Top 10 Costa Rica Attractions Including Map

Costa Rica, the land of volcanoes, is famous for its unique nature: countless volcanoes, both active and dormant, spread across the country's 51,100 km² area. They are surrounded by 29 different national parks and nature reserves that ensure the protection of Costa Rica's nature. Small villages like Puerto Viejo and large metropolitan areas like San José attract travelers alike and ignite the fire of Central America within them. Expect vibrant temperament, fairy-tale nature, and contagious joy of life when visiting Costa Rica. Discover with us the most beautiful sights in Costa Rica.

To give you an overview of where the various attractions in Costa Rica are located, we have put together a clear map for you. Our tip: Explore the country best on a Costa Rica round trip! This way, you won't miss out on any highlights.

The capital of Costa Rica, San José, should definitely be on your bucket list for your trip to this Central American country! Here, you can dive right into the country's culture, indulge in culinary delights, and meet the friendly Costa Ricans.

Info and Tips:

Location: San José, Central Region

Arrival: from many US airports for under $500

Entry: visa-free for up to 90 days with a passport valid for at least 6 months

Highlights in San José:

Museo de Oro (Gold Museum)

Galeria Namu

Museo del Jade (Jade Museum)

Teatro Nacional (National Theatre)

Mercado Central

Museo Nacional de Costa Rica (National Museum)

Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo

Plan at least 1 to 3 days for your visit to San José, as there are many exciting attractions waiting for you. For unforgettable culinary delights, you should visit the Mercado Central, where you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as pastries, meats, and colorful flowers. The scent of spices and roasted coffee fills the air, enticing you to try a bit of everything. Culture also plays a big role in San José: be sure to visit the National Theatre at Plaza de la Cultura, which is a true architectural gem both inside and out. Every Monday, Carpe Chepe offers a free city tour starting here. At the Museo de Oro, the Gold Museum, you can marvel at various treasures made of gold, from sculptures to paintings to ceramics, and it's considered one of the most important museums in the country. The art gallery Galeria Namu is also worth a visit, showcasing various handicrafts from the indigenous peoples of Central America. In the Museo del Jade, the Jade Museum, you'll find collections dating back to 800 BC as well as the largest collection of jade in the Americas.

For culinary insights, we recommend Paseo de la Luz in the Barrio Escalante, a trendy neighborhood filled with cafés, restaurants, and bars. The gastronomical avenue Paseo de la Luz is lined with eateries offering a variety of delicious treats. San José is a vibrant city full of color and diversity. Street art decorates the streets, parks are alive with music and dance, and locals enjoy chatting with visitors. Let yourself be swept away by the Central American charm and the optimism of the Costa Ricans, discover hidden restaurants with tasty dishes, dynamic neighborhoods, and a fascinating history that has little in common with the contemporary city.

Tip from Urlaubsguru: For your onward journey from San José, you can book tours or take a rental car and explore the country yourself. There are also domestic flights available for long distances.

Located on Costa Rica's Central Pacific Coast in the west, Manuel Antonio National Park is a must-visit.

Info and Tips:

Location: Puntarenas Province, Central Pacific

Entry Fee: approx. $15 for adults, free for children under 12

Opening Hours: daily 7 AM - 4 PM, closed Mondays in the low season (July-Nov.)

Highlights in the National Park:

Viewpoint at Cathedral Point

Playa Manuel Antonio

Playa Espadilla

White-water rafting on the Rio Savegre

Wildlife hike (with guide)

Established in 1972, this national park is the smallest in the country, yet still one of the most popular with tourists. This is largely due to the beautiful sandy beaches that hug the blue sea like a picture postcard. But the national park offers more than just paradisiacal beaches: you can enjoy adventurous hikes through the rainforest which provides a true jungle experience. Keep your eyes peeled, as sloths relax among the lush vegetation, and a large number of capuchin monkeys find their home in the park. Look forward to hiking trails through deep green landscapes and viewpoints like Cathedral Point that offer breathtaking views. Manuel Antonio National Park is the perfect introduction for newcomers to Costa Rica.

