Arenal is the region where Costa Rica’s best-known volcano is located. It is positioned within Costa Rica’s fertile northern lowlands. Due to this, the region has a lot of beautiful mountain scenery and a humid climate.
Thanks to geothermal activity beneath Arenal, the area surrounding the volcano is home to a number of hot springs.
Arenal offers a lot of activities for the enjoyment of its visitors: adventurous travelers and nature lovers are always delighted by this impressive place. Arenal is located at 3 hours driving from San José, and at 20 minutes flying.
Travel Tip: book some adventure activities, enjoy hot springs and bring comfortable clothes and insect repellent.
Monteverde is a major destination for those looking for eco-tourism in Costa Rica. The region is home to a string of volcanoes, dormant and active, national parks with beautiful scenery, and a very diverse weather. This small community is located in Puntarenas, in the Tilaran Mountain Range.
The area hosts the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, as well as other important reserves, like the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, which attract a considerable number of nature lovers and tourists. At approximately 3 hours from Juan Santamaria International Airport, here you can enjoy of being close to nature while enjoying multiple activities. Canopy, aerial trams, hanging bridges, and hiking are a must!.
Manuel Antonio National Park is a natural conservation area located in the Central Pacific border, in Quepos, Puntarenas. Located about 157 km south of the capital city of the country, the park hosts one of the more impressive landscapes of Costa Rica, and it has many coves with white sand beaches and lush foliage amidst high mountains and forests that reach the beaches.
Manuel Antonio is located in the humid tropical forest life. It has a large terrestrial and marine biodiversity with beautiful coral reefs. It’s one of the most famous tourist destinations thanks to its easy access and variety of services. The park attracts surfers, swimmers, eco-tourists, and birdwatchers.
Tortuguero National Park is one of the most popular ecotourism destinations, due to its scenic beauty and rich biodiversity. The canals, rivers, beaches, and lakes in this area are a living laboratory of tropical rain forest, freshwater, and marine biology. Located in the Northeast region of Costa Rica, the wildlife of this area is very diverse; there are usually large populations of monkeys, birds, amphibians, and fish.
The resident wildlife includes tapirs, jaguars, sloths, frogs, macaws, toucans, and bats, among others. This is one of the best known internationally parks, being one of the most important nesting spots for leatherback turtles, and some other species. A diverse ecosystem to visit!
Located on the central west coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, Tamarindo has evolved to be the region’s most developed and accessible tourist town. At 4 hours by land from San José and very close to Liberia’s international airport, this town was once a quiet fishing place but, nowadays, it offers tourists of every budget an opportunity to experience the area’s unspoiled beaches and its biodiversity in a range of different accommodations.
Despite the Tamarindo’s recent development, it retains yet the laidback vibe which is so characteristic of the region.The town offers a wide-range of extensive activities to visitors such as scuba diving, snorkeling, sport fishing, swimming, and horseback riding.
Playa Jaco is the closest beach to Central Valley and is one of the most visited beach destinations in Costa Rica. Located at just 94 km from the Juan Santamaria International Airport, the beach is a 2.5 mile (4 km) strip which offers world renowned surfing and more. Activities here include horseback excursions, surfing, swimming, deep sea fishing, white-water rafting, crocodile safari, national parks and reserves, ATV tours, bicycle rentals, kayak and boat excursions, canopy tours, and popular night life.
Also, just south of Jaco is located Playa Hermosa, a 6 mile (10 km) section of black sand beach very visited by beach lovers and surfers from very different places.
Located at approximately 5 hours from San Jose, on the North Pacific region of Costa Rica, Guanacaste’s dry tropical climate makes the region an attractive escape for those tourists willing to spend some days away from cold temperatures. Popular white-sand beaches integrate the coast, and its mountains feature fascinating national parks and volcanoes. This place is regarded as one of the most beautiful destinations in Costa Rica and here visitors can find a wide variety of accommodations.
Travelers from all over the world can enjoy Guanacaste's variety of activities, and if you want to save time, Liberia's international airport (LIR) provides excellent regional access to the beaches and main attractions.
The Caribbean in Costa Rica runs 125 miles (200 km), from the northern Nicaraguan border to the southern border with Panama. Exotic nature reserves, such as the famous Tortuguero National Park, and paradisiac locations allow visitors to enjoy and relax in the Caribbean vibe. With a fusion of Costa Rican and Afro-Caribbean culture, Limon displays a unique side of the country.
Approximately one-third of the population is black, mostly of Jamaican descent, and many indigenous Bribri and Cabecar people live among the Talamanca areas. The Caribbean culture will amaze you with its delicious cuisine and the warm and joy of its people. Its breathtaking landscapes and beaches are a jewel!
