| Â | | | | combination between the extensive golden coasts full |
| Having Visited Costa Rica, I have compiled a list of | | | | of scenic beaches & luscious mountains. |
| the best locations to visit. This list is by no means | | | | Dominical is a 4 km long beach strip, with a few |
| comprehensive or complete, it is just a checklist of all | | | | hotels, lodges, resorts and restaurants in the area. |
| the places I would visit when I go to Costa Rica. | | | | While swimming here is near impossible with the |
| Arenal Volcano | | | | strong swells and rip tides, one can kayak off the |
| The Arenal Volcano area is one of Costa Rica's top | | | | coast or enjoy some diving or snorkeling |
| attractions. Only 3 hours away from San Jos, in the | | | | opportunities in the area. Horseback tours can also be |
| town of La Fortuna, stands a majestic 1,633m | | | | arranged to the nearby Nauyaca Waterfalls, or one |
| volcano, known to be one of the most active in the | | | | can visit the Marino Ballena National Park, which is |
| world. Despite its constant activity, the volcano is | | | | home to a number of marine mammals like turtles |
| very safe to visit as long as you stay within the | | | | and whales that come here seasonally to mate and |
| safety perimeter. In this area take advantage of the | | | | nest. If you like, you can take a short day trip to the |
| pristine natural surroundings! Go fishing, horseback | | | | lovely Cao Island just off the coast. This island is |
| riding; take a canopy tour, rafting or experience a | | | | considered one of the best adventure diving spots in |
| tremendous canyon expedition. Whatever you | | | | the world and is home to an impressive array of |
| decide, be sure to visit the relaxing hot springs in the | | | | underwater marine life. |
| area, the most famous being Tabacon and Baldi. | | | | Tortuguero |
| La Fortuna and Surroundings | | | | Tortuguero National Park is one of Costa Rica's most |
| Often simply referred to as La Fortuna, the town of | | | | biologically diverse wildlife areas. Featuring one of the |
| La Fortuna de San Carlos is the gateway to the | | | | most verdant landscapes in the country, the 26,156 |
| magnificent Arenal Volcano. A charming and quiet | | | | hectare park was created with the main purpose of |
| town, La Fortuna is easily accessible from the capital | | | | protecting the green sea turtle nesting area. |
| city San Jose, and offers some panoramic views of | | | | Tortuguero owes its very wet tropical forest to the |
| the spectacular Arenal, Costa's Rica's most active | | | | 5000 to 6000 millimeters of rain it receives per year. |
| volcano. Sitting around 10 kilometers away from | | | | These climatic conditions are favorable to more than |
| town and regularly spewing smoke and ash for some | | | | 400 tree species, around 2200 species of other |
| time now, the Volcan Arenal is the country's top | | | | plants and more than 400 birds, 60 amphibian and 30 |
| rated tourist attraction and is indeed a sight to | | | | fresh water fish species, as well as several |
| behold. | | | | endangered animals including tapirs, monkeys, ocelots, |
| Over the last few years in particular, La Fortuna has | | | | jaguars, manatees and sloths. Tortuguero is |
| become quite a bustling town. However, there are | | | | characterized by beautifully scenic canals, lagoons and |
| plenty of accommodations, hotels and resorts here | | | | rivers that may be toured by boat, canoe or kayak. |
| to suit every budget. A must try when in La Fortuna | | | | In addition to the green turtle, three other sea turtle |
| are the amazing resort spas surrounding the volcano. | | | | species nest on the park's beaches. |
| On a clear day you can watch the volcano erupt and | | | | Malpais |
| if you wait for nightfall, the Arenal puts on a brilliant | | | | Malpais is situated on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica |
| show with bright red rocks tumbling down its sides. | | | | on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Also |
| Beside the volcano, this town has other great tourist | | | | known as the Hawaii of Latin America, there are |
| attractions like the La Catarata de la Fortuna, | | | | several beaches to swim, dive or snorkel though it's |
| Tabacon Hot Springs, white water rafting, hiking | | | | main attraction is it's unique conditions for surfing and |
| excursions, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, horseback | | | | it's pristine subtropical nature. Horseback riding, |
| riding, canopy tours and Cao Negro Boat Tours are | | | | sportfishing, canopy tours, scuba, and nature tours |
| just some of the many activities that one can enjoy | | | | make up some of the other popular activities nearby. |
| while you are here. | | | | Malpais is a community unlike any other in Costa Rica |
| Monteverde Cloud Forest | | | | with a strong surf culture and a the laid-back |
| Most famous for being associated with the | | | | atmosphere that maintains the type of earthy |
| Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve,the tiny | | | | tourism that made Costa Rica famous. |
| community of Monteverde is a small village located | | | | MalPais boasts a great selection of places to stay and |
| near the entrance of the cloud forest. Monteverde | | | | eat from camping on the beach to luxurious resorts |
| was founded by the Quaker community that | | | | and a wide range of activities. Without a doubt it's a |
| migrated from North America to Costa Rica in the | | | | very attractive place to relax and enjoy the golden |
| 1950's. In town, which is actually Santa Elena, you'll | | | | rays of the Pacific sunset. |
| find banks, drug store, a local hospital, book store, | | | | Turrialba Valley |
| gas station, ATM machine, police station, post office, | | | | With some stunning views of Costa Rica's rural |
| supermarkets, internet cafes, restaurants | | | | countryside, Turrialba is a charming little town in the |
| As the weather here is quite chilly and misty, due to | | | | lush and beautiful Central Valley in Cartago province. |
| the village being high up in the Tilaran Mountain | | | | Famous for being a white water rafting hotspot and |
| Range, you should bring some thick clothes and a | | | | base camp, this town lies 53 km east of the capital |
| light jacket to stay warm. When here, do remember | | | | city San Jos and is an excellent place to tour the |
| to try out the delicious local cheeses, which are a | | | | pre-Columbian ruins at Guayabo National Monument, |
| treat to eat. If you are a bird watcher, this village | | | | or the rarely visited but lovely Parque Nacional Volcan |
| offers some lovely bird watching opportunities, even | | | | Turrialba. A quiet town, Turrialba with its charming |
| though you are not in the cloud forest itself. | | | | street corners and gorgeous surrounding sceneries is |
| However, if you prefer to do the more touristy | | | | among the few places in Costa Rica with direct |
| thing, visit the local craft centers, the women's co-op | | | | access to a volcano's crater. From the summit of the |
| center, the butterfly garden and the Hummingbird | | | | volcano, you can on a clear day, see the Irazu, Pos |
| Gallery in town. | | | | and Barva volcanoes in the distance Botanists and |
| Dominical Beach | | | | gardeners will want to pay a visit to the Center for |
| Located on Costa Rica's amazingly beautiful Central | | | | Agronomy Research and Development (CATIE), |
| Pacific coastline, the small village of Dominical is a | | | | which is located 5km (3 miles) southeast of Turrialba |
| surfer's paradise where waves can reach over 10 | | | | on the road to Siquirres. This center is one of the |
| feet high, a place rich in island biodiversity and | | | | world's foremost facilities for research into tropical |
| amazing underwater flora and fauna. It is the perfect | | | | agriculture. |