The ‘Rich Coast’ is a Nature Lover’s Playground
Costa Rica is a country of superlatives — the most beautiful beaches, the densest jungle and the most adorable animal population. In short, as one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, it’s a nature lover’s paradise.
For such a tiny country, Costa Rica really packs in the natural attractions, with everything from volcanoes to national parks teeming with monkeys and butterflies to long stretches of glorious sand on both the Pacific and Caribbean Coasts.
Whether you’re looking for a jungle adventure, unique wildlife experience, a dose of Caribbean surfing vibes or all of the above, you won’t be able to help falling in love with these Costa Rica points of interest.
Manuel Antonio National Park
When it comes to things to do in Costa Rica, exploring jungles is top of the list, and Manuel Antonio is one of the best places to do it. It is the smallest protected wilderness area in the country, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive.
Here both monkeys and jungle vines caper right down to the water’s edge, making the golden strips of sand sandwiched between ocean and forest a great place to lie back and spot wildlife.
Tortuguero
A tiny village only accessible by air or water, Tortuguero is surrounded by densely forested canal networks on one side, and open ocean on the other. The beaches here in Tortuguero National Park are famed nesting grounds for sea turtles — endangered green sea turtles, leatherbacks and hawksbills all nest here.
Visit at the right time of year (July and August are peak turtle months) and you can join a night walk to see the egg laying in action. If you’re lucky, you will witness the great turtles hauling themselves up the beach and digging a hole where they deposit their eggs.
When not trying to catch a glimpse of turtles, other Costa Rica attractions you can partake in are guided canoe or kayak excursions, which explore more of the waterways surrounding the village.
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Arenal Volcano
The active Arenal Volcano presides over Costa Rica’s largest lake, waterfall-filled rainforests and the sweet little town of Fortuna. The area is a hot spot (literally — you may witness a small eruption while you’re there) for adventure activities.
If you’re looking for activities in Costa Rica of a more active nature, there is plenty of hiking to be done in this area. Walking through the Arenal Volcano National Park, you’ll stumble across old lava flows and dozens of coatis. La Fortuna Waterfall is a short hike suitable for all ages and fitness levels. After around 15 minutes of walking you’ll be rewarded with views of one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country.
You can balance out adventure with relaxation by visiting the thermal pools at Baldi hot springs, where you can soothe any aching muscles at the end of the day.
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.
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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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.
Corcovado National Park
A misty rainforest alive with the buzzing of insects and chirping of birds, Corcovado National Park is one of the more remote corners of Costa Rica, located on the Osa Peninsula. It is also one of the most significant tracts of original tropical forest in Central America, sheltering around half of Costa Rica’s animal species.
Here you can spot tapirs, jaguars, macaws and howler monkeys among the dense, verdant foliage. If you’re seeking an immersive jungle experience away from the main tourist haunts, this is one of Costa Rica’s top attractions.
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Montezuma
Colorful, friendly and treacle-slow, Montezuma embraces you with surf beaches and an artsy Rasta culture. Most of the people here seem to have a surfboard tucked under their arm, but even for the non-surfers there is plenty to do: take yoga classes with jungle views, hike to the nearby Montezuma Waterfalls and cool off in their refreshing spray, or simply relax in a veggie-friendly cafe.
To venture further afield, you can hire an ATV and cruise to the Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve, or follow the sandy roads over the peninsula to the tiny town of Santa Teresa, a surfing hot spot with a long white beach.