- Costa Rica Attractions
Beaches
A lot of beaches await you on the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean coasts. Costa Rica is best known for its number of every type, texture and color beautiful beaches and huge cattle reaches surrounded by a rich diversity of natural habitats, estuaries, pasture land, dry tropical forest, marshes, rivers folklore, music, color and traditional food. They come in a variety of colors with sands that run from white to black and textures ranging from powder soft to coarse and gritty. Public beaches, isolated beaches, great surfing beaches, whatever you prefer, it’s there.
Sunning, swimming, surfing, sailing, scuba, snorkeling, and that’s just some of things you can do at the beach. Beach lovers might think that Christopher Columbus had them in mind when he dubbed this the land the “Rich Coast” — what Costa Rica means in Spanish.
Jaco & Playa Hermosa. Situated along the Central Pacific Coast, Jaco and Playa Hermosa are top notch surf zones with consistent breaks all year round. Ideal for experts as well as beginners to surf here. Playa Hermosa is for the expert surfer, and holds an international surfing competition here every year.
Montezuma. The place to go to get away from it all. A great beach environment away from the crowds.
Tamarindo & Playa Langosta. Found along Costa Rica’s “Gold Coast” both Tamarindo and Playa Langosta are superb surfing destinations for the serious surfer. Laid back towns with beautiful beaches and plenty of water sports to enjoy, this area makes for a great getaway for some fun in the sun.
National Parks
Manuel Antonio National Park. Located on the top of a hill in the Pacific Ocean near Quepos, Manuel Antonio has plenty of sandy white beaches and a forest filled with a variety of monkeys. It is the most visited wildlife area of the country and it is the best area in the Central Pacific region. It has beautiful nature, biological diversity and amazing scenery.
What this park lacks in size, it makes up for in the incredible wealth of attractions found here. Stunning tropical beaches, an amazing array of birds and wildlife, rich dense forestation, easy accessibility and a plethora of things to do, all make this park one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Shrouded in clouds, the stunning Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a unique air of mystery to it. The Monteverde Reserve is one of the most diverse and richest cloud forest in the new world and it has extensive trails which allow visitors to enjoy a rich diversity of more than 3000 species flora and wildlife; with easy walking you will have the opportunity to watch jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, colorful insects, butterflies and birds. Monteverde is home to more than 3000 species of animals and plants.
Tortuguero National Park. Whether it’s by kayak, by boat or hiking trough forest trails, Tortuguero National Park is a perfect example of tropical rain forest. The Park is made up of more than 18000 hectares and protects a wealth of exotic wildlife including those that gave it its name - turtles. Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica’s most popular National Parks. It is a wilderness area with great biological variety.
A key turtle breeding ground in the Caribbean, the Tortuguero National Park is the habitat and nesting ground of four of the eight species of marine turtles in the world. Known for its meandering rivers and lovely lagoons, this area is also home to the endangered West Indian manatee.
Corcovado National Park. Unparalleled for natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and foliage nearly pulsing with lushness, Corcovado is one of the rainiest regions in Costa Rica with records of up to 5500 mm. of rainfall on the highest peaks. Corcovado National Park is an undeniably beautiful place, considered to be one of the most important natural preserves in the Americas. It has been called “the most biologically intense place on Earth” by National Geographic.
Cahuita National Park. Protecting Costa Rica’s largest and only coral reef, the Parque Nacional Cahuita combines beautiful beaches with lush coastal rain forests to provide a truly wonderful atmosphere to relax in.
Volcanoes
Volcanoes of Costa Rica are plentiful: Volcan Irazu, Volcan Turrialba, Volcan El Viejo, Volcan Platanar,Volcan Poas, Volcan Porvenir, Volcan Arenal, Volcan Barva, Volcan Kakao, Volcan Tenorio, Volcan Miravalles, Volcan Rincon de la Vieja and Volcan Orosi!
