Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica: Travel Guide

Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica For First Timers

Are you planning a trip to visit Costa Rica? This small country offers a wealth of sights and experiences due to its diverse terrain. From its famous beaches to the rainforest and numerous volcanoes, it’s an interesting spot to explore for anyone who enjoys the outdoors.

We took three weeks for our trip to Costa Rica since we wanted to check out several different areas. It took a lot of research to figure out what places we should base ourselves for the optimal experience. 

In this blog, we list what we think are the best places to visit in Costa Rica, specifically for your first visit. This coastal country provides a great mix of natural environments with loads of wildlife, towns with restaurants and easy access to tours, plus some stunning beach locations for relaxation. Hopefully, it will help with planning your visit to this beautiful country.

Highlights Around Costa Rica

La Fortuna

We arrived in the country at the Liberia airport located in Guanacaste Province. Flying from Canada, we had an easy direct flight there, and this location made the most sense given our planned route. You could also fly into San Jose and have the same distance to reach La Fortuna.

We had a private transfer from the airport directly to La Fortuna. During our three-hour drive, we had our first look at the road system. Depending on what time of the day you are travelling, there can be a lot of traffic since there is only one main road that everyone needs to use. Any time there is an accident, construction or even landslides, it can cause congestion and chaos. Be prepared for every drive to take longer than it shows on Google Maps. You will often hear the catch phrase “Pura Vida” meaning all is good, when it relates to the road issues. You are on holiday, so just relax.

We really enjoyed La Fortuna. It is a quaint town that has grown up to support tourism. It has a substantial number of activities around this area that can keep you busy for days. And there are a large number of restaurants and bars that make getting around without a car easy. So it is a great place to visit.

If seeing sloths in the wild is a priority for you, then we would highly recommend visiting Sloth Territory. Easily accessed from La Fortuna by Uber, this is a wonderful, family-run banana farm where wild sloths have made their home.

The owners conduct small group tours around the property, where you can often spot sloths and birdlife in the trees. We had a great encounter with several sloths, including a mother with her baby. It was magical to see them and a highlight of the trip.

✅ If seeing sloths in the wild is a priority for you, then check out this tour that we took. It was a wonderful walk with a fabulous guide. We saw a lot of wildlife and learned many facts about them.

Also, from La Fortuna, you can take a chocolate and coffee tour. The one we chose was very informative and taught us about these important Costa Rican exports. Our guide led us through the farming techniques of cocoa and coffee beans, right through to the creation of the final product. And of course, there were lots of products to taste. It was a great time and highly recommended for a fun and interactive experience.

✅ To learn about the famous chocolate and coffee grown in this area, be sure to book this tour that we took. We loved touring the farm, learning about the processing and of course tasting the products!

When people picture Costa Rica, they often think of the impressive hanging bridges that are a popular way to see the rainforest from up above. La Fortuna has several places where you can enjoy this activity.

We took a fantastic day tour that included a naturalist guide who walked us through the Mystico bridges, showing us birds and wildlife that we never would have known were there. They can spot birds, reptiles and spiders from unbelievable distances.  And all the guides that we toured with had powerful scopes that allowed us to see magnified images of all the creatures hiding in the greenery. 

The suspension bridges, in varying lengths, provide a fantastic and safe way to check out this phenomenal area. Just keep in mind that many of them are constructed very high up in the trees, so those afraid of heights may have some concerns.

We also visited the Arenal volcano, which is the centrepiece of this region. At 660m, it is visible from everywhere in the area. It is well worth hiking closer to really take in the enormous peak that is often shrouded in cloud. The surrounding El Silencio reserve offers many trails and a lava field from an eruption that occurred in 1968. It reminded us of the fresh lava we had seen in the Azores and the Galapagos.

The volcano last erupted in 2003 and is now completely closed in with lava blocks, so this reserve is the closest spot for safely viewing a spectacular sight.

If you are up for a trek, you can see a gorgeous natural area by taking 477 steps down to the La Fortuna waterfall. It reaches 86 metres tall and is a stunning cascade with a large pool at the bottom.  On days when the water isn’t too rough, you can swim in the pool and the flowing river. Unfortunately, the day we were there, the water was too high, but it made for great viewing of a very full waterfall.

✅ To cover all these sights in one tour, consider booking the small group tour that we took. It provided a very knowledgeable guide and transportation from La Fortuna. It was a fabulous day seeing some of the major highlights of the area.

And of course, La Fortuna is very well known for its hot springs. We visited two different ones that had different vibes. The first was Relax Thermalitas with loads of people and a party vibe. And the second was Eco Thermales, which was smaller but had far fewer people and a much quieter and more relaxing atmosphere. At both locations, the thermal pools have various temperatures and offer a wonderful way to relax for a day or in the evening after sightseeing.

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Monteverde

After several days in La Fortuna, we had a private driver take us to Monteverde. It was interesting as every local we told we were visiting here told us it was the best place to see in Costa Rica. We were very happy to have a local driving us to this location, as the roads are very rough. Many potholes, breaks in the road, and washed-out areas. We were glad to leave it to the professionals so we could admire the lovely scenery during the trip.

