Central Valley & Highlands
This old-school covered market is conveniently located right around the corner from the bus and train stations that serve San José. It's fun just to…
Must-see attractions in Costa Rica
Puntarenas
Built in place of the previous Municipal Palace that burned down, this rather unusual 1970s structure with jutting upper floors, designed by architect…
Quepos to Uvita
Three kilometers south of Dominical, this sheltered bay is favored by beginners when the surf is big in Dominical. Surf schools from Dominical frequently…
The Road to Chirripó
These not-so-secret gardens make for a tranquil pre- or post-Chirripó pastime as the owners talk you through their collection of orchids and other…
Mal País & Santa Teresa
Playa El Carmen, downhill from the main T-intersection coming into town, is a good beach break that can be surfed anytime. The beach is wide and sandy and…
Central Valley & Highlands
Around 70 steps (approx 10 to 15 minutes up) lead to a viewing platform overlooking the vast verdant hillsides, with a trickling waterfall in the distance…
San José
Housed in the historical National Liquor Factory, this cultural center contains the museum of art and design, a video museum, a gallery and two theaters.
San José
Since the 1920s, this large metallic dome perched atop columns in Parque Morazán has sheltered concerts, dance parties and political rallies.
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
This small, newer butterfly farm features 10 butterfly species native to the Osa Peninsula. Visitors learn about the metamorphosis process and tour the…
Puerto Limón
Located 4km northwest of Limón, Playa Bonita has a pleasant sandy beach and a couple of happening bar-restaurants. .
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
A recommended spot for snorkeling, situated in front of Las Caletas Lodge.
Monteverde & Santa Elena
This sweet-smelling garden in Santa Elena has shady trails winding past more than 500 types of orchids. On your guided tour, you’ll see such rarities as…
Parque Zoológico Nacional Simón Bolívar
San José
It may seem ironic to visit a zoo in one of the most biologically rich countries in the world, but this is a popular spot with local families who pour in…
San José
East of Parque Central, the Renaissance-style Catedral Metropolitana was built in 1871 after the previous cathedral was destroyed in an earthquake. The…
San José
Housing more than 30 species of butterfly – including the luminescent blue morpho – in plant-filled enclosures, this small butterfly garden is a great…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
For those who prefer their reptiles under glass (or at least behind it), a guide will show you around and introduce you to more than 50 species of…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
This simple meeting house in Monteverde is the ‘church’ of the American Society of Friends, or the Quakers, who first settled this area and committed to…
Southern Caribbean
Halfway between Cahuita and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca in Hone Creek, this botanical garden and chocolate museum has a couple of small exhibits devoted to…
Montezuma
About 1.5km south of town, alongside the waterfall trail, you can tour this lush mariposario (butterfly garden) and nursery where the mysterious…
San José
Parque Morazán is named for Francisco Morazán, the 19th-century general who attempted to unite the Central American nations under a single flag (for his…
Puntarenas
This beachside, pedestrian boulevard stretches along the southern edge of town. Cruise ships make visits to the eastern end of the road, and a variety of…
San José
Between the Museo Nacional and the Museo de Jade is the stark Plaza de la Democracia, which was constructed by President Oscar Arias in 1989 to…
San José
Surrounded by heavy traffic, Parque España may be small, but it becomes a riot of birdsong every day at sunset when the local avian population comes in to…
Liberia
With whitewashed walls and twin pillars flanking the front door, La Agonía typifies the Spanish colonial architecture that earned Liberia its 'White City'…
Central Valley & Highlands
Housed in a restored 19th-century farmhouse 1.5km southeast of Barva, this tiny museum surrounded by well-labeled gardens is run by the Universidad…
Monteverde & Santa Elena
The Bat Jungle in Monteverde is a small but informative exhibit, with good bilingual educational displays and a habitat housing almost 100 free-flying…
Estación del Ferrocarril de Costa Rica
San José
Less than a block east of Parque Nacional is San José's historical train station to the Atlantic, built in 1908. Nowadays offering weekday train service…
San José
On the north side of Parque Central is this theatre, which was built in 1928 in a beaux-arts style. It is named after the well-known Costa Rican tenor…
Ecomuseo de las Minas de Abangares
Northwestern Costa Rica
It’s not often you see the terms ‘eco’ and ‘mining’ so close together. Set on 38 hectares, this little museum has photographs and models depicting the old…
Liberia
The somewhat shady but not particularly picturesque Parque Central frames Iglesia Inmaculada Concepción de María. The park is also the seasonal hangout of…
Puntarenas
This retro marine park has seen better days, but it will certainly keep the kids entertained for a while. There's an aquarium showcasing many tropical…
Central Pacific Coast
This local butterfly farm run by American expat Dan is set on 1.2 hectares with 70 kinds of fruit tree and 15 species of butterfly, including the enormous…
Central Valley & Highlands
This short trail around a nice garden is a pretty, if a little pricey, place to stretch your legs on the way to the high cloud forest or Lands in Love…
Copetillo Birdwatching/Donde Cope
Caribbean Coast
Guapileño artist-photographer Cope (co-pay) has converted this former tilapia farm into a paradise of hummingbirds, tanagers and other birds, with a…
Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción
Central Valley & Highlands
Built in 1797, this striking white church is still in use. The thick-walled, squat construction has withstood many earthquakes, but parts of the facade…
Sarapiquí Valley
Come face to face with 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, including poison-dart frogs, rattlesnakes, crocs and turtles. The star attraction is a…
Central Valley & Highlands
At the heart of town you’ll find the incredibly quaint Catedral de la Mercedes, a red metal structure that was prefabricated in Belgium and shipped to…
Museo Comunitario Indígena de Boruca
Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa
Marked by an enormous stone sphere out front, this tiny museum has interpretive exhibits explaining Boruca legends, and displays tools and materials used…
San José
The Mercado Borbón is a true sensory experience of sights and smells, and you might catch the daily hand-truck race among the workers. The focus is on…
