Regions at a Glance

Costa Rica is compact but incredibly diverse. Four travel regions cover the main highlights:

🏙️ San José & Central Valley

For Whom: Passersby, culture enthusiasts, coffee lovers
The capital San José is located at 1,170 meters in the fertile Central Valley, surrounded by volcanoes. Most travelers pass through quickly, but the National Museum, the Mercado Central, and the nearby Poás and Irazú volcanoes are worth a stop. The surrounding coffee plantations are among the best in the world.

🏖️ Pacific Coast

For Whom: Beach lovers, surfers, nature enthusiasts, adventurers
From Manuel Antonio with its white beaches and capuchin monkeys to the mystical cloud forest of Monteverde to the wild Osa Peninsula with the legendary Corcovado National Park — the Pacific side offers the greatest variety. The Nicoya Peninsula attracts surfers and yogis from all over the world.

🌴 Caribbean Coast

For Whom: Reggae fans, snorkelers, turtle watchers
The Caribbean side is its own universe: Afro-Caribbean culture, reggae rhythms, colorful wooden houses, coral reefs, and the legendary turtle nesting sites of Tortuguero. Puerto Viejo is the most relaxed place in the country.

🌋 Volcanoes & Highlands

For Whom: Adventurers, hikers, wellness lovers
The perfectly shaped Arenal Volcano with its hot springs, the mystical Río Celeste in Tenorio National Park, the bubbling mud pots at Rincón de la Vieja — Costa Rica's volcanic landscape is spectacular and offers adventure and relaxation at the same time.