In a nutshell
- We cover 17 top things to do in Costa Rica — and tell you exactly what’s worth your time and what you can skip.
- Our personal top 5: the sloths in Manuel Antonio National Park, the Monteverde Cloud Forest, Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast, surfing in Santa Teresa, and watching sea turtles nest in Tortuguero.
- For every highlight, we share our hotel pick and tour recommendation so you can plan your visit without the guesswork.
The Costa Rica Attractions on a Map
For a quick overview, we’ve marked the 17 most important things to do in Costa Rica on a map.
The country is best known for its nature: stunning national parks with rainforests and cloud forests, beautiful beaches, impressive waterfalls, and breathtaking volcanoes.
Find out the best time to experience all of this in our Costa Rica best time to visit article.
The 6 Most Beautiful National Parks in Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio National Park
What do you need to know? Manuel Antonio National Park is probably one of the most popular things to do in Costa Rica. Here, rainforest meets an incredibly white sandy beach — and you can spot a whole lot of different animals too. Don’t miss it.
Best base for overnight stays: Manuel Antonio
Our hotel pick: Hotel Plaza Yara
Guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
All the info on getting there, tickets, guides, activities, accommodations & tips can be found here:
Corcovado National Park
What do you need to know? Corcovado is the largest national park in Costa Rica. The rainforest is a must if you want a real adventure on your trip. Corcovado National Park is the only park where all four Central American monkey species live: howler monkeys, spider monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and squirrel monkeys. You can only enter with a guide.
Best base for overnight stays by bus: Drake Bay
Our hotel pick in Drake Bay: Hotel Finca Maresia
Day trip to Corcovado National Park from Drake Bay
Best base for overnight stays by car: Puerto Jiménez
Our hotel pick in Puerto Jiménez: Danta Corcovado Lodge
Full-day tour of Corcovado National Park from Puerto Jiménez
Here we explain everything about getting there, accommodations, and why you need a tour:
Tortuguero National Park
What do you need to know? At Tortuguero National Park, you can watch giant sea turtles nesting at night from about July to October. For us, this is an absolute must-see. The canals in Tortuguero are also incredibly cool — you should definitely take a boat tour there. You’ll need a guide for both.
Best base for overnight stays: Tortuguero.
Our hotel pick: Budda Home
Our tip: We recommend booking at least two tours: the turtle tour and an early-morning canoe tour through the canals — both were absolute highlights for us.
2.5-hour canoe tour in Tortuguero National Park
We'll give you tips and all the info on getting there, hotels, and activities here:
Arenal Volcano National Park
What do you need to know? Arenal Volcano National Park is home to a large rainforest, but what makes it truly special is the Arenal Volcano — hence the name. It’s the youngest volcano in Costa Rica and one of the most active in the world. The region around Arenal alone is worth the trip.
Best base for overnight stays: La Fortuna.
Our hotel pick: Hotel Roca Negra Del Arenal
Our tip: If you’re short on time during your Costa Rica road trip, book a combo tour in La Fortuna — it’s the most efficient way to explore the whole area.
Guided combo tour: Volcano + hanging bridges + hot springs
Read all the important info & tips on activities, getting there, hotels, and more:
Poás Volcano National Park
What do you need to know? The destination of the short hike (about 500 meters) in Poás Volcano National Park is the volcanic crater — one of the largest active craters in the world, and one of the few you can still get genuinely close to. If the weather cooperates, it’s absolutely worth the trip.
Best base with a car: Alajuela (near the airport)
Our hotel pick in Alajuela: Alice y Juancito — the most affordable of the most beautiful boutique hotels in Costa Rica.
Best base with a tour: San José
Our hotel pick in San José: Hotel Casa 96
Guided tour to Poás Volcano + coffee farm from San José
Read everything about getting there, tickets, hiking, hotels, and tips:
Cahuita National Park
What do you need to know? Cahuita National Park is one of the oldest and smallest in Costa Rica — and for us, one of the most interesting. You walk through the rainforest and suddenly find yourself standing on a stunning white sandy beach, like something out of a movie. Highly recommended!
Best base for overnight stays: Puerto Viejo
Our hotel pick: Cabinas Montesol
Our tip: Cahuita National Park is home to the largest intact coral reef in the country. You can take an awesome snorkeling trip out there — just combine it with a hike while you’re at it.
Combo tour with hiking and snorkeling in Cahuita
Find out everything about getting there, admission, guides, hiking & more tips here:
The Two Top Cloud Forests in Costa Rica
Monteverde Cloud Forest
What do you need to know? The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is the most famous reserve in the Monteverde region and absolutely worth a visit. You’ll immediately feel the difference between a rainforest and a cloud forest — Monteverde is far more mystical.
Best base for overnight stays: Santa Elena.
