Costa Rica is interesting to scientists, geographers and archaeologists. But most of all it is loved by travelers. It is a small country in Latin America with a diverse natural landscape and a favorable climate. Tourists are interested in all the sights of Costa Rica, among which there are national parks and reserves, thundering waterfalls and terrifying volcanoes. The journey takes place along fascinating routes full of secrets and local flavor. By the way, there is never winter here, so the rest is year-round. All guides are highly qualified, as traveling around this country requires specific knowledge.
What to see in Costa Rica first of all
Before enlisting the support of guides and starting to explore this colorful country, take a couple of minutes to view our list. Even experienced guides in Costa Rica may not guess which sites you will be interested in, so it’s better to decide on your preferences before the trip.
1. Manuel Antonio National Park (Manuel Antonio)
Bay of Manuel Antonio Park with a beach
Manuel Antonio Park is one of the attractions that you must visit in Costa Rica. This is the oldest resort in the country, and it is rightfully considered the most visited. Tourists are attracted here, first of all, by the extraordinarily beautiful beaches. They are well maintained, clean and completely safe. A special feature of the local beaches is the snow-white sand, warmed by the sun. In addition, the water in Costa Rica is very clean and transparent.
Since the coast is surrounded by greenery, the beaches of Costa Rica are very convenient for families with young children. Families come here, and the tourist infrastructure allows it. Good access roads ensure an even distribution of passenger traffic. There are many restaurants of different levels in Manuel Antonio. In addition, the nightlife is active here, as in any southern resort.
Bars and cafes are always ready to receive guests, music is blaring from everywhere. Souvenir shops are found at every turn, so tourists leave here with gifts and souvenirs. There are always a lot of people here, which has led to the friendly disposition of the local monkeys, of which there are many in the area. Funny white-faced animals literally stick to tourists, but it is strictly forbidden to feed them.
Official website: http://www.sinac.go.cr
Costa Rica | Hotels at competitive prices
Booking.com
2. Santa Teresa Beach (Nicoya Peninsula)
The tropical paradise of Santa Teresa Beach
The beach is located in the southern part of the Nikoya Peninsula. This is one of the natural attractions of Costa Rica. The atmosphere of a tropical paradise from advertising posters seemed to descend from the pictures to the ground in this place. The snow-white sandy beaches are called the pearl of Costa Rica, and this is true.
The sand here is pleasantly white. It has exceptionally small fractions, so it is not called silk for nothing. The water on the coast is very clean, this is carefully monitored by local services. Many tourists with children tend to visit this beach, since the coast is sloping, and the shallow waters here extend far inland.
In addition to the natural beauty, the beach is interesting because it has a well-established tourist service. Seasoned tourists call it civilized. There is a place to relax and have a snack. The access roads are in excellent condition. You can always hide from the scorching sun in the shade of the spreading trees.
For thrill seekers looking for something to see in Costa Rica, Santa Teresa Beach is attractive with a year-round high wave. The surfing conditions here are great. Nearby is the small settlement of Malpais, where you can relax, tired of the excess of impressions on the beach.
3. Venado Caves (Venado Village)
The bizarre outlines of the Venado Cave
What do you think to see in Costa Rica? Venado Caves deserve your attention. Tourists are amazed by the guides’ message that the caves are up to 20 million years old, and that they have been under water for a long time. The caves appeared on the surface due to tectonic activity. After the surface of the earth began to move underwater, the caves gradually moved upward.
For many centuries, they were inhabited by aborigines, settling in whenever possible. This is a natural landmark of Costa Rica, formed from the most beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. Here you can see a lot of amazing corals. The caves are limestone in structure, their vaults are compressed to a state of dense stone. An underwater river flows in the cave, which gives its vaults the most bizarre outlines.
By booking an excursion to the Venado Caves, you can admire the fossilized remains of marine animals and meet hordes of bats. They inhabit these gloomy underground labyrinths, and their whole life is spent in pitch darkness. Staying in the cave, as they say, tickles the nerves, but professional guides do not let travelers get scared, drawing their attention to new details. The tour ends with a collective selfie.
