Sophia May
Best Place To Visit 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 it has become a hot spot for retirees and expats thanks to its affordable life, great weather, gorgeous beaches and friendly locals.
Have been back to Costa Rica several times since, love it again.
Best Place To Visit In Costa Rica
But because it’s not as expensive to visit as its neighbors, many budget travelers skip Costa Rica.
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And, while that’s true (although there are plenty of ways to save money in Costa Rica), in my opinion, the beauty of the sights below is worth the extra cost.
Located on the Caribbean coast near Panama, Puerto Viejo is popular with teenagers and backpackers for its beautiful beaches, surfing and party atmosphere.
The city is lively and you will find something happening every night. It is probably the most famous place on the Caribbean coast. There are also many quiet hotels nearby for those seeking peace and quiet. There is also a jaguar rescue center nearby that treats all types of local wildlife and returns them to the wild.
Cahuita, a small town near the beautiful national park of the same name, about an hour north of Puerto Viejo. Cahuita is a resort. There’s a bar in town that gets interesting (sometimes it’s half full!), but for the most part, after a day of hiking, wildlife spotting, swimming or surfing, most people just sit and read. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a fully guided tour of Cahuita National Park.
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This region is known for its Afro-Caribbean influences, which you can recognize in the local food and culture as you relax over sweet crepes or grilled chicken.
Tortuguero (meaning “Land of the Turtles”) is Costa Rican’s version of the Amazon rainforest. Dominating the northern coast, Tortuguero National Park covers 77,000 hectares. This vast area is a series of rivers and streams that cut through the forest.
The main attraction of this place is the large number of turtles (hence the name) that come to nest on the beach. The best time to see them lay their eggs is April and May, but if you visit during the off season, you can join a boat trip. However, there is plenty of wildlife to see throughout the year.
If you want to get off the grid, you can take a three-day guided tour of the national park with Destiny Travel Costa Rica for around $500 USD.
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Corcovado National Park is located on the isolated Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica. Established in 1975, the park covers an area of 163 square kilometers (424 miles), making it the largest park in the country.
While it’s as popular as ever, it’s still a rare, quiet, unpretentious spot in a country where there’s just about everything.
Mixed method. The peninsula isn’t easy to access (to help keep tourists away), but your efforts will be well rewarded with pristine beaches, tons of wildlife, hiking, camping, and an abundance of marine life.
For me this is one of the most beautiful places in the whole country. Try not to miss it!
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Sitting at an elevation of 1,670 meters (5,480 feet), 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. (However, that’s unlikely to happen since the volcano has been dormant since 2010). Enjoy – I got lost in the forest here.
This area has many amazing activities: there is an amazing waterfall (La Fortuna), a national park with beautiful mountains, sunset lake views, caving, canyoning, rafting options, famous hot springs, and opportunities to see wildlife , like birds . to attend the tour. With so much to do, 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-sand beaches and warm turquoise waters aren’t the only draws for tourists. The nearby national park, opened in 1972, sees more than 150,000 visitors a year and is home to beautiful hiking trails, dozens of private beaches, and offers the opportunity to see three different species of monkeys.
It has been popularized and developed over the years. Definitely not the park I first visited in 2006. That said, you will still see lots of wildlife and the local beaches are kept incredibly clean! Park admission is $18.08 USD per person, or you can take a guided tour for $59 USD (park admission included).
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In the great forests of this tribe lives a rare quetzal bird. Many people come to Monteverde to see this rare bird. This area is one of the largest natural tourist destinations in the country and more than 250,000 people visit each year.
Monteverde, located on the edge of the continent, experiences strong winds and unusual weather conditions. The whole area is very green and humid, and like La Fortuna, there is plenty to do here. Witness it all on a zip line in the tree canopy, check out some of the sky bridges, or take a guided night hike through the rainforest to see nocturnal wildlife.
A pleasant drive from San José, Poas Volcano is an active stratovolcano with two lakes filled with sulfur lakes. The volcanoes last erupted in 2019 and have erupted 40 times since 1828!
The ponds are calm, you will look at your picture and think it has been painted. Arrive early in the morning to avoid cloud cover and spoil the view. There are small trails around the area, or you can take a trip with Destiny Travel, which costs around $160 USD and includes a visit to the La Paz Waterfall Garden and a local coffee plantation.
Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica
Along the coast of Nicoya is the hippie town of Santa Teresa. This “town” is actually a beach with a street filled with restaurants, yoga studios, surf shops, and hostels. Everyone wakes up early to hit the waves, so the atmosphere in the city is relaxed. You won’t find many crazy bands here.
Santa Teresa is the perfect place to sleep on the beach, have fun and relax. Due to the “chill” atmosphere, many people end up staying in Santa Teresa for weeks and months.
While everything in Costa Rica is a small tourist destination and has few people, I think the diversity of wildlife, natural beauty, white sand beaches, incredible sunsets, and clear warm water make it worth the price. There are still many parts of the country that have not been explored and visited.
No matter what interests you – travel, recreation, wildlife, beaches – you’ll be able to find a place that fits your needs without breaking the bank.
Must Visit Attractions In Costa Rica
Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights. They are my favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines all over the world, so you always know that no stone is left unturned!
You can book your hostel on Hostelworld as they have a great selection and the best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they return the lowest rates for hostels and small hotels. Other places to stay:
Travel insurance will protect you from illness, injury, theft and cancellation. It’s full coverage if something goes wrong. I’ve never taken a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that provide the best service and value are:
Check out my resources page to find the best companies to use when travelling. I am listing all the things I use to save money on travel. They will save you money when you travel.
Costa Rica Travel Guide
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Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no extra cost to you, I receive a commission if you make a purchase. I only recommend products and companies that I use, and the proceeds go towards keeping the community site supported and ad-free. If you are looking for the best places to visit in Costa Rica with beautiful animals and plants with different mountains, valleys, forests, volcanoes, beaches, lakes and rivers, look no further. !
Costa Rica is really a small beautiful country which makes it a pleasure to get around in no time, in two to three weeks you can see the most beautiful beaches, then go to the volcanoes and enjoy walking in the beautiful rivers.
It is located on the Nicoya Peninsula on the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the province of Guanacaste. Tamarindo is the largest developed coastal city in Guanacaste and home