Costa Rica Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit, Things to Do & Travel Tips

Want a vacation getaway with your friends and family? What better place than Costa Rica? If that sounds good to you, here is a summary of the best places to go in Costa Rica, the main activities you can do with your loved ones, and some essential tips for a better stay. Don’t miss it, especially if it’s your first time visiting!

Picture by Fabio Fistarol on Unsplash

Best Travel Destinations in Costa Rica

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Let’s start the list with one of the most fascinating, emblematic, and incredible places in all of Costa Rica. We’re talking about the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, of course. It’s well known for its rich flora and fauna, boasting a unique biodiversity, as well as its breathtaking scenery. If you’re a great walker, you can explore all the trails and go on an adventure through the cloud forest.

If you’re looking for a thrill, Monteverde is famous for its thrilling zip lines that offer spectacular views of the surrounding forest. Just strap up and soar through the air on a zip line. It’s like flying, but safer. Don’t miss the Orchid and Butterfly Gardens, perfect for nature and photography enthusiasts, offering a glimpse of local beauty.

But the best experience you can have there is a night tour. This is not for the faint of heart, though. Even if you cover the very same trail during the day, the forest looks like a completely different place at night. There are also various animals, including dozens of species of frogs, snakes, and other nocturnal creatures.

Photo by Frames For Your Heart on Unsplash

Manuel Antonio National Park

Keeping up with the national parks, we’re spoiling our adventurous readers here; we arrive at Costa Rica’s smallest national park. Manuel Antonio National Park might be tiny in comparison with our first visit, but don’t underestimate it. It boasts a diverse range of ecosystems, including beaches and jungles, and is home to numerous species, such as monkeys, sloths, and a wide variety of birds.

To maximize your experience, we recommend hiring a local guide whenever possible. They know the area really well and can complement your visit with anecdotes and stories, as well as provide a wealth of interesting information about the environment and the animals.

As we mentioned earlier, this park is not only a jungle and forest, but it also features beaches to explore. Most famously, Playa Espadilla and Playa Manuel Antonio. Both are quite popular for swimming and relaxing, and are considered among the best in the region.

Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna

For a mix of adventure and relaxation, we suggest visiting Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna. This is one of Costa Rica’s most active volcanoes, although it hasn’t erupted since 2010. However, it remains a great tourist attraction and a quite iconic sight, thanks to its perfect conical shape. And, the best of all, all that geothermal activity means that there are a lot of hot spring spas to visit, like Tabacón and Baldi!

Tamarindo Beach

Costa Rica is not only lush jungles and great mountains to hike, but it is also home to fantastic beaches to explore. For example, you can visit Tamarindo, famous for its perfect waves, which is great for learning to surf or improving your skills. Even if you’re a complete beginner, there are numerous surf schools with lessons for all levels. After a day of activities, you can relax in the nearby hot springs or enjoy a massage on the beach, before getting ready for a night full of parties!

The nightlife in Tamarindo is amazing. Numerous bars and restaurants offer live music, entertainment, and great cocktails, such as Sharky’s and the Ocho Club. It’s the perfect way to unwind and relax after a day of adventure.

Photo by Jeffrey Eisen on Unsplash

Top Adventure Activities in Costa Rica

Surfing in Nosara

If you’re looking for another destination that’s great for Surfers but offers a different experience from Tamarindo Beach, we suggest you visit Nosara Beach. Tamarindo, although a great destination, is also quite touristy.

Nosara is a quieter and less touristy destination, with a focus on wellness and sustainability. Therefore, it attracts an audience looking for a more relaxed experience. The waves are consistent and suitable for both beginners and intermediate surfers. It is surrounded by lush natural surroundings, allowing you to enjoy activities such as yoga, hiking, and wildlife exploration.

Hiking the Osa Peninsula

We already explored Arenal Volcano, but if you want to know another great destination for hiking in Costa Rica, there’s the Osa Peninsula.

If you prefer a more touristy environment with well-maintained trails and varied options for all skill levels, Arenal Volcano may be the best destination to visit in Costa Rica. However, if you’re seeking a more remote and authentic experience, where you can connect deeply with nature, the Osa Peninsula may be the ideal destination. Corcovado National Park has several hiking trails that take you to remote beaches and dense jungles.

Photo by Edgar Arroyo

Family-Friendly Activities and Places in Costa Rica

Relax at Playa Conchal

We’ve discussed places that’re more suitable for an adult and adventurous audience, but what if you’re traveling with kids? A great place in Costa Rica to let your children play freely in a safe environment while you relax is Playa Conchal. Especially if you go early in the morning, as there are fewer people and generally calmer conditions.

Of course, you must keep an eye on the children, as they tend to bathe in the small pools that form during low tide, but these can be dangerous if the waves become strong. Another great activity for the kids is searching for seashells in the crystal-clear waters, just make sure they don’t take them home.

Explore La Paz Waterfall Gardens near San José

Costa Rica is also known for its unique and beautiful waterfalls. One of the best places to visit with children is La Paz, with more than 3.5 km of paved trails through cloud forests. It also features an animal sanctuary that kids will love, where they can see monkeys, jungle jaguars, parrots, snakes, and many frogs. Many of which were former pets that the Costa Rican Ministry of Wildlife rescued and rehabilitated.

Other attractions that you can’t miss there are the Butterfly Garden, considered one of the largest in the world; the Hummingbird Garden, a perfect spot to observe these colorful birds; and the Bromeliad and Orchid Garden, featuring an exuberant display of these tropical plants.

Federico Mata, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors to Costa Rica

Stay Connected with Mobile Data

When visiting Costa Rica, it’s essential to stay connected and informed. One way to easily access real-time local information and keep in touch with friends is by using a Yoho Mobile’s free eSIM trial and get instant access to mobile data in most countries. No SIM card, no contracts, just a quick setup, and you’re online in minutes.

• If you want to get your eSIM plan afterwards, use the code YOHO12 at checkout for a 12% discount!

Currency and Payment

Now that you know a little bit more about all the great places to visit in Costa Rica, let’s talk about some important matters that you have to keep in mind when traveling, like how to handle your payments, for example.

The official currency in Costa Rica is the colón, but U.S. dollars are widely accepted in high tourist areas, such as San José, Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, and La Fortuna. And some hotels and tour operators may even prefer payments in U.S. dollars.

However, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to carry colones with you. Especially when it comes to small purchases, such as those from a supermarket, souvenir store, Farmers’ Market, or street vendor. However, for tourism-related expenses, such as excursions and hotels, US dollars are perfectly acceptable.

The exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Costa Rican colón fluctuates significantly, typically ranging from ₡530 to ₡620 per USD. Check the exchange rate before your trip for the most up-to-date figures.