Must See Places in Costa Rica

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Costa Rica wasn’t ever a destination that I would have thought of as bucket list worthy until a random long weekend came up and tickets were extremely cheap. I decided to risk traveling to Costa Rica during their off season which also happens to be their rainy season and guess what it never rained once. I have now changed my view on Costa Rica and if you haven’t already gone it is time to go. These are the must-see places in Costa Rica that you shouldn’t skip.

Costa Rica is a short non-stop flight from many cities across America depending on where you live so if you have an opportunity to go don’t hesitate. I hope after you read this post you book a flight as soon as possible!

A few things that make Costa Rica extremely attractive for any traveler are:

Affordability

If you manage to score a cheap ticket like we did then once you get to Costa Rica, you will realize that most things are very super affordable. Food, transport and accommodation varies but for the most part it fits most budgets.

Good Roads

The roads have been repaired. Prior to visiting I was concerned with the road conditions as most tourists complained about accessibility especially in the rainy season. We had no problems getting our rental to where we needed to go.

Great Food

Amazing food. If you love seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables, then you are in for a treat. We ate and drunk our way through Costa Rica. Also if you love great coffee Costa Rican coffee is pretty good!

Great Beaches

Amazing beaches. You could stop just about anywhere on the coast and the sunsets were unbelievable.

National Parks and Nature

Nature and hikes. For the hiker and nature fanatic you will have plenty to do in Costa Rica. You could zipline, visit natural hot springs, hike in the national parks, spend a day in the Arenal area where there is an active volcano, go horse riding, rent an ATV and visit the hanging bridges. The list is endless.

It is safe. In-fact Costa Rica does not have an army.

Very friendly and helpful people. Pack your bags and lets go.

Logistics:

We rented a car and picked it up at the airport. Rentalcars always has affordable options and you can compare prices from different companies. This was the easiest way for us to explore as much as possible over a long weekend. Make sure that you rent a 4×4 if you go during the rainy season. Most people arrive in Liberia because it is the beachy area of Costa Rica but flights through Liberia were so expensive, so we landed in San Jose.

Stay:

Below is a list of all the places we stayed by city.

San Jose – Studio Hotel. This hotel is close to the airport and the roads making it very convenient. Their breakfast spread is very good.

La Fortuna – Tabacon Resort & Spa. A must stay if you want to experience the thermal pools and the spa area without being rushed.

Bagaces – Rio Perdido. For the nature lover. They have everything from ziplines, hot springs, spa, hanging gardens and ATVs. Also they are eco friendly resort.

Las Catalinas – Casa Chameleon. Hands down one of the best hotels I have been to in the world!

7 Must See Places Costa Rica:

1. Zarcero Topiary Garden

This is a short stop on your way to La Fortuna. It’s a great stop if you have kids as the garden is very impressive and has different shapes of animals and structures. There is a church located right above the garden which makes for a great photo op.

2. La Fortuna Waterfall

This was one of the most impressive waterfalls that I saw in Costa Rica. Be prepared to hike a little but it’s all steps so just be sure to have proper footwear.

3. Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa

If you find that this place is fully booked, I recommend getting the day pass. Go early or later in the day as it can get very crowded. This was one of my favorite stops in Costa Rica.

4. Rio Celeste

This was a long hike into Tenorio national park but the views in the end made it all worth it. Bring water as you will sweat a lot. You can swim in the waterfall area to cool off where there isn’t a barrier.

5. Llanos Des Cortez Waterfall

Another favorite of mine that’s extremely easy to get to. During the rainy season the vastness of it is quite impressive. I loved how lush most of Costa Rica is. Make sure to look out for the horses as you drive in.

6. Rincon De La Vieja National Park

The goal was to visit Catarata Oropendola. This waterfall is also unique, and the hanging bridges were beautiful too. If you skip Mistico Arenal hanging bridges then this will make up for it. That way you don’t have to pay twice for a somewhat similar experience.

7. Las Catalinas

I absolutely loved staying in this area of Costa Rica. The views were simply breathtaking. It is a bit of a drive because you will be coming from San Jose all the way to Liberia but you can make all the stops I have highlighted above on the way.