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My Favorite Destinations in Costa Rica

favourite destinations in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the most visited countries in Central America. American tourists have been flocking to the country for years, and it’s become a hot spot for retirees and expats due to its cheap living, great weather, amazing beaches, and friendly locals. I’ve been to the country twice and have absolutely loved it both times. It’s actually one of my top five favorite places in the world. Because it’s not as cheap as its neighbors, many budget travelers skip over Costa Rica. But in my opinion, the beauty of the destinations below is worth the extra price:

Puerto Viejo
puerto viejo
Located on the Caribbean coast, this city is popular with young people and backpackers because of its great beaches, surfing, and party atmosphere. The town is very lively, and you’ll find something going on every night. It’s probably the most popular destination on the Caribbean coast. There are also many quiet beach hotels around for those who are looking for some peace and quiet.

READ MORE: How to explore Costa Rica’s beautiful Caribbean coast

Cahuita
puerto viejo
Cahuita, a tiny town situated right next to a stunning national park with the same name, is about an hour north of Puerto Viejo. Cahuita is a place to relax. There’s one bar in town that gets lively (sometimes it’s half full!), but for the most part, after a day of hiking, animal spotting, swimming, or surfing, most people just sit around and read.

Torteguero
puerto viejo
Tortuguero, the Costa Rican version of the Amazon rainforest, dominates the northern coast. This massive area is a series of rivers and canals that crisscross the jungle. The biggest draws to this area are the large numbers of turtles (hence the name Tortuguero) that come to nest along the shoreline. The best time to see them nesting is in April and May, but if you’re visiting during the off-season, you’ll still be able to go hiking and participate in canal cruises. There’s lots of wildlife to see year-round.

Corcovado
puerto viejo
Corcovado National Park is on the remote Osa peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica. Though more popular than it used to be, it’s still a very rugged, quiet, and off-the-beaten-path destination in a country where almost everything is on the beaten path. The peninsula is not easy to get to (which helps keep tourists away), but your efforts will be greatly rewarded with deserted beaches, tons of wildlife, great hiking, camping, and lots of marine life. It’s one of the best places in the country.

Arenal
puerto viejo
Arenal, one of Costa Rica’s many volcanoes, still erupts from time to time. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see lava flowing down the volcano. (Don’t worry! The lava just oozes — no huge explosions. It’s completely safe to visit.) The area also has a great waterfall (La Fortuna), a national park with great hiking, sunset views over the lake, outdoor activities, and famous hot springs. With so much to do, it’s no wonder it’s one of the most visited places in the country.

READ MORE: How to visit and explore Arenal

Manuel Antonio
puerto viejo
A popular beach destination on the Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio’s wide, white-sand beaches and warm blue waters aren’t the only attractions people come for. A nearby national park with great hiking trails, a number of secluded beaches to choose from, and the chance to view three different kinds of native monkeys are all additional reasons for visiting this beautiful area in Costa Rica.

READ MORE: What to see and do in Manuel Antonio

Monteverde
puerto viejoThe nation’s premier cloud forest is the home to the elusive quetzal birds. Most people come to Monteverde for a glimpse of this rare bird. Monteverde, which rests right on the continental divide, experiences high winds and unusual weather patterns. The entire area is very green and wet. Witness it all on a zip-line adventure through the tree canopy or explore some of the sky bridges in the area.

READ MORE: What to see and do in Monteverde

Poas Volcano
puerto viejo
A great day trip from San José, Poas Volcano is a dormant volcano with twin calderas filled with sulfur lakes. The lakes are so still, you’ll look at your picture and think you painted the color on. There are some small trails around the area too. Arrive early in the morning to avoid the clouds closing in and ruining the view.

Santa Teresa
puerto viejoAt the bottom of the Nicoya coast is the hippie backpacker town of Santa Teresa. This “town” is really nothing more than a beach with a road lined with eateries, yoga centers, surf shops, and hostels. Everyone gets up early to hit the waves, so the overall atmosphere in town is pretty relaxed. You won’t find a lot of crazy parties here. Santa Teresa is a good place to lie on the beach, hang out with people, and relax. Because of the “chill” vibe, many people end up staying in Santa Teresa for weeks, and even months, on end.

