Whenever we think of Costa Rica, pleasant weather, cheap living, friendly locals, and spectacular beaches are a few of the things that come to our mind. Costa Rica is a tropical nation filled with natural beauty and national parks. For years, the country has been one of the most favorite destinations in Central America; hence the reason why it remains packed with tourists all the time. With volcanoes, beaches, cloud forests, and unique wildlife all around the country, there are plenty of natural attractions for all kinds of travelers to explore. No matter if you are into adventure, wildlife or just to enjoy luxurious living, Costa Rica has everything for everyone.
The country is full of incredible places and a few of them are certainly unmissable. And to help you make the best of your trip to Costa Rica, we have put together a list of some unmissable places in the country that should definitely be on your radar.
Arenal volcano
Arenal volcano is one of the active volcanoes in the country that perfectly mimics the shape of a cone. The last major volcanic eruption was observed in 1968 and since then, every time it has erupted, the eruptions were considered very small. However, the volcano is not only the thrilling part of this region; in fact, this place is also recognized for all the adventurous things that you can do here. There is a small town La Fortuna that sits at the base of Arenal, where you can find tons of wonderful activities including zip-lining, jungle hiking, river rafting, caving, rappelling, etc. You can also take a dip in one of the steaming volcanic hot springs to get a spa-like feel.
Monteverde cloud forest reserve
Monteverde is a popular choice of tourist destination in Costa Rica for a lot of reasons. Not only it is one of the largest eco-tourism hubs in the country but it is also home to an elusive quetzal bird and that’s one of the reasons why such a huge crowd visits this cloud forest just to get a glimpse of this rare bird. The cloud forest reserve houses some of the most exotic species of birds, animals, and insects and besides that, it also boasts of astonishing natural beauty including lush green mountains and tropical jungle. You can also take part in fun activities in the reserve such as canopy tours and zip-lining.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is one of the most popular beach destinations in the country that boasts of white sand beaches and warm blue waters. Apart from all the stunning beaches, Manuel Antonio is also recognized for its national park which is not only great to view different types of native monkeys but also features some of the best hiking trails. You will be totally amazed to see how pristine the beaches are even after knowing the fact that this place sees a good crowd every year.
Tortuguero
Although this place is not the easiest to reach, visiting it is definitely worth all your time and effort. You can visit this national park via boat or plane. The national park covers an area of 77,000 acres and also consists of several canals and rivers crisscrossing the jungle. The major highlighting feature about this place is the turtles that come along the shoreline to nest. A small village surrounded by the beach also forms a part of this amazing location where you can explore the mangroves and jungles.
Tamarindo
No matter if you are here for a family vacation or to enjoy eco-adventure, tamarindo is a place that caters to every need of all types of travelers. Tamarindo is one of the most developed and easy to access beach towns in the country which is a top destination among tourists for beach hopping, surfing, and good times. There are several food and accommodation options that vary from affordable to luxurious ones. This town has a very laid back and relaxing atmosphere which allows the visitors to just chill and enjoy the breathtaking views of this beautiful place.
