turquoise waters, rays, turtles, fish, and even whales: everything is there!

14. National Park Cahuita

What to do in Costa Rica? Without any hesitation: visit Cahuita National Park ! Less frequented than Manuel Antonio Park, and especially less expensive, it is one of the country's must-sees.

You will walk on a nice flat path, between forest and Caribbean, looking for monkeys, raccoons and lazy. A little advice: nothing serves to sink into the park, because our friends the beasts stay close to the entrances, hoping to steal some small sweets to the visitors!

15. Coffee plantations in the Central Valley

If the Costa Rican gastronomy is not overthrown, we cannot say the same about its coffee. Costa Rica’s Central Valley produces one of the best coffee shops in the world. Without being a great drinker of the famous drink, it is interesting to discover the methods of cultivation, harvesting grain and making coffee.

16. The gardens of the fall of Paz

Change the scenery and leave the Costa Rican beaches to marvel at gardens of the fall of the Paz and admire one of the 5 cascades of the site. Because in Costa Rica, you are never very far from an insect or animal, you can contemplate the flight of Blue Morpho, a beautiful butterfly in the area.

17. La Fortuna

Located northwest of San José, the region of Fortuna is a good starting point for many activities, such as the climb of Mount Cerro Chato. If you don't feel like attacking this very physical expedition, you can come to delight yourself in natural hot springs, located not far from Arenal volcano.

18. The Arenal volcano

After the lunar decors of the Irazù volcano or the Smokingolles of the Poàs volcano, come and admire the majestic Arenal volcano The perfect conical shape!

19. The Sarapiqui valley

Located north of the country, the valley Sarapiqui is taken by lovers of rafting and kayaking on the waters of the Rio Sarapiqui. Land where the Amerindian tradition is still strong, you can also sink into the jungle and go in search of local birds, reptiles or mammals.

20. San Jose and surrounding areas

You will have understood, visiting Costa Rica assumes not to linger in the cities. However, since you will arrive and/or probably leave San Jose, so enjoy it for a few hours. This capital is amazing, precisely because it doesn't look like a capital!

Small and very green, you feel comfortable. You can walk through the streets and admire some buildings of neoclassical and colonial styles, visit one of the many museums (Museo del oro Precolombino, Museo nacional de Costa Rica, Museo del Jade Marco Fidel Tristan) and stroll through the central Mercado.