Everything in Costa Rica is a bit touristy, but despite the crowds, it is a land filled with diverse wildlife and great natural beauty. The two times I’ve been here won’t be the last. I never get tired of jungles, white-sand beaches, amazing sunsets, and warm, clear water.

If you’re planning your trip there, visit my guide to planning a trip to Costa Rica. You’ll find everything you need in one place.

Related Posts

  1. Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast
  2. Costa Rica’s Cahuita National Park
  3. The Cost of Traveling Costa Rica

  1. I had always heard of Costa Rica being great, but since I always go to Mexico (where my family is), I haven’t really given it much thought. I will definitely have to add it to my to-go list. I like the fact that it seems to not be overrun by American hotels and resorts sort of the way Mexico is.

    • There are many places where it is overrun with Americans but there are also many places where you can check into quiet little bungalows away from the crowds.

      • I wonder what you would think of Santa Teresa now. IT is VERY touristy, but also very beautiful. Sooooo many yoga yoga yoga…I love your site. I loved Santa Teresa so much I wanted to move there. I might still do it, but like you said, ONce you go up and down that ONE street so much, it is more or less a great central location to take busses to Nicaragua, Panama, etc. and even explore the Caribbean side.

      • Matt and others,

        I am considering a trip to Santa Teresa in March. I am curious how the tourist scene measures up against places in Baja Mexico (e.g. Todos Santos, Pescadero).

        thank you-
        Tracy

  2. Awesome! I might be going there with my family in Dec. so I will have to use all your posts esp. this one as a guide 🙂 Also, starting Spanish classes in April, so will have to practice!

  4. did you stay at Rocking Jay’s in Puerto Viejo? I spent a week completely lounged out there with my wife and brother, snorkeling and spearfishing by day. Manuel Antonio was amazing for the consistency of the waves for body surfing…we spent 3 weeks in a cabana body surfing, eating ceviche and sneaking into the national park!

    • I did stay at Rocking J’s though that place was not rocking when I went there. I could see the potential but it was very quiet.

  5. We were going to skip through Costa Rica as it’s expensive (compared to the rest of Central America) but after talking to the Globetrotter Girls we’ve decided to head to Puerto Viejo next week. Looking forward to exploring the quieter beaches outside of town and walking in the Cahuita national park. To be honest it doesn’t look much more expensive than Bocas del Toro in Panama, where we currently are.

    • Bocas is pretty expensive. Did you see the Globtrotter Girls there? We spent some time traveling together when I was down there. Great people.

  6. Can’t tell you how I miss it also, on your recent travel there have you noticed a higher number of expats living there?

    • Yeah, there were a lot more expats living there than the last time I was there. Still a great destination.

  8. I’m one of those fools who sees the cute monkey in Cahuita and thinks the whole place is a giant petting zoo. The best places to visit involve lush vegetation that includes fascinating (and hopefully friendly) wildlife.

  9. Did you visit Aviarios Sloth Sanctuary in Cahuita? Anyone interested in volunteering with sloths for 2 weeks or more there, should check out my blog or contact me! Cahuita is a very nice town, great National Park and be sure to do a horseback ride on the beach! Ahhhh Costa Rica

  11. I like the “towns” of backpackers. I normally am a “daytripper” but it happend to me to stay some times in these places. It was a very nice experience. All friendly persons, tents all open for everybody, etc etc I was very impressed that there is a place so as it has to be…

  13. Nice to see you pointing out the gems Matt. Many people are talking about how developed Costa Rica is these days, but there are so many great spots, and actually there are great rural community and farm experiences to be had too, to expose people to the culture. I’ve spent a lot of time in the country so I’m partial to it myself and want people to know what’s good there. Also, if you want to be guaranteed to see the Quetzal, Savegre – another cloud forest area in the south-central part of the country (between San Jose and Dominical) is the best place to see it. But Monteverde is an amazing cloud forest experience not to be missed.

  15. Great list of destinations! I traveled all over Costa Rica before finally settling here in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, in 2005. I’ve been blogging about it ever since. Pura vida!!

