Rebecca Engel
Costa Rica packs an incredible amount of variety into a pretty small country. You’ve got steamy volcanoes, misty cloud forests, wildlife packed jungles, and some of the prettiest beaches on the planet, all within a few hours of each other. Figuring out where to actually go, though, can feel overwhelming.
To help you plan your trip, here are some of the best places to visit in Costa Rica, from famous hotspots to quiet corners that most travelers miss.
1. Nosara
Tucked into the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific coast, Nosara has a laid back, upscale feel that pulls in surfers, yogis, and expats from all over the world. Playa Guiones is the main surf beach and has consistent waves that work for everyone from total beginners to seasoned pros. Yoga is a huge part of the local culture here, with studios and retreat centers tucked all over town. Nearby Ostional Wildlife Refuge is also one of the best spots in the country to see the arribada, where thousands of Olive Ridley turtles come ashore to lay eggs.
How to get there: Fly into Liberia and drive about two and a half hours south, or take a shuttle from San Jose.
Where to stay: Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort for a full yoga retreat vibe, or The Nomadic for a trendy boutique stay.
Best time to visit: November through April for the driest weather.
2. Tortuguero National Park
You can’t drive to Tortuguero, and that’s part of the magic. This remote park on the Caribbean coast is only reachable by boat or small plane, which keeps the crowds down and the wildlife thriving. From July through October, thousands of sea turtles come ashore to nest on its protected beaches. Outside of turtle season, you can still kayak through jungle canals past crocodiles, monkeys, sloths, and iguanas, or take a night hike to spot red eyed tree frogs. It’s one of the most memorable places to visit in Costa Rica if you’re into wildlife.
How to get there: Take a connecting flight from San Jose to Barra de Tortuguero, or drive to La Pavona or Moin (about two and a half hours from San Jose) and catch a boat.
Where to stay: Miss Junies Lodge has comfy rooms, a pool, and free breakfast at a great price.
Best time to visit: July through October for turtle nesting, though it’s also the rainy season, so pack a rain jacket.
3. La Fortuna
La Fortuna sits in the shadow of the Arenal Volcano and is probably the most iconic town on any Costa Rica trip. The main draw is the volcano itself, which you can hike around in either Arenal Volcano National Park or the privately owned Arenal 1968 reserve. After a long day of hiking, soak in the natural hot springs that bubble up all around the area. You can also chase waterfalls like the famous La Fortuna Waterfall, a 246 foot cascade that drops into a turquoise pool you can actually swim in.
How to get there: Fly into San Jose and drive about three hours northwest, or fly into Liberia and drive two and a half hours east.
Where to stay: Hotel El Silencio del Campo has charming bungalows with onsite hot springs and views of the volcano.
Best time to visit: November through April, during the dry season.
4. Monteverde
Monteverde is the most famous cloud forest in the country, and it earns the hype. The cool, misty air feels like a different world from the beaches, and the biodiversity is off the charts. You can walk across suspension bridges high in the canopy, zipline over the treetops on some of the longest lines in Central America, or join a guided wildlife tour to spot quetzals, sloths, and hundreds of bird species. Coffee and chocolate tours are also big here, which is a tasty way to spend an afternoon.
How to get there: Drive three hours northwest from San Jose or about two hours southeast from Liberia. Stick to Route 606, which is paved the whole way.
Where to stay: Selina Monteverde has options from dorms to suites and a fun, social vibe.
Best time to visit: December through March for the clearest weather.
5. Rincón de la Vieja
If you want to see a truly active volcano, Rincón de la Vieja is where you go. This national park in the Guanacaste region is full of bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, and hot springs heated by the volcano underneath. Trails wind through dry forest up to stunning waterfalls like La Cangreja, with its bright blue pool, and Oropendola, where you can cool off with a swim. A handful of adventure lodges just outside the park add horseback riding, ziplines, and river tubing to the mix, making it one of the most well rounded places to visit in Costa Rica for outdoor fun.
How to get there: Fly into Liberia and drive about an hour northeast to the park entrance.
