Costa Rica
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Overview
From golden beaches to lush jungles and ancient volcanoes, Costa Rica celebrates the natural world unlike anywhere else on the planet. Surf the Central Pacific’s raucous waves, catch the party vibe in hot spots like Jacó, wander the dense jungle in the Península de Osa, visit the Península de Nicoya for some relaxation, or head to the Caribbean coast for one of the country’s best destinations, Parque Nacional Tortuguero. Lively capital San José has some of the best museums in the country, while La Fortuna offers wonderful natural springs. In short, Costa Rica has it all, so go explore. Not sure where to start? Plan your trip to Costa Rica with our travel inspiration and tips covering top attractions, best things to do, when to visit, road trips and more expert advice.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
San José
This museum houses the world’s largest collection of American jade (pronounced ‘ha-day’ in Spanish), with an ample exhibition space of five floors…
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around
Geography fun fact: this isthmus, which is the centerpiece of the park, is called a tombolo and was formed by the accumulation of sand between the…
Museo de Oro Precolombino y Numismática
San José
This three-in-one museum houses an extensive collection of Costa Rica's most priceless pieces of pre-Columbian gold and other artifacts, including…
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Planning Tools
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.
Read articleBest Places to Visit
Costa Rica is one of the world's most incredible (and well-protected) destinations. These are the 8 best places to visit when you get there.
Read articleBest Time to Visit
Costa Rica has an enviable wealth of attractions, but the best time to visit depends on what you want to do when you get there.
Read articleThings to Know
Adrenaline-pumping activities, pristine beaches, dense rainforests, Costa Rica has it all. Here's what you need to know before you go.
Read articleTransportation
Find out the best way to get from A to B in Costa Rica, whether your budget and schedule stretches to bus, boat, rental car or airplane.
Read articleVisa 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.
Read articleMoney and Costs
There are plenty of ways for cost-conscious travelers to save some colones. Here are 10 top tips for traveling on a small budget in Costa Rica.
Read articleTraveling 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.
Read articleBest Road Trips
From the relaxed vibe of the country's beach towns to its wildlife-filled forests, Costa Rica is an epic destination for road-tripping. Here are five we love.
Read articleGet Connected
Stay fully connected on your next trip to Costa Rica with this guide to local wi-fi networks, roaming charges, eSIMs and data.
Read article
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