31 Must-Visit Attractions in Costa Rica

The Arenal Volcano is truly impressive. If you imagine how you would have drawn a volcano when you were a kid, that is basically what it looks like: a perfectly symmetrical cone. Surrounding the volcano are lush forests that are bursting with wildlife. There are beautiful waterfalls, hanging bridges, hiking and horseback riding trails, butterfly gardens, hot springs, and zip-line tours.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park is a privately owned nature sanctuary close to San Jose. There are five waterfalls, cloud forests and rainforests as well as a snake, frog, orchid and heliconia exhibit. There’s also a petting zoo, a hummingbird garden and an animal sanctuary with over 100 different species, including jaguars, ocelots, monkeys and pumas. This is an exciting attraction for the whole family and a perfect way to experience some of the natural wonders of Costa Rica all in one convenient and beautiful place.

Tabacón Hot Springs is the largest accessible network of natural hot springs in Costa Rica. The pools are located within a private rainforest reserve and part of the Tabacón Thermal Resort. You don’t have to stay here to use the hot springs, as you can purchase a day pass. The highly mineralized and naturally heated water flows through the resort and fills multiple pools that vary in temperature. Soaking in a natural hot tub in the midst of a lush landscape up in the mountains is our idea of heaven.

The La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the top waterfalls to visit in Costa Rica. There are multiple ways to get to the hiking trail, one being via horseback. Then, walk back down 500 steps to the basin of the waterfall. La Fortuna Waterfall is 230ft (70m) tall. After hiking down, you can swim in the pool beneath the cascade of water, which is an incredible experience in itself. The surrounding forest is stunning, and you will likely see toucans, butterflies, monkeys and sloths.

In 1945, by a total accident, the Venado Caves were discovered by a farmer who literally fell into them. Eight magnificent chambers make up a maze of limestone deep down in the earth. The rooms, which are filled with stalagmites and stalactites, were carved over the course of millions of years from underground rivers and the shifting plates of the Earth near the Arenal Volcano. This is not an experience for those who are claustrophobic. However, if small spaces don’t faze you and you want to dip down below sea level to these ancient caverns, then checking out the Venado Caves is a must-do.

La Selva Biological Station and Reserve is on a protected 3,700-acre (1,497ha) piece of land that is home to some incredible biodiversity, especially birds. The station is also home to almost 300 visiting students and scientists. The combination of this being a learning and research center, protected reserve and eco-tourism hot spot makes this a must-stop place. Out of the 450-plus birds that make Costa Rica their home, either permanently or seasonally, nearly half of them spend time on the La Selva Reserve. This is a spectacular place to experience some of the unique flora and fauna of Costa Rica in such a small zone.

The Del Toro waterfall is the largest and most spectacular waterfall in Costa Rica. The sheer magnitude and power of this waterfall that appears out of the dense jungle will surely take your breath away. There are great trails and lookout points surrounding the waterfall. Visiting the Del Toro Waterfall is an amazing way to spend the day surrounded by nature. This is also a chance to see an abundance of wildlife. If you are only going to visit one waterfall on your trip, visit this one.

The Catalinas Islands offer some of the best scuba diving locations in Costa Rica and are easily accessible from Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, Conchal and Papagayo. This island chain is located off the Nicoya Peninsula in the northwest part of the country. The islands are famous for their population and variety of rays, as well as tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles and even sometimes whale sharks and pilot whales. Diving is incredible here all year round.

The Cano Island Biological Reserve is an amazing place to spend the day and go snorkeling. It’s just 10miles (16km) off the Osa Peninsula, and the waters are warm, crystal clear and teeming with marine life. The coral reefs here are home to a wide variety of tropical fish, rays and turtles. As the reserve is located just off the reef, it is common to see bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales here. Violines Island, which is part of the reserve, is a beautiful island lined with white sand and palm trees, where you can kick back and relax after you are done snorkeling.

Local legend claims that the reason Rio Celeste is its magical and surreal shade of blue is that, when God painted the sky, he used the river to clean his paintbrush. Rio Celeste is part of the Tenorio Volcano National Park. The hike here can be a bit treacherous, especially during the rainy season, due to the mud – but it is worth it. You have to see this river and the waterfall that cascades into these magical waters in person.

The Poás Volcano National Park is one of the most-visited volcanic parks, and for a very good reason: the volcano is the largest and most active in Costa Rica. It rises 8,885ft (2,708m) high, and the main crater is filled with a stunning blue-green-colored lake called Laguna Botas. Surrounding the volcanic area, there are multiple different ecosystems, including cloud forests and rainforests, which are home to many species of birds and small mammals. There are well-maintained and marked hiking trails in the park, too.

