Costa Rica Destinations Map

La Fortuna: What to Expect from Costa Rica’s Most Popular Destination

Last Updated: March 3, 2025 La Fortuna, also known as La Fortuna de San Carlos, is undoubtedly one of Costa Rica’s most talked about destinations. Travel writers love to cover …

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Manuel Antonio: Costa Rica’s Wildlife Beach Town

Last Updated: August 20, 2025 Just 2.5 hours from Costa Rica’s San Jose international airport lies the popular beach town of Manuel Antonio. Thousands flock to Playa Espadilla each year, …

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The Costa Ballena: Uvita, Dominical, and Ojochal

Last Updated: August 26, 2025 When we first started visiting the Costa Ballena region along the southern Pacific coast, it was relatively undeveloped, harder to access, and overall not a …

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Samara: Guanacaste’s Most Overlooked Beach Town

Last Updated: November 28, 2024 Many of the beach towns in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province have become extremely popular over the years due to their gorgeous sands and turquoise waters. …

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Montezuma: A Bohemian Beach Town

Last Updated: September 11, 2025 Not long ago, Costa Rica was known for its bumpy dirt roads that led only the most determined explorers to pristine beaches and virgin jungle. …

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Drake Bay: Costa Rica Unplugged

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 Set among the largest, most biologically diverse section of lowland rainforest in Central America is the magical destination of Drake Bay, Costa Rica. Here, you’ll …

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Monteverde, Costa Rica: A Forest in the Clouds

Last Updated: September 10, 2025 Located in the country’s northwestern mountains at the Continental Divide is Costa Rica’s top ecotourism destination, Monteverde. Translating to Green Mountain, this small town, originally …

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Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: Caribbean Cool in Costa Rica

Last Updated: August 22, 2025 Set along the turquoise Caribbean Sea in southeastern Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a laid-back beach town with a distinctly Caribbean feel. With …

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Nosara: Costa Rica’s Upscale Surf-Yoga Destination

Last Updated: September 2, 2025 Most people know the town of Nosara as Costa Rica’s premier surf and yoga destination. It has always drawn surfers chasing waves and wellness travelers …

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Costa Rica Destinations Summary Guide

Last Updated: September 14, 2022 On this website, we give tons of detailed information on Costa Rica’s destinations and attractions. Reading everything takes a lot of time, however. That’s the …

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La Fortuna Hotel Guide: Where to Stay Near Arenal Volcano

Last Updated: June 13, 2025 La Fortuna is a destination for almost every type of traveler. It offers a huge selection of lodging that ranges from inexpensive hostels to mid-range …

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How to Spend 1 or 2 Days in San Jose, Costa Rica

Last Updated: August 18, 2025 San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, is filled with rich history and culture. Not only that, but it has a hip urban vibe …

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Jaco: Costa Rica’s Booming Beach Town

Last Updated: June 14, 2023 Many people come to Costa Rica to turn everything off and just relax. Others are looking to do a lot of activities, get out on …

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Tamarindo: Where Paradise Meets Convenience

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 Located in northwestern Costa Rica, Tamarindo is a bustling tourist town that lures surfers and sunbathers alike. The main draw here as you may have guessed is …

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Best Beach Towns in Costa Rica to Visit Without a Car

Last Updated: September 12, 2025 We always say that Costa Rica is best explored with your own rental car. That’s because a car gives you the flexibility to explore and …

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San Isidro de El General

Last Updated: August 14, 2025 Filling a wide valley in the peaceful mountains of Costa Rica’s Southern Zone is San Isidro de El General. This small city is bursting with …

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Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste): Costa Rica’s Northern Beauty

Last Updated: August 13, 2025 One of the best places in Costa Rica’s popular Guanacaste Province to relax and unwind is Playa Hermosa. This small community draws repeat visitors year …

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Best Beaches in Costa Rica with Kids

Last Updated: July 25, 2025 Costa Rica is famous for its miles of coastline along both the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. While most visitors want to experience the country’s …

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San Gerardo de Dota: A Hideaway in the Cloud Forest

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 San Gerardo de Dota is a little-known destination in the remote mountains south of Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose. The village is set deep …

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Santa Teresa: Costa Rica’s Trending Beach Town

Last Updated: August 8, 2025 Far on the tip of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, away from airports and city lights, is Santa Teresa. And while this jungle-backed beach town is …

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Puerto Jimenez: An Outpost to the Osa

Last Updated: August 14, 2025 Situated near the tip of Costa Rica’s remote Osa Peninsula, Puerto Jimenez might not seem like a tourist destination at first glance. On any given …

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Best Hotels Near San Jose Airport

Last Updated: August 14, 2025 With crazy flight schedules and lengthy drives between most destinations and the airport, sometimes an overnight near Costa Rica’s San Jose Airport (SJO or Juan …

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The Untapped Miravalles Volcano: Hot Springs, Nature, and Zero Crowds

Last Updated: August 12, 2025 If you’ve done some research on Costa Rica, then you have probably read about the country’s famous volcanoes and soothing hot springs. Flocks of visitors …

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Tortuguero: Wildlife and Culture on the Caribbean Coast

Last Updated: August 18, 2025 In the swampy northeastern corner of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast is the village of Tortuguero. Named by locals long ago as the place where turtles …

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Atenas: A Glimpse of Authentic Costa Rica

Last Updated: August 17, 2025 Not far from the bustling city of San Jose, you will find the charming town of Atenas. This medium-sized town in the Central Valley offers …

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Monteverde Hotel Guide

Last Updated: September 10, 2025 Monteverde may be a remote destination, but once you arrive, you’ll find a long list of fun things to do and places to stay. In …

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Cahuita: Culture and Calm on the Caribbean

Last Updated: February 9, 2024 Though humble in size, Costa Rica has distinct differences in its culture from one destination to the next. On the country’s east coast, for example, …

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Playa Potrero: A Home Base for Beaches in Guanacaste

Last Updated: August 11, 2025 Located in Guanacaste Province, right next to some of the region’s most popular destinations, is the unassuming town of Playa Potrero. Driving through, you may …

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Bijagua: A Gateway to the Rio Celeste Waterfall

Last Updated: August 14, 2025 Nestled in a lush valley between two dormant volcanoes is the town of Bijagua. This rural village is probably best known as a stop-over destination …

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Manuel Antonio Hotel Guide: Ocean Views, Rainforest, and Wildlife

Last Updated: August 21, 2025 Manuel Antonio is known for its amazing ocean views and plentiful wildlife. Depending on where you stay, you can wake up to monkeys calling outside …

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Esterillos Oeste: Surfing, Serenity, and La Sirena

Last Updated: August 11, 2025 Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast is filled with busy beach towns, but there are still some quiet stretches of sand to be discovered. One such …

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Playa Conchal: The Allure of Shell Beach

Last Updated: October 5, 2021 The distinct sound of a million tiny seashells gently shuffling with each lapping wave will forever be what we imagine when thinking of Playa Conchal. …

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9 Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is no doubt on the map as an ecotourism destination, with millions of visitors each year. While many people head straight to the country’s most famous sites and …

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Playa Brasilito: An Authentic Beach Town in Guanacaste

Last Updated: August 13, 2025 Nestled between the popular resort destinations of Playa Flamingo and Playa Conchal is the unassuming Playa Brasilito. This town and beach of the same name …

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Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Regional Snapshot

Last Updated: September 3, 2025 Guanacaste is a region in northwestern Costa Rica famous for its beaches and plentiful amenities. Often called the “Gold Coast,” this area has some of …

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A Locals’ Guide to Dominical

Last Updated: September 3, 2024 Dominical is a small, laid-back beach town on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific Coast. Here, you will find thick jungle, uncluttered beaches, and just enough amenities …

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Playa Bejuco: A Destination Between Destinations

Last Updated: July 25, 2025 A drive along Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast will bring you to some of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. And while the bigger towns …

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Playa Avellanas: Going Off-the-Beaten Path in Guanacaste

Last Updated: August 8, 2025 The Guanacaste region on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast is a tourism hot spot known for its miles of beautiful beach. But those seeking a …

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Playa Flamingo: A Luxury Destination in Guanacaste

