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Costa Rica is one of the most visited countries in Central America. American tourists have been flocking to the country for years, and it’s become a hot spot for retirees and expats due to its cheap living, great weather, amazing beaches, and friendly locals.
Costa Rica is a piece of heaven, which makes sense since it’s categorized as one of the happiest countries in the world! Home to over 500,000 species of wildlife, 200 volcanoes, and some of the best resorts, this rainforested Central American country will steal your heart and make you want to move there, ASAP!
Over the last couple of decades, Costa Rica has been ranked as one of the hottest vacation spots in the Americas, and this has a lot to do with the considerable effort put forth by the national tourism industry to attract more visitors.
Costa Rica is often described as the “Switzerland of the Americas” because of its mountainous geography and commitment to peace.
This country is also famous for its rich biodiversity, pristine nature preserves, great coffee, enduring democracy, relaxed lifestyle, and having been able to thrive without the need for armed forces.
Despite being a tiny country, Costa Rica offers about 100 beaches, dozens of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, active volcanoes, pleasant microclimates, vibrant nightlife, arts, culture, and plenty of adventure.
The tourism infrastructure is well developed; you can arrive at either of two international airports, two seaports, or cross the land borders with Nicaragua and Panama. For the most part, getting around on ground transportation is fairly easy.
Some travelers who stay in Costa Rica on extended vacations take advantage of their proximity to San Andres, Panama, and Nicaragua in order to book quick flights and make the most out of their experiences.
Manuel Antonio
Often voted as being one of the most accessible national parks of Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is an interesting vacation spot where residential and resort districts are practically within the main nature preserve.
The white sandy beaches of Manuel Antonio are legendary, and the pristine national park is lovingly maintained for the benefit of visitors of all ages.
One thing that should be mentioned about Manuel Antonio is that it is highly recommended for wheelchair tourists whose idea of a nice stay in Costa Rica is to be able to experience nature.
The national park is a jewel of tourism, and it constantly attracts local families because its abundant wildlife can be appreciated during easy hikes.
With regard to accommodations, they range from beach cabins to low-rise beach hotels and country lodges. It is not too difficult to find rooms with a view of the Pacific Ocean, and they tend to be reasonably priced.
Arenal Volcano
Commonly known as the adventure capital of the country, the Arenal area has some of the most adrenaline-inducing activities you can try. Some always-popular options are zip lining, rappelling, and white water rafting, but there are other adventures you may not have heard of like Gravity Falls and Sky Limit. Arenal is the place to push the limits!
After all that excitement, there’s nothing like a visit to the hot springs to ease those sore muscles. Tension will melt away and leave you completely relaxed. Most area hotels have their own on-site thermal hot springs so you don’t even have to leave the hotel.
San Jose
The capital city of Costa Rica and the largest city in the country, you can start your adventure here as it is practically in the center of the country! If you’re looking for a place to stay in Costa Rica, this city is very friendly and easy to get around. You can catch up on your history or architecture lessons, and find out more about the country’s past and their culture. Located in the center of the country, the town is just 20 minutes away from the airport and just 85 miles away from Monteverde.
Plan a whole day of museum visits and picnics in the park, where you can admire the beautiful tropical plants and enjoy the weather. Go downtown and walk around Central Avenue, where you can mingle with the locals, many of them sell items on the street.
You will make the most unique memories here. I’m sure you won’t forget the late nights in the club dancing to live music with your friends until your feet hurt! Once you spend a few days in the capital city you’ll begin to understand people’s fascination with Costa Rica’s cultural capital.
Puerto Viejo
Located on the Caribbean coast near Panama, Puerto Viejo is popular with young people and backpackers because of its great beaches, surfing, and party atmosphere.
The town is very lively and you’ll find something going on every night. It’s probably the most popular destination on the Caribbean coast. There are also many quiet beach hotels around for those who are looking for some peace and quiet. There is also a jaguar rescue center nearby that rehabilitates all sorts of local wildlife and releases them back into the wild.
Monteverde
There is a good chance you have seen images or scenes depicting the cloud forest of Monteverde on films, video games, and tourism websites.