  16. Great blog. Just adding a few thoughts from my personal experience in Costa Rica

    1. Corcovado: Yes, worth it, but to my (unpleasant) surprise, most of the trails are through secondary, not primary rain forest.

    2. Monteverde: beautiful but you are herded through a narrow, cordoned single one way track/walkway, so very much a sanitised feel to the experience. For the best nature experience nothing beat Carara National Park (very few people, you can go off trail, etc).

    3. Arenal: was shrouded in mist down to the base: couldn’t see a thing. The guide cheerily informed us no one else had either for the past few months. The clouds apparently clear only when ‘the moon aligns with mars and jupiter is in the seventh house’ : rarely to never.

    • Where is a nice and safe place for a older single lady to stay. I love rain forest, hiking. I’m active.

  17. Great list. I lived there for 5 years and explored the entire country. It is hard to narrow down a list that is for sure! Monteverde and Puerto Viejo although quite different from one another are on the tops of my lists as well!

  18. All of my husbands family have moved to costa! My brother in-law lives in Cahuita (incredibly happy to see that it is featured on your blog) Cahuita is one of my most favorite places to visit! It is gorgeous, peaceful, and very few tourists. They have a variety of delicious restaurants, and the authentic jamaican pattys (I believe only on the weekends) at the street cart are phenomenal! Can’t wait to go back!

  19. I am a 46 yr old woman who works in the public school system. For the past couple years I have desired to live in a different country each summer while I am not working. My plan is to start next summer. In preparation, I am taking a 12 day trip with my middle son (who is 20) to Costa Rica this summer. We will be staying in 4 different places over the 12 days and doing everything from lazy beach days to rappeling down waterfalls,stand up paddle boarding, snorkeling, kayaking, canyoneering, canopy ziplines, 4 wheel adventures, and thermal hot springs. We will be staying at Arenal Springs Resort and Spa (LaFortuna), Hidden Canopy Treehouses Boutique (Monteverde) , Villas Playa Samara (Samara), and finally Hotel Ramada Plaza (San Jose). I realize we are going the “tourist” route and likely paying much more than we really need to. My hope is to get connected with someone I can trust so that next summer I can go back with my 20 yr old and my 9 yr old and live there for 6-10 weeks, rent a car (or take public transportation) and have an adventurous, lazy, “local” experience. The plane ticket is about $1000/per person (round trip) so we will need to live a little more on the cheap while we are there next summer. If anyone has suggestions for someone I could work with to actually live there with one minor and one adult child that would be much appreciated.

    • I lived in Costa Rica for 10 years. It was a lovely experience, although now it is a lot more expensive and the central valley is very crowded and congested with traffic.
      If you want to live in the country, there are a number of American Schools that are always looking for teachers. Sometimes they recruit in the USA, but you could also stop by talk to the staff.

  20. Headed to Costa Rica with 2 teenagers in the spring. We will be going to Monteverde and Manuel Antonio. I’m concerned about the touristy aspect of Manuel Antonio and wonder if there are any good places to head in the area away from the crowds – or maybe a better beach area to visit…

  21. Hi Matt,
    do you have any suggestions for places to explore for a home base, like renting a home and near a good town? Also, do you know if one can travel there on a one way ticket? What’s the best way to get around? busses, or do they have trains? I will only have about 3 weeks there, which two places on your list are closest together? I feel like I’d like to choose a couple of places and get to know them well.
    Thanks! L

  22. Just recently got back from a trip to Guanacaste in the Northwest section of Costa Rica. We also took a day trip to Nicaragua – what a trip. Would definitely go back to Costa Rica!

  23. Hey Matt,

    We are planning on a romantic getaway to CR coming January and this would be our first visit to CR. I would like to know which places you suggest we cover in our first visit. It seems highly impossible to cover all the great places in CR in span of 7 days. I would love to do the adventure sports and the jungle tours there. What do you suggest?

