Costa Rica Attractions and Adventures

Top Costa Rica Attractions: Nature
 

 

 



 Costa Rica has some of the best natural sights and attractions on Earth. The beautiful country boasts some of the best and finest beaches imaginable, plus much more. There are also many adventures that can be done in Costa Rica...


Manuel Antonio National Park: This park features some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica which are featured in most advertising and promotion of tourism in Costa Rica. It’s also one of the last refuges of spider monkeys in Costa Rica. The park is gorgeous and receives nothing but rave reviews from all who’ve been there.

Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve: Well preserved, with a variety of good trails, Monteverde provides a unique experience. Hiking through the dense forest in the morning everything is in a misty haze and wild birdcalls ring throughout the treetops. Delicate orchids and dramatic bromeliads adorn giant tree branches jutting out into the fog. This is an excellent area to take a canopy tour in and fly down some zip lines whilst suspended from giant trees.

Nicoya beaches: The most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica can be found on the Nicoya Peninsula, and it’s easy to find your own private swath with no one around for kilometers.

Tortuguero National Park: Called the “mini-Amazon”, this coastal park features a network of canals and 11 ecological habitats that are home to lots of water birds, sloths, and caiman, among other critters.

Corcovado National Park: This is some of the last Pacific primary forest to be found in Central America. What’s more are the 116 species of reptiles and amphibians, 139 of mammals, and 400 of birds, 20 of which are only found here. Among those species of bird is the largest concentration of Scarlet Macaws in Central America. It’s also one of the only bastions left for the Harpy Eagle, the largest of all eagles. Four species of turtles also nest here: the green, leatherback, Ridley olive, and the hawksbill. The eight different habitats here leave much to be explored.

Jaco Beach:    Jacó is a developed beach town with a reputation for being a "party beach". The town is spread along Jacó Beach, which is 3km/1.8mi long and offers many hotels and restaurants. The town center is crowded and gets very busy during weekends.

Jacó Beach is a major destination for surfers, and several outfitters are found in the town center. Horseback riding, cycling and riding mopeds are also popular activities in Jacó, and there are several discos in town.   

Top Costa Rica Attractions: Adventure Activities

 

Canopy Tour: Zip through the trees on a cable and discover what it feels like to fly. The less frightening bridges offer another way to get your bird’s eye view of the forest canopy. These tours can be found throughout the country.

Diving: The Catalina Islands and Bat Islands (Islas Murcielagos) offer fantastic diving and the opportunity to see giant manta rays. The Bat Islands are also home to some fearsome looking bull sharks. I saw my first one here and she was about nine feet long.

 Fishing: Billfish are king in the waters of Costa Rica. Yearly tournaments are held here drawing professional anglers from around the world. Other game fish are plentiful too, like dorado (dolphin fish or mahi mahi), wahoo (ono), tuna, jacks, tarpon, and snapper among others including freshwater species.

White water rafting: For a thrill of a lifetime hop join a rafting trip down one of the many rivers here, some of which offer Class IV-V rapids.

Surfing: Already renown as a Central American surfer mecca, there are tons of amazing breaks here up and down the Pacific Coast, including the famous Witch’s Rock as featured in the documentary Endless Summer. Also, there’s a ridiculously long left hand break at Pavones and hard charging Caribbean surf at Salsa Brava in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

 

Top Costa Rica Attractions: Towns

Tamarindo: The most developed beach resort town on the Nicoya Peninsula, this is a great town with lots of tourist amenities and a laid-back surfer vibe. Speaking of which, its also a great place to learn how to surf. There are lots of surf shops in town offering lessons in the forgiving surf. More advanced surfers can find bigger, less crowded surf just to the north and south.


Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: Looking for a mellow, reggae vibe? Then this is your place. Located on the beautiful Caribbean, this place has a great party atmosphere that is still pretty chill.

Montezuma: Lots of people come here and don’t want to leave. Beautiful beaches, a slightly hippy feeling, and a wildlife refuge just to the south provide for an excellent coastal town. The fact that gorgeous waterfalls are within walking distance doesn’t hurt either.

La Fortuna: This fun, very Costa Rican town sits under the dramatic and looming cone of Arenal Volcano. With beautiful Lake Arenal nearby, relaxing hot springs, and lots of adventure opportunities close by, it’s a definite must on any itinerary.

Top Costa Rica Attractions: Volanoes

 

Irazu Volcano National Park

  Irazu Volcano is the highest Costa Rica volcano at 11,260 feet. All of the national park (5705 acres) is above the frost line and most of the summit area is above the tree line with temperatures around freezing, constant winds, and saturating humidity. There is very little wildlife in this harsh environment. Still, the views from the summit on a clear day will take your breath away! You can see a chartreuse green crater lake, both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean, magnificent views of mountains in every direction, and the gases and steam from the fumaroles . The landscape at the Irazu Volcano summit is very much like a moonscape due to volcanic activity and constant wind. A paved road goes all the way to the top where you can purchase beverages.

