Places to go & Stay
Costa Rica is full of wonderful places to visit, each with a variety of accommodation on offer.
Use the map below, or scroll below the map to see all the places to go.
Carara National Park
(Carara National Park)
Papagayo Gulf & Papagayo Gulf
(Nicoya Peninsula)
North of San Jose
(Bajos del Toro)
East of San Jose – Pacuare and Turrialba
(Turrialba)
Guanacaste
(Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica)
Osa Peninsula
(Osa Peninsula, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica)
Cahuita National Park
(Cahuita National Park)
Manuel Antonio National Park
(Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica)
Monte Verde and cloud forest
(MonteVerde)
San Jose
(San Jose, Costa Rica)
Sarapiqui
(Sarapiqui)
San Gerardo de Dota
(San Gerardo de Dota)
Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
(Gandoca Manzamillo Wildlife Refuge)
Arenal Volcano
(Arenal Volcano)
Tortuguero National Park
(Tortuguero National Park)
National Park Place of Interest UNESCO world heritage site
Osa Peninsula
The Osa Peninsula is rich in wildlife and biodiversity and will not disappoint. Here you will find some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Costa Rica.
Tortuguero
Swap your mode of transport, there are no roads here. Get around the network of waterways by boat or kayak and see things from a different perspective.
Manuel Antonio
This national park is one of the main attractions in this area. Whilst it is Costa Rica’s smallest national park it is also the most popular – it’s a real gem, don’t be put off by its popularity.
Papagayo Gulf and Nicoya
Ideal area for the beachy part of your trip. Long sandy beaches, good range of hotels, within easy reach of some national parks if you want a break from lazing on the beach.
Central Pacific
Sandy beaches and stunning sunsets set the scene. If beaches are not your thing, don’t worry, there are some amazing national parks along the coast.
East of San Jose
Visit the contrasting lunar landscapes of the numerous volcanoes and the lush green coffee plantations, all within a stone’s throw of each other.
Guanacaste inland
Dry forest and open plains dominate the landscape here. This is cowboy country, interspersed with stunning national parks.
Arenal Volcano
This picture-perfect volcano sits high above the rainforest canopy at 1,633 metres above sea-level.
Monte Verde and cloud forest
Cooler than rainforests and higher in altitude they are a haven for over 2500 species of plants including some rare and beautiful orchids. A nature lovers dream.
North of San Jose
Travel into the central valley for a real taste of Costa Rica and the countryside. The scenery here is rich, beautiful and diverse – peaks and valleys, rainforests and cloudforests teeming with wildlife.
San Gerardo de Dota
Experience a different part of Costa Rica, off the beaten track and more Alpine in feel than tropical paradise.
San Jose
Most trips either start or end in San José, the bustling capital city of Costa Rica. Home to about a third of the population, a night here will give you a chance to immerse yourself in everyday Costa Rican culture.
Sarapiqui
The Sarapiquí Valley is just 2 hours north east of San José but is surprisingly quieter than you would expect. This well-kept secret is paradise for nature and adrenalin.