- Top Destinations(11)
- Beaches(62)
- Off The Beaten Path(39)
- Rainforest(37)
- Nature(37)
- Rest & Relaxation(30)
- Cities(25)
- Surfing(24)
- Nightlife(10)
- Waterfalls(10)
- Adventure(8)
- Airports(7)
- Cloud Forests(7)
- Volcanoes(7)
- Backpacker Beaches(5)
Destinations: Where to Go in Costa Rica
Deciding where to go in Costa Rica can be a bit overwhelming, because the country’s incredible biodiversity and variable climate offers a multitude of places to explore and enjoy. Nature enthusiasts will be in heaven as they walk through cloud forests, and wildlife havens such as the Caño Negro Refuge wetlands. Adventurers will get their adrenaline fix whitewater rafting over roaring rapids, zooming through evergreen forests on a zip line, and braving the jungle after dark on rainforest night tours.
The beauty of Costa Rica is that the answer to the question “Where to Visit in Costa Rica?” is: everywhere! You can’t go wrong, because the country offers something for every traveller. Going with the family? You'll enjoy wildlife and adventure tours in the Arenal Volcano region of La Fortuna. Planning a couple's getaway? Treat yourselves to the beaches of Tamarindo. The magic and beauty of Costa Rica is that you can plan almost any type of holiday. So, whether you're in search of rest and relaxation, a place to stay near the airport when you’re in-country on business, or the chance to see a volcano or toucan up-close, we have the solutions for all of your Costa Rica travel needs.
Get ready for sun, sand, and fun in the sun on your Costa Rica beach getaway. These are the best beaches in Costa Rica, but you can do more than simply do stroll along the shoreline. There are opportunities to go horseback riding on the beach, indulge in aquatic activities, go on deep sea fishing expeditions, and more. If you can bear to venture further inland, you can go zip lining or hiking.
Locales like Tamarindo beach Costa Rica are developed yet laid back, so your Costa Rica beach hotel will have all of the amenities you need, but you'll still have the opportunity to mingle with actual locals. If you're searching for more of a 'best kept secret,’ then Uvita's lack of development will reward you with pristine beaches, and plenty of access to friendly locals. Your new favourite beach is waiting for you in Costa Rica, and it's only a click away.
Planning a family getaway? Teach the children that toucans are real birds — not just breakfast cereal mascots — on a Costa Rica nature vacation. Travelling solo or with friends? Then you'll have a great time staying at one of Costa Rica's nature lodges in between exploring Costa Rica's nature reserves.
Make friends with monkeys, see sloths move at their leisure and have fun identifying flora and fauna as you enjoy guide led tours full of interesting Costa Rica nature facts. When was the last time you saw a waterfall then took a dip in it's pool? The answer is: on your Costa Rica nature holiday! The beauty of nature is waiting of you in Tortuguero, Puerto Jimenez, Matapalo, and the other exciting destinations on this list.
Vroom-vroom! Neigh! Splash! ... Those are the sounds of fun and excitement, and they're waiting for you on your Costa Rica adventure vacation. ATVs, horseback rides, snorkeling, night treks, and more are waiting for you in Central America.
Why go on a vacation when you can go on an adventure? Costa Rica adventures are full of sun, fun, fresh air, and an incredible array of wildlife. Whether you're seeking a unique getaway for two, traveling solo, or bringing the whole family, you're about to book a holiday full of great activities and great memories.
Ever noticed how waterfalls roar like thunder, but at the same time evoke a sense of tranquility? If you haven't, there is plenty of time to ponder this point when you're discovering Costa Rica's waterfalls on the exciting tours you're about to go on.
From hiking to rappelling, you'll find yourself exploring popular destinations such as Arenal and Monteverde, and amidst soothing locations like La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Whether you want to picnic, find a unique swimming hole, or sketch and take photographs there's a Costa Rica waterfall for you — and Anywhere can't wait to help you find it!
If your idea of a vacation is truly experiencing your host country then you'll enjoy exploring Costa Rica off the beaten path. Go where the locals go and see the sites most tourists miss when they stick to prominent cities.
Visit the less crowded beach of Uvita or the wildlife haven of Tortuguero. There are plenty of things to do in Costa Rica off the beaten path, and the most significant may be having an authentic experience as you spend more time with locals and less time with other tourists.
Costa Rica's rainforests are without a doubt a highlight of any vacation within the country. Whether you find yourself in Manuel Antonio along the central Pacific coast, in the Caribbean's Cahuita, or Boca Tapada in the northern lowlands, you're never too far from one of the nation's many rainforests.
A Costa Rica rainforest excursion is the perfect way to appreciate nature whilst enjoying active adventure — you'll find yourself trekking through rugged terrain, partaking in high energy activities, and enjoying a vantage point typically reserved for researchers.
How Much Does it Cost to Visit a National Park or Reserve in Costa Rica?
The entrance fee is usually $11 for most parks and reserves. There are, however, discounts for both students and seniors.
Where Are Costa rica's National Parks & Reserves?
Costa Rica's protected areas are scattered throughout the entire country. Every region has multiple protected parks and reserves, and with every year, new land is set aside for conservation.To get a visual idea of Costa Rica's national parks and reserves, please visit this map. We also have profiles on most of Costa Rica's national parks and reserves.
I Want a Nature Vacation. Where Should I Go in Costa Rica?
