Best vacation places in costa rica
Costa Rica Travel is becoming the most sought after destination in the region. The reasons behind why Costa Rica is one of the best vacation places in the world have been explained and elaborated one by one. From ecotourism to adventure, Costa Rica has something for everyone.
Costa Rica is a small country located between North and South America. If you are planning your first trip to Costa Rica, this article will help you decide the best places to visit in Costa Rica. It has miles of beaches on the Pacific and Atlantic coastlines, tropical jungles and dry forests with animals like jaguars and toucans.
Costa Rica is situated in northern Central America, has a tropical climate with no distinctive seasons, and consists of seven regions. It is also said to have one of the highest standards of living in Latin America. The diversity of its natural resources and ecosystems makes it an attractive destination for travelers.
Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It’s known for having a variety of natural landscapes and ecosystems, from rainforests to volcanoes to beaches. This makes it a great destination for travelers who want to experience some of the best Costa Rica has to offer.
The best places to visit in Costa Rica include:
-San Jose: One of the largest cities in Costa Rica, San Jose is home to many historical sites as well as museums and other attractions.
-Arenal Volcano National Park: This national park is home to Arenal Volcano, which offers visitors a chance to hike up its slopes and see some breathtaking views of the area around it.
-Manuel Antonio National Park: This national park offers visitors several different trails that wind through its lush rainforest, where you can spot monkeys and other animals as well as stunning waterfalls along your journey through this natural wonderland!
Costa Rica is a beautiful country with a wide variety of landscapes, climates, and experiences. It’s easy to get lost in the beauty of it all and never want to leave. Here are some of our favorite vacation spots in Costa Rica!
- Arenal Volcano
The Arenal Volcano is located in the northwestern part of Costa Rica and is one of the most active volcanoes in the country. The volcano is still active today, but it doesn’t erupt often enough to cause any real damage or concern for tourists visiting the area. In fact, there are several different options for you to choose from when planning your trip to see this natural wonder: hiking trails through rainforests filled with wildlife or hiking up the volcano itself!
- Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is located near Quepos on the Pacific coast and offers visitors a chance to see exotic animals like sloths and monkeys while enjoying beautiful beaches along their journey through this national park! This popular park features several different trails including a birdwatching trail as well as an “easy” trail that takes you through beautiful rainforests where you can see monkeys playing around above your head!
1. Manuel Antonio National Park
Set on the edge of the town of Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s top destinations for wildlife viewing. It also has the added bonus of being home to beautiful soft-sand beaches.
Some of the usual wildlife sightings in the park are howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, sloths, white-nosed coatimundis, and the hard-to-miss capuchins. You can also expect to see iridescent butterflies and a myriad of colorful birds flitting about. You can walk the trails on your own, but for a more in-depth experience consider joining a Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour. Guides often know exactly where the animals are and carry tripods and telescopes, ideal for wildlife viewing and photography.
Part of the attraction of Manuel Antonio National Park is its proximity to the town of Manuel Antonio. In town, you can find hotels within easy walking distance of the park, as well as restaurants and other retail.
Most of the action in town is centered around the beautiful oceanfront beach, where umbrellas and beach chairs line the sand and surfers enjoy the usually gentle waves. This is a popular place for beginners to take surf lessons. Across the road from the beach and higher up on the hillside are restaurants and stores, some of which can get loud in the evenings.
If you want to linger here for a few days and treat yourself to a luxury stay, Manuel Antonio is home to one of the top beach resorts in Costa Rica.
2. Arenal Volcano (Volcan Arenal)
The Arenal Volcano National Park, found in the rugged Cordillera de Tilarán, is one of the top volcano viewing areas in the country. The main attraction here is the Arenal Volcano, a cone-shaped mountain with huge ash columns frequently streaming from the crater.
Arenal was dormant from AD 1500 until a massive eruption on July 29, 1968, which killed 82 people and destroyed two villages. Since then, it has seen regular activity and, depending on the day or week, visitors can expect to see anything from a cloud of ash to glowing red lava flowing down the mountain.
The park is also known for its wide range of biodiversity, with approximately half of all Costa Rican birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals represented somewhere within its boundaries.
The Arenal Observatory Lodge, originally a private observatory established in 1987, is the only lodge within the Arenal Volcano National Park boundaries. It is located on a macadamia nut farm on the south side of the volcano. From the lodge, check out the excellent views of the volcano and Arenal Lake in the opposite direction. Numerous hiking trails are in the area; many lead to waterfalls and old and recent lava flows.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Arenal Volcano National Park
3. Monteverde and the Cloud Forests
The Cloud Forests near Monteverde and Santa Elena are some of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for ecotourism. If you are itching to immerse yourself in nature and see unique plants and wildlife without venturing too far off the beaten path, this is definitely the place to come.
The clouds covering these forests provide the moisture necessary to sustain the area’s unique habitats. While many people come simply for the bird-watching, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve sustain various mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. Keep an eye out for colorful frogs and howler monkeys. Jaguars and pumas are more elusive. Organized hikes are one of the best ways to see the forest. Another option are canopy tours that may involve ziplines or bridges and even cable cars.
Monteverde and Santa Elena are the two main tourist centers in the region, with accommodation, restaurants, and even shops and artists’ galleries. This area, located northwest of San Juan, is a little more than four hours by bus. It can be cold up here, so be sure to bring warm clothes.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Monteverde
4. Tamarindo
If you’re looking for an action-packed beach town to settle in to for a while, Tamarindo is just the place. Located on the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste, Tamarindo is a top destination for surfing, beaching, and fun. Once a quiet fishing village, the town has grown into a tourist haven, where you can find a good assortment of restaurants and hotels.
The town is spread along Tamarindo Beach, a beautiful wide crescent that runs for approximately 1.5 kilometers. The area is known for surfing, with a range of breaks ideal for both experienced surfers and learners. The biggest waves are generally found here in November and December.
The area around Tamarindo offers eco-friendly adventures and activities that include snorkeling, diving, horseback riding, ziplining, and turtle watching in season. Nearby Playa Grande is one of Costa Rica’s most important nesting grounds for leatherback turtles. Throughout October and March, more than 100 turtles can be seen nesting and laying their eggs overnight.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Tamarindo
5. Dominical
Dominical is a tropical backpacker’s haven and one of the best places in Costa Rica for surfing. Lovely beaches, cheap accommodation, casual open-air restaurants, and a great bohemian vibe are what this town has long been known for. But, in the surrounding mountains, resorts, small inns, and luxury rentals attract an upper-end crowd.
A long stretch of beach fronts the town and in behind, under the shady trees, vendors set up tables and sell crafts and other items. In recent years, the once dirt streets have been paved, sidewalks have been bricked, and what was formerly a dusty beach town has become a much more refined tourist destination. Outside of town are quieter beaches, where it’s possible to find your own special place.
