The most important information and tourist places in Costa Rica

About Costa Rica:

Tourism in Costa Rica Costa Rica is one of the Central American countries and its capital is San José.

It is bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east.

Is characterized by Tourism in Costa Rica Lots of wonders of natural attractions

With volcanoes, beaches, cloud forests and unique wildlife.

Tourism in Costa Rica:

Costa Rica is a favorite destination for bird watchers

And travelers looking for luxury in addition to surfers and backpackers.

The busy city of San Jose is home to the country's best museums and beautiful plazas

But the real treasures lie outside the capital, in the forests and small coastal villages.

Endless beach lines stretch the Pacific coast

With smaller towns catering to surfers and sun seekers.

Inland, forest-covered mountains offer their own adventures, from volcanoes and waterfalls to viewing exceptional wildlife.

Costa Rica also has a large coastline on the Caribbean Sea.

While this is the least visited region in the country, it offers something a little different in terms of culture and attractions

It is known in particular as a breeding ground for green sea turtles.

The best time to visit Costa Rica:

Tourism in Costa Rica

The best time to visit Costa Rica is from mid-December to April (dry season)

And it is considered the high season due to the hot weather and the sunshine that does not go away

Which makes it an ideal time for exploring the rainforest and lounging on the beaches.

The cost of tourism in Costa Rica:

The cost of a medium-cost tourist trip for two people for a week in Costa Rica is about 1080 USD, which includes accommodation, food, transportation, and sightseeing, without counting airline tickets.

Food prices: Starting at $14 per meal.
Hotel prices: Starting from $15 USD for two people for one night. You can book a hotel in Costa Rica easily with our website Booking.com.

The most important tourist places in Costa Rica:

1. Manuel Antonio National Park:

Wildlife, beaches, and fun are what draw visitors to Manuel Antonio National Park and the neighboring town of Manuel Antonio. The park is known for its beautiful stretch of sand, forests, and the wildlife that lives in the area. Standing in stark contrast to this tranquility is the small town of Manuel Antonio, known for its lively atmosphere. The city has plenty of hotels and restaurants within walking distance of the park.

Guided walks in the park make wildlife spotting easy, but even those who venture out to explore the park on their own will have no trouble finding monkeys, sloths, and all kinds of birds. Howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and the unmissable capuchins that roam the town and park can usually be seen continually from the trails. Most of the action in town centers around the beautiful ocean beach, where soccer matches are played at noon and surfers enjoy their favorite sport (this is a popular spot for a surfing lesson...).

Across the road from the beach and up the hill, there are restaurants and shops. For those who want to escape the main beach action, you can find attractive beaches within the park.

2. Arenal Volcano:

Tourism in Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano National Park is located in the rugged Cordillera de Tiran and is one of the best volcano viewing areas in the country. The main attraction of the park is the Arenal Volcano, which reaches 1633 meters. It looks exactly as one might imagine a volcano. A cone-shaped mountain with huge ash plumes pouring out from the crater.

Arenal was asleep from 1500 AD until its great eruption on July 29, 1968, killing 82 people and destroying two villages. Since then, it has seen regular activity, and depending on the day or week, visitors can expect to see anything from an ash cloud to glowing red lava flowing down the mountain.

The park is also known for its wide range of biodiversity with nearly half of all Costa Rica's birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals represented somewhere within its borders. The Arenal Observatory Lodge, originally a private observatory established in 1987, is the only lodge within the boundaries of Arenal Volcano National Park.

It is located in a nut plantation on the south side of the volcano. The lodge offers excellent views of the volcano and Lake Arenal in the opposite direction. There are many hiking trails in the area, some of which lead to waterfalls, as well as ancient and recent lava flows.

3. Monteverde & Cloud Forests

Tourism in Costa Rica

Cloud forests near Monteverde and Santa Elena have become popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica. For those who enjoy nature and witness the unique flora and wildlife this is definitely the right place. The clouds that cover these forests provide the moisture needed to maintain the habitats of animals unique to the region and found only here.