The elevated hanging rope bridges of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, which is recognized by National Geographic as one of the best ecotourism destinations in the world, have become an iconic attraction of Costa Rica.
Most travelers who stay in Costa Rica specifically for ecotourism are known to include Monteverde in their itineraries, and this is because the cloud forest is a wonderful sight to behold.
You do not want to miss this experience; getting here is relatively easy because Monteverde is in the province of Puntarenas, not far from the beaches along the Pacific Ocean and relatively close to the capital city.
Nearly all the activities you can get into in Monteverde have to do with adventure and ecotourism. The canopy tours of the cloud forest should not be missed; even if your stay in Costa Rica is short, you should take time to schedule a visit, especially if you enjoy bird watching.
Even though the town of Monteverde itself is small, the diversity of accommodations is impressive.
Conchal Beach
Conchal Beach is one of the most unique and special beaches in the country. Here the crystal-clear blue water is calm, and both kids and adults will love picking through all the shells that make up the white “sand” that give the beach its name.
For luxury accommodations, no one can compare to the all-inclusive, beachfront Westin at Playa Conchal. Just steps from the picturesque beach, there is no one that does luxury like the Westin. With on-site amenities and entertainment and plenty to see and do nearby, this is the one and only stop for many travelers.
Tamarindo Beach
Surf lovers, I’ve found the most gorgeous spot for where to stay in Costa Rica for you! Tamarindo beach is located in Guanacaste, northwest Costa Rica. One of the best places to stay if you’re a surfer or someone who’s into surf and really wants to learn about this amazing sport, plus it has some great hotels too! If you wanna have a good time while you stay in Costa Rica then check the hotels in this area.
Besides surfing you can also try diving, fishing or if you’re visiting Tamarindo beach between October and May you can watch how leatherback turtles build their nests along the beaches. How cute is that? This place should definitely be your next vacation spot!
If You love going out at night for drinks when You’re on vacation and trying all the exotic combinations. Here you will experience a wild nightlife so you should check this area out, which is easy to get around, if you’re in the mood for some partying. This place has a wild party scene by the way!
Tamarindo is situated right in between two national parks! This means you’ll still have some amazing views of the jungle and fauna and it’s a good place to stay if you don’t want to move a lot.
Corcovado
Corcovado National Park is on the remote Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica. Established in 1975, the park covers an area of 424 square kilometers, making it the largest park in the country.
Though more popular than it used to be, it’s still a very rugged, quiet, and off-the-beaten-path destination in a country where almost everything is on the beaten path. The peninsula is not easy to get to (which helps keep tourists away), but your efforts will be greatly rewarded with deserted beaches, tons of wildlife, great hiking, camping, and lots of marine life. It’s one of the best places in the country.
La Fortuna
Quite a few travelers who arrive at SJO are whisked away by ground transportation to La Fortuna de San Carlos, an emblematic tourism destination in the Americas.
Even if your stay in Costa Rica will only last a few days, you will not go wrong with choosing La Fortuna, a resort town that lies at the foot of the active Arenal volcano, which looks like a miniature version of Mount Fuji in Japan, but which often comes alive at night with an impressive display of small incandescent eruptions.
La Fortuna is extremely family-friendly; this is the kind of destination where all-inclusive resorts and luxurious international hotel chains abound, but you can also find country lodges, bed and breakfast inns, hostels, and mountain cabins.
Papagayo Gulf
The majority of the country’s all-inclusive resorts are located around Papagayo, making it a top luxury beach destination. While more budget-friendly accommodations can be found, there is something attractive about being pampered with five-star amenities while you’re surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. With calm waters and a laundry list of activities available, this area is ideal for watersports, swimming, and a general good time.
Cahuita
Cahuita, a tiny town situated right next to a stunning national park with the same name, is about an hour north of Puerto Viejo. Cahuita is a place to relax. There’s one bar in town that gets lively (sometimes it’s half full!), but for the most part, after a day of hiking, animal spotting, swimming, or surfing, most people just sit around and read.
