Costa Rica Travel Guide: 8 Best Places to Visit

Costa Rica packs more biodiversity, wildlife, and landscape variety into a small country than almost anywhere else in the Americas. This guide covers the best places to visit in Costa Rica for first-time visitors, from the cloud forests of Monteverde and the volcanic hot springs of La Fortuna to the wildlife beaches of Manuel Antonio and the jungle waterways of Tortuguero. We’ve been multiple times and keep going back for a reason. Use this as your starting point to build a Costa Rica itinerary that matches how you like to travel.

1. San José, Costa Rica: Where to Stay and What to See

You will likely spend at least a night or two in San Jose at the start or end of your journey through Costa Rica. San Jose might not be the prettiest Central American capital, but it definitely has some charm. The absolute best place to stay is the Gran Hotel Costa Rica, which is part of the Hilton’s Curio Collection. The hotel is comfy, classy and perfectly located in walking distance to the best sites in the city. We recommend visiting the Central Market, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum and the Pedestrian Mall.

We have also stayed at the Hotel Presidente, which is nice, less expensive than the Gran Hotel, and still close to the sites you’ll want to visit. Park Inn by Radisson has lovely, spacious rooms and an onsite restaurant and a pool, in case you’re not venturing out while in San Jose. The location isn’t as walkable but is super affordable and still just about a 10-minute walk or quick ride to everything you’ll want to explore downtown. We had a beautiful corner suite at Park Inn for $115 USD.

2. Tortuguero, Costa Rica: Best Jungle and Wildlife Experience

We had an unforgettable 2-night adventure to Tortuguero, which is a more-remote area on the northern side of the Caribbean coast (the journey requires a long bus ride followed by a 90-minute boat ride—but it’s totally worth it). Tortuguero National Park is the nesting site for certain sea turtles. Even if you are visiting outside of the turtle nesting season (like we did) there is still plenty to see. This area is known as the Amazon of Central America – and having been to the Amazon jungle, we understand why! Exploring the canals offers a once-in-a-life-time experience. We saw plenty of birds, caiman, howler and spider monkeys, sloths, crabs, and electric blue butterflies.

The area is only accessible by boat or plane, so we opted to book a guided trip through Pachira Lodge, which was fantastic. The price included our roundtrip shuttle transfer from San Jose, all meals, a boat tour, a trip to the Sea Turtle Conservancy in town and a jungle walk on the property’s pathways. We had plenty of time to relax by the pool and the bar and watch the monkeys swing through the trees on the property. In hindsight, we may have booked an extra night and added a kayaking trip and some onsite spa services to the agenda. The property has plenty of lodge-style rooms, but we highly recommend reserving a private bungalow. So peaceful and beautiful. Note that there’s no air conditioning – but we’ve rarely had A/C at a jungle lodge. The nights were chilly, and the sounds of the howler monkeys were hauntingly cool.

3. Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls, and Coffee Plantations Near San José

In addition to wildlife and beaches, Costa Rica is known for coffee plantations, volcanoes and waterfalls. You can visit all three on a day trip from San Jose – or you can spend the night at the posh Peace Lodge at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park or another close by and more-budget-friendly accommodation. The park has a wildlife sanctuary with animals (including jungle cats) rescued by the Costa Rican Wildlife Ministry that can’t be reintroduced to the wild.

A short distance from La Paz is the active Poas Volcano, which has an excellent viewing area. You can also tour the Doka Estate coffee plantation, which is located about 45 minutes south of Poas and 30 minutes north of the San Jose airport.

4. Manuel Antonio National Park: Best Wildlife and Beaches in Costa Rica

If you are trying to decide whether to rent a car in Costa Rica, you’ve probably read that it’s not for the faint of heart. This is 100% true! But the drive from San Jose to Quepos is quite a bit smoother than other journeys (we’re looking at you, Monteverde).

Quepos is a cute town along the winding road to Manuel Antonio National Park. We loved Manuel Antonio so much that we went out of our way to return on our second trip. Bring a bathing suit and beach gear into the park if you want to go for a swim – the beaches inside the park are world renowned. We recommend getting there at 7:00 am, as soon as the park opens, and having a wander around to spot wildlife before the crowds come in.

On one trip, we explored the park on our own at dawn and that was a much better experience than going with a guide who spent two hours on the main entrance trail looking at every single bug and bird through a telescope (maybe that’s your thing, but we really enjoyed wandering though the beautiful park at our own pace).

There are plenty of hotels right at the park’s entrance, so you may want to stay there for a night to quickly enter the park in the morning. You can also check out Playa Espadilla, which is a short walk away.

In Quepos, the lovely Gaia Hotel and Reserve has a wonderful restaurant, La Luna, with gorgeous sunset views. We also enjoyed some R&R with massages at the tranquil Raindrop Spa. Plus, our kayaking trip through the mangroves was absolutely unforgettable.

