When picturing Costa Rica, it’s easy for lush jungles and pristine beaches to come to mind; and, while there is plenty of that, this incredibly diverse country has so much more to offer. Here we breakdown of the different regions of Costa Rica:
The Central Valley
Home of the capital city, San José, the Central Valley offers a perfect mix of natural beauty and urban comforts. Within the city limits you’ll find cultural treasures, such as the Teatro Nacional and Museo de Oro, as well as trendy neighborhoods and restaurants that have helped give San José its reputation as one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Central America. The surrounding areas should not be skipped, though; coffee plantations (many offering tours) can be found throughout the foothills above the city, while the artisan town of Sarchí gives a look into Costa Rican art and culture. National parks such as Poás and Irazú Volcano are close enough for a fun-filled day trip in nature.
Northern Zone
Heading out of the Central Valley, you’ll find the Northern Zone. Serving as one of the primary attractions for the region, Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna offers unbeatable opportunities to both relax and find adventure in a spectacular natural setting. Why not go canyoning in the morning, and spend the evening soaking in hot springs? It’s all possible in Arenal. While there, be sure to check out Lake Arenal, which offers amazing photo opportunities of the volcano and water sport opportunities, and pay the town of La Fortuna a visit in between fun-filled activities.
Also in the mountains of the Northern Zone you’ll find Monteverde, a cloud forest famous for being one of the best Resplendent Quetzal viewing spots in the country. Hiking trails and hanging bridges provide excellent birdwatching opportunities, while adventure activities such as ziplining through the clouds provide a healthy dose of adrenaline. Cap off the day by having dinner at one of the many good restaurant options in Santa Elena, the principal town within Monteverde.
At the other side of the Northern Zone, Sarapiquí is an adventure lover’s dream destination. Most famous for its white water rafting, it’s a must-do for your list if you love being on the water. It is also one of the best viewing spots for the critically endangered Great Green Macaw, the second largest species of macaw in the world.
Northern Pacific Region
Comprised of Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula, the Northern Pacific Region is a beach lover’s dream. With its clear, blue waters, you can’t go wrong with areas such as Playa Conchal, Playa Langosta, Nosara, or Sámara. Cool, laid back beach towns such as Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo also provide a great place to relax after a day of surfing or lounging by the water. Serving as the largest city in the zone, Liberia offers an international airport and is the major jumping off point for the region. With a climate more arid than the rest of the country, you won’t find as much of the stereotypical rainforest that is often associated with Costa Rica in the Northern Pacific Region; however, Santa Rosa National Park offers a unique experience, housing one of the only dry tropical forests in the country, as well as views of Rincón de la Vieja volcano (another national park with great hiking to waterfalls, mud pots, and panoramic views). If you are still looking for more of a rainforest experience head to the border of the Northern Pacific Region and Northern Zone where you’ll also find Rio Celeste, located in Volcán Tenorio National Park. Known primarily for its hike up to a spectacular waterfall, the area gets its name from the river you follow, which is colored bright turquoise due to its proximity to the volcano.
Caribbean Region
On the other side of the country, you’ll find Costa Rica’s Caribbean Region. To the north is Tortuguero. Accessible only by boat or plane, this area is worth the trouble of getting there if wildlife spotting is high on your list of activities. Tortuguero National Park is comprised of canals traversing through the surrounding jungle, and can only be explored by boat, while the town of Tortuguero sits on an island whose beaches are a famous destination to witness annual turtle nesting. Due to restrictions on both activities, which require a guide, many of the lodges in the area have structured packages that take the guess work out of planning everything, and provide itineraries during your stay that will allow you to get in all of Tortuguero’s must-dos.
