My Costa Rica
Knowing where to go in Costa Rica is tricky. There are so many tropical destinations to choose from! Costa Rica destinations are full of beautiful scenery and stunning backdrops–from the warmth of a sandy beach to the mystery of the cloud forest. The presidential constitutional republic of Costa Rica is home to some of friendliest people on the planet. They are proud to share their country with its lucky visitors. A constant problem for vacationers who wish to experience Costa Rica is the incredibly vast number of unique points of interest.
The Full Variety of Costa Rica Destinations
From the Costa Rica Caribbean coast to the Pacific coast there are a variety of rainforests, cloud forests, volcanos and beaches to visit. For example, Arenal Volcano National Park offers visitors countless opportunities to enjoy hot springs, hiking, fishing or white water rafting. The fabulous beaches of Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, Puerto Viejo (just to name a few) attract beach lovers, surfers and outdoor enthusiasts for their natural beauty and tropical atmosphere. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is the perfect place to spend a birding vacation and hike above the canopy on hanging bridges. Between all these gorgeous attractions, 5-star resorts and world-class tours, you have no choice but to just come and enjoy yourself. And My Costa Rica can help! Let us plan a custom Costa Rica vacation for you and your family.
Central Valley
The central valley one of the top destinations in Costa Rica is characterized by coffee plantations surrounded by lush mountains and volcanoes. Many people spend their first and last nights in the city or use San José as a jumping off point for day trips to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Poas Volcano or rafting on the Pacuare river.
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San Jose
The airport is just under twenty minutes from the capital city of San José. The Central Valley is steeped in history and culture. Here you will find the biggest population being mainly in the bustling town of San José. Visit the museums, eat out in the stylish Barrio Escalante or take a city tour. Did you know San Jose is not the country’s first capital?
Poás Volcano
Poas is the most visited volcano in the Central Valley. The amazingly dense forest park that surrounds the two craters makes it an oasis close to the city! Volcan Poas has one of the largest active craters in the world. The crater lake measures over a mile wide and over 900 feet deep. There are two crater lakes near the summit of Poas. The National Park consists of nearly 15,000 acres that encompass at least four different habitats. This is another testament to Costa Rica’s amazing biodiversity.
Irazu Volcano and Cartago
Head to Cartago to see fantastic Ruins. Visit the beautiful and peaceful Orosi Valley and lastly the famous Irazu volcano. Irazu is also considered to be the most active volcano in Costa Rica but is still perfectly safe to visit since every precaution is taken. When traveling through Costa Rica tourist destinations, don’t forget to try the national dishes! San Jose has many local restaurants where you can try Gallo Pinto and Casado, the traditional dishes consisting of rice and beans. When visiting Irazu, stop by the most haunted place in Costa Rica – the Duran Sanatorium.
Guanacaste
In Guanacaste, the flora and fauna and authentic culture are not only magical but also add a lot historical and scientific interest. Guanacaste is sun, sea, and sand, surfing, and swimming; there is no better way to sum things up. Be prepared for the best beaches Costa Rica has the offer when you come here.
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Gulf of Papagayo
The Gulf of Papagayo is ideal for those looking for an all-inclusive holiday as well as enjoy calm, serene waters and relatively quiet beaches like Panama and Hermosa as well as the more bustling Playas del Coco. This area also holds the coveted Blue Flag for its environmental efforts.
Tamarindo
Affectionately called TamaGringo by locals, Tamarindo is the most popular Costa Rica destination for beach. this is the perfect town to go out, get a great dinner, shop for souvenirs and get your first surfing lesson!
Playa Conchal
Often called the most stunning beach in Guanacaste, Conchal is a public beach as well as a reserve. The white, crushed shell beach is considered a heritage site and you are forbidden to take them with you. Just sit back, relax, go for a swim and enjoy!
Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Experience this region with the famous ne day adventure pass or have a relaxing time soaking in the natural hot springs and mud baths. Also, learn all about the cattle farming in this region. Guanacaste is known for its Cowboy Culture and Liberia as well Rincon de la Vieja still reflect this culture to a large degree.