Tip from Urlaubsguru: Want to learn more about the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica? In the article, we show you where to find paradise.

Colorful, paradisiacal, unique - welcome to Puerto Viejo on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast. Some may experience a culture shock when entering this quaint little village, as the colorful huts resemble a hippie locale. However, once you engage with the locals, smiles will never leave your faces. While relaxing on the beautiful beaches, you can enjoy delights from Caribbean cuisine and let reggae sounds sweeten your day. Treat yourself to an ice-cold cocktail at a beach bar and feel the Pura Vida spirit of Costa Rica. The favorite time of day becomes the morning when you can watch the day awaken under a bright red sky. You can fill your everyday life in Puerto Viejo with beach hopping: from Playa Negra to Playa Uva to Playa Cocles. Go surfing or snorkel through the turquoise waters - Caribbean dreams come true here.

Tip from Urlaubsguru: Just 20 kilometers north of Puerto Viejo lies Cahuita National Park, enchanted with white sandy beaches, jungle landscapes, and a diverse wildlife.

In northern Costa Rica, the Monteverde Cloud Forest extends for countless kilometers and is home to many animals and 2,500 plant species. The mountain village of Monteverde is situated in the Sierra de Tilarán mountains at over 1,400 meters above sea level and is the perfect starting point for excursions into the wooded landscapes. Adventure hikes, canopy and hanging bridge tours, or bird watching are among the most popular activities for a hiking vacation.

Info and Tips:

Location: Puntarenas Province, North

Entry Fee: approx. $9-$20

Opening Hours: daily 7 AM - 4 PM

Best Travel Time: Dec.-April

Highlights in Monteverde:

Guided rainforest tour

Hanging bridges in Santa Elena

Canopy tour

Monteverde coffee tour

For longer hikes, you should definitely hire a guide as jaguars and ocelots also reside in the depths of the cloud forests. Tips and a hiking guide are available at the tourist information center of the Monte Verde Cloud Forest Reserve. Here you'll also learn about suitable hiking attire, as the climate is very humid and reasonably warm throughout the day due to the constant fog, which gives the forests their name. You can also book other tours to discover rare bird species, hike through lush greenery with ferns and orchids, and create unforgettable experiences. One highlight is the hanging bridges, from where you can overlook the cloud forests, at least as far as the fog allows. Another adventure awaits with canopy tours, where you can soar on a zip line above the treetops and take in the views from above. A final highlight in Monteverde is the coffee tours, where you can learn all about the cultivation and production of the wonderfully aromatic coffee and the history of coffee plantations. Immerse all your senses in this culinary experience.

Santa Teresa is a town on Costa Rica's Pacific coast on the Nicoya Peninsula. This small community is popular among surfers, and also attracts yogis and anyone who loves a laid-back lifestyle.

Info and Tips:

Location: Puntarenas Province, Nicoya Peninsula, North Pacific

Note: Visit during the low season for nearly empty beaches!

Highlights in Santa Teresa:

Surfing in the ocean

Yoga at a yoga retreat

Excursions into the surrounding nature

Horseback riding on the beach

Endless sandy beaches invite you for unforgettable days by the sea. Playa Carmen, Playa Santa Teresa, and Playa Hermosa stretch all the way to the fishing village of Mal País. Here you can engage in sports, whether it's surfing in the ocean, horseback riding, or yoga on the beach. Of course, you can also simply lay back with a book in hand in a hammock and enjoy life. Additionally, tours to nearby areas are offered, as there is much to discover in the dry forest area and Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. Take boat tours to the islands of the reserve or start canopy tours in the jungle! The yoga retreats in the area make for perfect accommodations and provide the ideal balance between active adventures and inner peace. In our article about hotels in Costa Rica, you're sure to find great options.