While many people come simply to watch the birds, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Preserve preserve all kinds of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, from jaguars and pumas to frogs and monkeys. Organized hikes are one of the best ways to view the forest, along with canopy tours that may include cable cars.

Monteverde and Santa Elena are the two main tourist centers in the area, with lodging, restaurants, and even shops and artists' galleries. This area is located northwest of San Juan, more than a four-hour bus ride away. Since the area is cooler and known for its cloud cover, visitors don't tend to stay long once they see the sights, with many travelers choosing to head to the beaches along the coast.

You can book a hotel in Monteverde easily with our site Booking.com.

4. Dominical Town:

Dominical is a tropical backpacker's haven, with its dusty streets, beautiful beaches, affordable lodging, al fresco restaurants, and its own unique vibe. Travelers who come here find it difficult to leave, and visits often turn into extended stays.

But Dominical also draws an upscale crowd who can find small luxury inns on the outskirts or in the hills overlooking the city. These places allow for close-up viewing of wildlife, with howling monkeys waking guests up in the morning and toucans flying by the pool.

Dominical's most popular tourist attraction is the stretch of open beach, backed by shady trees, where vendors set up tables and sell crafts and other items to tourists. Outside the city are quieter beaches where everyone can find a quiet place. Due to Dominical's southern location, it is steamy even in the dry season.

You can book a hotel in Dominical easily with our website Booking.com.

5. Tamarindo

Tamarindo is the place on the Nicoya Peninsula to surf, swim and soak up the sun. Tamarindo was once a sleepy fishing village and is now a tourist haven where visitors can find good food and accommodation, as well as all kinds of other tourist amenities. The town is spread out along Tamarindo Beach, which stretches for about 1.5 kilometers. The area is popular for surfing, with breaks for experienced athletes and areas for learners. The biggest beach waves are generally in November and December.

The area around Tamarindo is known for its eco-friendly adventures and activities that include snorkeling, diving, horseback riding, and turtle watching. Nearby Playa Grande is one of the most important leatherback turtle nesting grounds in Costa Rica. During October and March, more than 100 tortoises can be seen nesting and laying their eggs overnight.

You can book a hotel in Tamarindo easily with our site Booking.com.

6. The towns of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa:

- Mal País on the Nicoya Peninsula, is an area along the coast famous for its great waves that attract surfers from all over the world. Santa Teresa is a major hotspot in the area and there are a string of villages and beaches along Mal País, including Mal País and Manzanillo.
- Today, the area is a mix of travelers, surfers, who never got to leave, and tourists who want to plan a longer vacation. The area is more modern and development in the area has taken it to a higher level.
- You can book a hotel in Mal Pais easily with our site Booking.com.

7. Jaco City:

Jaco is a good choice for anyone looking to get out of San Jose but still want the amenities and facilities of the city. The beach here is spacious and pleasant, but average at best by Costa Rican standards. The surf here is very good, and the waves are less dramatic than in other areas along the coast, meaning swimming is generally safe.

Jaco has what sets it apart from the many coastal towns along this Pacific Ocean and its modern apartments, shops, good restaurants, hotels and other modern amenities have made it a popular choice among expats and retirees. Even travelers who stay in nearby villages like Esteros tend to gravitate towards Jaco for a day, either shopping or dining out.

You can book a hotel in Jaco easily with our website Booking.com.

8. Tortuguero National Park:

For something a little different from the familiar path of Costa Rica tourism, visitors may want to head to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast. This area, which can only be reached by boat or plane, is one of the wetter regions in the country and offers something different from the rest of Costa Rica.

The park is a very breeding ground for green sea turtles, and as a result, turtle-watching is the main activity here. Although there are many beaches, the coastal area is not suitable for swimming as the waves and currents are rough and strong and sharks live there. Hundreds and even thousands of green turtles can be seen nesting and laying eggs on the beaches at night.

