Costa Rica is known as the best place to visit in Central America, and with so many stunning destinations to see, it’s not hard to see why! This guide features the top 9 places to visit in Costa Rica that are worth every minute of your time! There’s something here for everyone, whether you want something active like zip-lining through the jungle or something relaxing like soaking up some sun on one of Costa Rica’s pristine beaches.
#1 – Manuel Antonio National Park
Located a short distance outside of San Jose, Manuel Antonio National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including sloths, monkeys and toucans. It’s also known for its incredible beaches and gorgeous rainforests that make it one of Costa Rica’s best places to visit. If you love hiking and spending time outdoors, then you’ll have no problem exploring over four miles of trails that pass through forests, beaches and volcanic rock formations. Located in front of its own sandy beach, Manuel Antonio Beach is one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches and perhaps most popular with locals as well as tourists who come from all over the world to hike or relax on its sand.
#2 – Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park is located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and it’s famous for its resident turtles. The park has a rich history of eco-tourism, as it was designated as a national park for conservation purposes in 1970. It’s also an area rich with culture and heritage, since Tortuguero National Park is home to four indigenous groups. If you visit between July and September, you’ll likely see two species of sea turtles laying their eggs on beaches throughout Tortuguero National Park.
#3 – Playa del Coco
This beautiful beach town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is known for its spectacular sunsets, charming small hotels and reasonably priced restaurants. The best part about Playa del Coco is that it is just an hour outside of San Jose, making it a great place to spend a few days relaxing on white sand beaches after long days exploring San Jose and all of Costa Rica’s attractions. There are also several nature reserves along Playa del Coco’s coastline that are home to monkeys, sloths and other wild animals. If you want some peace and quiet while visiting Costa Rica, look no further than Playa del Coco.
#4 – Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
If you’re looking for a fun place to spend your next vacation, why not consider traveling to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve? The area is recognized as one of Costa Rica’s top vacation destinations, and for good reason. As one of Costa Rica’s many eco-lodges, Monteverde is home to an incredible range of animals and flora. From monkeys and birds to orchids and orchids, there’s no shortage of things you can see here; that said, you should be prepared for a lot of vegetation.
#5 – The Nicoya Peninsula
Located on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast, near Liberia and Guanacaste, The Nicoya Peninsula is known for its dry climate, diverse wildlife, beautiful white-sand beaches, active volcanoes and unique flora and fauna. The Nicoya region is also home to several popular surf spots. While certainly not as well-known as neighboring Guanacaste (home of Pura Vida), there are plenty of reasons why travelers should add The Nicoya Peninsula to their itinerary while visiting Costa Rica.
#6 – Reserva Santa Elena Wildlife Refuge
Part of Santa Elena Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Reserva Santa Elena is nestled against Arenal Volcano and boasts dense primary forest. It’s home to some 200 species of birds and 14 varieties of mammals, including white-faced monkeys, three-toed sloths, kinkajous and margays. The trails are generally flat (making them accessible for many) but there are a few challenging sections where you’ll need a guide. Located on San Carlos, Reserva Santa Elena is about an hour from La Fortuna.
#7 – Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is one of Costa Rica’s best places for viewing wildlife. The refuge encompasses 280 square miles (720 km2) of rainforest, making it one of Costa Rica’s largest protected areas. There are over 1,000 plant species, around 250 types of birds and more than 80 mammal species that live within its borders. While many of these animals are nocturnal, you can find spotted cats such as ocelots and jaguars on a game drive from dusk until dawn.
#8 – Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
This small town is located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, near Punta Uva. Puerto Viejo is renowned for its natural beauty and laid-back atmosphere. This charming little town has a long stretch of beach where you can surf, snorkel or just swim in one of many pristine waterfalls nearby. There are also shops where you can buy local arts and crafts or jewelry. The most notable thing about Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, however, is that it’s home to La Casa del Pavo Real (The House of the Royal Turkey), which hosts frequent Fiestas Patrias events during important holidays like New Year’s Eve, Christmas and Independence Day.
#9 – La Fortuna Waterfall Gardens & La Fortuna Mountain Biking Adventures
La Fortuna is a very beautiful town nestled in one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful landscapes. It’s also home to some top class mountain biking opportunities and waterfalls galore. The absolutely stunning La Fortuna Waterfall Gardens are a must see attraction in Costa Rica and must be visited. More adventurous types may want to take part in some of La Fortunas great mountain biking tours.
