| Having Visited Costa Rica, I have compiled a list | | | | & luscious mountains. |
| of the best locations to visit. This list is by no | | | | Dominical is a 4 km long beach strip, with a few |
| means comprehensive or complete, it is just a | | | | hotels, lodges, resorts and restaurants in the area. |
| checklist of all the places I would visit when I go | | | | While swimming here is near impossible with the |
| to Costa Rica. | | | | strong swells and rip tides, one can kayak off the |
| Arenal Volcano | | | | coast or enjoy some diving or snorkeling |
| The Arenal Volcano area is one of Costa Rica's | | | | opportunities in the area. Horseback tours can also |
| top attractions. Only 3 hours away from San Jos, | | | | be arranged to the nearby Nauyaca Waterfalls, or |
| in the town of La Fortuna, stands a majestic | | | | one can visit the Marino Ballena National Park, |
| 1,633m volcano, known to be one of the most | | | | which is home to a number of marine mammals |
| active in the world. Despite its constant activity, | | | | like turtles and whales that come here seasonally |
| the volcano is very safe to visit as long as you | | | | to mate and nest. If you like, you can take a |
| stay within the safety perimeter. In this area take | | | | short day trip to the lovely Cao Island just off |
| advantage of the pristine natural surroundings! Go | | | | the coast. This island is considered one of the |
| fishing, horseback riding; take a canopy tour, | | | | best adventure diving spots in the world and is |
| rafting or experience a tremendous canyon | | | | home to an impressive array of underwater |
| expedition. Whatever you decide, be sure to visit | | | | marine life. |
| the relaxing hot springs in the area, the most | | | | Tortuguero |
| famous being Tabacon and Baldi. | | | | Tortuguero National Park is one of Costa Rica's |
| La Fortuna and Surroundings | | | | most biologically diverse wildlife areas. Featuring |
| Often simply referred to as La Fortuna, the town | | | | one of the most verdant landscapes in the |
| of La Fortuna de San Carlos is the gateway to | | | | country, the 26,156 hectare park was created |
| the magnificent Arenal Volcano. A charming and | | | | with the main purpose of protecting the green |
| quiet town, La Fortuna is easily accessible from | | | | sea turtle nesting area. Tortuguero owes its very |
| the capital city San Jose, and offers some | | | | wet tropical forest to the 5000 to 6000 |
| panoramic views of the spectacular Arenal, | | | | millimeters of rain it receives per year. These |
| Costa's Rica's most active volcano. Sitting around | | | | climatic conditions are favorable to more than 400 |
| 10 kilometers away from town and regularly | | | | tree species, around 2200 species of other plants |
| spewing smoke and ash for some time now, the | | | | and more than 400 birds, 60 amphibian and 30 |
| Volcan Arenal is the country's top rated tourist | | | | fresh water fish species, as well as several |
| attraction and is indeed a sight to behold. | | | | endangered animals including tapirs, monkeys, |
| Over the last few years in particular, La Fortuna | | | | ocelots, jaguars, manatees and sloths. Tortuguero |
| has become quite a bustling town. However, there | | | | is characterized by beautifully scenic canals, |
| are plenty of accommodations, hotels and resorts | | | | lagoons and rivers that may be toured by boat, |
| here to suit every budget. A must try when in La | | | | canoe or kayak. In addition to the green turtle, |
| Fortuna are the amazing resort spas surrounding | | | | three other sea turtle species nest on the park's |
| the volcano. On a clear day you can watch the | | | | beaches. |
| volcano erupt and if you wait for nightfall, the | | | | Malpais |
| Arenal puts on a brilliant show with bright red | | | | Malpais is situated on the Pacific coast of Costa |
| rocks tumbling down its sides. Beside the volcano, | | | | Rica on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. |
| this town has other great tourist attractions like | | | | Also known as the Hawaii of Latin America, there |
| the La Catarata de la Fortuna, Tabacon Hot | | | | are several beaches to swim, dive or snorkel |
| Springs, white water rafting, hiking excursions, | | | | though it's main attraction is it's unique conditions |
| kayaking, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, | | | | for surfing and it's pristine subtropical nature. |
| canopy tours and Cao Negro Boat Tours are just | | | | Horseback riding, sportfishing, canopy tours, |
| some of the many activities that one can enjoy | | | | scuba, and nature tours make up some of the |
| while you are here. | | | | other popular activities nearby. Malpais is a |
| Monteverde Cloud Forest | | | | community unlike any other in Costa Rica with a |
| Most famous for being associated with the | | | | strong surf culture and a the laid-back |
| Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve,the tiny | | | | atmosphere that maintains the type of earthy |
| community of Monteverde is a small village | | | | tourism that made Costa Rica famous. |
| located near the entrance of the cloud forest. | | | | MalPais boasts a great selection of places to stay |
| Monteverde was founded by the Quaker | | | | and eat from camping on the beach to luxurious |
| community that migrated from North America to | | | | resorts and a wide range of activities. Without a |
| Costa Rica in the 1950's. In town, which is actually | | | | doubt it's a very attractive place to relax and |
| Santa Elena, you'll find banks, drug store, a local | | | | enjoy the golden rays of the Pacific sunset. |
| hospital, book store, gas station, ATM machine, | | | | Turrialba Valley |
| police station, post office, supermarkets, internet | | | | With some stunning views of Costa Rica's rural |
| cafes, restaurants | | | | countryside, Turrialba is a charming little town in |
| As the weather here is quite chilly and misty, due | | | | the lush and beautiful Central Valley in Cartago |
| to the village being high up in the Tilaran Mountain | | | | province. Famous for being a white water rafting |
| Range, you should bring some thick clothes and a | | | | hotspot and base camp, this town lies 53 km east |
| light jacket to stay warm. When here, do | | | | of the capital city San Jos and is an excellent |
| remember to try out the delicious local cheeses, | | | | place to tour the pre-Columbian ruins at Guayabo |
| which are a treat to eat. If you are a bird | | | | National Monument, or the rarely visited but lovely |
| watcher, this village offers some lovely bird | | | | Parque Nacional Volcan Turrialba. A quiet town, |
| watching opportunities, even though you are not | | | | Turrialba with its charming street corners and |
| in the cloud forest itself. However, if you prefer | | | | gorgeous surrounding sceneries is among the few |
| to do the more touristy thing, visit the local craft | | | | places in Costa Rica with direct access to a |
| centers, the women's co-op center, the butterfly | | | | volcano's crater. From the summit of the volcano, |
| garden and the Hummingbird Gallery in town. | | | | you can on a clear day, see the Irazu, Pos and |
| Dominical Beach | | | | Barva volcanoes in the distance Botanists and |
| Located on Costa Rica's amazingly beautiful | | | | gardeners will want to pay a visit to the Center |
| Central Pacific coastline, the small village of | | | | for Agronomy Research and Development |
| Dominical is a surfer's paradise where waves can | | | | (CATIE), which is located 5km (3 miles) southeast |
| reach over 10 feet high, a place rich in island | | | | of Turrialba on the road to Siquirres. This center is |
| biodiversity and amazing underwater flora and | | | | one of the world's foremost facilities for research |
| fauna. It is the perfect combination between the | | | | into tropical agriculture. |
| extensive golden coasts full of scenic beaches | | | | |