Anywhere can set you up with fascinating nature tours. Learn about the wide range of Costa Rica’s nature destinations before you decide which environments you most want to visit. You can choose to go on an engrossing trek through the rainforest, sleeping in cabins along the way, or plush hotels nearby national parks.The Osa Peninsula is at the top of many nature enthusiast's must-see lists. In Drake Bay, Caraté, and the Corcovado National Park, you'll find swaths of untouched forests filled with exotic plants and animals. Go to the coast for whale watching and dolphin watching excursions, and follow a guide deep into the inland jungles.
Stay in Monteverde so you can have easy access to several parks, as well as wildlife exhibits where you can see butterflies and bats. Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is less visited than other reserves in Monteverde, and is one of the best places in Costa Rica to see noisy howler monkeys.
Go looking for one of the most sought-after birds at San Gerardo de Dota, where you can easily get to the Los Quetzales National Park. While you’re here you can also visit the Savegre River for boating and fishing. Look for more exotic birds at Boca Tapada, which is one of the few places you can still see the great green macaw in the wild.
In Tortuguero, you'll find no cars, beautiful mangrove canals, and nesting sites for several species of sea turtles. You can also find sea turtles in Marino Bellena National Park, which is near the pristine beaches and plush accommodations of Manuel Antonio.
There’s a lot more to Costa Rican nature vacations than hiking. You can sign up for a rafting tour in the jungles of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, or in the volcanic terrain of Tenorio. Tenorio National Park is also home to the bright blue river of the Río Celeste, and one of the most striking waterfalls in Costa Rica. Arenal’s rainforests are a convenient place to sign up for adventure activities like zip-lining.
Can I Expect to See Wildlife in Costa Rica?
Each region of Costa Rica has an impressive variety of rare wildlife. You can expect to see wildlife no matter where you go.What’s the best way to see wildlife?
Sign up for a nature walk so you can look for wildlife with the help of an expert guide. We recommend going on a nighttime tour of the rainforest — this habitat comes alive after sunset.
You can see a breakdown of Costa Rica’s most interesting species, as well as the national parks where you can find them, on our Species Page.
To see the most wildlife in one place, plan a trek through Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula. This remote, isolated tract of rainforest is completely untouched by humans, and is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.
Reptiles and Insects
Species exhibits are a great way to see hard-to-spot animals like insects and reptiles up close. On hikes through reserves like Barra Honda National Park you have the chance to see exotic species in the wild – some of which don’t live anywhere else in the world.
Birds
Take a bird watching tour early in the morning to catch Costa Rica’s exotic species at their most active. Costa Rica has a wealth of ornithology experts — you’ll be amazed by their birdcalls and ability to spot tiny species high up in the tree branches.
Top bird watching spots include the canopies of Arenal National Park and Braulio Carrilio National Park, both of which have tropical forests and volcanic terrain. See one of the most rare bird habitats in the world — a high humidity forest — in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Visit the mountains and national parks of the Nicoya Peninsula for exhilarating hikes with a view of the Pacific coast.
Mammals
While you're hiking through the cloud forests and rainforests, keep an eye out for Costa Rica's monkeys, including white-faced monkeys, spider monkeys, and howler monkeys.
They’re quite rare, but Costa Rica is also home to some rare feline species, including pumas, jaguarundis, margays, and ocelots. These types of animals live in places like La Selva Biological Station and Corcovado National Park.
With the help of an observant guide, you might even get to see a sloth in its natural habitat — maybe hanging from a tree in the Aviarios del Caribe reserve.
Sea Turtles
You can find nesting sea turtles along the beaches of Tortuguero and Manuel Antonio. Visit the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge to see multiple species of sea turtles on the Caribbean coast.
Sightseers must be accompanied by a guide, and be especially careful not to disrupt the reproductive cycle of these endangered animals.
Snorkeling, Dolphin Watching, and Whale Watching
Ready for an aquatic adventure? Take boating tours near Costa Rica’s beaches to go on dolphin-watching or whale-watching tours and snorkeling trips. You can leave for aquatic tours in Manuel Antonio and Marino Ballena National Park on the Caribbean coast.
To get a better idea of where you may encounter different birds, sea animals, mammals, reptiles, amphibians or invertebrates in Costa Rica, check out our biodiversity page.
What Is So Special About Costa Rica's Biodiversity?
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world — you can find nearly 5 percent of all known plants and animal species in its national parks and wildlife refuges. Before you venture into the Costa Rican wilderness, look at our overview of Costa Rica’s species. For each animal you'll find a list of national parks where you can see some of these rare animals for yourself.Costa Rica’s biodiversity is attributed to the dramatic shifts in terrain — this tiny country has wetlands, mountains, rivers, and arid plains. You can find many different types of forests here, including tropical dry forests, rainforests, and cloud forests. There are mountain ranges, some of which are studded with volcanoes.
All these different environments make excellent destinations for bird watching tours. Some of Costa Rica’s national parks have bird species that you can see very few places in the world.
Go for long walks through primary rainforest in La Selva Biological Station or Braulio Carillo National Park. Primary rainforest is completely untouched, and had enjoyed uninterrupted growth. The Corcovado National Park on the [Osa Peninsula] is one of the most biologically diverse places in the country, and has a huge tract of primary rainforest.
While you’re here you’ll see evidence of Costa Rica’s commitment to protecting its wildlife. Deforestation was a major problem in the 20th century, but Anywhere and other organizations in Costa Rica are committed to planting trees and a host of other efforts to offset carbon footprints. Well-maintained parks and knowledgeable guides make it easy to appreciate Costa Rica’s wildlife.