Costa Rica Vacation Spots: Interesting Places To Visit
The top Costa Rican vacation spots to check out are determined by what it is you want to do on vacation.
You can plant yourself in one location for the duration, but most tourists bounce throughout the country to take in the abundant and diverse experiences the country has to offer.
Central Valley This is where most Costa Rican trips start off.
The Central Valley is home to the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose, plus the major international flight terminal.
San Jose will probably be your "jump-off" point for the remainder of your trip in Costa Rica.
However, consider spending a day or two checking out what San Jose can offer.
So far as Costa Rica vacation spots go, there are a large number of museums to check out and parks to unwind in.
And that is just the beginning.
Of particular note is the Central Market, or Mercado Central, which is a excellent place to experience the local culture, pick up some mementos, or stockpile some of the local gourmet coffee.
There are lots of modest shops for fresh fruits and veggies, various meats, and fish.
And don't forget to stop to get a bite to eat inside the food courts.
If native culture is your thing, also explore the various museums and galleries outside and inside of the city.
Shopping is plentiful, and at night, the bars and nightclubs start jumping! Just outside San Jose, in Heredia, is the Cafe Britt coffee tour.
For those who have any affinity for coffee whatsoever, check this out.
You are able to tour a real working coffee farm.
Coffee is cheap here -- I bought 20 bags to take home with me -- however it's much less expensive in the Central Market if one makes it that way.
Northern Zone There's plenty to try and do while in the Northern zone.
When you're originating from San Jose, odds are your first vacation destination will be one of the most memorable and amazing - the Arenal volcano.
It's been erupting every day since 1968.
The views are beautiful, and if the cloud cover isn't too bad, you will see red-hot molten lava streaming down the side.
At the foot of Arenal in neighboring La Fortuna are several hot springs where you can relax and bathe in luxurious warmth.
Together with Arenal, these hot springs are on the "must do" list.
Tabacn is a well known choice, but it's not the only option.
Additionally, there are Bald and Eco Termales.
We spent a late, dark romantic evening getting the most excellent neck and shoulder massage by hanging out in a sweltering, pummelling waterfall.
Just awesome.
Rounding out the top adventures in the Northern zone is the La Fortuna waterfall.
The 200 foot waterfall descends right into a shimmering blue-green swimmin' hole.
North Pacific coast Bordering the North Pacific and the Northern zone is the little area of Monteverde.
You will want to stop here to take in the remarkable Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.
Going towards the coastline, the region of Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula of the North Pacific coast is among the most sparsely populated areas in Costa Rica.
Nonetheless, tourists flock to these destinations to explore the many beautiful, inviting beaches that pepper the coastline.
If you ever planned to learn how to surf, consider taking a few instructional sessions with the local residents to make your dream a reality.
Scuba divers will definitely appreciate the many, readily accessible diving spots.
Sea life here is as vibrant as life in the cloud forests.
If you're basing your trip in this general vicinity, take into consideration traveling by air directly into Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia.
The vast majority of North Pacific seacoast is accessible in less than an hour by car or bus.
Central Pacific Coast The region of Puntarenas and the Central Pacific coastline mixes welcoming exotic beach locations with Costa Rica's most famous nature preserves.
A couple of hours away from San Jose, the town of Jaco isn't very big, but is renowned for its black colored sandy beachfront.
Get a surfing lesson, or rent out a surfboard or boogie board.
(I could never be bothered with standing upright, so a boogie board was more my speed.
) You'll discover a multitude of restaurants available for your dining enjoyment, and the clubs and bars stay open late.
Some consider this town a "party beach.
" An hour towards the south is the popular Manuel Antonio National Park.
It's the most popular park in the country.
Get there reasonably early; because only so many visitors will be let in at the same time -- when the capacity has been reached, you have to wait for people to leave before you can enter.
Manuel Antonio has some of the best trails, excellent beaches for going swimming, plus some of the most diverse wildlife in the country.
This helps make it one of those "must-do" vacation spots.
And here is a suggestion: book a tour guide to enhance your expedition.
Our guide was pointing out lizards, sloths, and monkeys that were essentially right under our nose.
It's absolutely an amazing park.
South Pacific Coast National Geographic calls this region the "most biologically intense place on Earth.
" Costa Rica's South Pacific seacoast has the largest percentage of land dedicated to national parks.
Access is substantially improved as a result of the completion of a recent freeway project.
For anybody who is interested in wildlife, take a visit to Corcovado National Park.
Here is where you will see the most types of monkeys, rare wild birds, and even large cats such as jaguars and pumas call this their home.
(If you're lucky, you will find footprints.
) Vegetation is more diverse than anywhere else in the country.
The Osa Peninsula is also the place to find impressive deep-sea angling, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Base your stay in Drake Bay and make your way towards Cano Island Biological Reserve for the top snorkeling and scuba diving Costa Rica can offer.
Caribbean Coast The east coast ended up being where Christopher Columbus arrived and christened the region "Costa Rica", or rich coast.
Contrasting the Pacific coast, the Caribbean coastline is far less developed and a lot less busy.
That makes this one of the more exclusive vacation spots.
It has a substantially different atmosphere versus the other parts of the country -- think reggae and "rasta" culture and you won't be too far off.
Puerto Limon is the capital in the region of Limon.
It's the main city on the Caribbean shoreline as well as a port of call for numerous cruise lines.
Tortuguero National Park in the northern coast is renowned for its occupants: sea turtles.
A number of species (some decreasing in numbers) utilize the pristine beaches as their nesting grounds.
Another key draw to the region (not counting the mile after mile of private beaches) is the Cahuita National Park inside town of Cahuita.
