The Most Beautiful Places in Costa Rica to Visit and Admire
Costa Rica is divided into 12 ecological zones, where deciduous, tropical, cloudy, dry forests, mangrove swamps, and coral reefs. Let’s look at the most beautiful places in Costa Rica must visit for everyone.
There is so much to see in Costa Rica that it is impossible to put it all together in one trip. Fortunately, Costa Rica is so great that you will definitely want to come back more than once.
Between national parks, volcanoes, waterfalls, rainforests, cloud forests, underground cave systems, more than 300 beaches, hot springs, animal sanctuaries, exquisite diving sites, and adventure parks, there is always something new and exciting. With so many intriguing options, it’s helpful to know which are the best and must-see attractions.
Here are the top 10 most beautiful places in Costa Rica to visit and enjoy the beauty.
The Top of the Most Beautiful Places in Costa Rica for Inspiration
1. Poas Volcano National Park
There are several dozen volcanoes in Costa Rica. Poas is an active and one of the most beautiful and popular tourist destination in Costa Rica. It rises 2.708 meters above sea level. The diameter of its crater is more than 1.3 km. At the bottom, in good weather, you can see the green-blue lake Laguna Caliente. The National Park is one of the most acidic lakes in the world, so it is allowed to spend no more than 20 minutes on the observation deck near the crater. To get to the Poas Volcano National Park, you need to book a ticket on the website in advance and arrive at the opening itself.
Stay in touch during your trip to Costa Rica! Use eSIM and communicate with friends and relatives everywhere.
2. La Pazz Waterfall
La Paz Waterfall Park is a private nature reserve with waterfalls, birds, and wild animals. The entrance ticket is expensive by local standards but it’s worth it.
Toucans, sloths, jaguars, and hummingbirds live in a huge well-groomed territory. There is a pavilion with butterflies and a whole five waterfalls. Going to them is a whole adventure through the jungle. It’s high time to visit now, this waterfall gardens is fantastic!
3. Arenal Volcano National Park
Volcano is one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica. The park, located at the foot of a large and active volcano, is famous for its beautiful waterfalls and lush forest. Tourists are offered several interesting and memorable activities: horseback riding, butterfly watching, and swimming in a hot spring. The best time to visit and see now!
4. La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Costa Rica. There are several ways to reach the hiking trail, one of which is by horseback, where you will then descend 500 steps to the waterfall pool; La Fortuna Waterfall has a height of 230 feet (70 meters). The raw power of this waterfall is mesmerizing. After the descent, you can swim in the pool under a cascade of water, which in itself is incredible. The surrounding forest is amazing, and it is likely that you will see toucans, butterflies, monkeys, and sloths. It is one of the best places to visit.
5. Piedras Blancas National Park
Located in the southern part of the country, this park is a haven for all migratory birds and therefore is considered an excellent place for bird watching. In addition, all 5 species of cats that are found in Costa Rica live in this reserve. Tourists are also attracted by pristine beaches with clear water, gorgeous coral reefs full of life, and diverse forests. The place where visitors can enjoy and relax.
Read also:
6. Corcovado
This is the largest park in the country, where you can see almost all the animals of Costa Rica. Tourists usually come there for 2–3 days: that’s how long it takes to walk through the entire park. But such long hikes allow you not only to get acquainted with the entire animal and plant world of the country but also to get an authentic experience.
7. Barra Honda National Park
While all parks are worth exploring on Earth, this one is interesting for its caves, and the tour will appeal to true adventurers. Many caves are connected by tunnels, and the largest of the caves are called halls: the Hall of Mushrooms and the Hall of Pearls. In addition, rare animals are found underground, for example, blind salamanders. This is one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica.
8. Venado Caves
In 1945, thanks to a complete accident, the Venado caves were discovered by a farmer who literally fell into them. There are eight magnificent chambers that make up a limestone maze deep in the ground. Rooms filled with stalagmites and stalactites have been carved over millions of years from underground rivers and moving slabs of Earth near Arenal Volcano. This is not an experience for those who suffer from claustrophobia. However, if you are not confused by small spaces, and you want to plunge below sea level into these ancient caves, then you definitely need to visit the Venado caves.
9. Catalina Island
The Catalina Islands offer some of the best scuba diving in Costa Rica. This chain of islands is located off the Nicoya Peninsula in the northwestern part of the country. The depth ranges between 18–75 feet (5.4-23 meters), and there is an incredible variety of wildlife in this range. The islands are famous for their population and diversity of rays, as well as tropical fish, sharks, sea turtles, and even sometimes whale sharks and pilot whales. Diving here is incredible all year round. This is one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica.
10. Stone Spheres of Costa Rica
Giant stone spheres were first discovered in the southern Caribbean region of Costa Rica in the 1930s. The weight of some stones reaches 16 tons, so it remains a mystery who made them and how they were mined throughout the country. More than 300 have been found but no one knows exactly how they were made; although it is believed that some may be up to 1,000 years old. The quarries from which the stone from which these spheres are made are located at least 50 miles (80 kilometers) away from any of the discovered giant stones.
Read also:
FAQ
How to stay connected with the world during your trip to Costa Rica?
If roaming and searching for a local operator seems like a difficult and expensive option for you, then pay attention to the eSIM — an electronic SIM card that is already built into your phone and which gives access to calls and the Internet around the world.
Which currency is better to take to Costa Rica?
It is better to take money in US dollars since the currency of other countries is not accepted everywhere. Currency can be exchanged at any bank, at specialized exchange offices, or at the airport. Banks are open mainly from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. on weekdays (some bank branches are open until 6-7 p.m.), and from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Banks are closed on Sunday. In some coastal areas, the operating hours of banks may vary slightly. Banks offer the most favorable rate. At the airport, in hotels and restaurants, the rate is less profitable but the opening hours are much more convenient than in banks. It is not recommended to change money on the street — people offering to exchange currency may cheat you or even slip fake bills. If you come with another convertible currency, it can be exchanged at the CAA Financiera Londres Ltda agency.
Is it safe to travel to Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a safe country. The vast majority of reported crimes are related to fraud. The greatest danger is pickpocketing, which is easy to avoid if you follow the simplest rules.
In the central areas of San Jose, it is recommended to always be careful not to carry large amounts of cash with you. If necessary, use the services of only the official staff of doormen and certified porters, who are easily recognizable by their work clothes.
In Costa Rica, there is a law according to which anyone must have identification documents with them. For foreigners, this means that they must have a passport with them, or better yet, a photocopy of it (pages with a photo and last name, as well as an entry visa stamp). It is better to keep your passport in the hotel safe.
Make Travel to Costa Rica with eSIM
If traveling is the meaning of your life, then eSIM is what will make any trip several times better. Get a virtual SIM card and stay connected in any country of the world. The eSIM Plus service offers quality, convenience, and affordable prices.
Forget about roaming and local operators forever! Use eSIM in Costa Rica and travel with enjoy.
