It’s almost an insult to call Costa Rica’s highlights “attractions,” like it’s a loopy roller coaster at a theme park. Costa Rica’s top tourist attractions aren’t run-of-the-mill touristy hotspots. They’re dynamic natural wonders, UNESCO World Heritage sites, lauded by National Geographic and include some of the most diverse habitats in the world. You’ll see animals, plants and tropical paradises found nowhere else.
First there’s the beaches. The Pacific coast of Guanacaste is saturated with pristine white sand beaches ideal for surfers and swimmers alike. It’s tropical paradise at its finest. From Playa Grande to Playa Conchal and the firecracker that is Tamarindo, Guanacaste’s beaches are without a doubt one of Costa Rica’s top tourist attractions.
If you ever get sick of the beaches (impossible!), wander a few miles inland where you’ll encounter jungles and volcanoes reminiscent of something out of Jurassic Park. Instead of dinosaurs, however, visitors have the opportunities to spot sloths, big cats, macaws and toucans.
To narrow it down, we’ve created a list of some of Costa Rica’s top tourist attractions. While it’s not comprehensive, it is a good starting point to explore Costa Rica. At Grande Vacation Rentals, we can help with recommendations, bookings and any logistical details to make your Costa Rica trip as smooth as possible.
Costa Rica Volcanoes
Costa Rica’s tumultuous volcanic history has created a jungle oasis you can’t miss during your trip. Although they’re mostly dormant, Costa Rica’s volcanoes today are astounding recreational grounds for hiking, sport fishing, boating, swimming and whitewater rafting, camping and exploration.
Here’s the breakdown. Costa Rica has six active volcanoes, 61 dormant and over 200 identifiable volcanic formations. The nearly 65 million-year-old volcanoes are found in the northern part of Costa Rica, easily accessible from Guanacaste province.
Up until 2010, Arenal Volcano was Costa Rica’s most active volcano. Visitors and locals were treated to almost daily eruptions of smoke, lava and ash from the volcano’s massive peak. While it is currently “asleep,” scientists have confirmed it’s still active. Poas Volcano is the most accessible, currently active volcano. The volcano consists of three craters- one active, one is a dormant, icy lake good for swimming and one is a boiling acid lake.
The majestic volcanoes and forest created a thrillseekers playground. Most of area around Costa Rica’s volcanoes is protected, such as Arenal Volcano National Park. The results are great recreational grounds for white water rafting, boating, swimming, mountain biking, hiking and sport fishing.
Costa Rica Jungles
Thanks to volcanic activity over the years, Costa Rica’s fertile soil has been nurtured by the volcanic ash and lava, giving rise to towering tropical rainforests and jungles. Though a relatively small nation, Costa Rica spans two coasts and has multiple varied climates within its borders.
A unique feature of Costa Rica is the sheer number of habitats. Costa Rica has several different types of forests, from the classic, well-known rainforest to the one of the last dry tropical forests on the planet.
Rainforest. The most well-known, popular type of forest, these are the jungles Costa Rica is known for. Huge towering trees up to 200 feet high and significant rain creates a canopy of vegetation that blocks sunlight from reaching the forest floor. The result is a flourishing ecosystem suspended hundreds of feet in the air. Up in the canopy, you can spot countless exotic wildlife including monkeys, sloths, birds and even a few large cats. Hiking, zip lining and whitewater rafting are a great way to see these magnificent forests from a new perspective.
Cloud Forests. Costa Rican cloud forests are an otherworldly, magical experience. In these rarely found environments, clouds hover around the upper canopy of the forest in an eerily beautiful fog before condensing onto trees and dripping down to the vegetation below. Monteverde Cloud Forest is the most well-known and a great spot for first time visitors to Costa Rica.
Tropical dry forests. Tropical dry forests can be found in the Guanacaste region. Slightly dryer than tropical rainforest climates, Costa Rica’s Guanacaste jungles are stunning landscapes teeming with wildlife. Sadly, most of the world’s tropical dry forests have been destroyed- Costa Rica’s Guanacaste coast protects one of the last remaining ones on the planet.
Costa Rica Wildlife
For such a small nation, the wildlife that inhabits Costa Rica is astounding. Nowhere else in the world are so many habitats and environments squeezed into such a condensed area. Costa Rica has 615 species, one of the most in the world. For comparison, the United States has 104 species. It’s in large part due to Costa Rica’s “young” age. Costa Rica rose from the ocean 3 million years ago. When it emerged, Central America created a bridge between North and South America. Connecting these two vast expanses, various species mingled in Costa Rica, essentially doubling the number of species.
For visitors today, that means you’ll find a unique combination of wildlife. Costa Rica is home to several big cats including jaguars and ocelots. You’ll also find toucans, many species of monkey including howler monkeys and capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths and American crocodiles. Birds are also a huge draw for visitors. Over 850 species have been recorded in Costa Rica, and more than 200 species of migrating birds can be spotted throughout the year, arriving from as far away as Alaska and Australia. Ranging from scarlet macaws and toucans to hummingbirds, you’ll find various species everywhere you travel.
There are tons of options to see Costa Rica’s wildlife. You can go on guided night tours in Playa Grande to see the leatherback turtle nesting grounds, take a hiking tour, or cruise down the river. Hiring a local guide is one of the best ways to explore Costa Rica’s wildlife. They’ll be able to identify and spot local wildlife and plants that are easily missed.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
UNESCO World Heritage sites are places designated by the United Nations that hold cultural or physical significance to the world. There are 1,052 UNESCO World Heritage sites worldwide. Costa Rica is home to three of them- Guanacaste Conservation Area, La Amistad National Park and Cocos Island National Park.