From the hiking trails or boat rides along the canals, it is possible to spot animals such as monkeys, sloths, and kinkajos. Pecaris and tapirs are also present, but they are difficult to see. Freshwater turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs, and other amphibians are also common at the place.

9. Corcovado National Park:

Tourism in Costa Rica

In the far south of Costa Rica, beyond Dominical's beautiful beaches, is the remote Osa Peninsula. The Gulf of Dulce separates the peninsula from the rest of the province of Puntarenas. Some of the best areas of coastal rainforest in Central America are found on the Osa Peninsula, protected in Corcovado National Park.

In addition to surfing, which is one of the highlights, other popular activities in the area are diving and fishing. Puerto Jimenez is the largest city in the area, and many luxury lodges can be found in the Drake Bay area.

Corcovado National Park was established in 1975 and protects what is considered the best remaining stretch of Pacific coastal rainforest in Central America. The park has an extensive footpath popular with travelers who enjoy hiking.

10. National Theater in San Jose:

Costa Ricans are proud of the National Theater which is the most impressive building in San José. In the XNUMXs, the ruling coffee barons voted for a tax on coffee exports in order to fund the construction of the theatre, and European craftsmen were brought in to design the building.

Completed in 1897, the building features a classical Renaissance colonnaded facade topped with statues symbolizing dance, music, and fame. Inside, the pink marble atrium includes allegorical figures from comedy and tragedy, and murals depicting several aspects of Costa Rican life.

The most famous painting is one showing the coffee harvest and its exports, painted by Arturo Fontana in Milan in 1897. The mural highlights a triple horseshoe-shaped hall that seats 1040 people. There are regular performances at the theatre, and a gallery featuring changing performances by local artists.

You can book a hotel in San Jose easily with our website Booking.com.

11. Irazu Volcano National Park:

Irazu Volcano is the highest active volcano in Costa Rica at an altitude of 342 metres. The national park protects 2 hectares of land around the base of the volcano. The summit of the volcano is a moon-like landscape with craters. The main crater of Irazo is 309 meters in diameter and 1050 meters deep. The crater is called Diego de la Haya Crater and contains a small lime-green lake that sometimes appears red.

Specific passages lead to these craters, one of which also contains a lake.

A lava cone, formed from fragmented volcanic rock, can also be seen. From the summit, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea can be seen in clear weather.

12. Braulio Carrillo National Park:

Just a 30-minute drive from bustling San Jose, Braulio Carrillo National Park includes rugged mountains, waterfalls, canyons, sleeping volcanoes, and pristine rainforests. The park's proximity to the country's main gateway means it's an easy way to see some of Costa Rica's unique plants and wildlife.

Many different habitats are found in the park due to the diversity in elevation, which ranges from the top of Parva Volcano (2 meters) to less than 906 meters in the Caribbean lowlands. The park is home to mammals such as jaguars, pumas, tapirs, sloths, and monkeys as well as several species of birds including Quetzal (the national bird), toucans, and eagles.

13. Rincon de la Vieja National Park:

Rincon de la Vieja Volcano is the main attraction in this park. This active volcano last erupted in 2011, and as a result, the hiking trails to the summit are no longer open, but there is still hiking in the area with trails leading to waterfalls and hot springs. This park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, with tapirs, sloths, monkeys, and big cats like jaguars, pumas, and ocelots still living in the park.

14. Pre-Colombian Gold Museum:

This museum houses one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian gold nuggets in the Americas. More than 20000 ounces of gold were found in about 2000 objects in the museum complex which also displays collections of coins and stamps as well as a display of Costa Rican art.

15. Wildlife

Costa Rica is one of those rare countries where the wildlife alone can be worth a visit. What the country may lack in cultural attractions, it makes up for in the unique wildlife that prevails. Visitors rarely need to look for animals, with monkeys regularly appearing around the towns, scarlet macaws and toucans, some animals visitors might not even recognize while roaming the parks.

Opportunities to see wildlife are not limited to one area, but visiting the parks or taking organized guided tours will improve your chances of seeing some of the more elusive species.