A suspended walkway in the Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica
Walk through clouds and canopies in Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Photo Credit: Getty Images

8 Enticing Natural Attractions in Costa Rica

Monteverde Cloud Forest

The tiny town of Monteverde is located in a mountainous area and surrounded by lush forest wreathed in wispy clouds. As soon as you set foot in the jungle here, you’ll be immersed in cloud-drenched greenery.

Making your way through the Monteverde Cloud Forest you might spot all kinds of wildlife, but it’s the plant life that steals the show — the ferns and orchids on display have a delicate beauty that seems all the more mystical in the clouds.

Suspended walkways take you through the forest canopy, but if you want to kick your jungle exploration up a notch and experience a quintessential aspect of Costa Rica tourism, you can also choose to zip-line your way through the treetops instead.

A sloth crawls on the beach in CahuitaMake some new friends of the furry variety in Cahuita. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Cahuita

Cahuita is a sleepy little town that epitomizes the laid-back, chill and Creole culture of the Caribbean. Cahuita village is also a gateway to Cahuita National Park, where you can spot toucans and sloths in between exploring the white-sand beach or snorkeling the coral reefs.

For an up-close view of the adorable forest inhabitants, the nearby sloth sanctuary is a top Costa Rica destination for animal lovers. It’s impossible not to fall in love with the slow-moving creatures with perpetual smiles.

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a bicycle sits in front of a palm tree in puerto viejo costa ricaTwo wheels or two feet are the best modes of transport in Puerto Viejo. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

The Salsa Brava surf break and black sands of Playa Negra draw in the kind of travelers who are happiest barefoot and are burnished bronze by the sun, but beneath the laid-back vibes thrums a party spirit. There is a whiff of hedonism about the town, emanating primarily from the bamboo bars that blast reggae music.

Despite this, dirt roads and spicy Caribbean stews still flavor the town and it maintains its easy charm.

Puerto Viejo is a great little base for exploring the area. A short bicycle ride south will take you to the quieter beach of Manzanillo, and the nearby Jaguar Rescue Center is a great point of interest in Costa Rica for big-cat enthusiasts.

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