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most famous parks in Costa Rica and one that should definitely not be missed. There are 1,680 acres (680ha) of rainforests containing hiking trails that will take you through dense vegetation and out to white-sand beaches. This is an incredible place that is filled with all sorts of plants and animals. If you are on a search to see a three-toed sloth, this is where you will most likely find one. When you picture Costa Rica, you are probably picturing Manuel Antonio.

Walk across six suspension bridges that are almost 800ft (245m) long and 25 stories high above the lush and lively rainforest in Quepos. The view from the bridge is unmatched by any other; the feeling of being so high up in the treetops, where most of the rainforest inhabitants live, is truly phenomenal. Just before you get to the first bridge, you will encounter a beautiful waterfall and natural swimming pool, where you can take a dip and cool off. This zone is bursting with wildlife, especially birds, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals like monkeys.

There is a section of Rio Tárcoles that is especially famous for its abundance of very large American crocodiles. You can walk out onto a bridge and look down to see dozens of massive crocodiles laying on the embankment or just floating at the surface. You will pass this bridge when you are driving from San Jose toward Jaco Beach. You can’t miss it because you will see plenty of people on the side of the bridge admiring these ancient beasts.

Giant stone spheres were first discovered in the southern Caribbean region of Costa Rica in the 1930s. Some of the stones weigh as much as 16 tons, so it is a great mystery as to who made them and how they got all over the country. Over 300 of them have been found, yet no one is really sure how they were made, though it is thought that some may be up to 1,000 years old. Quarries with the type of stone that these spheres are made from are at least 50mi (80km) from any of the giant stones that have been discovered. You can see these mysterious balls at El Sitio Museo Finca 6.

The Lankester Botanical Gardens, located in the Central Valley, is home to 15,000 orchids and 3,000 other types of plants. This impressive and gorgeous botanical garden is a must-visit for plant and orchid enthusiasts or anyone who just loves being surrounded by flowers. Since the 1940s, these gardens have been thriving and attracting visitors from all over the country and the world. Also, due to all of the flowering plants, there is quite a large population of butterflies and birds that make their home here.

The Butterfly Conservatory is located in El Castillo at the east end of Lake Arenal and has the biggest collection of butterflies in Costa Rica. Six different atriums mimic the natural habits of the variety of butterflies that live here, such as the beautiful and giant blue morpho butterfly. There is a fabulous educational tour that takes you through the atriums, where you will learn all about the different moths and butterflies of Costa Rica, along with the frogs and insects, too. This is a lovely afternoon activity – who doesn’t want to be surrounded by butterflies?

In 2008, San Lucas Island was declared a national wildlife preserve, but, before that, between 1873 and 1991, it housed the most feared prison in Costa Rica. For those interested in eerie pasts and landmarks, this is a fascinating historical site. The old prison still sits on this island. San Lucas Island is located off the coast of Puntarenas and is accessible by boat. When walking around this island, it is common to see white-tailed deer, armadillos, boa constrictors, pythons, raccoons and pigs, along with 40 species of birds. There are also five pristine beaches on the island that you can explore. For being such a haunted place in the past, this island is full of life and beauty now.

The National Theater is a marvelous architectural and cultural attraction in San Jose. This iconic neoclassical building is as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside. Inside, there are exquisite murals and decorations. The theater hosts all sorts of different live performances ranging from theatrical plays to concerts. If you are in San Jose, you should definitely visit the National Theater for its architectural and interior beauty – and definitely try and see a live performance here.

Territorio de Zaguates (Land of the Strays), a volunteer-run, no-kill dog shelter in Santa Barbara, is home to more than 900 dogs. The stray dogs lucky enough to find themselves here are treated with immense love and given the best care possible. You’re encouraged to spend time playing with the dogs and can even schedule a dog walk with all 900 dogs through the valley. This is an absolute must for dog lovers.

While there are mangrove forests located up and down both coasts, the Sierpe Terraba mangrove forest on the Osa Peninsula is the biggest in Costa Rica. The flooded forest stretches 67,000 acres (27,000ha) and is teeming with wildlife such as crabs, caimans, crocodiles, boas, tree frogs, river turtles, iguanas, white-faced capuchin monkeys and a wide variety of birds. This serene habitat, which can only be accessed by boat, plays an important role in protecting the coastlines from the destructive force of big storm swells. Take a tour with a certified naturalist who will share information about the mangrove forest and its inhabitants.

Between December and April, the Marino Ballena National Park in Uvita serves as a base for humpback whales migrating from Antarctica. Killer whales and pilot whales (both of which are actually in the dolphin family) also spend time in these rich tropical waters. Whale-watching tours in Costa Rica have fallen under the radar for years but are gaining popularity in places like Uvita. There are so many whales and dolphins during these months that there will most definitely be some special encounters out at sea. Discover the marine wildlife of Marino Ballena National Park on a boat tour from Utiva.

