Costa Rica is a tropical place where people live and work by the beach, stopping off on jungle hikes on their way to and from work or school. Costa Rica’s coasts are incredibly beautiful. Backpackers from all over the world make their way to Costa Rica to go surfing.    You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for the best places in Costa Rica to visit. Our list of ten incredible Costa Rica travel destinations will amaze you.

Number 10. Mal Pais and Santa Teresa

Located on the Nicoya Peninsula, Mal Pais is known for its great waves, which draw surfers from around the world. There are a number of villages and beaches along the Mal Pais, including Mal Pais and Manzanillo. Backpackers, surfers, and tourists who wish they had planned a longer vacation live in the area today. Compared to Dominical, this area is more trendy and has more of a scene, and the development has given it a more upscale appearance.

Number 9. Playa Jaco

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If you want to get out of San Jose without giving up the comforts and amenities of a larger city or town, Jaco is a great choice. There is an active vibe on this beach, and it is spacious and pleasant. This stretch of coast has smaller waves than other parts, which makes surfing and swimming really enjoyable. In addition to its good restaurants and hotels, Jaco’s modern apartments and stores set it apart from other coastal towns along this stretch of the Pacific.

Number 8. San Jose

Costa Rica’s largest city, San Jose, offers accommodations, shopping, dining, nightlife, arts and culture, and is surrounded by lush green valleys and mountains. Easily explored by walking, taxis and buses, the vibrant city occupies a plateau in the country’s geographical centre, making it a great base for exploring other destinations in Costa Rica. There are landmarks, government buildings, cultural venues, and noisy traffic in the city’s downtown area, which combines historic Spanish architecture with modern-day architecture. In San Jose, you can learn about the country’s history, culture, art, and wildlife at a number of museums. There are also a number of performing arts centres and theatres in San Jose that present concerts, dances, and plays throughout the year, including the  National Theater, one of the country’s most impressive architectural landmarks. One of Central America’s largest malls, the San Pedro Mall, is also a popular shopping destination for tourists.

Number 7. Tamarindo

Tamarindo is an action-packed beach town where you can settle for a while. Tamarindo is a top surfing, beach, and fun destination on the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste. Originally a fishing village, the town has grown into a tourist destination with a wide range of restaurants and hotels. The town is located along Tamarindo Beach, a wide crescent-shaped beach that stretches approximately 1.5 kilometres long. The area is known for its surfing breaks, which are suitable for both experienced and beginner surfers. In November and December, there are usually the biggest waves.

Number 6. Chirripo National Park

Chirripo National Park is a treasure trove for ecotourists and nature lovers since it covers three provinces in southern Costa Rica, Limón, Cartago, and San Jose. The national park, named after the country’s highest mountain, Cerro Chirripó, is characterized by ttreeless mountain plateaus, fern groves, marshes, lush rainforest and glacial lakes. Among its most notable attractions are the La Amistad International Park Cloudforest, Rabbit Valley, Monte Sin Fe and Cerro Terbi, all of which offer breathtaking views. 

Number 5. Corcovado National Park

Often called the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s national park system, the Corcovado National Park offers so many excellent wildlife viewing opportunities that you’re guaranteed to see plenty of wildlife here. Situated on the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica, Corcovado National Park harbours several major ecosystems that include mangrove swamps, rainforest, palm forest and cloud forest in addition to beaches and coastal habitats. The park offers several hiking trails, making it easier for visitors to see some of Costa Rica’s most elusive and rare species, including red-backed squirrel monkeys, jaguars, harpy eagles, white-lipped peccaries, and Baird’s tapirs than anywhere else in the country. Numerous types of birds can also be seen, as well as ocelots, pumas, sloths, coatis, monkeys (howlers, spider monkeys, and white-faced capuchins), poison dart frogs, and glass frogs.

Number 4. Manuel Antonio National Park

Since it is easily accessible from San Jose, Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica’s most visited national park. Visitors can enjoy the park’s beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and activities. Located on Costa Rica’s mid-Pacific coast near the city of Quepos, Manuel Antonio is renowned for its lush rainforests, white sandy beaches and beautiful coral reefs, which make it an ideal destination for families, backpackers, surfers, snorkelers, birders and ecotourists alike.

Number 3. Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park, located in northeastern Costa Rica and accessible only by boat or airplane, is one of the most visited national parks in the country. Sea turtles nest and hatch on the park’s beach, making it one of the most important turtle sanctuaries in the western Caribbean. Known for its wet, tropical climate, Tortuguero National Park is a paradise for nature lovers with its rainforests, wetlands, mangroves, beaches, canals, and lagoons, all of which are teeming with wildlife and plants. One of the most popular activities here is a guided walk on the beach where you can see turtles nesting and hatchlings racing to the sea. The best time to view green and hawksbill turtles is between July and October, while the nesting season for leatherback turtles is from February to April.

Number 2. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Tropical jungles and lush green mountains ring with the sounds of exotic birds, animals, reptiles, and insects. This is the enchanting setting of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Due to its breathtaking natural beauty, extraordinary biodiversity, and abundance of activities, this reserve is one of Costa Rica’s most sought-after tourist destinations. The reserve is accessible by bus from Monteverde, which has a small lodge, restaurant, and gift shop. Hiking among the numerous trails here and admiring waterfalls and exotic flowers and plants is one of the most popular activities. Among the wildlife species, you can see are tapirs, agoutis, frogs, wild pigs, monkeys, porcupines, butterflies, and the rare resplendent quetzel, a bird regarded by the Mayans as sacred. You can also experience the cloud forest and its abundance of wildlife on horseback, on canopy tours over the treetops, and on Sky Walks over suspension bridges.

Number 1.  Arenal Volcano (Volcan Arenal)

Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the best volcano viewing areas in the country, located in the rugged Cordillera de Tilarán. Arenal Volcano, a cone-shaped mountain with huge ash columns that periodically flow from its crater, is the main attraction here. Arenal lay dormant between AD 1500 and 1968, when it erupted violently on July 29, 1968, killing 82 people and destroying two villages. It has been regularly active since then, and visitors can expect to see everything from ash clouds to glowing red lava flowing down the mountain depending on the day.