Sophia May
Best Area To Vacation In Costa Rica – Costa Rica is one of the most visited countries in Central America. American tourists have been flocking to the country for years, and its affordable living, good weather, stunning beaches and friendly locals have made it a hot spot for retirees and expats alike.
Since then, I have returned to Costa Rica many times and fell in love with it all over again.
Best Area To Vacation In Costa Rica
However, many budget travelers skip Costa Rica because it’s less expensive to visit its neighbors.
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While that’s true (although there are plenty of ways to save in Costa Rica), I think the beauty of the following destinations is worth the extra money.
Located on the Caribbean coast near Panama, Puerto Viejo is popular with youth and tourists for its great beaches, surfing and party atmosphere.
The city is very lively and you will see something at night. It is probably the most popular destination in the Caribbean. There are plenty of beach hotels in the area for those looking for peace and quiet. There is also a jaguar rescue center nearby that rehabilitates a variety of local wildlife and releases them back into the wild.
Cahuita, a small town located near the stunning national park of the same name, is located an hour north of Puerto Viejo. Cahuita is a vacation destination. There is one bar in town that is lively (sometimes half full!), but mostly people sit and read after a day of hiking, animal watching, swimming or surfing. If you’re feeling ambitious, take a day trip to Cahuita National Park.
Of The Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica
The region is known for its Afro-Caribbean influence, which you can observe in the local food and culture while relaxing with dessert pancakes or grilled chicken.
Tortuguero (meaning “land of the turtles”) is Costa Rica’s version of the Amazon rainforest. It dominates the northern coast and includes over 77,000 hectares of Tortuguero National Park. A series of rivers and canals cut through this vast area of forest.
The area’s biggest attraction is the number of turtles that nest on the beach (hence the name). The best time to see them nesting is in April and May, but if you go out of season you can still go on trips and take part in canal cruises. However, there is plenty of wildlife to see all year round.
If you want to go off the grid, you can take a three-day trip to the national park with Destiny Travel in Costa Rica.
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Corcovado National Park is located on the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica. Established in 1975, the park covers an area of 163 square kilometers (424 sq mi), making it the largest park in the country.
Although it is more popular than ever, it is a very rugged, quiet and unusual place in almost all the country
Off the beaten path. Getting to the peninsula isn’t easy (which helps keep tourists away), but your efforts are rewarded with deserted beaches, abundant wildlife, great hiking, camping and marine life.
To me, this is probably one of the best places in the country. Try not to forget!
Where To Stay In Costa Rica
At 1,670 meters (5,480 ft) above sea level, Arenal is one of Costa Rica’s many volcanoes. It still erupts from time to time and if you’re lucky, you’ll see lava pouring out of the volcano. (This is less than the volcano has been inactive since 2010). Fun fact: I got lost in the woods here.
The area offers many amazing activities: a national park with great waterfalls (La Fortuna), great hiking, sunset lake views, caves, canyons, rafting opportunities, famous springs, and wildlife opportunities like bird watching. With so much to do, it’s one of the most visited places in the country.
A popular beach destination on the Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio’s wide beaches, white sand and warm blue waters are not the only attractions. The nearby national park opened in 1972 and welcomes more than 150,000 visitors each year, with hiking trails, secluded beaches and the chance to see three species of native monkeys.
It has matured and evolved over the years. It’s definitely not the same park I first visited in 2006. That said, you’ll still see plenty of wildlife and the beaches in the area are stunning! Park admission is $18.08 per person, or you can take a guided tour for $59 (including park admission).
Must Do Tours And Experiences In Costa Rica
The country’s iconic cloud forests are home to quetal birds. Many people come to Monteverde to see this rare bird. The region is one of the largest ecotourism centers in the country, attracting more than 250,000 visitors annually.
Monteverde is located on the continental divide and experiences strong winds and unusual weather. The whole area is very green and humid, and like La Fortuna, there are many adventure activities. Witness it all on a cable car, explore the sky bridges, or take a night hike in the cloud forest to spot nocturnal wildlife.
A day trip from San Jose, Poas Volcano is an active stratovolcano with two calderas filled with sulfur lakes. The volcanoes last erupted in 2019 and has erupted 40 times since 1828!
The lake is so calm that you look at your picture and think you have painted it. Come early in the morning to avoid clouds closing in and spoiling the view. There are several small trails nearby, or you can book a tour with Destiny Travel, which costs about $160 and includes entry to La Paz Waterfall Park and a local coffee plantation.
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On the coast of Nicoya lies the hippie tourist town of Santa Teresa. This “town” is really nothing more than a beach with a road lined with restaurants, yoga centers, surf shops and hostels. Everyone gets up early to hit the waves, so the overall vibe in town is very laid back. You won’t find many crazy parties here.
Santa Teresa is a great place to lie on the beach, talk to people and relax. Many people stay in Santa Teresa for weeks or even months because of the “cool” climate.
Although everything in Costa Rica is a bit touristy and a bit crowded, I think the wildlife, natural beauty, white sand beaches, sunsets and warm, clear water are worth it. There are still many unexplored and unexplored places in the country.
No matter what you’re interested in—travel, adventure, wildlife, beaches—you’ll find the perfect place for your needs without breaking the bank.
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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines worldwide, so you always know that no stone is left unturned!
You can book hostels through Hostelworld as it has the largest inventory and the best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the lowest prices for hotels and budget hotels. My Favorite Places:
Travel insurance protects you against illness, accidents, theft and cancellation. This is protection in case something happens. I never travel without it as I have had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use while traveling. Along the way, I’ll list all the savings I’ve made. They will also save you money during your trip.
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Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links and I will receive a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase. I only recommend the products and companies I use, and the proceeds go to keeping the site ad-free. Costa Rica’s biodiversity and coastlines have to be some of the richest on the planet. The landscape stretches from the aquamarine lagoons of the Caribbean Sea to the foamy waves of the Pacific Ocean that encompass the Central American continent. Read on for my picks for the best places to stay in Costa Rica.
From volcanoes towering through the clouds to ancient rainforests, monkeys and golden frogs, from Shangri-La to cascading waterfalls that look like something cracked, there’s something for yogis, hikers, surfers and animal lovers alike. wild etc. .
This is a guide
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