    P.S
    Fabulous job on the travelogs and thanks a lot! Glad to have found your site…

  24. Are there any places for snorkeling ? Not all your followers are young. My friends and I are in our 50’s and we are looking somewhere to go where its tropical with jungle style and then also ocean where you can snorkel and find clear calm water. Is this the place or is there another place you can suggest besides Hawaii. Can’t afford it’s prices.

    • I’m not sure what youth has to do with this list??? Anyways, there’s a lot of snorkeling in Costa Rica. I’d try the Corcovado region of the country.

  25. Hi,

    Great list! Thank you for taking the time to
    put that together. Very informative.

    I was wondering how you got around. Did you
    rent a car or take taxis? Are taxis safe? Just don’t
    want to get ripped off by taxi drivers. I’m fluent in
    Spanish (Colombian mother) and am hoping that
    helps.

    Thanks,
    Natalie

  26. Hey Matt, I have an internet based business and can work from my laptop. I want to go to Costa Rica in February of 2014, and find a place within a short walk to the water, with strong internet so I can work from my spot. I am looking to rent a place for a month, any suggestions as to which town would be friendly to my needs here? I will also be bringing my guitar, singing and playing music, so am looking for a place to stay that is relatively private so as to not bother anyone.

  27. Hey Matt,
    My wife and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary in Feb. and planning to go to Costa Rica. We have a week and want to split our time between 2 hotels, one in Tortuguero and the other in Puntarenas on the total other side. My question will it be easy to travel across and not waste to much time and should we rent a truck? 2 part question. Thanks for the help..

    • I’m from Costa Rica. I recommend you to go to Guanacaste instead of Puntarenas. It has the most beautiful beaches of the country.

      • Hi !
        I am going to Costa Rica for a few months and looking for a small budget priced self contained cabin or loft to rent, in a safe area. I am looking around the Tamarindo area, as I’ve read the surf is good and close to services.

        Any suggestions?

  29. Matt,
    Hi! thanks for everything! we are planning to visit panama-costa rica with a low budget and we have seen that it is possible in your blog but we think that maybe the Caribbean part of Colombia is cheaper. Is it?? We don’t know what to do. Last year we went to Ecuador and we found it cheap. we are from Argentina!

  30. Hi Matt, thanks for this great list! I’ll be going to Monteverde next year for the first time. I’m struggling to figure out the best way to really experience it. Any thoughts on taking a guided walk vs. zip lining vs. hanging bridge walk? There are so many options!

  31. Ignore this post and ask a local. You will miss out on A LOT based on this little post. Go to couchsurfing.com and ask us Costarricans 😉

  32. I have always wanted to come to Costa Rica. This year has been a major struggle. I would like to come and do some soul-searching. I love the beach, love seashells! Not real big on tourists but don’t want to be isolated completely. I am planning to spend a month there. Where would you recommend I go?

  33. Hey Matt! Do you have any recommendations for places to stay in Santa Teresa? Everything I’ve found so far has been above my budget, even hostels. I know that this place has blown up in popularity so maybe that’s just what things cost now, but wondering if you know of anything that works for a shoestring budget. No luxury or fanciness required.

  34. We’re heading to the Osa Peninsula for a few days. Do you recommend the Carate side or the Puerto Jimenez side?

  35. Hey Matt! I have been silently reading your blog for months now, thanks for all the great advice! I am spending a month in Costa (primarily Pacific side) this summer, and was curious how easy you found the accommodations-finding to be. I usually never book ahead except for the city I’m flying into, but I’m nervous that with small towns + beach the cheaper places could go easily. Any suggestions/ personal experience would be greatly appreciated!

  36. Hello Matt. Without a doubt all the places you mention qualify as “must visit” destinations in Costa Rica. I live in Costa Rica and personally love vacationing around Puerto Viejo, to be more specific, I like the area called Playa Chiquita. It is less crowded than downtown Puerto Viejo and there the reefs form a lot of natural pools which offer nice bathing areas, but also result in great scenery.

  37. Hey Matt

    I was hoping you could help, I am travelling Costa Rica for a month so I can go anywhere I like, lots of adventures I hope but I’m stuck for the start. After arriving in San Jose I didn’t want to stay there, I will do a couple of days at the end, but where do you think the best place to head to first is? I can’t seem to find other people’s itinerary as such, just places they like and I’m unsure where to head to first! Thank you!!!