Nicoya Peninsula
Separated from the mainland by the Tempisque estuary and the Gulf of Nicoya. This region is called home to many of the immaculate and spectacular Beaches of Costa Rica. The Nicoya Peninsula, one of the top Costa Rica tourist destinations, has also been named one of the Blue Zones of the world. Its desire for a long and happy life has marked the destinations by a lifestyle much closer to Pura Vida than anywhere else.
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Santa Teresa, Malpais, and Montezuma
At these beaches, essential beauty and tranquil bliss will always remain together with so much beach fun, and especially surfing! Known as one of the best Costa Rica tourist destinations, this region seems to have its own culture and ways; there is a distinctive feel to it as one travel through the exotic little rural towns, their cowboys with their herds.
Ostional Wildlife Refuge
Spot the legendary Olive Ridley sea turtles nesting and the eggs hatching by visiting Ostional Wildlife Refuge. In the afternoons you can take a tour to see the turtles nesting and, in the mornings, you can see the eggs hatching! Watching a baby turtle make its way to the ocean is one of the most beautiful things you will ever see!
Playa Samara
This lovely little beach is the best example of this zest for life. The community is a rich mix of locals and expats that are united by a certain kind of hippie spirit. The horses used in the horseback riding tours roam the further ends of the beaches freely in-between tours and the small but charming town is alive with color.
Nosara
A further extension of this Pure Life can be found in Nosara. Nosara is the yoga epicenter of Nicoya as well as the whole country, making it one of the top destinations in Costa Rica. It is also a great destination for the keen (intermediate) surfer.
Osa Peninsula
Whether it is raining or the sun is shining, the hypnotic beauty of the Osa will enchant you and give you the most memorable vacation you ever dreamed. This region is considered among the top destinations in Costa Rica, where so much natural beauty and peace never seemed possible! The Osa is another world. It alone makes up 2.5 percent of the world’s biodiversity.
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Drake Bay
This small bay is located at the northern part of Osa Peninsula. It is a stunning Costa Rica destination where you can try your hand at snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving, sports fishing, swimming, horseback riding, bird watching and hiking. While Drake Bay is the northern entrance, Cabo Matapalo is the southern point. This is a truly remote piece of nature with stunning jungle and ocean.
Uvita
Uvita may be small, but it is famous for two big things. The Whale Tail Beach, and the Envision Festival. The beautiful golden sands and swaying palm trees feature tropical rain forest right up to the sand. From here you can take the famous whale watching tours in the hope to spot the Humpback whales, whale sharks, dolphins and Bryde´s whales at Marino Ballena National Park.
Caño Island
Calling all snorkelers and scuba divers! Caño Island is one of the best Costa Rica destinations for underwater explorers. Cano Island is surrounded by coral reefs and rock formations which makes it a hotspot to see marine life. Spot manta rays, mobula rays, whale sharks, reef sharks like the white-tipped reef sharks, moorish idols, dolphins, moray eels, sea turtles, and so on. This will be a snorkel adventure you won’t soon forget!
Corcovado national park
Within Corcovado you can find 13 major ecosystems, all four monkey species, all four sea turtle species and over 40 frog species. This is one of the must-see Costa Rica tourist destinations, featuring 100 butterfly species, 10,000 insect species, several types of snakes, over 25 lizard species, all six feline species, tapirs, crocodiles, peccaries, and over 400 bird species!
Caribbean
The cultural mix created by the clash of Caribbean culture and Costa Rican Latin flavor produces a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else in the country.
Food and drink are a favorite past time of many here. Sit at any local hub and sip your favorite mix. Watch the sunset glide through the sky as you relax at the end of another beautiful day. Time is slow, and the scenery is perfect. Tico time takes on a new meaning here.
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Cahuita
Visit the Cahuita National Park to see cute monkeys, sloths and birds. Cahuita is also the best destination for snorkeling because of its stunning, colorful reefs.
Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo truly embraces the easy-going Caribbean way of life and the unique mix of Afro-Caribbean, Costa Rican, BriBri Native American and ex-pats makes it a cultural destination that you don’t want to miss. During the day the atmosphere is easy going and peaceful. Visitors who are not visiting sloths at the Jaguar Rescue Center or hiking through Cahuita National Park are usually relaxing on beaches like Playa Cocles.
Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park is an ecotourist’s dream located on the northeast Caribbean coast. The stunning National Park protects one of the largest remaining areas of tropical rainforest in Central America. This Costa Rica tourist destination is home to vast, protected beaches where you can enjoy endless ocean vistas. Tortuguero is derived from the Spanish word Tortuga (turtle) and it is one of the best places in the world to see Giant Green Sea Turtles lay their eggs and then watch as the baby turtles hatch and make their way to the sea. From June to October every year, hordes of Giant Green Sea Turtles come to the beaches to nest.
Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
The Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is located near the Panama border on the Southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. It is classified as a humid tropical rainforest, but it’s also home to many different ecological habitats including mangrove swamps, wetland and lowland rainforest, protecting some of Costa Rica’s most endangered plants and animal species. This top destinations in Costa Rica is a sanctuary for endangered species like the Manatee, the Ocelot, and the Jaguar, as well as rare birds.
Southern Zone
Costa Rica’s Southern Zone is one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica! You will find so much diversity in nature, climate, and personalities of people at this Costa Rica destination. The only way to find out about it is to visit. Why not come and take part in great adventure tours discovery the beauty of this region every step that you take.
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San Gerardo de Dota
Are you a passionate bird watcher? Then this is the perfect destination or you. Los Quetzales National Park is 12,355 acres and home to three different kinds of rainforests and 14 ecosystems! Among Costa Rica destinations, it is the ideal place for a birding vacation in Costa Rica. You’ll see the Resplendent Quetzal in addition to woodpeckers, trogons and hummingbirds.
Chirripo National Park
Mount Chirripo is the highest point of Costa Rica at 3820 meters! This is one of the unique Costa Rica destinations where hiking is a must-do activity as you will pass through different climates from the lush jungle to the Tundra close to the top.
Northern Zone
The Northern Zone is a haven for the nature enthusiasts looking for some unique ecosystems to explore. Known for its incredible Costa Rica destinations, the Northern Zone is also a great location for an adventure vacation. You can take legendary rafting tours and ride the longest zip line in Latin America in Monteverde.
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Monteverde Cloud Forest
Monteverde attracts nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive quetzal. This Costa Rica destination is famous for its cloud forest as well as the coffee plantations. You can take several self-guided hikes and spot birds, sloths, monkeys and insects as well as stunning flora.
La Fortuna and Arenal
Welcome to Costa Rica’s most popular destination! Arenal is a haven for the adventure tourist as well as those looking for romance, relaxation or nature. Explore the hanging bridges, relax in the hot springs, hike to the La Fortuna Waterfall, go white-water rafting, canyoning, all in one trip!
Rio Celeste
Locals say Rio Celeste owes its heavenly, blue color to God dipping his brush in the water while he was painting the sky. This stunning Costa Rica destination offers an easy hike for those wanting to immerse themselves into Costa Rica’s stunning natural surroundings
Central Pacific
The clear waters and sculpted coastline offer the perfect setting for surfing or just a relaxing vacation. When looking for the best Costa Rica destinations, this place stands out. Ideal for Surfing that big wave or relaxing on a sandy beach. The Central Pacific is home to an uncountable amount of animals; such variety extends from the dry rainforests of the region. When you visit, make sure to bring your flip flop beach towel and a surfboard.
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Manuel Antonio
Manual Antonio may be Costa Rica’s smallest national park, but it more than makes up for that in biodiversity. During your hike through the park, you will spot sloths, birds, monkeys, and more! Manuel Antonio is a must-see Costa Rica destination for those seeking surfing, parasailing, horseback riding, zip lining, and relaxation on the most beautiful beach in Costa Rica!
Jaco and Playa Hermosa
Jaco is known as the party beach at the Central Pacific as well as a fine surfing destination while Hermosa is a little bit calmer but still a great surf spot. From Jaco, it would also be rewarding to visit the Tarcoles Bridge as well as Carara National Park, which are among the must-visit Costa Rica destinations.
Where to go in Costa Rica
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