Central America
Rainforest, volcanoes and two coasts, with some of the most accessible wildlife in the world.
Photo: Rhododendrites · CC BY-SA 4.0
Costa Rica is a small country in Central America, but it holds about five percent of the planet's biodiversity. Cloud forests, volcanoes, rainforest canals, dry forests and two oceans lie within a few hours of each other, and roughly a quarter of the land is protected.
The country has no army, a long tradition of democracy and conservation, and a laid-back philosophy known as pura vida. Tourism is well developed, with eco-lodges, guided walks, canopy tours and surf schools, so it is easy to visit even for first-time travellers.
San Jose is the capital and gateway, but most visitors head straight for the volcano and hot springs at Arenal, the cloud forest at Monteverde, or the beaches of the Pacific. For wilder experiences, the Caribbean canals of Tortuguero and the remote Osa Peninsula are among the best wildlife destinations in the Americas.
Where to go
Ordered roughly by how strongly we would recommend them for a first visit.
Alajuela Province, northern Costa Rica
An adventure hub at the foot of Arenal Volcano, with La Fortuna Waterfall, natural hot springs, hanging bridges, Lake Arenal and wildlife.
Don't miss Soaking in a warm river as the Arenal volcano towers overhead.
Explore Destination — Arenal and La FortunaPuntarenas Province, Tilaran Mountains
A high-altitude cloud forest community with biodiversity reserves, canopy walks, ziplines, night walks and coffee farms.
Don't miss Walking a hanging bridge through the clouds and spotting a resplendent quetzal.
Explore Destination — MonteverdePuntarenas Province, central Pacific coast
Costa Rica's most visited park, with beaches, forest trails, wildlife, rafting nearby and views from the hills of Quepos.
Don't miss Spotting a sloth overhead, then swimming at a hidden beach.
Explore Destination — Manuel AntonioLimon Province, northern Caribbean coast
A remote Caribbean national park of rainforest canals, turtle nesting beaches, caimans, monkeys and birdlife.
Don't miss Watching a green turtle haul itself ashore to nest at night.
Explore Destination — TortugueroPuntarenas Province, southern Pacific coast
A remote peninsula holding Corcovado National Park, one of the last large tracts of Pacific lowland rainforest, with Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez as bases.
Don't miss Walking at dawn on a remote beach with scarlet macaws overhead.
Explore Destination — Corcovado and the Osa PeninsulaGuanacaste Province, north-west Pacific coast
The most developed beach area of Costa Rica, with surfing at Tamarindo, quieter beaches like Conchal and Flamingo, turtle nesting and the Guanacaste dry forest.
Don't miss Catching a sunset surf lesson, then dinner on the sand.
Explore Destination — Tamarindo and GuanacasteLimon Province, Caribbean coast
A relaxed stretch of coast with Cahuita National Park, Punta Uva, surf at Salsa Brava, chocolate tours and Afro-Caribbean food.
Don't miss Cycling along the coast to a black-sand beach with howler monkeys overhead.
Explore Destination — Puerto Viejo and CahuitaSan Jose Province, Central Valley
Costa Rica's capital and transport hub, with the National Theatre, gold museum, central market and day trips to volcanoes and coffee farms.
Don't miss Sipping coffee at a market, then visiting the gold museum under the National Theatre's dome.
Explore Destination — San JoseGuanacaste Province, north-west Costa Rica
A national park around an active volcano, with fumaroles, waterfalls, hot springs, canopy tours and horseback rides.
Don't miss Soaking in a volcanic stream after a morning on the waterfall trail.
Explore Destination — Rincon de la ViejaPuntarenas Province, Nicoya Peninsula
A rugged southern Nicoya coast with Santa Teresa, Malpais, Montezuma, waterfalls and some of the best surf in Costa Rica.
Don't miss Surfing at sunrise, then eating fresh fish on the sand.
Explore Destination — Santa Teresa and the Nicoya PeninsulaExperiences
The experiences that recur across the country and are worth planning around.
Sloths, monkeys, toucans and macaws.
Tip Hire a naturalist guide.
Hanging bridges and misty trails.
Tip Go early.
Volcano-heated pools.
Tip Go in the evening.
Warm water and friendly waves.
Tip Choose a certified school.
At Tortuguero and Pacific beaches.
Tip Follow strict rules.
From bean to cup.
Tip Book a morning visit.
White-water on the Pacuare or Balsa.
Tip Choose a reputable operator.
Food and drink
Costa Rican food is simple and fresh, built on rice, beans, plantain and fruit, with Caribbean touches on the east coast.
Rice and black beans fried together, the national breakfast.
Where to try it Sodas and hotels everywhere.
A set plate of rice, beans, salad, plantain and meat or fish.
Where to try it Local sodas.
Raw fish cured in lime.
Where to try it Coastal restaurants.
Fried plantain slices.
Where to try it Snack stalls.
Some of the world's best arabica.
Where to try it Cafes and farms.
A Caribbean coconut seafood stew.
Where to try it Limon province.
Before you go
The essentials, current for 2026. Costa Rica is welcoming and straightforward, but check official sources before travelling.
Excludes international flights. Figures are typical rather than absolute — cities and peak season run higher.
When to go
The dry season runs from December to April and is the most popular time to visit.
Dry, sunny and busy.
Green and quiet.
Wet afternoons, cheaper prices.
Wettest month on much of the Pacific.
Worth planning around: September and October on the Pacific side, when roads can flood.
Trip length
Costa Rica is small, but roads are slow. Two or three bases are plenty.
Getting around
Shuttles and rental cars are the most flexible, buses the cheapest. Domestic flights save time.
Sample route
Volcanoes, cloud forest, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
Culture
Costa Ricans, called Ticos, are friendly, easygoing and proud of their peaceful, green country. The phrase pura vida means pure life and is used as hello, goodbye and thank you.
It is the national greeting.
Life runs on tico time.
But cover up in towns.
Keep to trails.
A little goes a long way.
A smile and hola.
Travel tips
The things that most often catch visitors out in Costa Rica.
FAQ
Generally yes, with normal care against theft and rip currents.
Ten to fourteen days for a good trip.
Many nationalities do not for stays up to 90 days, but check.
December to April for dry weather, May to November for green season savings.
It is moderate to high for Central America.
Yes, widely, but colones are better for small purchases.
The full travel guide covers routes, budgets, regional differences and how to string these ten destinations into a trip that actually works.
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