All destinations
From volcanoes and cloud forests to Pacific surf beaches, the Caribbean coast and the wild Osa Peninsula — every corner of Costa Rica
Must-visit destinations
Drake Bay — the gateway to Corcovado and Costa Rica's wildest corner
Wildlife enthusiasts: the Osa Peninsula has the highest biodiversity on earth, Corcovado National Park visitors (Sirena Station is the most rewarding access point)
Jacó — the Central Pacific's surf town with more depth than its reputation
Beginner and intermediate surfers, Families wanting easy Pacific beach access from San José
La Fortuna — the Arenal Volcano hub that earns its hype
Families wanting a mix of volcano drama and safe swimming, Adventure seekers: canyoning, rafting, ziplines, ATV
Liberia — Guanacaste's gateway city and the door to Rincón de la Vieja
LIR arrivals setting up a Guanacaste circuit, Rincón de la Vieja volcano and hot springs day trips
Manuel Antonio — Costa Rica's most visited park done right
Families wanting sloths, monkeys, and a swimmable beach in one place, First-time Costa Rica visitors on short schedules
Monteverde — cloud forest, ziplines, and night wildlife above the clouds
Birdwatchers seeking resplendent quetzals (March–May), Adventure travellers wanting Costa Rica's best ziplines
Nosara — the Nicoya Peninsula's yoga and surf sanctuary
Yoga practitioners and wellness retreat guests, Intermediate and advanced surfers targeting Playa Guiones
Puerto Viejo — Caribbean culture, reggae rhythms, and reef snorkeling
Travellers seeking authentic Caribbean culture distinct from the Pacific, Snorkelers targeting the Cahuita reef, the largest in Costa Rica
Quepos — the working port town that opens the door to Manuel Antonio
Budget travellers using Quepos as a cheaper base for Manuel Antonio, Sport fishing enthusiasts: the Marina Pez Vela is world-class
San José — Costa Rica's capital as a day-trip hub and genuine city
First-night/last-night transit visitors collecting themselves before the circuit, Culture and history travellers exploring Central American heritage
Santa Teresa — where serious surf meets the Nicoya Peninsula lifestyle
Intermediate and advanced surfers chasing the Nicoya Peninsula's best right-handers, Wellness and yoga travellers wanting beach access with retreat options
Tamarindo — Guanacaste's surf hub with sunsets worth staying for
First-time surfers and intermediate wave riders, Beach holiday travellers with Guanacaste as their base
Tortuguero — canal villages, jungle waterways, and green sea turtles
Sea turtle watching (green turtles, July–October), Canal and river wildlife: caimans, monkeys, river otters, sloths
Uvita — whale tails, Caño Island, and Costa Rica's wildest southern Pacific
Wildlife enthusiasts: humpback whales, dolphins, whale sharks, Snorkelers and divers targeting Caño Island Biological Reserve
More to explore
Brasilito — the low-key fishing village next to Conchal
Budget and mid-range travelers wanting beach access without resort prices, Day-trippers to Playa Conchal
Cahuita — Caribbean reef, sloths, and slow living on the Limón coast
Snorkelers and marine life enthusiasts, Wildlife watchers seeking sloths and monkeys
Cartago and the Orosi Valley — Costa Rica's colonial heart in a volcano landscape
History and culture travelers, Volcano hikers targeting Irazú
Dominical — a raw surf town where the southern Pacific starts getting wild
Intermediate and advanced surfers, Travelers between Manuel Antonio and Uvita/Osa Peninsula
Las Catalinas — Costa Rica's only car-free coastal village
Travelers seeking a unique car-free resort experience, Mountain bike and hiking enthusiasts
Montezuma — bohemian waterfalls and Isla Tortuga at the tip of Nicoya
Backpackers and bohemian travelers, Waterfall hikers
Playa Conchal — crushed shells, turquoise water, and Guanacaste's most beautiful beach
Couples and honeymooners, Beach lovers seeking the best-looking sand in Guanacaste
Playa Flamingo — white sand, yacht charters, and sport fishing in Guanacaste
Couples and honeymooners seeking an upscale beach, Sport fishing enthusiasts
Playa Hermosa Guanacaste — the calm bay that families keep choosing
Families with young children who need calm water, Travelers wanting a quiet resort beach with diving nearby
Playas del Coco — Guanacaste's dive hub with an honest nightlife scene
Scuba divers targeting the Catalinas and Bat Islands, Travelers arriving via Liberia airport wanting immediate beach access
Puerto Jiménez — the gateway town for Corcovado and Osa Peninsula eco-tourism
Wildlife and nature travelers targeting Corcovado National Park, Birding enthusiasts
Sámara — the Guanacaste beach that families actually enjoy
Families with young children, Beginner surfers
Sarapiquí — jungle rafting, pineapple farms, and rainforest lodges close to San José
Rafting beginners and intermediates wanting a non-remote experience, Wildlife and birding travelers staying close to San José
Turrialba — the home of Pacuare rafting and pre-Columbian archaeology
White-water rafting enthusiasts, Adventure travelers wanting a multi-activity inland base
Off the beaten path
Alajuela province travel guide
Families visiting Arenal and hot springs, Volcano enthusiasts (Poás, Arenal)
Cabo Blanco and Mal País: the end of the Nicoya Peninsula
Hikers seeking the southernmost Nicoya Peninsula coast, History buffs interested in Costa Rica's conservation origins
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge: the forgotten wetland
Serious birders and waterbird enthusiasts, Wildlife photographers targeting caimans and roseate spoonbills
Cartago province travel guide
History buffs visiting Costa Rica's colonial capital, Volcano day-trippers from San José
Cerro Chirripó: summit guide for Costa Rica's highest peak
Experienced hikers and peak baggers, High-altitude trekkers seeking Central America's highest point
Guanacaste province travel guide
Beach and resort travellers (Papagayo, Conchal, Flamingo), Surfers (Tamarindo, Nosara, Witch's Rock)
Heredia province travel guide
Rafters and kayakers targeting the Sarapiquí River, Birders exploring Braulio Carrillo cloud forest
Limón province travel guide
Sea turtle watching (Tortuguero, July – October), Snorkellers and reef explorers (Cahuita National Park)
Pérez Zeledón: gateway to the southern highlands
Chirripó hikers needing a supplies and rest stop, Osa Peninsula travellers on the inland route
Puntarenas province travel guide
Wildlife watchers (whale watching, Corcovado jaguars, sloths), Surfers (Jacó, Santa Teresa, Dominical)
San Gerardo de Dota: Costa Rica's quetzal valley
Birders targeting resplendent quetzals, Wildlife photographers seeking cloud-forest species
San José province travel guide
First-time arrivals and transit hub travellers, Volcano and coffee day-trippers