Truly the most peaceful country in Central America, Costa Rica – dubbed “The Rich Coast” by early Spanish explorers – offers a wealth of things to see and do. Travelers can enjoy them without worrying about safety or other common problems found in other parts of the region.
The country is rich in natural beauty, providing travelers with a plethora of eco-tourism opportunities, including visits to live volcanoes and more than two dozen stunning national parks. Among the places to visit in Costa Rica are rainforests and a “cloud forest,” and visitors can even go windsurfing at one of the best locations in the world for the sport.
And if you’d rather just sit back and soak in the scenery, Costa Rica’s magnificent beaches and coastline offer the perfect spots to read a good book or take a nap in the warm Central American sun.
If you’re searching for places to visit in Costa Rica and love nature, you’ll find that this country is a paradise. The destinations listed below often offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you enjoy trekking, mountain biking, climbing, or other outdoor activities, you’ll find plenty of excitement. However, you don’t need to be an extreme athlete to have fun here – there are plenty of non-strenuous ways to enjoy the attractions as well.
Top Attractions in Costa Rica
- Arenal Volcano – One of the most visited attractions in Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano constantly spews smoke and lava, providing a magnificent light show – especially at night – for those visiting the area. It erupted dramatically in 1968 and has since been dubbed one of the 10 most active volcanoes in the world. For safety reasons, the lava show is best viewed from one of the many hotels and resorts with a view of the mountain. (Most are luxury resorts that pamper their guests!) While you’re there, take advantage of one of the hot springs in the area. All are safely located outside the risk zone and offer expansive facilities, including multiple therapeutic pools, spas, and even bars and restaurants – all with a great view of Arenal Volcano.
- Manuel Antonio National Park – The smallest but most-visited national park in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is truly a gem. Located near Quepos on the Pacific Coast, most travelers come to admire the rich scenery and observe the park’s many monkeys. You’ll find various species here, including a few endangered ones. The park and its 12 coastal islands are also home to beautiful white-sand beaches, where visitors can snorkel and often spot dolphins. The flora is stunning as well. In and around the park, guests can also enjoy rainforest canopy tours, go kayaking or canoeing, ride horses, or try canyoning and rappelling.
- Corcovado National Park – Corcovado is the largest expanse of lowland tropical rainforest in Central America, located in the southern part of Costa Rica on the Osa Peninsula. Though it’s a bit of a drive from the airport in San José (about 8 hours), it’s worth the time. Adventure travelers love it here! The park is incredibly biodiverse – one of the most diverse areas in the world – with 13 different ecosystems. Although the terrain tends to be wet and rugged, hiking fans say it has some of the best trails in the country. There are camping areas with potable water, and trekkers can pre-purchase meals at “bunkhouses.” Short hikes are also available. Visitors can enjoy 11 miles of beaches and breathtaking waterfalls, but need to watch out for crocodiles and hammerhead sharks!
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve – Located in the Tilarán Mountain Range in the eastern part of Costa Rica, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is a unique site to behold. With both eastern and western exposures and weather fronts from both fighting against each other, the area is cloudy and misty all year round – hence its name. Biodiversity is high, making it a great spot for wildlife and bird watching. Be sure to take advantage of one of the many canopy tours offered here. These tours provide a bird’s-eye view of the treetops and the wildlife and birds that live in them. For the less adventurous, Monteverde offers Sky Walk, a series of suspension bridges connected by walking trails.
- Beaches – With two coasts – Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean – Costa Rica has plenty of beaches. The ones on the Pacific side are more user-friendly, especially those that stretch from the border of Nicaragua down to Puntarenas. Some of the Central Pacific beaches, like Jacó, are popular with surfers, while the southernmost beaches are more rugged. On the Atlantic/Caribbean side, the northern beaches are often nesting sites for turtles, and the current can be too strong for swimming or other watersports. However, if you travel further south, you’ll find great spots for surfing and snorkeling.
Cultural Attractions
A visit to Costa Rica shouldn’t focus solely on outdoor activities. The country, rich in history, has some excellent museums and man-made attractions that should be on every visitor’s itinerary. Here are just a few:
- San José – This capital city is most visitors’ first introduction to the country, as it’s where the main airport is located. The city itself is a joy to explore, rich in pre-Columbian history with stunning architecture and many historical monuments. (This is also where you’ll find the largest selection of modern amenities, including hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas.)
- Costa Rican National Museum – Located in San José, this museum should be on everyone’s list of places to visit in Costa Rica. Opened more than 100 years ago, it offers a plethora of artifacts – including religious and archaeological objects – that outline the history and culture of the country.
- Costa Rican Art Museum – This small but excellent museum features the works of contemporary local and regional artists, including paintings and sculptures. It’s also located in San José.
- Ethno-Historical Museum of Limón – Located in the province of Limón (on the eastern coast), this museum lets visitors learn about Columbus’ arrival in the area and explore the different cultures that have settled there throughout history, including Afro-Caribbean, Chinese, and mestizo communities.
- Zoological Marine Museum of the Universidad Nacional – Situated in Heredia (in the north-central region bordering Nicaragua), this museum boasts 2,000 specimens of vertebrates and other marine creatures. Many of these creatures are unique to the area and are quite fascinating.