Our hotel pick: Camino Verde B&B Monteverde
Our tip: Our personal highlight in Monteverde was a zipline tour featuring a massive Tarzan swing. Pure adrenaline!
3-hour zipline tour with Extremo in Monteverde
Read all about the hike, suspension bridges, getting there & more in the separate article:
Santa Elena Reserve
What do you need to know? The Santa Elena Reserve is also a cloud forest. It’s smaller than Monteverde, but it’s a more affordable and less touristy alternative — and well worth your time.
Best base for overnight stays: Santa Elena.
Our hotel pick: Camino Verde B&B Monteverde
Guided group tour through the Santa Elena Reserve
Here we have all the info on getting there, the observation tower, hiking, and more tips:
The 3 Most Popular Waterfalls & Rivers
Rio Celeste
What do you need to know? Rio Celeste translates to “sky-blue river” — and we’ve genuinely never seen water quite so turquoise. For many visitors, it’s the most stunning natural wonder in Costa Rica. The river ends in a waterfall, and the trail to get there isn’t exactly easy. But it’s totally worth it!
Best base for overnight stays: La Fortuna.
Our hotel pick: Hotel Roca Negra Del Arenal
Our tip: The best way to visit is to do a day trip from La Fortuna to Rio Celeste.
Day trip to Rio Celeste from La Fortuna
La Fortuna Waterfall
What do you need to know? La Fortuna Waterfall stands 70 meters tall and is the most visited waterfall in Costa Rica. Honestly, we don’t think it’s worth the trip. It’s way too crowded, the entrance fee is steep, and the trail itself is unremarkable. Since it’s one of the most well-known spots in the country, we totally understand if you want to see it for yourself — after all, we went too.
Best base for overnight stays: La Fortuna.
Our hotel pick: Hotel Roca Negra Del Arenal
La Fortuna Waterfall combo tour
All the info on getting there, admission, hotels, and our tips can be found here:
Montezuma Falls
What do you need to know? In Montezuma, there are three waterfalls stacked on top of each other — the Montezuma Falls. If you’re feeling brave, you can jump off all three. For us, it was an awesome adventure that doesn’t cost a thing.
Best base for overnight stays: Montezuma.
Our hotel pick: Casitas Sollevante Boutique Hotel
Find out everything about getting there, the waterfalls, and more in our dedicated article:
The 4 Best Beaches and Surf Spots
Santa Teresa
What do you need to know? Santa Teresa is a top spot for surfers — the waves are particularly powerful along the 5-kilometer stretch that includes Playa Hermosa, Playa Santa Teresa, and Playa Carmen. These rank among the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. If surfing is on your agenda, Santa Teresa is the place to be.
Best base for overnight stays: Santa Teresa.
Our hotel pick: Casa Cecilia Beach Front
Read all about getting there, hotels, surfing, yoga, and our best tips here:
Samara
What do you need to know? The small coastal town of Samara is especially popular with beach vacationers. But you can also get seriously active here: surfing, snorkeling, kayaking through mangroves, stand-up paddling, and canopy tours. It’s well worth a visit!
Best base for overnight stays: Samara.
Our hotel pick: Samara Palm Lodge
Tamarindo
What do you need to know? Tamarindo on the Pacific coast is popular with American tourists. There are very few places in Costa Rica where you can party as well as here. Plan your visit between December and March if you want to spot sea turtles.
Best base for overnight stays: Tamarindo.
Our hotel pick: BoHo Tamarindo
2-hour turtle tour in Tamarindo
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
What do you need to know? Puerto Viejo sits on the Caribbean coast, just 15 kilometers from the Panamanian border. Our favorite spot runs at a slightly more relaxed pace. Grab a fresh coconut, kick back in a hammock, and soak up life. Get yourself there!
Best base for overnight stays: Puerto Viejo.
Our hotel pick: Cabinas Montesol
In a separate article, we tell you everything about getting there, activities, hotels & more:
2 Places for Culture and History in Costa Rica
San José - Costa Rica's Capital
What do you need to know? San José is the capital of Costa Rica. You’ll most likely fly in here, making it the perfect starting point for your trip. Admittedly, San José isn’t the most beautiful city, but it’s still worth a visit.
Best base for overnight stays: San José.
Our hotel pick: Hotel Casa 96
3-hour sightseeing and food tasting tour
All the info and tips on getting there, sightseeing, hotels, and more can be found here:
Chocolate and Coffee Tours
What do you need to know? Costa Rica is known for delicious coffee and truly great chocolate — two genuine specialties of Costa Rica. On a chocolate or coffee tour in Costa Rica, you’ll learn how small coffee and cacao beans become exactly that: coffee and chocolate. And you get to taste it all too!
Best base for overnight stays: La Fortuna.
Our hotel pick: Hotel Roca Negra Del Arenal
Combo chocolate and coffee tour in La Fortuna
We'll give you all the info and our best tips for the tours:
