This enchanting country is a nature enthusiast's paradise of misty cloud and rainforest, coastal jungles, beautiful beaches and volcanic peaks. Add a sophisticated, well-developed tourist infrastructure into the mix, and it’s no wonder Costa Rica is an increasingly attractive holiday destination.
It is ideal for honeymooners, active-minded families, wildlife enthusiasts, and those looking for a bit of adventure. Mountain biking, surfing, white-water rafting and hiking are popular pursuits. Costa Rica is also a great place to learn Spanish while integrating into local life.
The interior is a verdant land of coffee plantations, spectacular volcanoes such as Arenal and Poás, and spectacular national parks including the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve. Within the pretty Central Valley and touching distance from San José, Xandari and Finca Rosa Blanca provide alluring hotel alternatives to staying in the capital.
The Pacific coast is blessed with seemingly endless wild beaches backed by thick forest, abundant with exotic wildlife. The Nicoya Peninsula has some idyllic hideaways, not least Punta Islita and Florblanca. Within Manuel Antonio National Park, our favourite places to stay include Cala Luna and Tulemar. Corcovado National Park on the southerly Osa Peninsula has the greatest biodiversity anywhere in Costa Rica: you can choose to stay in a rustic tent camp or enjoy the rustic luxury of Lapa Rios.
Along the Caribbean coast, there is lush jungle scenery and calm turquoise waters, ideal for swimming. A highlight is Tortuguero National Park, best known for its leatherback and green turtles that nest on the beach.