The most popular places to visit
in Costa Rica
This is an objective list compiled from ICT, SINAC and MINAE statistics,
talking to people in the travel industry, and looking around while
we were there. We could be wrong, if you have better information let
us know.
Place
San José—More people are taking
advantage of the international airport in Liberia, and the hotels
and B&Bs in smaller Central Valley towns like Alajuela each
year, but San José still gets more visitors than any other
place in Costa Rica.
Beaches
Manuel Antonio is the single most popular National Park beach in
Costa Rica.
Playas Tamarindo and Jacó are a tossup for the most popular
surfing beach, but Tamarindo is coming on strong, and Jacó is
fading.
Playa Montezuma/Mal País is the most popular "undiscovered" beach
destination in Costa Rica.
The beach resorts of the Nicoya Peninsula command the vast majority
of international tourist traffic and dollars, and are continuing
to grow.
Volcanoes
Most people familiar with Costa Rica would immediately think of
Arenal's fiery lava flows if asked for the most popular volcanic
destination, but it's third on the list. Irazú and Poás
are both the most visited volcanoes and the most popular National
Parks in the country.
Treks
Corcovado and Chirripó draw most of the trekkers in Costa
Rica. You don't necessarily even need a tent. Corcovado has some
limited bunk space at the backcountry ranger stations, and Chirripó has
a refugio system that includes 60 bunks near the summit.
Cloud Forest
Monteverde—This private reserve provides the easiest access
to the cloud forests, and an infrastructure of guides and resources
to help you make the most of your visit. Like Manuel Antonio, it
has gained tremendously in popularity, but has much less chance
of being loved to death. Monteverde is much larger, the cool, wet,
windy weather means shorter visits, and as a private reserve it
has better funding than most of the National Parks. Despite the
growth in tourism in the surrounding community, a few hundred yards
off the main loop (el triangulo) you're unlikely to see anyone
else on the trail.
Hotspring
Tabacón resort is far and away the most developed and popular
hotspring in Costa Rica.
Turtle Nesting
Tortuguero National Park is the premier destination to observe
sea turtle nesting. The canals and estuaries are also prime locations
for nature cruises, canoeing, and kayaking.
Nature Cruise
The canals of Tortuguero, wetlands of Caño Negro, and mangroves
of the Damas estuary adjacent to Manuel Antonio are the most popular
places to sit back relax and let the boatman be your guide to bird
and wildlife spotting.
Waterfall
Owing to its spendor, and location next to the highway from Barva
to San Miguel, the waterfall popularity champion is La Paz.
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