Costa Rica is a rainforest country in Central America. It is one of the ideal holiday destinations in the world. Costa Rica’s rich indigenous culture and wildlife places have been grabbing eco-tourists attention for quite a few decades. Playing around on the most exotic beaches in the tropical environment of Costa Rica is still a dream for many people.
Once you arrive in Costa Rica, you will be lost in this enchanting scenario. Of course, in Costa Rica vacation rentals, there will be no end to adventures as you will be amazed to see all the unique things you have not encountered in any part of the world.
Here is the list of 9 best things to do in Costa Rica.
- Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park is located in the Tortuguero village on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. The place is called Tortuguero because it is full of vibrant-looking turtles. The northern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is the main nesting site of many endangered species of turtles, such as green turtles, loggerhead turtles, and hawksbill sea turtles.
However, for turtle tours on the beach side, you have to wait till October. This is advised to protect the nesting process of turtles from any disturbance by tourists.
Tortuguero beach is not recommended for swimming due to strong waves, but you can still explore Tortuguero National Park by boat or Canoe.
- Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
The caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is a place of great importance for Costa Rica. It is an extremely humid reserved area located in the south of Los Chiles in the northern region of the Alajuela province. Caño Negro got the status of a wildlife Refuge in 1984 since it was home to thousands of migratory birds and endangered species.
There is a total of 307 species of birds, 96 reptiles, and 78 animals, including 300 plant species (both shrubs and trees). Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge will give you a different touring experience than other Rainforests of Costa Rica. The specialty of this wildlife park is its wide variety of wild species.
Inside the park is a Lagoon of 3 meters deep and 800 hectares long, made up of freshwater from the Frio and Monica Rivers. So, whenever you plan for a trip to Costa Rica, you shouldn’t miss any chance to visit this wonderful beauty of wildlife.
- Tabacaón Hot Springs
Tabacaón Hot Springs is a five-star resort and spa located in the core of the tropical rainforest at the base of Arenal volcano in the northern region of Costa Rica. This luxury resort is a special place of accommodation that is settled in the middle of nature.
It is very popular for its tabacaón hot springs, the cascade of thermal mineral spring water flowing from the volcanic earth. Another section of the resort is a spa in the beautiful thermal spring water flow location that will elevate your experience in nature to a different level.
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens
La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park of Alajuela province features five beautiful waterfalls and a wildlife sanctuary, which are often said to be the main tourist attractions of Costa Rica. Many things make this wildlife garden an exceptional beauty.
Over 100 species of animals and birds reside in the garden’s protected areas. There are five most beautiful waterfalls inside the park, and among them, The La Paz Waterfall is a popular destination for tourists. The La Paz Waterfall Park also has three hiking trails that will give you an incredible experience.
- Jaco
If you are a beach lover, then you must visit Jaco. It is a small town in the south of the pacific coast, and just a few miles away in the west, you will find the popular grey-sand Jaco Beach. The beach is a well-worth destination in Costa Rica. It is a perfect spot for hanging out and an enjoyable place to chill out on vacation.
Sport fishing is a popular thing that tourists in Jaco mostly do, but there are provisions for other activities such as Sea kayak, snorkeling, surfing, and Canopy tour. Whenever you go out in Jaco, be it town or beach, you will be surrounded by the locals who will allow you to learn more about Costa Rican culture.
- Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a beach town on the southern Caribbean coast, is known for its white-sand and black-sand beaches and risky strong riptides. Surfing in the Caribbean side is a must-do activity here. Especially in March, hundreds of surfboards lined up on cocles beach, which offers surfing lessons to tourists.
Puerto Viejo is like any other beach town in Costa Rica. It is a place for relaxing and lying down in the sun. But you can always hang out in the nearby places, like in the lush rainforest filled with a variety of wild species or in outskirt places where the indigenous community lives to have a more Caribbean feel.
- Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is located in the Central Pacific Conservation Area near the city of Quepos. It might be a small rainforest park, yet it is popular for its rich biodiversity. Squirrel Monkeys and Capuchins are the common creatures you would see while touring the park. Manuel Antonio National Park is always crowded with tourists.
There are some small hotels close to the rainforest hillside that serve around 150,000 tourists every year. The park has two beaches, Manuel Antonio Beach and Espadilla Sun Beach. These beaches are located just some miles away from the main entrance of the park. It hardly takes about a 30-minute hike to reach the beaches.
- Corcovado National Park
The Corcovado National Park is the most biodiverse area in Costa Rica. This wildlife park is dedicated to the diverse plant and animal world; it has 13 major ecosystems with 500 species of trees, 140 species of mammals, and 120 species of amphibians and reptiles. This place is designated for adventures more than just for relaxing in luxury.
If you trek in the park for hours, you will pass small villages and rivers like Rio Claro and Sircua and see a variety of floras on the river banks. Corcovado National Park is a little different from other destinations in Costa Rica. The beaches in Corcovado are similar to Corcovado park. The coconut trees, palm trees, and blue water add up to the beauty of the beaches.
- Nicoya Peninsula
The Nicoya Peninsula, a secluded land on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, is home to some of the best stretches of coastline to catch waves. It is the only place in the world with five blue zone areas.
One of the most special things about the Nicoya Peninsula is the beaches. There are 23 beaches extending to the Nicoya Peninsula, including villages and remote areas.
Some popular beaches include Montezuma, Mal pais, Samara, Santa Teresa, and Carmen. Unfortunately, the Nicoya Peninsula has fewer places for accommodation, so travelers often ignore it. However, in the last couple of years, there has been some improvement in providing provisions for hotels and resorts in the area.