    • Hey! I’m not Matt but I have been to Costa Rica and recommend a couple of places to go to then make your own itenarary. First get a transport immediately out of SJ to either Dominical or Manuel Antonio. They are close enough to get to when flying in. Stay there as long as you want but it’s a good central location to start with. I also recommend the Osa Peninsula or Corcovado! Stay there at least 3-4 days!! Something to remember for a lifetime! Look into San Gerardo de Dota it’s a more secluded cloud forest. And puerto Vieja is not very far from there. While you are there you can float the pacuare river! They will transport you anywhere included in cost of float so you can have them take you up north (like arenal or Monteverde) but also check into the Rincon de la Vieja area! Hope I helped in time.

  38. Hey,

    Me and my fiance are traveling to Costa for our honeymoon, in October. It will be our first time, and pretty much first time out of the US in general. We are so confused as to what and where to go. It is a 6 night vaca. So far, we are flying in to and getting picked up at SJ at 10:30am day 1. We travel to Puerto Viejo and stay for 3 nights. We are then heading to Arenal (with the Pauco whitewater tour on the way) and staying for our remaining 3 nights. We leave Arenal at 6am and head to the SJ airport to come home. I feel like we are going to spend the majority of time driving ( ie SJ-PV, PV-Arenal, Arenal-SJ). Should we add an extra night?? if we do should it be in PV or Arenal?

    • Forgot to mention our flight leaves SJ to come back home at 1pm. We will be at Arenal the night before. If we add a night should we add it in SJ so we dont have to wake up so early to leave Arenal? Or is there another cool destination between Arenal and SJ, so lessen the drive time the day of

  39. Hi Matt, I like your blog, great job. Beaches are my obsession and this one, Santa Theresa looks like fantasy… I would like to spend a day over there definitely. Thank you

  40. Love your comments. We are returning again for a second time this March. Do you know much about San Gerardo de Dota? We are going to avoid the crowds at Monteverde and we heard it was a great cloud forest. However we don’t know much on how to get there besides taking the public bus? No one was transporting? Also what are your thoughts about Rincon de la Vieja? We will be staying at La Anita Rainforest Ranch. My last question is we will be flying into San Jose early on our last day and want something to do (not walk around downtown) is there a place close to outskirts of the city where we could do canyoning or something adventurous ?

    Thanks

  41. Hi! We are traveling to Tortuguero and Corcovado in Costa Rica next month. Our first two nights are in Tortuguero and then we are flying to Drake Bay and staying three nights. What is Drake Bay and Corcovado like?
    Thank you, Carol

  42. Tortuguero sounds fantastic. We plan to go end of May until begining of June. Any chance to still see turtles during this time?

    Another question: Best to travel by public transport, private buses/shuttes or car rental?

    • I’m not sure when turtle season is. You’ll have to look it up online. The area is like river basin so it’s all boats. You can do it on your own but it’s worth it to go via the accommodation you’re staying at and they can set it all up. It’s much easier.

  43. Hi i am coming to Costa Rica towards the end of June, could you give me some advice as to where the weather may be better as i am aware it can vary somewhat. Also i will be travelling alone so it would be nice to stay in a slightly busy area with good nightlife. I will be flying out from SJO so a destination closer to the airport may be better for me. Any help and advice would be much appreciated, thanks!

  44. Hi Matt!

    Thanks for all the great info about Costa Rica!

    I am planning a trip to CR next week and some of the transit issues are stressing me out! The plan is to go from Monteverde over to Samara and then work our way down the coast to Montezuma via bus then ferry to Jaco and bus back to San Jose. The problem I’m having with this is the bus situation!. I am seeing buses to Monteverde from San Jose and buses to Samara from San Jose but it seems ridiculous to have to backtrack all the way to San Jose to get to the Nicoya Peninsula if we are already at Monteverde. Have you encountered any way around this? Any info much appreciated! Feeling a bit overwhelmed trying to plan this on a budget and fit as musch as possible in 10 days. Thanks!

