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You are here : Costa Rica - Destination Guide

Costa Rica - Destination Guide

San Jose :

San Jose, located in the Central Valley, is Costa Rica’s largest city, as well as the capital city. This sprawling city is at the center of Costa Rican economic and political activity and is at the nucleus of major transportation for the country. While it is one of the youngest capital cities in Latin America, today you will find a bustling, modern city where art and architecture entice foreign visitors to stopover and enjoy the city’s stable climate and numerous tourist attractions. While visiting, one should visit El Pueblo where bars, galleries and boutique stores line the cobblestone streets and is perfectly located within walking distance to several hotels and resorts. Pueblo Antigua is fun, colorful theme park which was modeled after 19th century San Jose and has many museums for one to catch up on Costa Rican heritage.

Central Valleys and the Highlands:

The Central Valley is one of the world’s major coffee-growing regions but its cultural and political activity has matured significantly recently. Interestingly, it is also the world’s largest microchip production center and as a result, you will find a young, educated and bilingual workforce who are only happy to welcome you to their region. It’s well worth taking some time out to explore Costa Rica’s Central Valley for a unique and non-touristy experience. Public transport is cheap, the roads are excellent and in less than two hours by bus, you can be whisked away to hot springs, waterfalls, volcanoes, excellent white water rafting sites and vast coffee plantations.

Arenal Region:

This route begins in Ciudad Quesada which has the largest population center in the area and then takes you toward La Fortuna in the North West. La Fortuna is the gateway to the area’s highlight, Volcan Arenal. One can witness plumes of smoke drifting up from this active volcano while meandering through patches of rain forest and coffee plantations. This route is perfect for those who have rented a vehicle as picnic spots, galleries, excellent restaurants and weird and wacky hotels are aplenty. While farmers and ranchers have populated the region for decades, the area’s fine climate as resulted in an increased number of North American and European groups migrating to the region. If you have a little time on your hands this is a brilliant road trip to take.

Monteverde:

The Quaker community originally settled in Monteverde (Green Mountain) for its mountain climate and to escape to the hills where a peaceful life of dairy farming and cheese production awaited them. Monteverde and Santa Elena are nestled between two cloud forests which are an absolute must-see from the budget backpacker to well traveled retirees. Organic farming and an environmentally friendly populace whisk you back in time and it’s refreshing to come across a local community who so actively fight against overdevelopment. Get your khaki socks and eco-adventure fashion out for one of Costa Rica’s premier destinations.

Tortuguero:

Tortugero is located on the Caribbean coast north of Puerto Limon in an isolated area which is not serviced by roads, but instead by a coastal canal. As well as the coastal canal the area can also be reached by air using light aircraft. The Tortugero National Park is the highlight and principal reason of any visit to the area. The park takes its name from the four varieties of turtle that lay their eggs in the area. The park was created to protect the turtles nesting grounds as well as the rainforest of the region. Witnessing the turtles laying their eggs on the beach is a principal reason for visitors to come although there are many other attractions. Turtles lay eggs here mainly from the end of July through to the beginning of October and night visits are made with an official guide. In addition to the turtles, trips are made by canoe through the canals and waterways to observe wildlife including birds, reptiles, sloths, monkeys, crocodiles and caymans.

Tamarindo:

Tamarindo is located on a pretty bay of fine sand south of Playa Grande. The once quiet town has grown rapidly in size and now has a large number of hotels, restaurants, bars and shops set back from the ocean. The town is particularly bustling in the dry season and is popular with surfers. There are several interesting excursions from here including Turtle watching which happens during their nesting season.

Manuel Antonio :

Manuel Antonio is mostly perched on the hillsides overlooking the ocean giving wonderful views. Despite blending in with the countryside the town has plenty of bars, restaurants, discos and casinos to offer. Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica but is also one of the most visited and best organized. The park covers a large marine area, several islands and three rocky promontories on the coast which back on to tropical rainforest. Many people come to Manuel Antonio and the park just for the beautiful beaches but a stroll around the pathways in the park behind, will reveal some of the 350 bird species, sloth, iguanas, raccoons and monkeys which make the park their home.