Arenal Volcano. Rising over a mile in height, Arenal Volcano located in the northwestern region of Costa Rica, offers visitors a rare opportunity to view one of the world’s most active volcano. At night lava flows and the ejection of glowing hot rocks can provide viewers with an impressive fire works display. Arenal is famous for it’s thermal waters that spring out of the volcano. This is an attraction you can’t miss when you visit Costa Rica, it’s a nature wonder that gives you a soothing feeling and a relaxing sensation that will last for days.
Visit La Fortuna, a tiny town near the base of the volcano to catch a glimpse of the fireworks on display. While you are there check out the marvelous Tabacon Hot Springs, a tropical paradise where you can relax both your mind and body. In the hot springs you can relax in the soothing waters and be caressed by the cool night air while observing the stars and the incredible night sky above the volcano. Enjoy this natural wonder of Costa Rica and unforgettable feeling in any of the mineral pools and naturally warm waterfalls.
Poas Volcano. Only an hour drive from San Jose, this is one of the best things to see around San Jose. While not as impressive as Arenal, this volcano has is one of the world’s largest geysers with an awesome crater, over 1.5 km. wide! The area is filled with ash so there is little vegetation near the summit for an otherworldly experience unlike any of the other Costa Rica National Parks.
Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. An eco-adventure haven, the Rincon de la Vieja is an active volcano that is more than a million years old. Sitting inside a national park sharing the same name, this area boasts dramatic sceneries, roaring waterfalls, relaxing hot springs, bubbling mud pits and wonderful picnic areas to enjoy.
Activities
Canopy Tours. Whether it’s a zip-line thrill ride, gondola, or naturalist educational trip through the treetops, canopy tours have exploded in popularity in the past decade. Most of the rainforest’s life dwells in the canopy, high above ground. Consequently, there are a large number of “canopy tours” offered. It is thrilling to zip across the forest like a high-tech Tarzan, and kids love it.
White Water Rafting. Experience the thrill of white water rafting! Full explosion of excitement. The scenery while rafting is just marvelous. The vegetation that will surround you plus the power of the waters of the river will transport you into a great wild adventure. You do not have to go on Class Four Rapids to have a great time. There are trips of different difficulties and it is an ideal way to flow through the rain forest and see the wildlife.
Rain Forest Aerial Tram. This guided tour of the Rain Forest canopy is - without doubt - a must do activity for anyone coming to Costa Rica. An hour from San Jose; ideal for visitors of all ages.
Nature Walk. This covers everything from a walk on a paved path to multi-night treks up the bed of a river to prime jaguar country. Most visitors to Costa Rica spend at least some time hiking through the rain and cloud forests or along the beaches.
Waterfalls. Rain forests, mountains, and canyons add up to countless waterfalls and you can enjoy anything from walk up viewing platforms a few yards from a restaurant to strenuous hikes into secluded skinny-dipping pools.
Bird Watching. Everyone becomes an amateur birder as soon as they land in Costa Rica. You can’t help but notice the remarkable colors, calls and plumage, and you’ll find plenty of serious bird watchers and qualified guides to fill you in on the habits and natural history of the species that you will see.
Coffee Tours. Before it was overtaken by tourism, coffee was the driving force of Costa Rica’s economy. A tour of a coffee farm and processing facility is a great way to satisfy your curiosity about the source of your morning cuppa and get an introduction to Tico history and culture.
Surfing & Windsurfing. Costa Rica’s breaks are world renowned, and rightly so. Inland, Lake Arenal has constantly balmy water (66 to 71 °F, 19-21 °C), average wind speeds of 24 mph (40 kph), and an exquisite setting for windsurfers. Rental equipment and lessons for both types of board sport are available.
Nature Cruise. The canals of Tortuguero, wetlands of Caño Negro, and mangroves of the Damas estuary adjacent to Manuel Antonio are the most popular places to sit back relax and let the boatman be your guide to bird and wildlife spotting.