Originally introduced during the 1970s, the zip-lines have developed into one of the country’s most popular activities. Composed of steel cables and platforms strung at different heights between trees, Costa Rica canopy tours offer travelers a unique means of accessing the surprising and remote landscapes of the tropical rainforest.
Zip lines not only boost adrenaline of each and every participant, but also educate visitors on ecology, reforestation practices, and botany during the tour between the platforms. They are a perfect way to spend some adventurous vacations, and you can find zip lines all over Costa Rica, but some of the best ones are located in Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio.
Costa Rica’s waves are a very popular destination among surfers of all ages and experience levels. Thanks to the hundreds of beaches along the coast, the country have been a popular surfing spot for decades. Here, both locals and tourists can experience great surf while enjoying the beauty of the scenery and the warmth of our oceanic waters.
It’s hard to mention which of the lots of places is better, but we can assure each one has its charm and depending on what you are looking, you will easily find one beach spot that will satisfy your expectations. Some popular surfing spots in Costa Rica: Tamarindo, Malpais, Nosara, and Hermosa...
Looking for a great destination for practicing golf during your vacations? Here in Costa Rica you will find excellent options to enjoy. The different possibilities across the country will amaze you while enjoying some tee times in professional golf courses, amidst the sounds of the surrounding nature and the great climate.
The different golf locations alongside the country will let you organize your stay in order to experience the best of this sport in the best courts of the region. Stunning ocean views, exotic vegetation around the holes, and the possibility of being hosted in renowned resorts makes Costa Rica an exclusive stop for golfers from all around the world.
Birding in Costa Rica is an incredible experience, with approx. 812 species recorded by the Scientific Committee of the Ornithological Association of Costa Rica, the country offers to birders great birdwatching opportunities within relatively short distances, involving very diverse habitats amidst six ornithological regions of the country, from sea level to high mountains. Great guided tours and tailor made itineraries will take you to wonderful locations to enjoy the best of birding and nature.
If you are planning a trip for the best birdwatching experience you should consider that Costa Rica has many suitable places for the activity such as San Gerardo de Dota, Monteverde, Tortuguero, Caño Negro, among others.
Costa Rica has a variety of islands, reefs, caves, and rocks, providing excellent spots for underwater exploration. Visibility varies with season and location. Most divers choose Pacific dive spots such as Isla del Caño, Bat Island, and the Catalina Islands, where you're likely to spot manta rays, moray eels, white-tipped sharks, and plenty of smaller fish and coral species. Snorkeling is also common in Costa Rica.
If the weather is calm and the water is clear, you probably be lucky. The best snorkeling experience to be had in Costa Rica is on the reefs off Manzanillo Beach in the southern Caribbean, particularly in the calm months of September and October.
If you want to experience a fun day fishing on the water then Costa Rica is the ideal place for you. Different fishing options are available. Generally, the half day inshore fishing charters stay inshore for a tranquil tour, and full day experiences offer offshore fishing. The most commonly targeted species in Costa Rica are the sailfish, blue marlin, black marlin, dorado (mahi mahi), jacks, mackerel, roosterfish, cubera snapper, and many more.
The boats used have comfortable seating and a shaded area for the comfort and enjoyment of the participants. Captains and mates generally speak Spanish and English and will teach or accompany you during the whole fishing tour experience.
The rich topography of Costa Rica blessed the country with thermal hot springs that come in every size, shape, and temperature thanks to its large number of volcanoes. There are ones that are more luxurious, allowing you the opportunity to enjoy the comfort of top notch facilities, while others are a bit more playful, delighting visitors with a variety of water slides and deep pools to plunge into.
Many hot spring tours are accompanied by other activities, including spa massages, mud baths, ziplining, horseback riding, hanging bridges, and more. Some of the best ones can be found in La Fortuna/Arenal area, as well as in Rincón de La Vieja, Guanacaste.
The torrential weather of Costa Rica has shaped the country’s valleys and canyons, which has created an incredible landscape whose twists and bumps are ideal for white water rafting opportunities. Some of the country’s most well-known rivers –for example the Pacuare river, the Reventazon, and the Corobici – carve through our dense forests and complete the ride along amazing waterfalls.
Here, the rafting options are available for different ages and abilities, and it can range from maneuvering through very technical rapids to simply enjoying the adventure along smooth stretches which are ideal for nature watching. The professional guides are well prepared to ensure that all experiences are safe, remarkable and unforgettable.