This little town is much smaller than La Fortuna, but it still has options on the main street for restaurants and shops. The main draw in this area is three incredible Reserves. We chose to explore Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, which spans over 10,500 hectares. Here we had a private guide who showed us the amazing forest that has developed at the top of the mountain.

Monteverde is the tallest point in all of Costa Rica, and because of that, the wind pushes clouds against the mountain and creates significant mist. This, along with the elevation and humidity, is what comes together to create a Cloud Forest. 

This old-growth forest has many epiphyte plants (plants that grow on other plants) such as bromeliads, orchids, ferns and philodendrons. It is amazing to see the prolific plant life thriving in these humid conditions.

We had a breathtaking walk where we saw so much wildlife, including Highland Tinamou, Wild Boar Picardy, Coati, Orange Knee Tarantula, Jesus Christ lizards and of course the star of the show, the Resplendent Quetzal.  While on the Caminos Trail (one of 10 trails in the park), we were treated to a sighting of this elusive bird. It is actually the National bird of Guatemala, but more can be seen in Costa Rica than anywhere else.

People come specifically to this park to see this attractive bird that has brilliant colouring only visible by reflected light. It was a great achievement to see this species, and our guide was so pleased to share it with us.

Also in the park is a fabulous area where numerous hummingbird feeders are set up. With more than 52 species of hummingbirds in Costa Rica, there is no shortage of them. We loved having them all around us as they swooped in between the feeders and narrowly missed people’s heads. They were certainly a highlight of the day.

✅ Make sure to visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest with a guide to make the most of your time there. We booked this amazing guide and highly recommend him. His passion and knowledge for the environment made our tour very memorable.

Another activity that we enjoyed in Monteverde was visiting the Selvatura Park. Here, we took on the challenge of a zip line course that provided fabulous views of the incredible forest around us. The course culminated with a massive zip line more than 1 km long over the treetops, which was exhilarating.

This park also has a secondary forest where you can take a guided 3km walk, cross 8 bridges and observe some of the tallest vegetation we have ever seen. It was reminiscent of the impressive rainforests in Port Douglas that we loved.

The natural areas of Monteverde are really something to behold and are highly recommended for visiting.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Moving out from the interior of the country, we left the rain behind and made our way to our first Pacific coast location, Quepos. From this location, we visited the Manuel Antonio National Park. 

Manuel Antonio is the most visited park in Central America, with 3000 visitors every day! It is only 680 hectares, making it one of the smallest parks. But don’t let its small size fool you, as this park is the best for spotting the most animals in one place. 

There are more than 900 bird species here along with a large list of wildlife such as white face monkeys, wandering spiders, helmeted lizards, blue morpho butterflies, golden web weaver spiders, brown vine snakes, arboreal porcupines, three toed sloths, spiny tailed iguanas, tropical land crabs, fer de lance viper snakes and lesser white line bats. This list is what we saw on our tour and is just a small sample of what can be viewed in this awesome park.

The park is also home to stunning beaches, so after trekking through the forest to discover the wildlife, you can spend the afternoon on a lovely beach soaking up the sun. It has the best of both worlds!

✅ For a great half-day tour with a Naturalist, look at this tour that we enjoyed. We joined a small group and were thrilled to see so many animals during our walk.

Manuel Antonio is also the location where we chose to do a night walk. While I initially thought this would be an interesting experience, I quickly realized it might be a little out of my comfort zone.

Our guide took us deep into the rainforest with only a flashlight to guide our way. After having trekked through several forests during the day, this was a completely different experience exploring at night. We have no idea how our guide would find the amazing number of animals that he did.

We saw so many kinds of lizards, frogs, snakes and spiders. Any kind of creepy-crawly thing you can think of seemed to live in this forest. It was a little disconcerting to know all these species were crawling around everywhere; you just probably didn’t notice them!

While the tour was intriguing, it was also nerve-racking because you just never knew where the next sighting would be. All I can suggest is make sure you wear closed-toe shoes and long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. The more protection, the better.

✅ If you are up for a walk amongst the creepy crawlies, then we do recommend this tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and showed us some amazing things, all while guiding us in the dark!

Another activity we enjoyed in this area, which wasn’t in the full dark, was an evening sunset cruise. This was a great experience and gave us a wonderful opportunity to see the coast from the water. This entire coastline is beautiful, and the snorkelling was great fun.

While we aren’t sure anything will ever measure up against the Great Barrier Reef, we did still enjoy the fish and coral in this area. This was also where we saw our first gorgeous sunset, which this area is famous for. The boat ride was worth it just for that alone.

The park area of Manuel Antonio has a lot to offer and really provides some incredible animal interactions in a relatively small area. And the neighbouring town of Quepos is a bustling location with loads of restaurants and services to make it a great location for a home base.

✅ This is a perfect, relaxed way to enjoy the water and beautiful coastal surroundings. We chose this company for our tour and we were very pleased with the crew, the meal and the overall experience.

Tamarindo

The most touristy spot that we visited was Tamarindo. This popular beach town is a hot spot for those looking to enjoy the beach and all that comes along with it. 

