Raymond Forbes Photography / Stocksy United

Costa Rica

Centering yourself on a surfboard or yoga mat, descending into bat-filled caves or ascending misty volcanic peaks – relax and enjoy the ride of Costa Rica.

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Best Time to Visit

Best Places to Visit

Start planning your trip

Best Time to Visit

Best Places to Visit

Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

Teatro Nacional
San José
On the southern side of the Plaza de la Cultura resides the Teatro Nacional, San José’s most revered building. Constructed in 1897, it features a columned…
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Central Valley & Highlands
This polished storybook garden complex just east of Volcán Poás offers the most easily digestible cultural experience in the Central Valley and is the…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
Featuring lush jungle, picture-perfect beaches and craggy headlands, this tiny park (1680 acres/680 hectares) absolutely brims with wildlife (and often…
Playa Negra
Cahuita
At the northwestern end of Cahuita, Playa Negra is a long, black-sand beach flying the bandera azul ecológica, a flag that indicates that the beach is…
Punta Uva
Southern Caribbean
Off a dirt road marked by Punta Uva Dive Center is a quiet, idyllic cove that could double for a scene in the film The Beach. When the water is calm, it…
Parque Nacional Isla del Coco
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
Around 500km southwest of the Costa Rica mainland, Isla del Coco is a natural wonder that teems with wildlife, including the largest schools of hammerhead…
Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal
Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal
From 1968 until 2010, Volcán Arenal was an ever-active and awe-striking natural wonder, producing menacing ash columns, massive explosions and streams of…
Wilson Botanical Garden
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
The world-class Wilson Botanical Garden is internationally known for its collection of more than 2000 native Costa Rican species. Species threatened with…

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Planning Toolkit

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do
From water sports and mountain hikes to rainforest wildlife watching and cloud-forest birding, these are the best things to do in Costa Rica.
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Transportation
If you're wondering how to navigate Costa Rica's roads, airports, and ferry terminals, here's the scoop on getting around this impressive country.
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Visa Requirements
Costa Rica is a stunning country that's beloved by travelers. Here's everything you need to know about its entry requirements before you go.
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Traveling with Kids
Costa Rica is the easy way to dive into Central America with kids in tow. Here are our top family adventures, from surf beaches to volcano hikes.
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Best Road Trips
Renting a car in Costa Rica is costly and can even be dangerous if you're not prepared for what's to come. It’s also ridiculously good fun.
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