  45. Hello there,

    I’m planning a last minute get-away to Costa Rica in July , probably I’ll have 3 weeks there. You recommend the Caribbean coast, but it’s super rainy in the summer. Anything interesting and less touristy you could recommend at other parts of the country ? I’ll be travelling on a shoe string, classic backpacker style – getting a flight there in July from Europe already beaks the bank. Any advice?

  46. Hi Matt I’m looking to book a two week honeymoon in May can you suggest any destinations with nice all inclusive accommodation near white sandy beaches but close to a semi lively town as although we are in our 40s we like to meet other people and some nite life.

    Many thanks Jansen

  48. ill be volunteering in puerto jiminez in april for three weeks then im wanting to explore costa rica and Puerto viejo seems like the place id like to go! would you recommend booking a hostel / hotel in advance or just getting the bus and finding accomodation on the day ?

  49. Great Post Matt! I currently live in Costa Rica and have been to all the locations on this list except Cahuita and Santa Theresa. I would have to say that so Manuel Antonio is my favorite beach location because of the wildlife. I live in Jaco so its pretty close for me but there is a nice beach called Playa Blanca that is super close to Jaco. If you are ever back you will have to check it out. Also I have fell in love with the mountainous areas near Chirripo.
    If you are ever back be sure to connect with me and it would be great to see you at Jaco Ropes.
    Cheers! Jason

    • Jason! Hello!

      I’ll be going to Costa Rica and on the last 3 days of my trip I’m splitting them between Jacó and Manuel Antonio. In which of the two do you think would be best to spend 2 of those 3 days?

  50. Hi Matt, do you think two weeks is ok to see a little bit? and also, would you recommend renting a car or just going by bus everywhere?

  51. Hello Matt!
    In your opinion which did you like more overall…Jacó or Manuel Antonio? I’m deciding where of the two cities to spend 2 days/1night in and which one I should spend 1day/1night.

  52. I’m shocked how expensive CR is, definitely not a budget backpackers dream. I’ve found Airbnb to be better than hostels most often for two people.

    We head to Nicaragua soon so hopefully we can enjoy a beer and not break the bank. We want to spend a week somewhere in Nicaragua but can’t decide to use Leon or Granada as a base for that week. We are already spending 3 days at lago de Apoyo and 5 on Ometepe. Any suggestions?

  53. Driving to palo verde river tour was totally amazing. The road just before you get there should be named iguana alley. We must have seen hundreds of green and brown iguanas crossing the road. We lucked out with the river tour. It was raining when we started out so it was just us, the captain and the guide. Next boat was packed….I normally prefer to do my own tours but its not possible in this national park. The river made me think of a very heavily densed tropical foliaged sides area with a muddy river ( the nile –havent been but i imagine –comes to mind) but it was cool with monkeys, crocs, iguanas, basilisks etc. They also have ziplines that we couldnt do due to the weather (you cant zipline if you have thunder as it can hit the lines you ride).

  54. The rincon area is really cool. There is the muddy volcano like area we had planned to see but didnt and instead ended up on the opposite side, the more eastern area of the park. It was lovely– jungely as well as some savannah, waterfalls and pools to swim in, natural sulphur hot spring pools and the stunning blue butterfly flying around. Its a nice hiking area and not very busy ( except we had a school class when we were there but no tourists besides that).

  55. Leaving for Costa Rica in May for 2 weeks. Our daughter is already at National University in Heredia, of course we are planning to tour while we are there. Lots of information out there. We are used to doing research and doing our own touring. Would love to know the best places to go. 2-3 days here 2-3 days there kind of schedule. We will be in Heredia and San Jose the first couple days and we have already booked a room in Jaco for 3 nights. I was thinking we would move north up the coast to Tamarindo. Still trying to figure out the rest of our 10 day journey. I’d love any suggestions.

  56. Hey everyone! Due to the age of this post and the difficulty in moderating lots of posts spam, comments here have been turned off. If you would like to continue the discussion, head over to the forums at http://forums.nomadicmatt.com and chat there! I post frequently and reply to threads on the boards! See ya there! Thanks! – Matt