Destinations
Our most popular destinations in Central America
  • Tour Ideas
Holiday Ideas
  • Travel Style
  • Interests and Activities
  • Tour Ideas by Month
  • Continents and Regions
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
A small, quiet town in the north east of Costa Rica, close to Lak Arenal. The countryside around Tilaran is quite flat, which I don't find very attractive.
Tamarindo isn't the most beautiful town on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. On the other hand, it has everything you need for an enjoyable stay.
San José is the capital of Costa Rica. The international airport at Alajuela is just twenty minutes from the capital.
The town of Parrita is a canton in Costa Rica's Puntarenas Province and serves as a transit point between Quepos and Jaco.
Puntarenas is a town of passage, for travelers and for locals, and especially for freight.