Sophia May
Best Place For 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 cheap accommodation, great weather, stunning beaches and friendly locals have made it a hot spot for retirees and expats alike.
Since then I have fallen in love with Costa Rica all over again and have returned many times.
Best Place For Vacation In Costa Rica
But because it’s not as cheap to travel as its neighbors, many budget travelers pass through Costa Rica.
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And while that may be true (there are many ways to save in Costa Rica), in my opinion the beauty of the places below is worth the extra cost.
Located on the Caribbean coast near Panama, Puerto Viejo is popular with young people and backpackers for its great beaches, surfing and party atmosphere.
The city is very lively and you will find something happening every night. It is probably the most popular destination on the Caribbean coast. There are many quiet beach hotels for those seeking peace and quiet. There is also a jaguar rescue center nearby, where all species of native wildlife are rehabilitated and released back into the wild.
Cahuita, a small town near the stunning national park of the same name, is about an hour north of Puerto Viejo. Cahuita is a place of relaxation. There is one bar in town and it’s lively (sometimes half full!), but mostly after a day of hiking, animal watching, swimming or surfing, most people sit and read. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a full-day guided tour of Cahuita National Park.
Costa Rica Jungle Resorts
The region is known for its Afro-Caribbean influences, which can be found in the food and local culture as you cool down with sweet crepes or grilled chicken.
Tortuguero (meaning “land of turtles”) is Costa Rica’s version of the Amazon rainforest. Tortuguero National Park, which dominates the north coast, covers an area of 77,000 acres. A series of rivers and canals meander through this vast forest.
The area’s biggest attraction is the large number of turtles that come to nest on the beaches (hence the name). The best time to see them nesting is April and May, but if you visit in the off-season, you’ll still be able to hike and take part in river cruises. However, plenty of wildlife can be seen throughout the year.
If you want to go off the grid, you can take a three-day guided tour of the national park with Destiny Travel Costa Rica for around $500.
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Corcovado National Park is located on the remote Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica. Established in 1975, the park covers an area of 163 square miles (424 square kilometers), making it the largest park in the country.
Although more popular than ever, it is still a very rough, quiet and untapped destination in a country where almost everything is available.
Getting to the peninsula isn’t easy (it helps keep the tourists away), but your efforts are rewarded with deserted beaches, lots of wildlife, great hiking, camping, and plenty of marine life.
For me, it is probably one of the best places in the whole country. Try not to miss!
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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 be able to see the lava flowing down the volcano. (However, given that the volcano has been inactive since 2010, this is unlikely). Interesting fact: I got lost here in the woods.
There are many wonderful activities in the area: a spectacular waterfall (La Fortuna), a national park with great hiking, sunsets on the lake, caving, canyoning, canoeing, famous hot springs and wildlife viewing opportunities. Bird watching tour. With all this going on, it’s no wonder it’s one of the most visited places in the country.
A popular beach destination on the Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio’s wide white sandy beaches and warm blue waters aren’t the only attractions that flock to it. The nearby national park, opened in 1972, receives 150,000 visitors a year and boasts extensive hiking trails, several secluded beaches and the chance to see three different species of native monkeys.
It has been populated and developed over the years. This is not the park I first visited in 2006. You can still see lots of wildlife and the beaches in the area are surprisingly pristine! Park admission is $18.08 per person, or you can take a guided tour for $59 (including park admission).
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The country’s premier cloud forest is home to the elusive quetzal. Many people come to Monteverde to see this rare bird. The region is one of the country’s largest ecotourism centers with over 250,000 visitors annually.
Located on the Continental Divide, Monteverde experiences high winds and unusual weather. The whole area is very green and humid and has many adventure activities like La Fortuna. See it all on a zip-line adventure through the treetops, explore some of the region’s sky bridges or take a guided night walk through the cloud forest to spot nocturnal wildlife.
A great day trip from San Jose, Poas Volcano is an active stratovolcano with twin calderas filled with sulfur lakes. The volcano last erupted in 2019 and has actually erupted 40 times since 1828!
The lakes are so still that you look at your picture and think you painted it. Arrive early in the morning to avoid clouds and spoil the view. There are several short trails nearby, or you can take a tour with Destiny Travel, which costs about $160 and visits La Paz Falls Park and local coffee plantations.
Costa Rican Vacations (san Jose)
At the bottom of Nicoya Beach is the hippie backpacker town of Santa Teresa. This “town” is really nothing more than a beach with a street lined with restaurants, yoga centers, surf shops and hostels. Everyone gets up early to hit the waves, so the overall vibe of the town is pretty laid back. You won’t find many crazy parties here.
Santa Teresa Beach is a great place to sleep, socialize and relax. Because of the “sweet” climate, many people stay in Santa Teresa for weeks and months at a time.
Although everything in Costa Rica is quite touristy and quite crowded, I think the variety of wildlife, natural beauty, white sand beaches, stunning sunsets and warm, clear water are worth the price. There are still many unexplored and unvisited parts of the country.
Whatever you’re interested in – hiking, adventure, wildlife, beaches – you’ll be able to find a place that suits your needs without breaking the bank.
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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights. They are my favorite search engine as they search websites and airlines from all over the world, so you always know they left no stone unturned!
You can book your hostel on Hostelworld as it has a huge inventory and great deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it offers low prices for guesthouses and cheap hotels. My favorite places to stay:
Travel insurance protects you against illness, accident, theft and cancellation. This is comprehensive protection in case something goes wrong. I never travel without it as I have had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer excellent service and value are:
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list everything I use to save money when I travel. This will save you money when you travel.
Costa Rica Vacation Packages With Airfare
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Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links and I earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies that I use, and the proceeds go to support the site’s community and keep it ad-free. From jungles to beaches, Costa Rica is a tourist’s tropical paradise. This small country is located on the Isthmus of Central America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Caribbean Sea to the east, Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. Its tropical topography and diverse landscape make Costa Rica one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. Divided into 29 national parks, 19 nature reserves and 8 biological reserves, the country thrives on ecotourism and tourists can find everything they are looking for here: thrilling adventure, sun-kissed beaches, lush forests, active volcanoes, exotic wildlife and more.
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