Costa Rica Pictures

So much to see

Art Gallery

Let’s begin with a rather unknown area for Costa Rica tourists – art. Costa Rica has a rather long an beautiful history of its arts from the indigenous tribes to the influence of the Spanish, folk art, street art and a wide variety of modern arts and crafts.

From the famous ritualistic masks worm by the tribes of Puntarenas to the painted oxcart wheels, the locals have contributed a lot to their art scene. In fact, you won’t have to visit a famous museum to see some of it. The ox carts (las carretas) can be seen in parades, festivals, and other large and smaller, local celebrations. The most famous of these celebrations is known as the Oxcart Drivers Day (Día de los Boyeros) and takes place in San Antonio de Escazú on every second Sunday of March. It has been celebrated for over 30 years.

San Jose has an amazing collection of street art and those who enjoy a wander through the city are bound to encounter stunning graffiti decorating the town.

Learn more about art in Costa Rica and where to get the best pictures!

Volcanoes

We suppose everyone wants that picture perfect shot of one of Costa Rica’s most iconic giants. The perfectly conical Arenal Volcano and the charming town of La Fortuna, the ever-steaming Turrialba, the rumbling Poas volcano, the stunning Irazu, … Where to begin? Make sure to also explore the surrounding tropical rainforest and photograph the trees, the different wildlife species, whatever you can spot. The volcanoes are a must see on your photography trip! Little tip, when in Arenal, visit the hot springs and hanging bridges!

Arenal

Poas

Tenorio

Irazu

Miravalles

Turrialba

Rincon de la Vieja

Beaches

From the picture-perfect sunset to the inspiring shot of that crystal blue water, the Costa Rica Beaches inspire amazing pictures. Your trip to Costa Rica is very likely to take you to the Guanacaste Province, home to some of Costa Rica’s most famous beaches and some of the most beautiful ones in the whole of Central America. The Gulf of Papagayo is all the way of north and has famous beaches like Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa. For the perfect photo of a more remote destination, we suggest you travel to Coco’s introverted neighbor, Ocotal. Head a bit more south of Guanacaste to the Nicoya Peninsula and visit beaches like Nosara, Samara, Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. Get a picture of a stunning beach as well as some exotic wildlife by visiting the Ostional Wildlife Refuge! This wildlife refuge hosts thousands of sea turtles every year who come and nest on the beach. One of the most exciting photos you will get, is the one of the eggs hatching and the baby turtles making their way to the ocean!

Some beaches are part of stunning national parks like those of Corcovado in the Osa Peninsula and Manuel Antonio in the Central Pacific. During the rainy season your pictures will show a more lush, green Costa Rica than during the dry season.

Head to the Caribbean Coast and visit stunning beauties like Cahuita and Playa Cocles at Puerto Viejo.

Manuel Antonio

Tamarindo

Samara

Santa Teresa

Pavones

Cahuita

Puerto Viejo

Animals

This is one of the biggest draws for most people and rightly so! Costa Rica has some incredible species of Costa Rica wildlife just waiting for a picture. Wildlife from birds like the Scarlet Macaw and other species of macaws to frogs like the poison dart frog. Monkeys like howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys and spider monkeys! Visit Monteverde for a rare sight of the Resplendent Quetzal in the thick cloud forest and make a trip to the Tarcoles River to see hundreds of Crocodiles. Visit the Sloth Sanctuary for some stunning photos of sloths like the eternally happy three-toed sloth or just spot them in the wild in Manuel Antonio or Cahuita. Tortuguero will offer you many photo opportunities mainly from a large variety of birds, crocodiles and sea turtles.

Cities and Towns

Visit Costa Rica not only for its natural wonders, but also for the cities. The capital of San Jose will introduce you to Costa Rica’s “metropolitan” lifestyle and the surrounding towns in the Central Valley will teach you more about its history. Visit the famous ruins in Cartago. Liberia is close to all the best beaches but also has a very charming colonial district waiting to be photographed and Quepos is hone to the world famous Paz Vela Marina!

San Jose

Liberia

Cartago

Quepos

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