Costa Rica Travel Guide 2026
Source:
@World Wanderer
14 attractions in Costa Rica featured in a youtube post by World Wanderer, verified on Google Maps: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, and 11 more.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve
Nature preserve
4.5
Monteverde Cloud Forest is a biodiverse ecosystem known for its permanent mist, enormous tree ferns, orchids, bromeliads, and the resplendent quetzal. It's a 4-5 hour drive from La Fortuna by road, or a shorter, more interesting boat and jeep ride via Lake Arenal. Early morning walks are recommended for wildlife viewing, especially for the quetzal during breeding season (February-April).
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Place
Puerto Viejo, located on the Caribbean coast near the Panamanian border, is a less visited and more culturally distinct side of Costa Rica. It offers Afro-Caribbean food and music, sea turtle nesting beaches, and extraordinary canal wildlife. While charming, it has a higher petty theft rate than Pacific towns, requiring more attention from visitors.
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
National park
4.6
This park is the most visited in Costa Rica, known for its white sand beaches, coral reefs, primary rainforest, and abundant wildlife including four monkey species, two sloth species, and hundreds of bird species. It's recommended to book entry weeks in advance through sinac.go.cr, especially during peak season, as the park is small and has visitor caps.
Tortuguero
Place
Tortuguero, located on the Caribbean coast, is accessible only by boat or small plane. It is known for its sea turtle nesting beaches and extraordinary canal wildlife.
Parque Nacional Corcovado
National park
4.8
Corcovado National Park, located on the Osa Peninsula, is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity, described as one of the most biologically intense places on Earth. It's home to all four Costa Rican monkey species, tapirs, scarlet macaws, and offers the possibility of jaguar sightings. Advanced reservations and a certified guide are required by law for entry.
Lake Arenal
Place
4.7
Lake Arenal is a large lake near the Arenal Volcano. It offers a scenic route to Monteverde Cloud Forest by boat and jeep, which is a more interesting alternative to driving the entire distance by road.
Nicoya Peninsula
Place
4.7
The Nicoya Peninsula offers a different Pacific experience with surf towns like Nosara, Samara, and Santa Teresa, attracting long-term travelers, surf instructors, and wellness retreats. Roads to the peninsula are partially unpaved and often require a 4x4 vehicle. It's a less visited and more culturally distinct side of the country.
Tabacon Hot Springs
Park
4.6
The Tabacon River, located outside La Fortuna, offers free thermal sections for visitors to enjoy. These natural hot springs are a popular evening activity after a day of hiking.
Pre-Columbian Gold Museum
Museum
4.7
Located beneath the Plaza de la Cultura in San Jose, this museum houses an extraordinary collection of Pre-Columbian gold artifacts. It's recommended to spend about two hours here on your first day in San Jose.
Arenal Volcano
Natural feature
4.7
The Arenal Volcano is a prominent stratovolcano that dominates the landscape on clear days, offering a perfect cone shape above the lake. Its slopes are covered in primary rainforest, harboring diverse wildlife such as sloths, toucans, coatis, and howler monkeys. The area is a highly visited inland destination in Costa Rica.
Juan Santamaría International Airport
International airport
4.4
Juan Santamaría Airport is the main international airport in Costa Rica, located outside San Jose. Most international flights arrive here, making it a key entry point for travelers to the country.
Nosara
Place
Nosara is a surf town located on the Nicoya Peninsula, known for attracting a community of long-term travelers, surf instructors, and wellness retreats. The roads leading to Nosara are partially unpaved and often require a 4x4 vehicle.
La Fortuna
Place
La Fortuna is a popular inland destination in Costa Rica, known for its proximity to the Arenal Volcano and its hot springs. Visitors can enjoy both free thermal sections of the Tabacon River and commercial hot spring complexes. The La Fortuna Waterfall hike is a popular activity, leading to a 70-meter waterfall with a swimming pool at its base.
Osa Peninsula
Natural feature
4.8
The Osa Peninsula, on the far southwestern tip of Costa Rica, contains Corcovado National Park, described by National Geographic as one of the most biologically intense places on Earth. It's home to all four Costa Rican monkey species, tapirs, scarlet macaws, and potentially jaguars. Visiting requires advanced reservations and a certified guide by law, making it a demanding but rewarding experience.