Costa Rica Attractions

Costa Rica may be as small as Switzerland, yet there are far too many highlights and attractions to see in just two weeks. On my first trip to Costa Rica, I traveled around the country for almost four weeks.

I experienced all-inclusive (with transfers, meals, and tours) in the Tortuguero National Park, sometimes I took the bus, and most of the time I was on the road with a rental car. One thing you should know: if you don't travel along the coast, the next bus will first take you back to the capital, San José.

You can only fall in love with Costa Rica. Here, everything is "Pura Vida" - the true life. Friendly and extremely helpful locals, who are always relaxed and never stressed.

The unique nature and incredible biodiversity. Especially the adorable sloths, toucans, and the loud screaming macaws have captured my heart. Pack your binoculars; it will make discovering easier!

But one thing you should know: Costa Rica is very touristy. In many places, I was proud to speak a few words of Spanish. The response came back in English with a strong American slang. Because mainly Americans and Canadians vacation in Costa Rica. You can especially notice this in the high price level. Only in more remote areas is it possible to find affordable accommodations and food.

With the goal of being one of the most sustainable countries on Earth, the country already had a significant bonus before my visit. In emails from accommodations, we were advised to bring our own bottles to refill, great!

Despite the many tourists (I was in Costa Rica during the off-season), I immediately fell in love with the remote areas and the beautiful nature. ¡Pura Vida!

Here I will share the places I visited and tell you which were my personal highlights where I felt most at home:

In the early morning, we arrive in San Jose at the International Airport. Right after arrival, we head directly to Tortuguero National Park. Right at the beginning of my trip, this was one of my absolute highlights!

Nowhere is it easier to arrive and unwind than at this wonderful place far from a big city.

During the day, we drift through the national park, spotting loud screaming macaws, toucans, sloths, crocodiles, and various species of monkeys.

It's wonderful, and I feel like I'm in an Indiana Jones film in the middle of the jungle.

Read more:Tortuguero National Park Costa Rica

The two most popular surfing spots on the Pacific Coast in the southwest of the Nicoya Peninsula are Mal Pais and Santa Teresa. The best way to reach these places is by rental car. Therefore, they are still quite sleepy and less touristy. As long as there is still no paved road and many deep potholes, I hope it stays that way.

Playa Santa Teresa on the southern Nicoya Peninsula is no longer a hidden gem. Surfers and yogis are drawn to this small town on the Pacific coast. It offers an 8 km long beach where surfers find the best surfing conditions. We surfed here for a week (I took a course) and enjoyed the tranquility.

A tip: Travel during the off-season in May like I did. Santa Teresa was very relaxed and peaceful at that time.

Read more:Santa Teresa - Tips for Costa Rica's Surfer Paradise

The town of La Fortuna has become a very touristy place due to its location near the Arenal Volcano and the countless opportunities available. Here you will find everything: from banks to restaurants with international as well as local dishes, souvenir shops, and of course agencies where you can book excursions.

I especially recommend the hikes around the Arenal Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It was long considered extinct until it suddenly erupted in 1968 and destroyed an entire village. You currently cannot see any glowing lava flowing from the crater. However, I highly recommend hikes around the lava fields from 1968.

Ask your accommodation for maps of the hikes.

Other highlights include climbing the neighboring Cerro Chato with its crater lake and the many hot springs at Tabacón.

The journey over dirt roads with deep potholes is quite an adventure. Our little Jeep creaks up the winding roads to Monteverde. From the coast, we drive up to 1,400 meters above sea level. It's quite humid, foggy, and really cool! Welcome to the Monteverde Cloud Forests. Here, ecotourism began in Costa Rica.

We swap flip-flops and tank tops for hiking boots and rain jackets. We stay at the relatively luxurious Hotel Belmar, which was recommended by a guide in Tortuguero National Park and organized for a lower price.

From the balcony, we have a great view of the cloud forests, as the accommodation is located outside the town of Monteverde just before the entrance to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.

Be sure to visit the park, as you can also enjoy a great view of the cloud forests from here. We booked a night hike hoping to find some animals. But it pours like rain. No chance, other than that we are drenched despite rain jackets. What a shame.

The flora and fauna here are unique, which we were luckily able to explore during the day (still without rain). There are numerous hiking trails where you can explore the cloud forest. Ask your accommodation for a map.

Here, adrenaline junkies get their kicks! It was thanks to my brother's tip that I came here. "Do the ziplining and choose the Superman option" - okay. Not knowing what to expect, I agreed.

The ziplines are all pretty cool as you zip by at treetop level. All the way to the last zipline. For this, I had to wear a separate suit because: you lie down, ideally spread your arms, and whiz down the longest zipline lying on your stomach over the cloud forests! Stretch your arms out to go faster! Incredible!

There is also a butterfly park in the park that houses the most beautiful and colorful butterflies. Not to mention a few noisy macaws that constantly scrutinize us and make noise as always.

At Selvatura Park, you can also walk along a path through hanging bridges. Here you can really enjoy the view and take a moment. We didn't encounter many people here.

Around Montezuma on the Nicoya Peninsula, you will find many beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and natural pools. You can also find good surfing conditions in Montezuma. However, we opted for Santa Teresa.

Manuel Antonio National Park is the most touristy national park in Costa Rica located on the Pacific Coast. Here, families with children can also enjoy searching for sloths or splashing around on the beautiful beach.

The beaches are white, the rainforest begins right behind them, and then these impressive mountains appear. Manuel Antonio National Park is considered one of the most beautiful national parks in the world. It's no wonder it's always busy here. In this protected area, you can spot many monkeys, sloths, and native wildlife.

If you really want to see reptiles and sloths, it's worth booking a guided tour. The park also has three very well-marked hiking trails.

To avoid the many day-trippers, you can also book a night tour in the jungle. Highly recommended.

Important: The park is closed on Mondays.

Jaco is said to be the most touristy surfing town on the coast. I was mainly here to learn Spanish at the School of the World and take a surfing course at the same time. The school is fantastic! The presence of many Americans made learning Spanish a bit, uh, challenging.

The school is not at fault; it's just great, as the rooms are super, you have a large shared kitchen to cook, and one of the teachers happened to be a DJ who introduced us to Jacos nightlife. By the end of our stay, we felt part of Jaco. I felt very comfortable, and saying goodbye was hard.

If you're considering learning Spanish, surfing, taking yoga classes, or learning photography and videography, check out the School of the World!

⚠️ This article will be expanded since I have visited more places. An itinerary will also be added.

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