4. Arenal Volcano (Alajuela province)
Arenal volcano and its surroundings
Arenal volcano is active. It is interesting because it is located in a mountain with perfectly regular conical outlines. Nature has ordered that in the dark the volcano is illuminated with “neon” longitudinal stripes. When an eruption occurs, the lava completely illuminates the surroundings. The height of the volcano above sea level is 1670 m.
Scientists suggest that the first volcanic eruption occurred 7,000 years ago and lasted for more than 30 years. Since then, explosive eruptions, extremely spectacular, occur here every few hundred years. Its last powerful eruption occurred in 1968 after an earthquake. Powerful lava flows erupted continuously for several days. They covered 15 square kilometers of the area. Then 80 local residents and 10 rescuers died.
Interestingly, after the 1968 eruption, several other craters formed next to the volcano. The village, located on the mountainside, was completely destroyed. Currently, scientists periodically note the activity of the volcano. For example, in 2011, a smoke screen was recorded at the top of the Arenal.
5. Corcovado National Park (Puntarenas Province)
The pristine beauty of Corcovado Park
The province of Puntarenas comes very close to the Pacific Ocean. It is here that one of the main attractions of Costa Rica is located – Corcovado Park. It is located on the Osa Peninsula. The territory of the park is almost completely covered with wild forest. There has never been a felling of trees here, so the territory is rightly considered a protected area. The flora and fauna in Corcovado are extremely diverse.
The first settlers began to appear here only in the mid-seventies of the last century. The park has been preserved in its pristine beauty. There are more than 500 species of different trees here. The famous 70-meter cotton tree located in the park is 3 meters in diameter.
The park will be interesting for those who are interested in ornithology. In particular, 400 species of birds can be found here, including several particularly rare ones. For example, the population of red macaws feels at ease here. In addition, the rarest glass frog is also an inhabitant of local forests. Of the mammals in the park, ocelots and jaguars can be found. Everyone’s favorite sloths also live in Corcovado. To the delight of tourists, there are many monkeys in the park.
If you are thinking about what to see in Costa Rica, then the Salsipuedes Cave, located in the park, will leave you with an indelible impression. There is a legend that the untold treasures of the famous navigator Francis Drake are hidden on this island. In 1579, F. Drake stayed in one of the bays of the peninsula. It happened during his trip around the world.
Official website: http://www.sinac.go.cr
Feel the atmosphere of Costa Rica in this beautiful video!
6. La Fortuna Waterfall (Alajuela province)
La Fortuna Waterfall on the background of wild nature
The natural attractions of Costa Rica include the La Fortuna Waterfall, located in the Arenal National Park. The waterfall has a height of 75 m, but the water flow is not wide, so there are always a lot of swimmers at the foot. In addition, the place has become a favorite for those who prefer picnics in the wild. The place where the waterfall falls is surrounded by large stones. A cool and very clean lake has formed at its very foot.
Interestingly, the waterfall can be admired both from below and from above. There is a narrow path leading up, and you can not only walk along it, but also ride a horse. Locals are happy to provide this opportunity to tourists.
The waterfall is used as a tourist infrastructure facility. At its base, there is an observation deck on top, giving travelers the opportunity to enjoy a fabulously beautiful view of the surrounding area. The playground is safe, it is fenced with a strong mesh and stable railings.
Official website: http://www.cataratalafortuna
7. Gold Museum (San Jose)
Gold figurines of Indians from the Museum of Gold
What to see in Costa Rica? Of course, the Museum of Gold. It is located next to the Cathedral in San Jose. The exhibition contains jewelry and cult items made by Native American craftsmen. Among the exhibits there are rarities made 500 years before the birth of Christ. In addition, exhibits dating back to the 16th century, when the Spaniards first appeared in the city, are of particular value. In total, the museum has approximately 2,000 exhibits.
There are household items, ritual figurines, jewelry. Tourists are delighted by the shields made of pure gold, which are the size of a man. The fabulous figures of birds conquer with a particularly delicate ornament.
