It’s hard to pick where to vacation in Costa Rica as there are so many amazing things to see and do in this tiny country that has the size of West Virginia or the entire country of Denmark. There are the volcanoes with Poas being the largest and most active, Tortuguero National Park, the mountain town of Monteverde, Corcovado National Park, and the many beautiful beaches on the Pacific and Caribbean.
Costa Ricans, or “Ticos” as they like to call themselves, have a saying: They are rich in paradise. And it’s true — their homeland never ceases to astonish its visitors. The gorgeous beaches, never-ending activities, friendly people, and a plethora of wildlife, amazing scenery and scrumptious food make a vacation in Costa Rica unforgettable.
Irrespective of the number of days you have in your hand, you will always feel short of time in this spectacular place.
Here are the top five things to do and see:
1. Discover Volcanoes
Costa Rica volcanoes are known as the top tourist attractions in the region. The most famous volcano for lava eruption, Arenal stopped in 2010, but that does not make it less interesting. There are still mesmerizing trails in its vicinity. Other volcanoes that are worth exploring, include:
Poás Volcano which remains one of Costa Rica’s largest and most active volcanoes is located in the Central Highlands of Costa Rica, about 1.5 hrs from San José. In the same region, you can also visit the Irazú Volcano or Turrialba Volcano.
Rincon de la Vieja Volcano is located in the Guanacaste región. Fit hikers can climb the top of one of the craters on a 6-mile hike.
Surrounded by an enchanting blend of forest, hot springs and geysers, you will find the Tenorio Volcano, also located in Guanacaste.
2. Explore the canals of Tortuguero National Park
If you are an animal lover, make sure to keep this place in your where to vacation in Costa Rica-itinerary. Tortuguero is a protected wilderness area on Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean coast. Its beaches are famous nesting grounds for sea turtles, including endangered green turtles.
The park’s freshwater creeks and lagoons, which can be navigated by boat or canoe, shelter spectacled caimans, and river turtles. The surrounding dense rainforest is also rich with wildlife, from monkeys to many bird species.
3. Birdlife & adventure in Monteverde
This is a place that tops the list of must-visit locations in Costa Rica. Monteverde is a small mountain town where travelers often indulge in hiking, coffee plantation visits, or canopy or suspension bridge tours.
The famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve shelters countless wildlife species, including jaguars, ocelots and the colorfully plumed resplendent quetzal.
4. Visit the remote Corcovado National Park
Corcovado National Park is a beautiful destination located on the remote Osa Peninsula. This quiet, rugged, and off-the-beat destination is for all those searching for peace.
Here you can indulge in diving, hiking or enjoy a walk. Corcovado National Park has been referred to by National Geographic as “the most biologically intense place on Earth in terms of biodiversity.”
It is the largest national park in Costa Rica, the largest primary forest on the American Pacific coastline, and one of the few remaining large areas of lowland tropical rainforests in the world.
5. Spend a lazy day at one of Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches
There is the stunning beach of Manuel Antonio, part of the Manuel Antonio National Park, with its consistently calm water which makes it a terrific choice for families with young children. The surrounding national park is filled with wildlife. You can easily spot white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, green iguanas, and sloths.
Another awesome choice is Tamarindo, one of Costa Rica’s most popular beaches. It is an action-packed destination known for great beginner surf and a lively nightlife.
The town is also surrounded by Las Baulas National Park, which protects endangered leatherback sea turtles that nest on nearby beaches between October and February.
South of Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast, Punta Uva is one of Costa Rica’s most enchanting destinations. Golden sand, pristine water, coral reefs, palm trees, monkeys! As you wander around Punta Uva, keep an eye out for great green macaws in the trees above.
Located near the dramatic Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa combines stunning natural beauty with an upscale backpacker vibe. Because it remains relatively difficult to get to, Santa Teresa is not overrun with “sun and fun” tourists who arrive en masse. Instead, this rugged area lures more adventurous travelers.
Once here, you will never want to leave. One of my personal favorites is Montezuma which is another town in the Southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula, and off the main tourist track. A favorite for youths, surfers, and alternative-types, the bohemian town is really an ideal, laid-back beach town. Its natural beauty ranges from beautiful beach, mangroves, and estuaries to dense tropical forest and waterfalls with natural pools.
Well, this was just a small insight into everything Costa Rica has to offer. Would you like more on where to vacation in Costa Rica? We’d love to hear from you! Also, let us know what other content you’d like, or if you have any questions at all!
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