Irazu Volcano’s most recent eruption period was from 1963 – 1965. Currently the only activity is the fumaroles which release toxic steam and pressure from inside the volcano. Camping is not allowed in the park, but it is an easy day trip from anywhere in the Central Valley and can be combined with a visit at nearby coffee plantations and botanical gardens.
There are hiking trails in Irazu Volcano National Park through oak and pine forest with nice picnic areas.

Admission is $10 and the park is open from 8 – 3:30pm Tuesday – Sunday.

Arenal Volcano National Park

Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the most popular and largest parks in Costa Rica. Located in the northern central part of the country, the park is comprised of 7,212 acres, and was established in 1994. Until recently, Arenal was the most active volcano in the country with mini, lava spewing eruptions at regular intervals. It was also one of the top 10 most active volcanoes in the world.

Arenal Volcano National Park is a primary tropical rain forest with abundant flora and fauna and wildlife, including howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, wild cats, toucans, and hummingbirds. A great way to end a day of bird watching, hiking, rappelling, zip lining, rafting, or horseback riding would be soaking in one of the many soothing hot springs in the area.

Arenal Volcano National Park is located about 80 miles north of San Jose (about a 2 ½ hr trip by car) and near the village of La Fortuna.

The average temperature is 75 – 90 degrees F, with the dry season running from January through April. This is the best time of year for viewing Arenal. The area has an annual rainfall of 195″ and can be chilly in the higher elevations in the evening.

Although Costa Rica national park entrance fees do change often, plan on $10 park admission fee – open 8am-4pm Tuesday through Sunday.

Top Costa Rica Attractions:Museums

Costa Rica boasts a wide selection of museums, due largely to its standards of high education and long history of peace and prosperity. Most of these museums can be found in the Central Valley (Valle Central), especially in and around the capital city of San José. Some of these include:

 

•    El Museo de los Niños (The Children's Museum): the building is a former city jail. People decided to make the best out of such the tragic history of the location and turn it into something useful for the future generations. This museum holds impressive hallways that honor the advances of technology over the years.

• El Museo de Oro Pre-Colombino (The Museum of Pre-Columbian Gold): This is a wonderful place where you can enjoy pre-Columbian Gold crafted jewelry from the indigenous of the past in perfect and almost perfect conditions. The gallery preserves pieces thatdate from the 500’s BE.

• El Museo de Jade Fidel Tristán (The Fidel Tristán Jade Museum): Located in the INS building by the Parque Morazan the Jade museum features an extense collection o preciously carved jade figures. All of this pieces belong the past indigenous regenerations are proves of the history of the pre-Columbian era. The name comes from its founder Fidel Tristan who was the first executive president of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) and advocated in favor of acquiring the archeological pieces.

•   El Museo Nacional De Costa Rica (The National Museum of Costa Rica): Built in 1917, the Cuartel the Bellavista (original name of the building) was the former headquarters of the abolished Costa Rica army. Now it has permanent and temporary expositions of the Costa Rica history and natural resources. The building still conserves the colonial decorations and it is a sanctuary for important historical pieces.

• El Museo de Arte Costarricense (The Costa Rican Art Museum): This museum was created in 1977 and is located in the Parque Metropolitano La Sabana. On the inside you can behold magnificence of Costa Rica contemporary art pieces that include pictures and sculptures by the most talented artists in Costa Rica. This museum also holds conferences and special events in what is called the “Golden room” and provides seminars and workshops for plastic artists on regular basis.


• El Museo de Ciencias Naturales La Salle (The La Salle Natural Sciences Museum): La Salle has taken seriously over the years the importance of natural science, this Costa Rica museum preserves a rich collection of biological links of nature and portraits interesting facts on the natural species of Costa Rica.

Being those the main museums, there smaller galleries that emphasize the importance of different areas of culture such as: the Criminology Museum, The Museum of Insects at The University of Costa Rica, the Entomology museum and a few serpentariums that show the endurances of the country on their specific areas. Visiting a museum in Costa Rica is an interesting a fulfilling activity, please contact our travel advisors for further information on the museums and galleries and their exhibitions.

