Costa Rica Travel Guide

Browse 508 travel reviews, 788 travel blogs and 20,420 travel photos from real travelers to Costa Rica.

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Costa Rica Overview

As far as Central American countries go, there are few that can boast the beauty and majesty of Costa Rica. The word itself is Spanish for “rich coast”, and the lush vegetation and tropical paradise that surround you at every step while in this beautiful country is testament to the definition. Boasting a dizzying array of landscapes from volcanoes, tropical and temperate forests, rain forests, beaches along both the Caribbean and Pacific, marshes, mountains, and more, Costa Rica is an action-packed destination for any level of traveler. With so much to do in every corner of this country boread moreredom will never come!

Probably the most popular destination on the planet for eco-tourists specifically due to the diversity of plant and animal life, it has been estimated by experts that the country contains as much a 6% of the entire world’s plant and animal life. In addition, the Costa Rican way of life has been described as one of the most relaxed on the planet, rivaling that of the Mediterranean coastal regions of Italy and Greece. For the ultimate Central American experience, Costa Rica is hands-down the grand finale.

For the ultimate outdoor experience, veteran backpackers or even enthusiasts can explore close to a dozen national parks within the country, ranging from the Cahuita National Park to the Arenal Volcano or the Monteverde and Santa Elenea Cloud Forest Reserves. Coffee lovers can enjoy the plantations of Heredia, while beach lovers can head over to Cahuita or Pueorto Viejo de Talamanca. For the classic experience visitors can head straight to San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, where the variety of shopping centers, cafés, restaurants, coffee houses, and more, can provide you with an exhilarating and breath-taking Costa Rican holiday.

Costa Rica is a country that is impossible to enjoy with just one trip. It would take dozens, if not more, visits to this Central American paradise to take it all in, and it is recommended you take at least 2 to 3 weeks for your first time, simply to get a glimpse into Costa Rican life.