North of Monteverde lies Arenal Volcano National Park, named after the Arenal Volcano. With a height of just 1,670 meters, it is one of the smaller volcanoes in the country and cannot compete size-wise with the 3,432-meter-high Irazú in southern San José. However, it is one of the active volcanoes, is relatively young, and visually fits the typical image of a volcano for us.

Info and Tips:

Location: Alajuela Province, North

Best Travel Time: Dec.-April

Highlights at Arenal:

Hiking around Arenal

Canopy tour

Kayaking, jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing at the lake

Soaking in the La Fortuna hot springs

West of Arenal is the Laguna de Arenal, an 80 km² inland lake and the largest lake in Costa Rica. Here at the lake and Arenal Volcano, there are numerous hiking trails where you can experience nature in all its facets. The Arenal 1968 Trail in the evergreen La Fortuna, east of the volcano, is especially recommended. Only a few meters in and you can enjoy a delightful view of the volcano and the lake behind it. You'll walk through dense greenery, always with Arenal in view, discovering the wildlife of Costa Rica along the way. The entire route is nearly 5 kilometers long and manageable even for inexperienced hikers. Don't forget to visit the La Fortuna Waterfall to enjoy its magical atmosphere.

Among the most popular hiking routes are the demanding paths around the extinct Cerro Chato Volcano, which are currently closed due to poor trail conditions. If you aren't too fond of hiking, you can view the landscape from the air through canopy tours. Additionally, kayaking, jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, and fishing are popular activities at Laguna de Arenal. If you grow tired from all the action, we recommend a soak in one of La Fortuna's hot springs that draw their healing waters straight from Arenal.

From Arenal or Monteverde Cloud Forests, you are not far from Rio Celeste in the north of Laguna de Arenal. Located in Tenorio Volcano National Park, the river displays a stunning spectacle of color.

Info and Tips:

Location: Guanacaste Province, North

Entry Fee: approx. $13.50

Opening Hours: daily 8 AM - 4 PM

Highlights in the National Park:

Rio Celeste Waterfall

Source of the Rio Celeste

Hanging bridges by the river

Viewpoint of the Tenorio

The bright turquoise color of the Rio Celeste contrasts with the brilliant green of the surrounding rainforest. The extreme color is caused by a chemical reaction that occurs when two rivers from the volcano converge. There are hiking trails around the river, also known as the

blue wonder

which immerse you in the magical world of Rio Celeste. Always be cautious, as the nearly 2,000-meter-high Tenorio Volcano is still active. You will encounter parrots, bright green frogs, and toucans on the trails that wind through streams, over hills, and wooden bridges. The highlight of the hike is the Rio Celeste Waterfall, surrounded by a magical atmosphere. If you're fit enough to tackle a few heights, you can also enjoy views of the Tenorio Volcano.

You will frequently need to navigate wobbly hanging bridges, traverse muddy paths, and endure the pungent sulfur smell that rises from the Rio Celeste. But you will be rewarded with breathtaking views, as the landscape appears surreal. If you hike to the source of the Rio Celeste, you can even witness the convergence of the two rivers that creates the river's stunning color.

Tip from Urlaubsguru: Bring plenty of water for your hike because it can get quite warm, and swimming in the sulfur-infused water is strictly prohibited!

You can find Tortuguero National Park on Costa Rica's northern Caribbean coast, and it should definitely be on your list of Costa Rica attractions. The diversity of wildlife here is unmatched in any other national park in the country: sloths, toucans, caimans, howler monkeys, various species of birds, and, as hinted at by the name, sea turtles!

Info and Tips:

Location: Limón Province, North Caribbean

Entry Fee: approx. $9

Opening Hours: daily 5:30 AM - 6 PM

Best Travel Time: Apr.-May & Aug.-Sept.

