What to see in Costa Rica: 10 must-sees
Discover what to see in Costa Rica: 10 must-see destinations, from Corcovado National Park to Arenal. Predominantly national park and natural; each entry includes the best time to visit and the link to its official source.
National Park(5)
Explore the 42,469 hectares of tropical rainforest in Corcovado National Park, on the Osa Peninsula, where jaguars, monkeys, toucans, and some 400 bird species live side by side. Follow the trails beneath the canopy, camp by the river, and get a close look at pristine forest while hiking and birdwatching in one of the most biodiverse corners of the planet.
Follow the national park trails from the Quepos entrance to the white-sand beach, where capuchin monkeys cross the treetops and sloths rest beside the path. Swim in calm waters, snorkel near the rocks, and watch tropical birds in the rainforest that reaches the shore. Arrive early: daily entry is limited and raccoons look for food in unattended backpacks. Walk up to the Punta Catedral viewpoint for views of the Puntarenas coastline and the islands across the bay.
Hop on a boat at dawn and cruise the canals of Tortuguero National Park, in Limón, where toucans and howler monkeys peek out from the vegetation. Watch sea turtles nesting on the beach from July to October, the most remarkable natural event on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Walk the rainforest trails, spot herons and caimans from the water, and visit the village, accessible only by boat or small plane. Here, conservation is the daily work of park rangers and locals.
Watch from the boat as crocodiles, monkeys, and sloths share the banks of this wetland in Alajuela, considered Costa Rica's most important. Navigate channels and lagoons while spotting some of the 400 bird species recorded here, from herons to the rare and elusive agami heron. Explore the park's trails, listen to the calls of the howler monkeys, and see how the waters of the Frío River feed this wildlife refuge, where each season floods or reveals new corners full of wildlife.
Summit Costa Rica's highest point in Chirripó National Park, at 3,820 meters, crossing páramos and glacial lakes until you spot the Pacific on clear days. The trek takes 2 days, with an overnight stay at the Crestones refuge before the final ascent at dawn. Book your entry in advance, as daily capacity is limited. Along the way you may spot quetzals, toucans, and páramo rabbits among oaks and frailejones, in an area of San José that demands good fitness and warm clothing.
Natural(2)
Watch the 1,633-meter cone of Arenal Volcano rising above La Fortuna amid rainforest and solidified lava flows. Hike the national park trails, where toucans and sloths peek out from the vegetation, and end the day in hot springs heated by the volcano's own activity. The area's thermal rivers, such as Tabacón, let you bathe surrounded by tropical gardens while the mountain dominates the horizon.
Stroll through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, in the Tilarán mountain range, where mist covers trails inhabited by hummingbirds, resplendent quetzals, orchids, and howler monkeys. Cross the hanging bridges suspended above the forest canopy, some more than 40 meters high, and take a close look at the bromeliads, ferns, and mosses that carpet the tree trunks. Hire a local guide to spot the quetzal between February and June, or walk the trails at night to see frogs and snakes. Bring a rain jacket: light rain can appear at any time of year in this part of Puntarenas.
Beach(2)
Visit Tamarindo Beach, in Guanacaste, and walk its white sand as waves break over the surfboards of beginners and veterans alike. Take lessons at the beachside surf schools, wait for the sunset over the Pacific, and keep the night going among bars, restaurants, and live music at Costa Rica's liveliest beach. Snorkel in the nearby coves, walk along the shore at dawn, and swim in warm, clear waters that invite you to stay until the sun goes down.
Admire how the sand of Playa Conchal crunches beneath your feet: it's not ordinary sand, but millions of crushed shells that give it its light color and unique texture. Walk along the shore of this beach in Guanacaste as the calm, crystal-clear turquoise water invites you in for a swim. Snorkel near the rocks at the northern end, where colorful fish gather, or simply lie back under the palm trees and take in the view of the Pacific. Pick up a few whole shells from the sand as a keepsake—without taking more than you need—and respect this distinctive corner of the Costa Rican coast.
City(1)
Dive into the Costa Rican capital starting at the Central Market, where coffee, spice, and traditional soda stalls set the morning's rhythm. Head over to the National Theater, a neoclassical gem from 1897, and stop by the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum to see indigenous artifacts next to the Plaza de la Cultura. At the National Museum, housed in the old Bellavista Barracks, the country's history unfolds among butterfly gardens. Finish with a stroll down the Central Avenue boulevard, past bookstores, colorful buses, and buildings that mix old facades with modern cafés.
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