The region is known for its Afro-Caribbean influences, which you might notice in the food and local culture as you chill out with some dessert crepes or grilled chicken.
Nosara
Here is another paradisiacal hidden beach in the Nicoya Peninsula; if you look at the map, it appears to be close to Santa Teresa, but traversing between the two would require horseback riding or even a helicopter.
You can fly into a local airport from San Jose on a sightseeing aircraft operated by Nature Air or Sansa, and this would make your stay in Costa Rica more memorable.
Nosara is a large beach town, but it is fairly spread out. The ideal vacations here are resort-intensive; you have specialty hotels that offer yoga, spa, and detoxification packages. There are only a few budget accommodations.
This place is excellent for anyone who wants to learn surfing or stand-up paddle boarding, and it is also ideal for family adventures.
Tortuguero
Tortuguero is a unique and special part of the country that not all tourists get the chance to visit. Just getting there is an adventure in itself. As you wind through the canals, you will likely start to see some of the many animals that call the area home. It doesn’t end there, though. With sea turtle nesting, early morning canal tours, and walks through the national park, the opportunities for enjoying nature go on and on.
Poas Volcano
A great day trip from San José, Poas Volcano is an active stratovolcano with twin calderas filled with sulfur lakes. The lakes are so still, you’ll look at your picture and think you painted the color on.
The volcanos last erupted in 2019, and have actually erupted 40 times since 1828! There are some small trails around the area too. Arrive early in the morning to avoid the clouds closing in and ruining the view.
Santa Teresa
A few years ago, this gorgeous beach town on the Nicoya Peninsula was mostly known to locals who did not visit often because it was not easy to reach.
Things have changed significantly for Santa Teresa since Hollywood celebrities started moving in and building hidden mansions in the forested hills overlooking the sea.
Once The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times started publishing articles about the burgeoning market for luxury real estate, the town opened up to tourists.
Santa Teresa is a collection of beaches where the mangrove and tropical dry forest run all the way to the shore.
Depending on the length of your stay in Costa Rica, you may be able to visit Playa Carmen, Playa Hermosa, and Santa Teresa over a few days, but you will want to make time for attractions such as a boat trip to Tortuga Island and snorkeling in the tide pools.
Coco Beach
Conveniently located just a short 30-minute drive from the Liberia International Airport, Coco Beach—aka Playas del Coco—is a funky beach town with a lot of spirit. It’s well known for its nightlife with bars and restaurants open late. While Coco Beach itself may not be the most impressive, the sunsets are breathtaking, and this area is great for exploring the many surrounding picturesque beaches.
Montezuma
Often referred to as the Puerto Viejo of the Pacific Coast, Montezuma is a bohemian surf town perfect for tourists who think Jaco and Tamarindo are too developed.
A small nightlife district in front of a pristine beach is the main draw of Montezuma, and this is where a few hostels, beach cottages, and budget hotels can be found.
Backpackers and surfers are more likely to enjoy Montezuma than families, but this beach town is a more affordable alternative to nearby Santa Teresa.
Many visual artists will tell you that Montezuma is their favorite place to stay in Costa Rica, and this is made evident when you visit the small town center, which is nicely decorated by local artisans.
A few art galleries, studios, and workshops have opened here over the last few years, and this has also attracted international chefs to Montezuma.
Interestingly, the similarities to Puerto Viejo extend to residential architecture styles because many properties feature Caribbean design.
If you stay here, be sure to visit the Romelia Wildlife Reserve and the local waterfall, which attracts many couples on their honeymoon visits.
During the two weeks before Easter Sunday, Montezuma gets overrun by local tourists and party-seekers; be sure to keep this in mind when you book your stay.
Drake Bay
The Osa Peninsula is the most remote area of the country, and with that you get fewer people and more nature. This area alone hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity so there is a lot to see. Most hotels in the area offer numerous on-site guided tours which will give you the best chance of spotting animals. This is also a great jumping-off point for scuba diving at Caño Island. Flying into Drake Bay is the easiest way to get here.
