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An update from Evaneos

Best places to visit in Costa Rica

Going on holiday to Costa Rica, a corridor between North and South America, is making the choice to have an ethical and environmentally friendly holiday in the country of 'green gold'. Almost 5 times smaller than the UK, Costa Rica has very different landscapes on its two coasts (Caribbean and Pacific), several volcanoes and 34 national parks (a third of its land).

However, you must prepare your itinerary carefully because the country is obstructed with mountain ranges, the roads are often bad and travelling can be quite expensive. It's better to optimise your travelling and focus on its main interesting sites. For this, you can count on the Evaneos Travel experts. They will tell you their favourite places in the Switzerland of Central America.

A trip to Costa Rica always starts in San José, a capital city often criticised but very welcoming and culturally rich. A particular feature of the country are the lodges harmoniously integrated into nature in the plains and mountains of the North of the country. Stay close to the Arenal Volcano National Park in La Fortuna, reach new heights in the Cloud Forest Reserve in Monteverde with the canopy tour or be amazed by the celestial blue of the Park Tenorio river.

On the Caribbean coast, it's absolutely necessary to go around on the canoes in the Tortuguero National Park and to see the turtles laying eggs on the beach. Cahuita National Park, the Jamaican village Puerto Viejo, as well as the Bribri communities of the Talamanca canton will seduce interested travellers who want to relax in the sun.

On the Pacific coast, the Manuel Antonio Park is a must-see with family due to its splendid beach and its friendly wildlife. Surfers will find their happiness on the unrelenting sea nearby whilst adventurers will enjoy walking in the Corcovado Park on the Osa Peninsula.

Julie Olagnol
Bahia Drake is a small coastal village on the Osa Peninsula as well as Corcovado National Park's only "tourist attraction". 
A wonderful national park with enchanting scenery, a river and a turquoise waterfall, all to be seen and experienced along a beautiful walk.
The magnificent Corcovado National Park is located on the Osa Peninsula, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. An immense plant and animal sanctuary not yet overrun by tourists, it is an essential place to visit and explore.
In a virtually uninhabited area, this coastal National Park is in the province of Limon on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. 
The Arenal volcano is an active composite volcano situated in the Alajuela region (north west), with a summit of 1,633 meters. The National Park which surrounds it is incredibly rich. 
The stunning Manuel Antonio National Park is found on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in the Puntarenas district.
The village of Manzanillo is on the doorstep of the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, on the border with Panama. Between unspoilt beaches and jungle, you'll love the tranquility of this little, lost corner of paradise.
The Osa Peninsula is located on the Pacific coast of southwest Costa Rica and is home to one of the country's most incredible national parks: Corcovado.
The magnificent Samara Beach is located on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, on the Nicoya Peninsula, and truly is a haven of peace and tranquility.
Among the many different types of countryside that you'll find in Costa Rica we should mention Monteverde, with its misty forests and suspended bridges.... Situated in the province of Puntarenas in the north west of the country it's highly rated by tourists.
The Cordillera Talamanca stretches along the south of Costa Rica. It's the highest mountain range in Costa Rica. The mountains, which run along the border with Panama, protect a natural reserve known for its rich biodiversity.
Dominical is a small town situated one hour away from Quepos on the Pacific coast. Here the atmosphere is sunny and relaxed.
La Fortuna is a picturesque town at the foot of the Arenal Volcano, and just a few minutes away from lots of easy to get to hot springs.
Montezuma is a village on the Nicoya peninsula, in the west of Costa Rica.
Cahuita National Park is located in Limón Province. It provides opportunities to see sloths and monkeys, as well as other wild animals.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small town located on the Caribbean coast of southeastern Costa Rica, close to the Panamanian border.
This is a private reserve on a tiny spit of land on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, 15 kilometers from Jacó and 45 minutes from the Manuel Antonio National Park.
Quepos is a town on Costa Rica's Pacific coast from where you can reach Manuel Antonio National Park.
The Rincon de la Vieja is a Costa Rican volcano, situated in the Guanacaste district in the north west of the country. 
Cahuita is a small village in the province of Limon. It is bordered by the famous Cahuita National Park where you can see wild animals and go snorkelling. The beaches are very beautiful.
Nicoya is the largest city on the peninsula that shares its name. It does not have a great deal to offer tourists but is well located for visiting various parks and beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula.
Playa Grande is well named - it is an immense stretch of fine sand on the Pacific coast of the Nicoya peninsula.
A majestic volcano, near the town of Alajuela, in the central province of Costa Rica.
The Rio Pacuare flows for roughly 100 kilometers from Talamanca to Siquirres, passing through tropical jungle along the way. The river is known for its rapids and, as a consequence, the rafting and kayaking that takes place on it.
Turrialba is an active composite volcano in Costa Rica, situated in the central province of the same name, and Irazu's neighbor. 
Alajuela is a big city close to San José. In the shadow of the capital, it is an interesting departure point for visiting the North of the country and its volcanoes.
A pretty waterfall that you can get to after a walk through the botanical and zoological La Paz Waterfall Gardens. An ideal thing to do with small children.
Playa Ballena is the beach in the Marino Ballena National Park, a few kilometres from Dominical and Uvita, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
The small town of Sierpe is a little port lying very close to the mangroves and is a place you need to pass through to reach the Osa Peninsula.
Siquirres is both a canton and a town located in the province of Limón (Atlantic coast), close to the very wild and natural park of Tortuguero.