Costa Rica

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Costa Rica

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Stock Photo of Beautiful Hispanic female surfer in Costa Rica at sunrise

Raymond Forbes Photography / Stocksy United

Overview

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.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

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…
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…
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…
Museo del Jade
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…
Punta Catedral
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.

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Best 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.

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Best 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.

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Things to Know

Adrenaline-pumping activities, pristine beaches, dense rainforests, Costa Rica has it all. Here's what you need to know before you go.

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Transportation

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.

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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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Money 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.

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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

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.

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Get Connected

Stay fully connected on your next trip to Costa Rica with this guide to local wi-fi networks, roaming charges, eSIMs and data.

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