San Jose #1 most popular location
Costa Rica’s clunky capital is often dismissed as a dirty necessity on route to the country’s more notable beaches and jungles. If you’re on a flying visit to Costa Rica on the whole, y…
160travelers 86reviews 98blogs
La Fortuna #2 most popular location
One of the most intimate mountain destinations for travelers seeking that extra-special something that sets the destination apart from the major tourist hubs is La Fortuna de San Carlos, othe…
5travelers 48reviews 56blogs
Manuel Antonio #3 most popular location
A beautiful village nestled in the rainforest on the pacific coast of Costa Rica. Relatively small, this village is accessed only through Quepos where you can either catch a bus in or drive. …
11travelers 42reviews 35blogs
Jaco #4 most popular location
Jaco is a rapidly expanding town on the pacific side of Costa Rica. Home to a large ex-pat community and a surfing culture. If you are looking for a quiet off the beaten track time then Jacoi…
13travelers 26reviews 20blogs
Monteverde #5 most popular location
The Monte Verde cloud forest reserve is a green island in the top of the mountain. Most of the mountain's Pacific side is deforested and used for cattle feed, but east side is generally prote…
9travelers 24reviews 47blogs
Puerto Viejo #6 most popular location
Puerto Viejo is a small town stretched on the Caribbean coastline of Costa Rica, close to the Panama boarder. The town is very popular by surfers and backpackers, and affordable hostels, rest…
11travelers 41reviews 38blogs
Tamarindo #7 most popular location
Tamarindo is a beaultiful location in the Guancaste region of Costa Rica. It has everything for the adventure traveler. Whether you are looking for a relaxing vacation on the beach, want to …
14travelers 21reviews 20blogs
Quepos #8 most popular location
Quepos is a small town that serves as the entrance to Manuel Antonio. While it may not be the most picturesque town encountered in Costa Rica it certainly has character and is home to a large…
5travelers 19reviews 22blogs
Alajuela #9 most popular location
9travelers 11reviews 13blogs
Cahuita #10 most popular location
Cahuita is a small town on Costa Rica's southern Carribean coast, best known for its national park and its beaches. Cahuita is also a destination for surfers, backpackers and anyone looking f…
6travelers 14reviews 21blogs
Arenal #11 most popular location
The main reason to visit Arenal is to bask in the shadow of Volcan Arenal. The only volcano in Costa Rica to be constantly active since it woke up after 400 years after the big eruption back …
3travelers 9reviews 10blogs
Dominical #12 most popular location
Dominical is a cool little surfing town in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. There are lots of hostels and cabinas and places to rent and buy surfing equipment. I personally thought the …
6travelers 9reviews 6blogs
Tortuguero #13 most popular location
5travelers 6reviews 21blogs
Guanacaste #14 most popular location
7travelers 7reviews 4blogs
Samara #15 most popular location
2travelers 11reviews 9blogs
Santa Teresa #16 most popular location
Santa Teresa has a beautiful beach, perfect for surfing or just playing in the waves. Restaurants are plentiful. The trip to get to Santa Teresa can be a bit of a challenge (rough roads) bu…
2travelers 3reviews 3blogs
Heredia #17 most popular location
Larger town that keeps its small town feel due to being the home of the largest University in Costa Rica, National University of Costa Rica, which accepts many international students. Heredia…
11travelers 2reviews 20blogs
Montezuma #18 most popular location
Bohemian town that caters to tourism. Open cafes make the town appealing to backpackers from around the world which is very noticeable when the sun goes down and people return from the surf, …
5travelers 10reviews 7blogs
Liberia #19 most popular location
5travelers 2reviews 25blogs
Puntarenas #20 most popular location
A large bustling port town that serves as the main port on the pacific side of costa rica. Having improved vastly over the past couple of years it now has an attractive boardwalk area and sho…
5travelers 4reviews 4blogs
Cabuya #21 most popular location
1travelers 5reviews 1blogs
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca #22 most popular location
2travelers 4reviews 2blogs
Santa Elena #23 most popular location
1travelers 3reviews 11blogs
Jaco Beach #24 most popular location
1travelers 5reviews
Nosara #25 most popular location
Nosara is peace...no crowds, no kitschy touristy stuff, just surf and sand and some amazing yoga in the treetops with the howler monkeys. And coconut ice cream. Very safe. Everyone is frie…
3travelers 3reviews 1blogs
Turrialba #26 most popular location
2travelers 9blogs
Santa Ana #27 most popular location
2travelers 1reviews 4blogs
Uvita #28 most popular location
Uvita is just south of Dominical, Costa Rica. It is a small town situated in the Marino Ballena National Park - where you can see whales at certain times of the year. It provides a unique co…
1travelers 3reviews 2blogs
Playas Del Coco #29 most popular location
2reviews 1blogs
Mal Pais #30 most popular location
Mal Pais lies at the southeastern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in Puntarenas province. Although it is a small village and there are very little tourist attractions or services, hotels and dini…
2travelers 4reviews 5blogs
Puerto Jimenez #31 most popular location
3travelers 2reviews 4blogs
San Ramon #32 most popular location
San Ramon is a small city about 45 minutes from San Jose, . In the center of the city is a small park in front of Catholic church where the locals teens gather to meet after school. Small b…
1reviews 7blogs
Cartago #33 most popular location
2travelers 1reviews 9blogs
Puerto Limon #34 most popular location
2travelers 1reviews 3blogs
Punta Banco #35 most popular location
Punta Banco is a 200 person strong village, south of Pavones. It is accessible by either walking from Pavones (90 minutes) or by driving (30 minutes) along a pothole-ridden and often wet dirt…
6travelers 6reviews 18blogs
Sarapiqui #36 most popular location
1reviews 6blogs
Drake #37 most popular location
2reviews 5blogs
Volcan Arenal #38 most popular location
Volcan Arenal is a perfect stratovolcano and is actively erupting. During the day you will see plumes of smoke pouring out but the real fireworks start at night. This is when you can see lava…
2reviews 2blogs
Manzanillo Puerto Viejo #39 most popular location
2reviews 2blogs
Carate #40 most popular location
2travelers 1reviews 4blogs
Guapiles #41 most popular location
3blogs
Playa Samara #42 most popular location
1travelers 2reviews 3blogs
Playa del Coco #43 most popular location
2travelers 3blogs
Gandoca #44 most popular location
1reviews 2blogs