Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a nature and adventure traveler’s paradise. With lush rainforests, towering volcanoes, hundreds of precious, often endangered animal and wildlife species, and miles of spectacular sandy beaches, Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.

Some of the most famous sights in the country are its ecological wonders, including:
1. Manuel Antonio National Park, which has over 350 different plant species and 109 mammal species like sloths, coatis and many endangered species of monkeys, as well as pristine beaches which offer excellent snorkeling opportunities.
2. Monteverde Cloud Forest, a distinctive mountain rainforest that is home to nearly 3,000 species of animals and plants, and where humidity is always 100%.
3. Arenal Volcano National Park, with its majestic volcano surrounded by lush tropical rainforests.
4. Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, which was declared ‘one of the most biologically intense places on Earth’ by National Geographic magazine.
5. Cahuita National Park, where you can snorkel on the most important reef in Costa Rica, observing 35 different species of coral, 123 species of tropical fish, 3 species of sharks, 6 species of moray eels, 3 species of urchins, 140 species of mollusks, 44 of crustaceans, 128 of algae, sea turtles, sea cucumbers, sea sponges, lobsters, shrimps, among others.
6. Tortuguero National Park, which is one of the most important nesting areas in the western hemisphere for the endangered green turtle.

Adventure seekers can partake in a wide variety of sports in Costa Rica, from white water rafting to waterfall rapelling, hiking, ziplining, ATV riding, surfing and snorkeling.

Destinations

Key sights to see

Arenal Volcano National Park

The Arenal Volcano National Park in the north of Costa Rica is perfect for nature-loving visitors who can enjoy the region’s many riches. The majestic volcano is covered with lush tropical rainforest and surrounded by hills. Visitors can partake in several activities from rope climbing, to hiking in the tropical rain forest, horseback riding, white water rafting, and soaking in natural hot springs.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica´s smallest national park, but is incredibly rich in biodiversity. It is home to over 350 different plant species, 184 species of birds and 109 different mammal species. The park also has four pristine beaches, where visitors can snorkel and observe wildlife, and the small town of Manuel Antonio has nice bars and restaurants with a view of the Pacific Ocean.

Papagayo Peninsula, Guanacaste

A popular and luxurious vacation destination in northwestern Guanacaste province, the Papagayo Peninsula is an exclusive enclosed community with upscale resorts, private residences, a beach club, and a golf course, in a rich tropical setting overlooking the Pacific. It is a paradise for nature lovers and those who love water sports like swimming, snorkeling, surfing, sea kayaking, parasailing, and more.

Tamarindo, Guanacaste

Located on the north Pacific Coast, in the Guanacaste region, Tamarindo has grown from a simple fishing village to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica owing to its crystal clear turquoise waters, great waves (perfect for learning surfing), spectacular beaches, and pristine weather. The resort town also has several bars and restaurants, an active nightlife, and a wide range of accommodations from budget hotels to luxury resorts.

Monteverde Cloud Forest

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has been recognized as one of the "seven natural wonders of Costa Rica." Low hanging clouds in the form of fog hover around the upper canopy of the forest, enabling visitors to have the experience of actually walking through the clouds on a suspension bridge at the edge of the canopy. The park has six ecological zone and is home to a vast number of species of birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula

Declared ‘one of the most biologically intense places on earth’ by National Geographic Magazine, Corcovado Park has the largest expanse of lowland tropical rainforest in Central America and one of the tallest rainforests in the world, and is home to many of the country's endangered bird and animal species. Other key sights on the Osa Peninsula include Drake Bay and Cabo Matapalo, which have spectacular beaches and great waves for surfing.

Tortuguero National Park, Limon

The stunning Tortuguero National Park, which means 'Region of the Turtles' in Spanish, is a key nesting area for leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead sea turtles from March to mid-October. Visitors can view the turtles nesting with a certified guide, from the beach, or from a boat, canoe, or kayak off shore. The park is also a wildlife sanctuary for monkeys, jaguars, green macaws, tapirs, and a variety of other mammals, birds and reptiles.

Cahuita National Park, Limon

Cahuita National Park has extremely biodiverse ecosystems on land and in the sea. Visitors can snorkel on the most important reef in Costa Rica and observe up to 35 different species of coral, and a variety of tropical fish, sharks, eels, urchins, turtles, lobsters and other sea creatures or walk on the trail between Punta Cahuita and the town of Cahuita and observe several types of snakes (boas, bocarada, velvets, tinsel, micas) armadillos, raccoons, butterflies, birds and medicinal plants.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Limon

Set along the shore of the Caribbean sea, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca has become famous for its cultural allure, stunning white-sand beaches, surfing opportunities, tropical vegetation and proximity to national parks. The town has a strong Caribbean vibe with coconut rice, Reggaeton beats, colorful homes, beautiful beaches, several restaurants and bars, and a vibrant nightlife.

San José de Costa Rica

The city of San José, founded in 1738, is the capital of and the largest city in Costa Rica. The city has many cultural events, theatres, museums, as well as bars, restaurants and a lively nightlife. Some of the key sights in the city are the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica and Teatro Popular Melico Salazar, the pre-Colombian Gold Museum, and the beautiful Lankester Botanical Gardens.

Costa Rica

Destinations

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