At the same time, the museum represents one of the saddest pages in the history of Costa Rica. The fact is that many jewelry and unique household items belonging to the indigenous population were simply transported by the conquistadors into ingots, since it was more convenient to transport them to Spain. Some things, however, have been preserved, so the museum is under special state protection. It is one of the most famous cultural attractions in Costa Rica.
Official website: https://museosdelbancocentral
8. Tortuga Island
View of the island of Tortuga
When thinking about what to visit in Costa Rica, you should not ignore the idyllic island of Tortuga, which is a place of pilgrimage for tourists from all over the world. Of all the peninsulas and islands in Costa Rica, this one is the most desirable. At the same time, there are no hotels on it, and tents cannot be pitched here.
What attracts tourists there? The azure ocean and the silky sand of the beach are the main advantages of the island. In fact, Tortuga consists of two islands: Alcatraz and Tolinga, but the name Turtle Island has stuck with the local population. The water here is not just pure, it has the color of sapphire.
On the island, you can endlessly enjoy the sun and sand or book a variety of excursions. One of the most favorite activities for tourists is a glass—bottomed boat trip, which gives a happy opportunity to admire the beauty of the underwater world.
There are quite a lot of places where you can have a snack. Inexpensive and sparsely populated cafes are part of the tourist infrastructure. Tired of the sun, you can relax in a coconut grove in the fertile shade. The island is rocky, so in the 17th century it served as a shelter for buccaneer hunters.
9. Hot springs (Tobacco)
Hot springs in Tabakon resort
The natural attractions that must be visited in Costa Rica include the hot springs at the resort of Tabacon. They are pools of different shapes with thermal water. The hotel itself promises a luxurious service, which is enhanced by the extraordinary beauty of nature.
The water in the hottest pools has a temperature of 42 degrees Celsius. They are the closest to the Arenal volcano. In those pools located on the territory of the resort, the water has a temperature of no more than 27 degrees Celsius. As a rule, tourists move from one pool to another, which enhances the therapeutic effect of exposure to contrasting temperatures.
The history of the origin of these pools is interesting. Water originates in clouds. This is nothing more than rainwater entering the crevices of the earth’s crust. In the immediate vicinity of Arenal volcano, water is pushed to the surface.
What do Tourists see in the resort? There is a lot of lush tropical vegetation here, which does not give the impression of any wild thickets at all. The hotel has a staff of 50 people, whose responsibility is to take care of local greenery. Well-groomed paths lined with beautiful plants lead from one pool to another. Everywhere tourists are surrounded by natural beauty, ennobled by man.
10. Chirripo National Park (Cerro Chirripo)
Mountain lakes of Chirripo Park
The park is located at an altitude of 3820 meters above sea level. Staying in the park is very comfortable. It is always pleasantly cool here. The nature in the park is diverse, but tourists are most attracted to dwarf trees.
Translated, the name of the park means “eternal waters”. It comes from several mountain lakes scattered throughout the park.
You can only climb to Chirripo Park on foot. The path is safe, but the journey is long and tedious. However, after overcoming it, you can admire the sunrise over the Caribbean.
Official website: http://www.sinac.go.cr/
Costa Rica Attractions: What else to visit while in Costa Rica
To say that excursions in Costa Rica are interesting is to say nothing, because here tourists will get acquainted with truly exotic animals, monuments of ancient times and incredibly beautiful views. Our list will give you the opportunity to get at least a general idea of the best attractions, so that it will be easy to decide where to go first and what to leave “for later”.
11. The Zoo named after Simone Bolivar (San Jose)
Crocodiles of the zoo
The San Jose Zoo is on the list of the most iconic attractions in Costa Rica. It was founded in 1919. Throughout the zoo’s operation, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has paid special attention to ensuring that animals are kept in it in conditions as close to natural as possible.
Here you could see jaguars and lions, not in cages, but in cozy open enclosures. In total, the zoo is home to 400 species of various animals, fish and birds, as well as an impressive collection of snakes. Moreover, there are especially rare snakes in the serpentarium — colorful ones. The pride of the zoo is a large collection of parrots, which are also provided with comfortable living conditions.