Here you can lounge on the beach, or enjoy watersports like sailing, paddleboarding and surfing. The beach is lined with beach bars where you can enjoy food and cocktails. And there is even a craft brewery to check out.

The town has several food markets that are a great alternative to sit-down restaurants. You can visit the Jardin Tamarindo, a Food Truck Garden with foods from many different parts of the world. Here you can pick out whatever you want to eat, grab drinks and chill at the picnic tables while listening to live music. It is a great way to spend any evening.

There is also the Tamarindo Moonlight Market on Thursdays, which has both food and artisan products for sale. This location also has live music and offers a great vibe if you are looking for an evening out. During the day, on Saturdays, you can visit the Tama Market for a large market selling produce and loads of local products. It is a fantastic place for souvenirs. 

As a day trip from Tamarindo, we visited Diamante Eco Adventure Park. This location houses a wonderful animal sanctuary where we enjoyed seeing many species of animals in a safe manner. Many of the animals here have been rescued and can no longer survive in the wild. They had several resident sloths that you could see hanging in the tree enclosure. There was a keeper who gave a talk while feeding them, so you can get some great photos here.

There is also a wide range of felines: jaguars, pumas, ocelots and margays. These cats aren’t ones you see every day so it was pretty fascinating to learn about their habits.

We also enjoyed the butterfly conservatory and the interesting displays of reptiles and birds. There were so many things to see, and we loved the spaciousness of the exhibits and the natural settings.

This park also has zip lining for those wanting to enjoy some great outdoor flying time. It was a great park to spend a day at if you get tired of the beach.

And it is definitely worth mentioning that the sunsets in Tamarindo are some of the best we have seen – and we have seen many! We took another sunset cruise here with our family, and even though it was a windy day, it was a fantastic experience. Be sure to plan at least one time to see the sunsets from the main beach. They are spectacular.

BONUS: Playa Conchal

If you are after a sensational beach, make sure to check out Playa Conchal. Located about 40 minutes north of Tamarindo, spending the day at this beach makes for a perfect day. The sand is actually crushed white shells, and the water is super clear. It is regularly voted as one of the best beaches in Costa Rica, and from what we experienced, we agree.

Keep in mind, there are no formal services here. That means no washrooms, no change rooms, no showers. You should plan to bring whatever you need for the day. Since this is a popular place, local people will offer you rental tents and chairs. Be sure to negotiate as each one has a different price. They will also provide beer and soft drinks for anyone interested.

And to make it a little more tricky, there is no direct access to the beach either. You need to walk from Brasilito. Once you reach this little town, you can leave your car parked there, and then you walk towards the water and, turning left, walk along the beach for approximately 20 minutes. Once you come to a hill, go up and over it and then you will have reached Conchal Beach. While it seems like it may be a lot of effort, trust us, as it is worth it!

FAQs

Where Is Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is located in Central America, bordered by Panama and Nicaragua.

Costa Rica Map

Best Time To Visit Costa Rica

December to April is the driest and therefore the most pleasant time to visit Costa Rica. The peak months are January and February.

Weather in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is located quite close to the equator, so the temperatures don’t change much during the year. You can expect between 26-32 degrees in the coastal areas and  24-30 degrees inland. Only in the higher altitude areas, such as Monteverde, will it be cooler.

The wet season is from May to November. Keep in mind that inland in the rainforested areas, there is precipitation most days, but it didn’t stop us from doing anything. Just be prepared with proper rain gear.

Currency & Language

Costa Ricans speak Spanish. We found that most people who are dealing with tourists spoke English as well.

The official currency is the colon, but USD is widely accepted.

Hotels In Costa Rica

If you are looking for a hotel within walking distance of the town, then consider Hotel Secreto La Fortuna. This property has clean, comfortable rooms with air conditioning.  For a resort property, look at The Royal Corin, which has thermal pools on site, an amazing view of Arenal Volcano and incredible, personalized service. Just keep in mind that you will require a vehicle or Uber to get to La Fortuna.

In Monteverde, we can highly recommend the Monteverde Lodge and Gardens. This is a beautiful property surrounded by forest with trails of its own. The rooms are spacious, very comfortable, and the restaurant on-site is fantastic. It is a perfect place to stay while in this area.

For our time in Quepos, we stayed at Ecotica Boutique Hotel. The property is very lush and has a wonderful pool that is perfect for cooling off after touring during the day. The rooms were comfortable and had a nice balcony where you can sit and listen to the howler monkeys. It is within easy walking distance of many restaurants and shops and very near to Manuel Antonio Park.

For a real treat, check out the Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel in Tamarindo. This is a secluded, adults-only property that is hidden within a lush garden. It has breakfast and dinner included, and you can enjoy the complimentary wellness activities held onsite. In a perfect location with access to the beach and town within minutes, it is one of the best places to stay to enjoy the area.

The Final Word…Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica

We enjoyed our time exploring Costa Rica and found the diverse natural areas to be extraordinary. In our opinion, the infrastructure needs work in order to welcome as many visitors as they have. The road system is a concern, and the frequent airport closures can be a nuisance. But if you can see past these challenges, then Costa Rica’s national parks and activities are certainly worth visiting. We hope this list of our best places inspires you to visit.