Highlights in the National Park:

Sea Turtle Watching

Canoeing or Kayaking tours

Canopy tours in the jungle

This national park is one of the most important protected areas in the country for wildlife. Hundreds of sea turtles come here each year to find a safe place to lay their eggs, from which hatchlings emerge and make their way back to the ocean. These species are often endangered and should be able to reproduce here in safety. As tourists, you can witness this spectacle, but only under the guidance of a guide to ensure the animals are not disturbed. Thanks to the abundant rainfall in Tortuguero National Park, the plant life also flourishes and is quite diverse, earning it the nickname

the little Amazon of Costa Rica.

To fully explore the park's flora and fauna, we recommend you take a boat or kayak tour through the canals in Tortuguero. Especially in the early morning, you can not only witness the sunrise but also spot animals that are more active at that time. To see sloths, you might need to look up, as they love to lounge in treetops. You can also explore the national park on foot, but as some venomous insects can be found here, you should undertake such a hike only with a guide.

If you can't get enough of Costa Rica's wildlife, be sure to plan a trip to the Central Pacific Coast to Marino Ballena National Park. This national park is the best spot to witness the largest residents of the sea: whales. Between July and October, countless humpback whales migrate in front of Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The chances of seeing one of these giants live are high!

Info and Tips:

Location: Puntarenas Province, Central Pacific

Entry Fee: approx. $5

Opening Hours: 7 AM - 4 PM

Best Travel Time: Jul.-Oct

Highlights in the National Park:

Whale Watching

Playa Ventanas

Dolphin Watching

Whale Tail Beach

The best part is that these animals are protected here. In Costa Rica, it is illegal to swim with them. In the bays off the coast, the whales find food and can raise their young. The national park's protected area spans over 5,000 hectares of the Pacific Ocean and 170 hectares of land shaped like a whale tail. But not only whale watching makes the trip to Marino Ballena National Park worthwhile. The whale-tail shaped land is lined with beautiful sandy beaches ideal for long walks. Grab your snorkeling gear and explore the underwater world of the Pacific: colorful fish, stingrays, and even dolphins can be encountered here.

Tip from Urlaubsguru: If Marino Ballena National Park is not on your travel route through Costa Rica, consider visiting Golfo Dulce, Dominical, or Puerto Jiménez on the Osa Peninsula further south along the Pacific coast.

The final highlight on our list of the most beautiful sights in Costa Rica is Corcovado National Park on the southern Costa Rican Pacific coast. It is arguably the wildest, most pristine, and diverse nature reserve in Costa Rica.

Info and Tips:

Location: Puntarenas Province, Osa Peninsula, South Pacific

Entry Fee: varies by tour

Opening Hours: 8 AM - 4 PM

Best Travel Time: Dec.-April

Note: Due to the untamed nature, you can only move within guided tours here

Highlights in the National Park:

Drake Bay

Playa Sirena

Swimming in the Madrigal River

Hiking or boat tours with wildlife observation

This national park attracts true nature lovers; it is a destination for explorers and offers a truly Jurassic Park experience! A staggering 3% of Earth's biodiversity can be found in Corcovado National Park, including over 140 different mammal species such as jaguars, ocelots, pumas, monkeys, tapirs, along with over 350 bird species, insects, reptiles, and marine life. The flora is also diverse: mangrove forests are adjacent to mountain, wet, and cloud forests. If you want to explore all this, you should join a guided tour. You can explore the national park through various trails, as well as by boat or while diving in the underwater world. Relax on secluded, untouched beaches, observe the wild fauna, and enjoy the Pura Vida lifestyle!

Are there any other destinations you want to see in Costa Rica, or other natural experiences you're looking forward to? Browse through our offerings and book the best tours for your Costa Rica trip! As inspiration, I've summarized the most popular activities in Costa Rica in one article.

Has your curiosity been piqued, and do you want to finally discover Costa Rica? Then browse through our offerings now and plan your Costa Rica vacation to explore the most beautiful attractions! If you are already certain that you want an all-inclusive Costa Rica vacation where you don't have to worry about anything, you'll find the best deals with us.