Where to stay: Hacienda Guachipelin is a working ranch with easy access to the park and tons of included activities.
Best time to visit: December through April, when the trails are dry and passable.
6. Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is probably tied with La Fortuna for the title of most visited spot in the country, and for good reason. The tiny national park here is bursting with wildlife, including capuchin monkeys, sloths, and over 350 bird species, all packed into a compact area with easy trails. The beaches inside and around the park are some of the prettiest in the country, with soft white sand and calm, swimmable water. Playa Espadilla, just outside the park, has killer sunsets and plenty of spots to grab a cold drink.
How to get there: Fly into San Jose and drive about two hours and 45 minutes south.
Where to stay: Tulemar Resort has private bungalows, a stunning infinity pool, and its own beach access.
Best time to visit: November through April for sunny, dry days.
7. Cahuita
Cahuita sits on the southern Caribbean coast and feels completely different from the Pacific side of the country. There’s a strong Afro Caribbean influence in the food, music, and pace of life, with reggae drifting out of local bars and colorful homes lining dirt roads. Cahuita National Park is the main attraction, with a coastal trail that passes through jungle and palm lined beaches. You’ll likely spot sloths, monkeys, and coatis along the way, plus you can snorkel the coral reef just offshore.
How to get there: Fly into San Jose and drive about three hours and 45 minutes east, or fly into Limon and grab a taxi 40 minutes north.
Where to stay: La Shamana Ecolodge sits on 15 hectares of rainforest with a gorgeous natural pool.
Best time to visit: September through October or February through March for the driest Caribbean weather.
8. Bajos del Toro
If you want a taste of Costa Rica without the crowds, Bajos del Toro is your spot. This tiny village in the highlands north of San Jose is a cloud forest tucked between two volcanoes, and it’s a paradise for waterfall lovers. The star is Catarata del Toro, a 300 foot waterfall that plunges into a volcanic crater so green and lush it looks straight out of a dinosaur movie. The Blue Falls nearby live up to their name, with impossibly bright blue pools perfect for a swim. The town itself is barely there, which is kind of the point.
How to get there: Drive about an hour and 45 minutes north from San Jose. You’ll need a rental car to get around.
Where to stay: Blue Morpho Lodge for simple comfort, or El Silencio Lodge & Spa for a luxurious splurge on a private nature reserve.
Best time to visit: December through April for safer hiking and the bluest water.
9. Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is a small, bohemian beach town on the far tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s known for great surf, stunning sunsets, and a surprisingly good food scene for such a tiny place. Playa Santa Teresa and Playa Hermosa have beach bars, surf schools, and plenty of space to lay out a towel. This area is also one of the world’s Blue Zones, where people live unusually long, healthy lives, which you can feel in the laid back, wellness focused vibe. Bioluminescent kayak tours at night are a surreal bonus experience.
How to get there: From San Jose, it’s a drive, ferry, and another drive (about five hours total). From Liberia, it’s a four hour drive south.
Where to stay: Hotel Nantipa for beachfront eco luxury, or Lua Villas for a more secluded feel.
Best time to visit: Mid July hits a sweet spot with clear weather, smaller crowds, and bigger surf swells.
10. San Gerardo de Dota
San Gerardo de Dota is a quiet mountain valley in the Talamanca highlands, and it’s one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica if you want to trade hot weather for cool cloud forest vibes. This is THE spot to see the resplendent quetzal, one of the most jaw dropping birds in the world, with its glowing green feathers and long tail. Beyond birding, you can hike through mossy oak forest, fish for trout, and visit waterfalls that feel like they belong in a fairy tale. It’s peaceful, remote, and almost entirely free of crowds.
How to get there: Drive about two and a half hours south from San Jose on the Pan American Highway.
Where to stay: Savegre Hotel Natural Reserve & Spa has cozy rooms and some of the best quetzal spotting right on property.
Best time to visit: December through April for dry trails and the best quetzal sightings (February to May is peak nesting).