Down south, you’ll find the city of Puerto Limón and, continuing on down even further, Puerto Viejo and Cahuita. As the largest city in the region, Puerto Limón serves as a cruise ship and cargo port. While not generally as touristy as other areas, Puerto Limón serves as one of Costa Rica’s most important cultural centers, combining its Caribbean and indigenous roots in one place, and serves as the principal jumping off point to other spots. To the south, Puerto Viejo and Cahuita are a water sports lover’s paradise. Cahuita National Park, the only donation-based national park in Costa Rica, houses a beautiful reef that can be explored by snorkelers during certain times of the year. On land, Cahuita’s forests house a plethora of animals, and serve as a great spot for wildlife watching. While typically referred to as a party town, the beautiful beaches of Puerto Viejo are a well-known surfing destination. Puerto Viejo is also a popular place to stop over for those who are looking to make the land crossing into Panama.
Southern Zone
One of the most remote areas of Costa Rica, the Southern Zone is home to some of the best wildlife spotting in the country. In the Osa Peninsula you’ll find Corcovado National Park, one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Due to its incredibly dense, untouched nature, all visitors to the park must go with a guide. This can be arranged in either Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez, the two largest towns in the Osa, and jumping off points to different sides of the park. Expect a daytrip hike to be a full day affair, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, opt for a multi-day hiking trip, where you will camp out at various ranger stations within the park. It’s no luxury experience, but those who go might be rewarded with sightings of some of the country’s most elusive animals, such as the Baird’s tapir and jaguar. If a rainforest hike is not your thing, there is still plenty of wildlife to see around town, and the beaches are incredibly pristine. Drake Bay also provides direct access to Isla del Caño, a marine reserve with some of the best snorkeling and diving in the country.
Across the Golfo Dulce from Puerto Jiménez, you’ll find Golfito, Costa Rica’s southernmost port town. While not generally known for its tourism, the area is known for its sportfishing opportunities, and is close to Pavones, one of the best surfing beaches in the country. It is also close to Paso Canoas, the country’s other land border crossing with Panama.
Talamanca Range
Extending from the Southern Caribbean to Pacific coasts, the Talamanca range is a series of mountains connecting Costa Rica to Panama. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves is a natural land bridge connecting the animal and plant species of North and South America. Carved by glacial activity, the mountains are unique to Central America, and contain the highest peaks in Costa Rica. At 12,530ft, Mount Chirripó is the tallest, and a major attraction for avid hikers. While a difficult climb, those who make it to the top may very well be rewarded with views of both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, depending on the clarity of the day.
While most of the Talamanca range is relatively unpopulated, there are a few places to stay. With its proximity to Quetzales National Park, the cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota offer good opportunities to see the bird for which the park is named, as well as many other notable species. If you are looking for a busier atmosphere, San Isidro de El General is the largest city in the region, and a short distance to the entrance of Chirripó National Park. Want to stay even closer to the mountain? Check out San Gerardo de Rivas, a small village located just outside the park.
Central Pacific Coast
Running south of the Northern Zone, you’ll find the Central Pacific Coast. Famous for its national parks and beautiful beaches, probably the two most referenced locations in the central pacific are Jacó and Quepos/Manuel Antonio. Known for its surfing and party lifestyle, Jacó is an ideal location for visitors wanting a mix of nature and nightlife. For a slightly quieter scene, Playa Hermosa is a short distance from town, and fully embraces the laid back, surfer lifestyle. Another hour south, you’ll find Quepos/Manuel Antonio. This area is home to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most visited parks in the country; an ideal habitat for wildlife, the park also contains one of the top-rated beaches in the world, making it an ideal place to hike around in the morning, and relax in the afternoon. It is also a popular location for various activities, such as catamaran tours, ziplining, and white water rafting, and its popularity means there are accommodations for every budget.
While maybe a little less known, Dominical and Uvita, about an hour further south, are also beautiful locations to visit and take in the natural scenery, or spend a day surfing. While there, be sure to check out Marino Ballena National Park, which is a mixture of rainforest and marine preserves. As the home of the largest coral reef on Central America’s Pacific Coast, you can find good snorkeling and diving opportunities, as well as whale watching during certain times of the year.
Can’t decide where to go? With its location in the mountains near Quepos/Manuel Antonio, Casa Danta is centrally located in the Central Pacific Coast, and day trips to any of the three major areas are possible!