5. Monteverde, Costa Rica: Cloud Forest and Adventure Activities

A trek through the misty Monteverde Cloud Forest is an extraordinary experience and was one of the highlights of our time in Costa Rica. Just as we did at Manuel Antonio, we awoke early and got to the park as soon as it opened, which made for a mystical experience as we wondered the foggy paths and listened to the sounds of the jungle at dawn with very few other humans in sight.

We stayed at the Monteverde Lodge & Gardens, which offered a fantastic nighttime nature walk and a great restaurant. The staff were super friendly and patient with us, as we opted to practice our Spanish instead of speaking English.

Note that the drive up to Monteverde includes some rough roads up a mountain with a steep drop. So check the conditions and the best routes before you go.

6. La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano: Hot Springs, Waterfalls, and Wildlife

Arenal Volcano is a top attraction in Cost Rica for good reason, and you should definitely carve out some time to explore the national park. We were on a tight budget on our first trip to the country a decade ago and found an adorable little bungalow at Arenal Montechiari for less than $100 a night. The property offered a pool and gorgeous views of Arenal Volcano, as well as an included delicious breakfast.

We could walk into the downtown area of La Fortuna from there and highly recommend Kappa Sushi – which is still there today and still getting rave reviews – for a great dinner.

While in the area, you should visit some local hot springs. We got a day pass to the lush Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa. You can stay at the resort, too, if your budget allows. The La Fortuna Waterfall is also worth a visit. (Prepare for the steep uphill walk back to your car, though!)

7. Tamarindo and Guanacaste: Best Beaches on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast

Tamarindo and the greater Guanacaste Province has some beautiful beaches. If this is your primary destination, you can fly into the Liberia airport instead of San Jose. We stayed at Playa Flamingo, which is a less-crowded, white-sand beach north of Tamarindo. We loved the Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo.

The Nicoya Peninsula is also a popular tourist destination for those looking for adventure and white-sand beaches, But we have yet to explore that region.

8. Jaco Beach, Costa Rica: Worth Visiting for Some, Not for Everyone

We admit that Jaco is not our favorite destination in Costa Rica. So why is it on our recommended list? We can see the attraction for surfers, backpackers, fishers and those looking for a quick trip from the San Jose airport.

Also, you can explore the surrounding area where there are much better beaches. If you do stay in Jaco, we suggest getting a condo with a pool that overlooks the beach. That may be a more tranquil way to pass the time. We generally prefer natural beaches to well-manicured spots at touristy resorts, but the beach here is pretty rocky and just not that pleasant for lounging.

The sunsets are really spectacular, though, and the Jaco Walk has some great restaurants, especially, Graffiti Restro Cafe and Wine Bar. We enjoyed our stay in Jaco but aren’t racing back.

We hear that Playa Hermosa to the south of Jaco is a nicer alternative for surfers. Just be aware that there is more than one Playa Hermosa in Costa Rica!

What’s Next On Our Costa Rica Travel List?

We can’t wait to go back to Costa Rica. Next time, we want to explore more of the Caribbean coast, such as Punta Uva, Cahuita National Park and Puerto Viejo. What are your favorite spots in Costa Rica? Let us know in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions: Planning Your Costa Rica Trip

Is Costa Rica Safe for Tourists?

Costa Rica carries a Level 2 travel advisory from the US State Department, which puts it in the same category as France, Italy, and Germany. Petty theft is the most common issue – particularly rental car break-ins, beach theft, and pickpocketing in busy areas. The main tourist destinations feel comfortable and safe. Avoid leaving anything visible in a parked car and take the usual precautions in downtown San José after dark.

Do You Need a Car in Costa Rica?

A car gives you the most flexibility, but driving in Costa Rica is not for everyone. Roads can be steep, winding, and poorly marked, and local drivers move fast. We’d skip driving through downtown San José entirely. Pick up your rental the day after you arrive, or stay near the airport north of the city where parking is easier. If you’d rather skip driving altogether, a combination of shared shuttles, day tours, and package transport works well. We’ve done Costa Rica both ways.

How Many Days Do You Need in Costa Rica?

At least a week, and two weeks is better. A week is enough to do three bases well.

Good options for first-time visitors include La Fortuna for nature and adventure, Quepos for Manuel Antonio, and Tamarindo or Guanacaste for Pacific beaches, with a night in San José at the start or end.
Jaco is another option as a central base with easy access to surrounding areas, though the beach itself isn’t the highlight.
If you can only choose one destination, La Fortuna and Arenal or Tamarindo are both excellent.
If you only have three or four nights, Tortuguero is worth considering on its own. The wildlife, biodiversity, and Amazon-like waterways are what Costa Rica is known for.
Monteverde and Tortuguero are wonderful extensions if you have more time.

What Is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica?

January through June is the most reliable window (December is very expensive).
The dry season runs roughly December through April with the best weather across most of the country.
Late May and June see fewer crowds and lower prices at the cost of more heat and some afternoon rain.
July through November brings heavier rain, particularly on the Pacific coast.
The Caribbean side runs on a different weather pattern, so research your specific destination if you’re heading to Tortuguero or Puerto Viejo.