Costa Rica is one of the top destinations in Central America. American visitors have been flocking to the country for many years as it has been a popular destination for ex-pats as well as retirees due to its low-cost cost of living, fantastic climate, beautiful beaches, and friendly people.
I am a huge fan of Costa Rica. It was the very first destination that gave me the inspiration to travel.
It is a very special place within my heart.
I’ve returned to Costa Rica many times since and then fell in love repeatedly.
However, since it’s not as cheap as its neighbors, many tourists on a budget skip Costa Rica.
While that’s the case (though you can find countless options to cut costs on your trip to Costa Rica), in my experience, I believe the appeal of these destinations is more than worth the price.
These are the most popular places to go in Costa Rica:
Arenal
The volcano is 1,600m over the lush forest of Alajuela north of San Jose; the Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica’s most significant draw.
The perfect spot for those who love the outdoors. The entire area surrounding the massive mountain is filled with thundering waterfalls (not least the magnificent La Fortuna Falls), traversed by numerous railways and bridle trails that are cut by bubbling rivers that are ripe for whitewater rafting. It is also the site of swinging wire bridges where you can get close to the sloths and toucans that live in the forest canopy.
Manuel Antonio National Park
The park is located on the outskirts of the city of Manuel Antonio; Manuel Antonio National Park is among the top places in Costa Rica to see wildlife. The park also comes with the advantage of hosting gorgeous soft-sand beaches.
The most common nature sightings you can expect to see at the park include howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, sloths, and white-nosed coatimundi, as well as the famous capuchins. There is also the possibility of spotting iridescent butterflies as well as numerous birds of all colors flying around. The trails can be explored in your own time, but for an experience that is more thorough, you should consider taking part in a Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour. Guides usually know what animals live in the area and are armed with telescopes and tripods, which are ideal for viewing wildlife as well as photography.
Monteverde Cloud Reserve Forest
Three hours from San Jose by road is a picturesque town in the region of mountains that makes up the country. Monteverde always ranks as one of the top destinations within Costa Rica because it has one of the most stunning views you’ll see. Its Monteverde Cloud Reserve Forest is an important biodiversity hotspot that has indigenous fauna and plants unlike any other. La Casona offers convenient lodgings for those who wish to be within the nature reserve. La Casona is the only hotel in the area which means you don’t need to deal with crowds, and you can fully immerse yourself in the essence of the forest.
Pacuare River
There’s something thrilling about trying to control the flow that’s thrilling! If you’re a fan of a test and would like to get out on the water of Costa Rica and rivers, you’ll find that the Pacuare River is among the top Costa Rica tourist spots. The whitewater rafting and riverboarding activities are popular here, and it’s obvious that this is the case. It offers river enthusiasts a variety of levels of rapids ranging from I to IV, and that is spread over three sections called Upper, Upper, Upper, and Lower.
The rapids aren’t the only thing that draws adventure seekers to this area, but what makes this one of the top Costa Rica tourist places is its natural beauty of it. The lush rainforests that are bursting with living things, gigantic waterfalls, and peaceful swimming pools inviting guests to splash around are some of the things you’ll find in the vicinity of Pacuare River.
Montezuma
When you travel toward the Nicoya Peninsula, you’ll arrive at a beautiful piece of heaven that is the Montezuma. Nature reserves, beautiful beaches, and an island where you can walk are just a few tourist attractions.
Montezuma is regarded as the most desirable location to visit in Costa Rica by many travelers. In spite of a constant flow of tourists, the area has a distinct, undiscovered feel. The relaxed vibe attracts all sorts of travelers, from couples to backpackers and families.
It’s not as big, but Montezuma offers plenty of eateries that serve great meals and lodgings that span a broad cost range. This makes the most memorable Costa Rica vacation!
Celeste River
The Celeste River is among the most stunning natural wonders of Costa Rica, without a shred of doubt! An attraction that is a favorite within Costa Rica, this river attracts thousands of visitors each year because of its stunning turquoise crystal clear waters, which appear artificially lit from beneath.
The journey to reach this beautiful spot isn’t easy! In order to reach the river, it is necessary to be in a healthy physical state since the hike is strenuous and will lead you through boulders and then a huge (but gorgeous forest), which will take around 3 hours. Although it is not permitted to swim in the river, the thrilling hike and beautiful scenery of the river are sure to be worth it.
Tamarindo
A sun-baked Tamarindo is a popular destination with its array of glittering Pacific beaches and a soaring Tico appeal.
It is situated on the northern end of the northern edge of the Nicoya Peninsula; the town has its own 3 km length of beach. Turtles with leatherbacks crawl and crawl along the beaches along the shore as well (Playa Grande is the most famous for this), and a mix of giant tuna and marlin lure sports fishermen, and the surf’s waves entice surfers all through all year.
There’s also a variety of fantastic hotels and guesthouses, a relaxed bar on the beach, as well as the ability to access every one of the stunning national parks in Guanacaste, including Palo Verde, Rincon de la Vieja et al. Add to that the stunning national parks of Guanacaste – so it’s not hard to understand why this place is an absolute necessity!
Corcovado National Park
It is, without doubt, one of the most coveted natural areas to travelers who are making their way across the backcountry of Costa Rica; the Corcovado National Park is the crown jewel of the salt-sprayed, forest-lined Osa Peninsula.
In the heart of the south of the country, far from the swells of surfer surfers and resorts on beaches and resorts, the place of anteaters and tapirs with sloths, squirrel monkeys and sloths and colored macaws as well as magnificent margay cats boasts an abundance of wilderness camp areas as well as ranger shelters to entice adventurous guests.
Popular trails such as the El Tigre can provide the most spectacular wildlife viewing, as the waterways between the shoreline and rough Isla del Cano in the Pacific can be a great place to spot dolphins and killer whales!
Cocos Island National Park
Cocos Island is incredibly underrated and boasts marvels comparable to the splendors that are Galapagos Islands. Galapagos Islands. This amazing national park which is one of Costa Rica is very, very difficult to reach. The island is nearly all the way from Colombia.
Many people do not even know about the site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Isla del Coco can be the most well-known place for its diving. It’s appropriate for divers of all levels; however, most of them are intermediate divers.
The ocean is very frigid, ranging from 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, depending upon the season. White-tip reef sharks, as well as humpback whales, live in the area all year long.
This national park is of the cleanest is found in Costa Rica. It is possible to spot dolphins during your visit. This is the real Isla Nublar for all the Jurassic Park fans out there.
There is a Jurassic Park on the island. If you’d like to view our amazing Earth Earth as it was in its original nature, This is the best place for you to experience it. Prepare!
Guanacaste Beaches
Are you looking to visit the famous beach where celebrities have a party? Go to the renowned Guanacaste beaches, which also have become the favorite location of a variety of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Mel Gibson as well as Sofia Vergara, who has picked the area for vacations as well as for parties, or as a place to reside (Gibson and Kardashian own homes in Guanacaste! ).
With its beautiful climate and clear, crystal-clear waters, the 200km stretch along the Pacific coast is renowned worldwide for its fantastic surfing possibilities. The other activities that tourists and adrenalin junkies enjoy include swimming or fishing, horseback rides, and swimming or just relaxing in the sun.