11. Uvita
Uvita sits on the Pacific coast and is best known for Marino Ballena National Park, home to the famous Whale’s Tail, a sandbar that forms a perfect whale tail shape at low tide. Humpback whales actually swim through these waters twice a year, from December to mid March and mid July to mid October, making Uvita one of the best whale watching spots in the world. Beyond whales, you can learn to surf on gentle waves, swim under the towering Nauyaca Waterfalls, or just relax on quiet beaches away from bigger crowds.
How to get there: Drive about three hours and 45 minutes south from San Jose.
Where to stay: Ballena Rey Hotel has small apartments, a sweet pool, and a short walk to the beach.
Best time to visit: During whale season (December to mid March or mid July to mid October) for the full experience.
12. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Puerto Viejo is the beating heart of the southern Caribbean coast. The town has a vibrant mix of Afro Caribbean, Indigenous Bribri, and expat cultures, and the food reflects it, with coconut rice, jerk chicken, and fresh seafood on almost every menu. Days here are easy: rent a bike, cruise down palm lined roads to hidden beaches like Playa Chiquita or Punta Uva, and spend the afternoon swimming in warm turquoise water. The Jaguar Rescue Center nearby rehabilitates injured wildlife, and nights come alive with reggae, calypso, and dancing.
How to get there: Fly into San Jose and drive about four and a half hours east, or fly into Limon and drive about an hour south.
Where to stay: Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel is a stylish beachfront pick with a great pool scene.
Best time to visit: September through October or February through March for the driest Caribbean weather.
13. Puerto Jiménez
Puerto Jiménez is a sleepy town on the Osa Peninsula and the main gateway to Corcovado National Park, a place National Geographic once called the most biologically intense spot on Earth. Scarlet macaws, tapirs, and even jaguars roam through thick jungle just outside town. Golfo Dulce, the bay next to Puerto Jimenez, is great for kayaking, snorkeling, and spotting dolphins or whales depending on the season. It’s one of the more remote places to visit in Costa Rica, but the wildlife payoff is huge.
How to get there: Catch a small regional flight from San Jose, or drive six and a half hours south.
Where to stay: Cabinas Jimenez has oceanfront rooms and free bikes and kayaks for guests.
Best time to visit: Mid December through April for dry trails in Corcovado.
14. Drake Bay
Drake Bay, tucked on the opposite side of the Osa Peninsula from Puerto Jimenez, is about as off grid as Costa Rica gets. There’s basically one main road, a handful of rustic restaurants, and wildlife everywhere you look. From here, boat tours head into Corcovado National Park for full day jungle adventures, or to Caño Island for world class snorkeling and diving with sea turtles, reef sharks, and manta rays. The Drake Bay Hiking Trail along the coast is a free way to spot sloths and check out empty beaches. It’s one of the quieter places to visit in Costa Rica, and unplugging here is part of the appeal.
How to get there: Take a small regional flight from San Jose, or drive about six and a half hours south.
Where to stay: Hotel Rancho Corcovado is a beachfront lodge with rainforest views and tasty breakfasts.
Best time to visit: December through April for the best weather and boat access.
15. Montezuma
Montezuma is a small, hippie friendly town on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula with a big personality. Its namesake waterfalls are the star attraction, with a series of tiered cascades and natural pools you can actually swim in. Nearby Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve, Costa Rica’s oldest protected area, has trails packed with monkeys, toucans, and sloths. Back in town, you’ll find yoga studios, open air restaurants, and lively bars without the heavy development of bigger beach towns. It’s one of the most charming places to visit in Costa Rica for travelers who want a little bit of everything.
How to get there: From San Jose, drive, ferry, and drive again (about four and a half hours total). From Liberia, it’s about an hour south by car.
Where to stay: Casitas Sollevante Boutique Hotel has ocean views, an infinity pool, and indoor/outdoor showers.
Best time to visit: December through April for sunny beach weather, or August through November if you want to see baby turtles hatch.
Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, hunting for wildlife, or just looking for the perfect beach to do nothing on, there’s a spot on this list for you. The best trips usually mix a couple of different regions together to get the full range of what the country has to offer. Pick a few of these places to visit in Costa Rica, string them together, and you’ll have a trip you’ll be telling stories about for years.
