Costa Rica is known for it’s natural wonders. From waterfalls to caves, lagoons, jungles and much more. Your trip will be even more enhanced while staying at one of the Costa Rica beach home rentals, which allows you to be emerged in the beauty of this destination the entire time you’re there! You can enjoy the beach, sun, sand and swimming between all your nature filled daily adventures or just relax for your entire vacation. Whichever you choose, Costa Rica is an amazing destination to visit.
So, if you’ve been saving money to travel to Costa Rica, and want to know the top spots you need to see, continue reading to discover some of Costa Rica’s top sights.
The Top Sights of Costa Rica:
1. Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
It would be a shame to visit Costa Rica without visiting Costa Rica’s number one national park. Not only does the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio boast one of the most stunning white sand beaches in Costa Rica but it also features a myriad of jungle walks, which are suitable for all levels of fitness. Better yet, while wandering through the jungle, expect to see an abundance of wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, and iguanas.
2. The Hanging Bridges Tour in Arenal
The Hanging Bridges Tour in Arenal allows intrepid explorers to traverse a series of 15 bridges which weave their way through Arenal’s lush jungle, which gives curious travelers a chance to enjoy a bird’s eye view of Costa Rica’s stunning jungle. During a 4.5 tour of the Hanging Bridges, you’ll also gain an unbeatable vantage point of the Arenal Volcano, an active volcano which is 5,000 feet tall. If you’re an animal lover, you’ll also be able to photograph a wide variety of animals from your vantage point in the treetops.
3. Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park is a safe haven for nesting greenback turtles and leatherback turtles, both of which can be found basking on Tortuguero National Parks’ stunning, picturesque beaches. The popular national park also boasts an intricate system of interconnected freshwater creeks and lagoons, which you can organize to explore by boat or canoe. If you do so, make sure to keep an eye out for river turtles and caiman. The latter of which are a small species of crocodilian.
4. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is a lush 25,700-acre reserve which boasts 100 different types of mammals, 400 different types of birds and over 2,500 unique species of plants. If you’re not keen on hiking challenging trails, you can also choose to take a bridge walk through the forest’s canopies or to take the ride of your life on a zip-line through the forest.
5. Los Lagunas
If you’re in search of the perfect way to relax and unwind after a day spent explore Costa Rica‘s jungles and beaches it’s well worth taking a dip in one of Los Lagunas’ 12 hot pools. All of which are located in a tranquil jungle-like setting. 8 of the complex’s 12 pools are mineral pools, which are fed by a nearby spring while the remaining four pools are chlorinated.
6. The Verado Caves
The Verado Caves which are a labyrinth of limestone caves, which can be explored by adventurous tourists, who are looking to tick spelunking or cave exploration off their bucket lists! During your 90 minute tour of the caves 2,700-meter cavern, you’ll get to squeeze your way through tight narrow pathways and will get a chance to glimpse a few types of marine fossils which were formed when the Verado Caves were still located beneath sea level. You may be surprised to learn that the Verado Caves were actually formed over 15 million years ago.
7. The Arnold Palmer Golf Course at Peninsula Papagayo
If you’re a keen golfer, it’s well worth playing a round of golf whilst you’re in Costa Rica! If you’re keen you can’t go wrong booking a tee off time at the Arnold Palmer Golf Course at Peninsula Papagayo as 14 of its 18 holes boast unbeatable views of the Pacific Ocean.
8. The Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
While the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge may sound like another national park it’s actually one of Costa Rica’s top rated snorkeling spots as it features a large coral reef which is teeming with sea life. If you visit the refuge between March and July, you’ll also increase your chances of glimpsing nesting sea turtles as well as friendly dolphins.
9. The Springs Resort & Spa
The Springs Resort & Spa is another example of one of Costa Rica’s world-class spas. Not only does it boast beautifully landscaped mineral pools which boast incredible views of the Arenal Volcano but it also boasts a series of water slides, which children and adults of all ages will enjoy sliding down as well as a variety of cascading waterfalls. The later of which you can use to treat yourself to a relaxing back massage.
If you’re interested the Springs Resort & Spa’s pools range in temperature from 83 degrees Fahrenheit to 103 degrees Fahrenheit, so you’re sure to find a mineral pool which suits your individual preferences.
10. Caño Island Biological Reserve
The Caño Island Biological Reserve attracts thousands of snorkellers and divers each year as its clear waters boast between 30 feet and 100 feet of visibility, no matter what time of year you choose to visit. While exploring the Caño Island Biological Reserve it’s well worth keeping an eye out for the white tip sharks and bull sharks which call the reserve home. If you’re lucky you may even spot a dolphin frolicking in the Pacific Ocean.
11. Tamarindo Beach
Whether you’re a keen surfer or you’re interested in booking your first surfing lesson, it’s well worth heading to Tamarindo Beach in Guanacaste. Depending on the time of year which you choose to visit you may even be able to watch an international surf competition. When the sun sets, the fun just begins as Tamarindo Beach also boasts a variety of beachside bars and restaurants, where you can party the night away after a fun day of surfing.
12. The Museo Nacional de Costa Rica
The Museo Nacional de Costa Rica is the official national museum of Costa Rica and is located in Costa Rica’s capital city San José. The museum is housed in a fortress which was built in 1917 and once served as military barracks and boasts a priceless collection of pre-Colombian stone tables.
So if you plan on booking a plane ticket to Costa Rica, it’s well worth adding a few of the notable sights listed above to your travel itinerary!
