The best in Costa Rica - including insider tips
On our pages we show more than “highlights”!
There is so much to see in Costa Rica that we filled many pages with it. Here you will only find an overview of the most exciting highlights, sorted by region - many details, all the information and other highlights can be found on the respective region pages or in our tour or hotel overview.
Central region of Costa Rica:
The central region around the capital San José has a lot to offer. Therefore, a stay of several days in and around San José is worthwhile. We recommend looking for accommodation in the countryside near the city (e.g. a hotel in Santa Ana ), so you have the city nearby, but are still in close proximity to nature.
The capital , San José, is not exactly a gem of a city. But it is a lively city with many cultural and culinary offerings. There are many very interesting museums that are worth visiting. Green city parks and zoological gardens invite you to relax. In the immediate vicinity are the famous volcanoes Poás, Irazú and Turrialba, national parks with hiking trails, as well as some clean rivers through the rainforest where you can go on exciting rafting tours.
The Central Valley isn't just worth visiting because of the city of San Jose; There is a program for many days - a varied nature invites you to stay in a good climate.
The North:
The mountainous region, which stretches north from the central valley to Nicaragua, has a very special charm; this is where you can find most of the attractions, often in the smallest of spaces. Very famous are the Arenal volcano, which is considered active, Lake Arenal, the Tenorio volcano with the famous Rio Celeste, the Caño negro, the Grez region to Nicaragua with plains rich in animals and water and, last but not least, the dark green cloud forests around Monteverde and Santa Elena. All of this can be found embedded in a wide, very green country.
The plain that extends to the Rio San Juan is characterized by many rivers and bodies of water, alternating evergreen rainforests and long-term agricultural zones.
North Pacific
The northern Pacific coast with the lowlands of Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula offers the most beautiful beaches and the most famous seaside resorts in Costa Rica. A tropical dry forest predominates here. The climate is particularly inviting for sun-hungry visitors, but nature also has a lot to offer here.
The Orosi, Rincon de la Vieja and Miravalles volcanoes are part of the Guanacaste mountain range - natural national parks where you can optimally observe animals, especially in the dry season.
Central Pacific
The central Pacific coast is the real local recreation area for capital city residents. The nearest beaches are just over an hour away from San José via highway 27 from San José to Orotina. From Puntarenas the ferry sails across the Gulf of Nicoya.
The coastal section has a lot to offer; Not just beaches: The Manuel Antonio Maritime National Park is the most famous of the national parks. In the Carara National Park, tropical rainforest meets tropical dry forest, and crocodiles cavort in the Rio Tárcoles.
South of Jacó, another very popular destination for people from the central valley, there are many kilometers of mostly dark sandy beaches, some of which are still quite natural.
South Pacific
The South Pacific is known worldwide for its wild and untouched rainforests. Here you can still find large, contiguous rainforest areas, lonely beaches, as well as a considerable range of upscale eco-lodges with a wide range of tours.
The Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is one of the special adventure destinations in the South Pacific. The animal-rich national park offers exciting hikes, beaches and diving areas.
Caribbean
The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is significantly different from the west coast. The landscape is characterized by mangrove forests and lowlands, coastal forests and many beaches. The tide is significantly lower than in the Pacific.
A particularly well-known highlight of this region is the Tortuguero National Park, one of the most animal-rich landscapes in Costa Rica and a must on every trip. The beaches in the very south, towards the border of Panama, offer the dreamy Caribbean feeling. The ever-present raggae music and an exuberant mood are typical of the Caribbean of Costa Rica.
Other destinations include the rainforests near Bananito, the La Amistad National Park and the Bri Bri Indian reserves.