With the most significant coral reef in Costa Rica, this park is renowned for its snorkeling and scuba diving prospects.
You can plant yourself in one location for the duration, but most tourists bounce throughout the country to take in the abundant and diverse experiences the country has to offer.
Central Valley This is where most Costa Rican trips start off.
The Central Valley is home to the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose, plus the major international flight terminal.
San Jose will probably be your "jump-off" point for the remainder of your trip in Costa Rica.
However, consider spending a day or two checking out what San Jose can offer.
So far as Costa Rica vacation spots go, there are a large number of museums to check out and parks to unwind in.
And that is just the beginning.
Of particular note is the Central Market, or Mercado Central, which is a excellent place to experience the local culture, pick up some mementos, or stockpile some of the local gourmet coffee.
There are lots of modest shops for fresh fruits and veggies, various meats, and fish.
And don't forget to stop to get a bite to eat inside the food courts.
If native culture is your thing, also explore the various museums and galleries outside and inside of the city.
Shopping is plentiful, and at night, the bars and nightclubs start jumping! Just outside San Jose, in Heredia, is the Cafe Britt coffee tour.
For those who have any affinity for coffee whatsoever, check this out.
You are able to tour a real working coffee farm.
Coffee is cheap here -- I bought 20 bags to take home with me -- however it's much less expensive in the Central Market if one makes it that way.
Northern Zone There's plenty to try and do while in the Northern zone.
When you're originating from San Jose, odds are your first vacation destination will be one of the most memorable and amazing - the Arenal volcano.
It's been erupting every day since 1968.
The views are beautiful, and if the cloud cover isn't too bad, you will see red-hot molten lava streaming down the side.
At the foot of Arenal in neighboring La Fortuna are several hot springs where you can relax and bathe in luxurious warmth.
Together with Arenal, these hot springs are on the "must do" list.
Tabacn is a well known choice, but it's not the only option.
Additionally, there are Bald and Eco Termales.
We spent a late, dark romantic evening getting the most excellent neck and shoulder massage by hanging out in a sweltering, pummelling waterfall.
Just awesome.
Rounding out the top adventures in the Northern zone is the La Fortuna waterfall.
The 200 foot waterfall descends right into a shimmering blue-green swimmin' hole.
North Pacific coast Bordering the North Pacific and the Northern zone is the little area of Monteverde.
You will want to stop here to take in the remarkable Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.
Going towards the coastline, the region of Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula of the North Pacific coast is among the most sparsely populated areas in Costa Rica.
Nonetheless, tourists flock to these destinations to explore the many beautiful, inviting beaches that pepper the coastline.
If you ever planned to learn how to surf, consider taking a few instructional sessions with the local residents to make your dream a reality.
Scuba divers will definitely appreciate the many, readily accessible diving spots.
Sea life here is as vibrant as life in the cloud forests.
If you're basing your trip in this general vicinity, take into consideration traveling by air directly into Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia.
The vast majority of North Pacific seacoast is accessible in less than an hour by car or bus.
Central Pacific Coast The region of Puntarenas and the Central Pacific coastline mixes welcoming exotic beach locations with Costa Rica's most famous nature preserves.
A couple of hours away from San Jose, the town of Jaco isn't very big, but is renowned for its black colored sandy beachfront.
Get a surfing lesson, or rent out a surfboard or boogie board.
(I could never be bothered with standing upright, so a boogie board was more my speed.
) You'll discover a multitude of restaurants available for your dining enjoyment, and the clubs and bars stay open late.
Some consider this town a "party beach.
" An hour towards the south is the popular Manuel Antonio National Park.
It's the most popular park in the country.
Get there reasonably early; because only so many visitors will be let in at the same time -- when the capacity has been reached, you have to wait for people to leave before you can enter.
Manuel Antonio has some of the best trails, excellent beaches for going swimming, plus some of the most diverse wildlife in the country.
This helps make it one of those "must-do" vacation spots.
And here is a suggestion: book a tour guide to enhance your expedition.
Our guide was pointing out lizards, sloths, and monkeys that were essentially right under our nose.
It's absolutely an amazing park.
South Pacific Coast National Geographic calls this region the "most biologically intense place on Earth.
" Costa Rica's South Pacific seacoast has the largest percentage of land dedicated to national parks.
Access is substantially improved as a result of the completion of a recent freeway project.
For anybody who is interested in wildlife, take a visit to Corcovado National Park.
Here is where you will see the most types of monkeys, rare wild birds, and even large cats such as jaguars and pumas call this their home.
(If you're lucky, you will find footprints.
) Vegetation is more diverse than anywhere else in the country.
The Osa Peninsula is also the place to find impressive deep-sea angling, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Base your stay in Drake Bay and make your way towards Cano Island Biological Reserve for the top snorkeling and scuba diving Costa Rica can offer.
Caribbean Coast The east coast ended up being where Christopher Columbus arrived and christened the region "Costa Rica", or rich coast.
Contrasting the Pacific coast, the Caribbean coastline is far less developed and a lot less busy.
That makes this one of the more exclusive vacation spots.
It has a substantially different atmosphere versus the other parts of the country -- think reggae and "rasta" culture and you won't be too far off.
Puerto Limon is the capital in the region of Limon.
It's the main city on the Caribbean shoreline as well as a port of call for numerous cruise lines.
Tortuguero National Park in the northern coast is renowned for its occupants: sea turtles.
A number of species (some decreasing in numbers) utilize the pristine beaches as their nesting grounds.
Another key draw to the region (not counting the mile after mile of private beaches) is the Cahuita National Park inside town of Cahuita.
With the most significant coral reef in Costa Rica, this park is renowned for its snorkeling and scuba diving prospects.