In 2013, the government intended to close the zoo. Environment Minister Rene Castro intended, in his words, “to awaken Costa Ricans’ ecological conscience.” In particular, he stated that keeping animals in enclosures and cages is inhumane. The Government’s initiative was to have all 400 species of fish, birds and animals distributed to shelters or released into the wild.
However, his opponent was the director of the zoo Yolanda Matamoros. The woman harshly criticized the minister, saying that the country does not have the means to distribute such a large number of animals to different locations. She was especially outraged by the idea of releasing already tamed animals into the wild.
Later, the idea of turning the zoo into a Botanical Garden appeared. However, it continues to function to this day. For tourists, this is one of the most interesting sites in the country.
12. Arenal Lake (90 km from San Jose)
Arenal Lake is a place of various entertainment
The lake is located at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. It is located next to the Arenal volcano, which is located on the southeastern shore. In 1979, construction work was carried out on the dam of the local hydroelectric power station. This provoked an increase in the water in the lake by almost three times. At the same time, several local settlements were affected by flooding.
The lake area is 80 square kilometers. It is the largest freshwater reservoir in the region. The lake provides water not only to San Jose, but also to Gaunakast. Year-round, a wide variety of entertainment is offered for tourists in the lake area. Here you can go organized fishing or windsurfing.
In addition, kayaking and boating trips are regularly carried out on the lake. For surfers, the lake is interesting because there is a constant wind load. Mountain biking is also possible in the vicinity of the lake.
13. Butterfly Farm (Puntarenas)
Butterfly Farm is the home of adorable creatures
At the butterfly farm in the province of Puntarenas, you can see butterflies of all kinds. This is one of those attractions that almost all tourists seek to see in Costa Rica. The trip to the farm is accompanied by a professional guide. You can hear a whole story about each butterfly.
The attendants talk about how butterflies hatch from the cocoon and what living conditions they need. The farm is located on the territory of Monteverde Park. Tourists will meet not only colorful beautiful butterflies, but also many exotic plants.
The farm belongs to the undoubted attractions of Costa Rica. Butterflies are grown here not only for scientific purposes. This is a real business, because such an original gift as a butterfly in a box is gaining more and more popularity around the world.
14. Monteverde National Park (Monteverde)
Suspension bridge in Monteverde Park
The province is located at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level in the Cordillera. For tourists, this area is attractive for forests, which are always covered with fog. In them you can admire the flora and fauna, untouched by man.
Monteverde National Park has become a natural attraction in Costa Rica and one of the most sought-after destinations of popular eco-tourism. There are over 400 species of birds and 100 species of mammals in this biological reserve.
As for plants, there are more than two and a half thousand species of them here. There are hiking trails along the entire park that are invisible at first glance. They are laid through the thickets of the forest, so it is especially interesting to wade through them.
In addition, there are several suspension bridges in the park, from which you can admire the tops of the trees, which are always covered with gray clouds.
15. Cocos Island (Puntarenas)
The lush jungles of Coconut Island
Of all the uninhabited islands in the Pacific Ocean, Coconut is the largest. It is 360 miles from the coast of the country. The fauna of the island is under protection, since 1997 the island of Coconut has been included in the UNESCO list of sites.
What is interesting to tourists about this natural landmark of Costa Rica? Of course, the lush jungle, wading through which is a real adventure. In addition, the seabed near the island is dotted with volcanic rocks, on which algae curiously wriggle.
It is noteworthy that gold played a big role in the history of the island. In the 16th century, the warriors of the Tauantinsuyu Empire were armed with swords made of real gold, and the central square of the main city on the island was surrounded by a huge chain also made of precious metal.
There is a legend according to which the disappeared Inca gold is hidden on this island. For example, August Gissler, a German researcher and founder of the colony on the island of Coconut, searched for this gold for 20 years. However, the search for him was not successful.
Read also about the best sights of Venezuela and be inspired for your further journey through the countries of America!
English 
Russian 
German 
Polish