9 Best Places to Visit In Costa Rica for First Time

With its breathtaking natural beauty, Costa Rica is one of the unforgettable vacation destinations where you’re sure to find something to love.

The place has something for everyone, no matter what their interest. Besides its beauty, the country is also known for its friendly people.

9 Best Places to Visit In Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a beautiful country with rainforests, volcanoes, beaches, and wildlife.

Arenal Volcano National Park

Location: F76C+FPQ, Alajuela Province, El Castillo, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano National Park is famous for its active Volcano with stunning views. This place offers hiking trails and hot springs.

You can also have various wildlife experiences while visiting this place.

Some incredible waterfalls can be seen nearby, out of which Cataratas Fortuna is the most famous. It is located in the rainforest near the park’s edge.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Location: Puntarenas Province, Monteverde, Costa Rica

Monteverde is also known as “Green Mountain.” National Geographic has described it as “the jewel in the crown of cloud forests.”

If you want to explore the fantastic cloud forests, you can do many things. You can go hiking, ride horses, or try something cool: walking on paths high up in the trees or sliding along a zip line!

These pathways were first made for scientists who wanted to learn more about the forest and its creatures. But now, lots of people enjoy them too!

You can also visit coffee farms, museums about bugs, gardens full of butterflies, and places where animals are protected in the area.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Location: Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica

This is a small park, but there are multiple things to do here. It has clean and fresh beaches, rainforests, and plenty of wildlife experience.

While hiking in the rainforest, you can see monkeys, sloths, and iguanas.

There’s plenty to do for families, couples, and solo travelers, recommended by Costa Rica Experts.

Tortuguero National Park

Location: Limón Province, Roxana, Costa Rica

Accessible only by boat or plane, this remote park is a haven for wildlife, including sea turtles, monkeys, and sloths.

Explore the canals by boat, relax on a hidden beach, and witness the wonder of sea turtles nesting on the shore.

Corcovado National Park

Location: Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

Corcovado National Park is a magnificent natural wonderland. It is one of Central America’s most clean and fresh rainforests, and it is a haven for wildlife lovers.

It earned the title of “the most biologically intense place on Earth” from National Geographic.

Inside Corcovado National Park, there are many different types of environments.

You can explore charming mountain forests, magical cloud forests, wide-open grasslands, and lively mangrove swamps.

Jaco

Location: Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica

This lively beach town is great for relaxing, surfing, and enjoying the nightlife.

There are plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars to keep you entertained, and the waves are perfect for beginner and experienced surfers alike.

In Jaco, you’ll see big green hills covered in trees and farms far away. The town is in a wide spot by the ocean, with rocky parts at both ends.

Tamarindo

Location: Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica, Pacific coast

Tamarindo is a pretty beach town in Guanacaste, in the middle of Costa Rica’s surfing scene.

It’s a lively place with its own vibe. It also has a unique Costa Rican feeling called Pura Vida, which means living life to the fullest.

Another popular surfing destination, Tamarindo, offers beautiful beaches, world-class surfing, and a laid-back atmosphere.

Plenty of yoga studios, surf camps, and restaurants cater to all interests.

Puerto Viejo de Limon

Location: Caribbean side of Costa Rica

Relax on the beach, explore the town’s shops and restaurants, and learn to surf or take a yoga class.

The best surfing spots are Salsa Brava and Playa Cocles. But don’t worry if you’re not into surfing; you can still have fun!

Go snorkeling, kayaking, or diving in the calmer waters of Cahuita or Manzanillo. You can also rent a mountain bike to ride to Manzanillo and have a great time.

Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa, or Mal Pais, is an excellent remote beach town perfect for those seeking a getaway off the beaten path.

With its beautiful beaches, world-class surfing, and yoga studios, Santa Teresa is a great place to relax and reconnect with nature. (External Lin: Trip Advisor)