More than 800 species of birds call Costa Rica home – around 600 permanent residents and 200 migratory species. All of North America has just over 900 species of birds, so this is truly a bird utopia, and an incredible place for bird lovers to see some exotic and exquisite species, including the resplendent quetzal, scarlet macaw, toucan, roseate spoonbill and 50 different types of hummingbirds. The best spots for birdwatching are San Gerardo de Dota, Curi-Chancha Reserve, Tortuguero National Park, Rancho Naturalista, Manuel Antonio National Park, and La Selva Biological Reserve.

Traditional Costa Rican cuisine includes everything from gallo pinto, corn tortillas, and tamales to arroz con pollo, sopa negra and patacones – and learning to make some of them is a wonderful cultural experience. Take a cooking class to learn about Costa Rican culture and food, not to mention skills you can take home. One great option is a cooking class offered by a local family in La Fortuna – a truly authentic experience.

Free diving, the exhilarating and peaceful practice of spending time beneath the surface of the sea, is a unique and useful skill to learn for divers and ocean lovers. Comfortably diving to depths of 65ft-100ft (20m-30m) without scuba gear and holding your breath for upwards of three minutes may sound impossible without years of training, but learning to safely free dive with nothing but a mask and fins can be done in three days. Freedive Costa Rica in Tamarindo is the only free diving certification program available in the country, led by a professional free-diving instructor.

Playa Zancudo is located just 12 miles (20 kilometers) south of Golfito, but it feels like a world away from everything and everyone. This long stretch of idyllic black sand lined with coconut trees is ideal for swimming, body surfing, fishing, and just basking in the sun on what will feel like your own private slice of paradise. Some claim that Playa Zancudo is the best swimming beach in all of Costa Rica, and the tranquil crystal clear waters are quite inviting. There are multiple budget-friendly accommodations and great restaurants and bars nearby. Playa Zancudo is also conveniently located close to famous attractions such as the Corcovado National Park and La Casa Orquideas Botanical Gardens.

Dominical is a charming and laid-back boho-surfer town on the Central Pacific coast just 27 miles (44 kilometers) south of Quepos. Novice and experienced surfers alike will enjoy the consistent and fun beach break waves here. Non-surfers will enjoy the expansive beach, beachfront bars and restaurants, daily artisan market, birdwatching, horseback riding, and the nearby rainforest and waterfalls. There is plenty to do around Dominical as far as nature and adventure tours go, as well as it being a place that inspires total relaxation. Surprisingly, Dominical has a pretty happening nightlife, too.

The Santa Rosa National Park is located in Northern Guanacaste. Surprisingly, it is a park that is often overlooked in favor of other parks such as the Arenal National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park. However, overlooking it would be a mistake. What makes this park remarkable is there are 10 different habitats within it, including oak forest, deciduous forest, evergreen forest, littoral woodlands, mangrove swampland, marshland, and savannah. There are 115 species of mammals, 250 species of birds, 10,000 species of insects, 100 species of reptiles and amphibians, and multiple waterfalls and beaches. It is one of the most marvelous places to visit in Costa Rica.

San Gerardo de Dota is nestled up against the Talamanca Mountains. This breathtakingly beautiful town is a birdwatching hotspot, as well as a nature and adventure lover’s utopia. The quaint town is perfectly placed near the famous Los Quetzales National Park, Savegre River, Naranjo waterfalls, rolling hills, fruit plantations, and misty forests. The hiking, birdwatching, white-water rafting, and fishing in this stunning part of Costa Rica are world class, and San Gerado de Dota is a dreamy destination for those looking to become fully immersed in nature.

Pacuare is located on the Caribbean coast and is a famous sea turtle nesting beach and an important research site for scientists who are studying green sea turtles, leatherbacks, and hawksbill turtles. Turtle nesting season is between May and October. Pacuare is a perfect destination for those looking to experience the remote rainforest. It is also relatively close to the Tortuguero National Park and is only a short way from the famous white-water rafting river Rio Pacuare. This is a wild and remote destination that is bursting with wildlife, ancient plant life, and endless opportunities for adventure.

Cahuita is a happening little town on the Caribbean coast just 27 miles (43 kilometers) south of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The majority of the permanent residents are of Jamaican descent and the Creole–African culture is alive and vibrant here. Visiting Cahuita is a chance to experience a totally different culture from the rest of Costa Rica, and the laid-back and free-spirited vibe of this Caribbean town is contagious. The Cahuita National Park, Playa Negra, and Playa Blanca are all nearby. The Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve is nearby, too, and was named a World Heritage Site in 1993; this is a relatively unknown treasure and a must-visit destination while in this part of Costa Rica.