Last Updated: August 11, 2025 Imagine lying on a fluffy white-sand beach, backed by quiet mangroves. Your condo or vacation rental sits perched on a rocky point nearby. A beach …

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Cabo Matapalo: Wild Jungle on the Osa Peninsula

Last Updated: August 6, 2025 Tucked into the southern-most corner of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula is an area known as Cabo Matapalo. There isn’t much here, and that’s what makes …

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Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast: Regional Snapshot

Last Updated: August 11, 2025 While often overlooked, Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast has a lot to offer visitors. It has some of the country’s most scenic beaches, with turquoise water …

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Playas del Coco: Costa Rica with All the Comforts

Last Updated: August 13, 2025 Remote jungle wilderness is not for everyone. Many people come to Costa Rica looking for a warm, sunny location that has conveniences nearby. In a …

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Curubande de Liberia: A Country Town in Rincon de la Vieja

Last Updated: August 7, 2025 While Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province is known mostly for its famed beaches, inland areas of this region offer their own unique experiences. Just an hour …

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Costa Rica’s Southern Pacific Coast: Regional Snapshot

Last Updated: August 8, 2025 If you’re looking for peaceful seclusion and abundant nature, Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast is the perfect place to find it. With lush rainforest, spectacular …

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Bajos del Toro: Costa Rica’s Land of Waterfalls

Last Updated: August 6, 2025 Hidden on the backside of Poas Volcano in a lush green valley lies Bajos del Toro. This small town is not well known but boasts …

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Orosi: A Valley of Green

Last Updated: August 7, 2025 As you turn the corner into the Orosi Valley, you will immediately see its appeal. From the hilltop, steep green mountains surround a village of …

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Pavones: Surfing and Seclusion on the Southern Pacific

Last Updated: August 8, 2025 Far down Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, near the border with Panama, you will find the rural beach town of Pavones. Pavones isn’t well known, mostly …

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Central Pacific Coast, Costa Rica: Regional Snapshot

Last Updated: August 11, 2025 With miles of beach, lush rainforest, and abundant wildlife, Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast is a favorite among visitors. Some come for surfing, which is …

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Tambor: A Relaxing Escape on the Nicoya Peninsula

Last Updated: September 11, 2025 Nestled in the rugged jungle of the southern Nicoya Peninsula, Tambor is a quiet town with nature as its backdrop. Tambor isn’t a well-known destination, …

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Costa Rica’s Central Valley: Regional Snapshot

Last Updated: August 11, 2025 Home to almost three-quarters of the country’s population, the Central Valley is Costa Rica’s cultural and economic center. Long ago, farmers used oxcarts and horses …

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Nuevo Arenal: A Lakeside Town

Last Updated: August 5, 2025 Set on a hill overlooking Costa Rica’s largest lake is the village of Nuevo Arenal. This quiet lakeside town has an interesting history. And while …

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San Mateo: A Local Town with Eco-Communities

Last Updated: August 5, 2025 Perched in the hills above Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast is the charming town of San Mateo. This traditional locals’ town has a nice mix …

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Playa Grande: A Peaceful Sun and Surf Destination

Last Updated: August 7, 2025 If you are traveling to Costa Rica to just lounge on the beach or escape for some much-needed surfboard therapy, Playa Grande is calling you. …

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Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast: The Perfect Mix of Adventure & Relaxation

One of our favorite parts of a recent trip to Costa Rica was exploring the Caribbean coast. The beaches go for miles and there was wildlife like monkeys, sloths, and …

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Ciudad Colon: A Tranquil Suburb of San Jose

Last Updated: August 5, 2025 Costa Rica’s capital of San Jose is much like any city in the world. It can be chaotic and filled with traffic. But just past …

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San Ramon: Close to Culture

Last Updated: August 5, 2025 Set in the mountains west of San Jose is the charming town of San Ramon. Many tourists drive right through this small city on their …

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Heredia, Costa Rica: City Guide

Last Updated: August 5, 2025 Just a short drive from Costa Rica’s capital of San Jose is the smaller city of Heredia. This historic town has middle- and upper-class neighborhoods, …

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