Costa Rica National Parks, Reserves and Refuges:

Acuiferos Guacimo and Pococi Agua Buena Wildlife Refuge Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve Arenal Volcano National Park Arenal Volcano Emergency Forest Reserve Aviarios del Caribe Wildlife Refuge Ballena National Marine Park Barbilla National Park Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge Barra Honda National Park Bosque Alegre Wildlife Refuge Braulio Carrillo National Park Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve Cacyra Wildlife Refuge Cahuita National Park Camaronal Wildlife Refuge Cano Island Biological Reserve Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge Caraigres Protected Zone Carara National Park Carate Wildlife Refuge Cariari National Wetlands Cataratas Cerro Redondo Wildlife Refuge Central Volcanic Forest Reserve Cerro Atenas Protected Zone Cerro Chompipe Protected Zone Cerro Dantas Wildlife Refuge Cerro de la Cangreja Protected Zone Cerro Jardin Forest Reserve Cerro La Cruz Protected Zone Cerro Las Vueltas Biological Reserve Cerro Nara Protected Zone Cerros de la Carpintera Protected Zone Cerros de Escazu Protected Zone Cerros de Turrubares Protected Zone Chirripo National Park Cipanci Wildlife Refuge Cocos Island National Park Corcovado National Park Corredor Fronterizo Wildlife Refuge Costa Esmeralda Wildlife Refuge Cuenca Rio Abangares Protected Zone Cuenca Rio Banano Protected Zone Cuenca Rio Siquirres Protected Zone Cuenca Rio Tuis Protected Zone Cueva Murcielago Wildlife Refuge Curena Forest Reserve Curi Cancha Wildlife Refuge Curu Wildlife Refuge Diria National Park Donald Peters Hayes Wildlife Refuge Dr. Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge El Chayote Protected Zone El Rodeo Protected Zone Ensenada Wildlife Refuge Fernando Castro Cervantes Wildlife Refuge Finca Baru Pacifico Wildlife RefugeFinca Hacienda Avellana Wildlife Refuge Finca La Virgen Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge Golfito Wildlife Refuge Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve Grecia Forest Reserve Guanacaste National Park Guayabo Islands Biological Reserve Guayabo National Monument Hacienda Copano Wildlife Refuge Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve Horizontes Experimental Forest Iguanita Wildlife Refuge Irazu Volcano National Park Jaguarundi Wildlife Refuge Joseph Steve Friedman Wildlife Refuge Juan Castro Blanco National Park Junquillal Bay Wildlife Refuge

La Amistad International Park La Cangreja National Park La Ceiba Wildlife Refuge Lacustrino Bonilla Bonillita Wetlands Lacustrino Pejeperrito Wetlands Lacustrino Tamborcito Wetlands Laguna Las Camelias Wildlife Refuge Laguna Madrigal Wetlands Laguna Maquenque Wetlands Laguna Azul Wildlife Refuge La Marta Wildlife Refuge Las Baulas National Marine Park La Selva Protected Zone Las Tablas Protected Zone Limoncito Wildlife Refuge Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve Los Santos Forest Reserve Manuel Antonio National Park Marino Ballena National Park Mata Redonda Wildlife Refuge Miravalles Volcano Protected Zone Montes de Oro Protected Zone Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Negritos Islands Biological Reserve Nicolas Wessberg Absolute Natural Reserve Nicoya Peninsula Protected Zone Nosara Protected Zone Osa Wildlife Refuge Ostional Wildlife Refuge Pacuare Matina Forest Reserve Pajaros Island Biological Reserve Palo Verde National Park Palustrino Corral de Piedra Wetlands Palustrino Laguna del Paraguas Wetlands Paramo Wildlife Refuge PejePerro Wildlife Refuge Penas Blancas Wildlife Refuge Piedras Blancas National Park Playa Blanca Marine Wetlands Playa Hermosa Wildlife Refuge Poas Volcano National Park Portalon Wildlife Refuge Preciosa Platanares Wildife Refuge Punta Leona Wildlife Refuge Puntarenas Estuary Wetlands Punta Rio Claro Wildlife Refuge Quillotro Wildlife Refuge Quitirrisi Protected Zone Rancho La Merced Wildlife Refuge RHR Blancas Wildlife Refuge Riberino Zapandi Wetlands Rincon de la Vieja National Park Rio Canas Wetlands Rio Grande Protected Zone Rio Macho Forest Reserve Rio Navarro Rio Sombrero Protected Zone Rio Oro Wildlife Refuge Rio Pacuare Forest Reserve Rio Piro Wildlife Refuge Rio Tiribi Protected Zone Rio Toro Protected Zone Romelia Wildlife Refuge San Lucas Island Wildlife Refuge Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Santa Rosa National Park San Vito Wetlands Surtubal Wildlife Refuge Taboga Forest Reserve Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge Tapanti National Park Tenorio Volcano National Park Terraba Sierpe National Wetlands Tivives Protected Zone Tortuguero National Park Transylvania Wildlife Refuge Turrialba Volcano National Park Werner Sauter Wildlife Refuge