- Protected land
- ~25%
- Of world's species
- ~5%
- Coastlines
- 2
- Dry season
- Dec–Apr
Top attractions
- Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna: hot springs, the La Fortuna Waterfall and hanging bridges. Arenal map
- Monteverde Cloud Forest: walk through the clouds on hanging bridges and look for quetzals. Monteverde map
- Manuel Antonio National Park: monkeys, sloths and beaches in one compact park. Manuel Antonio map
- Tortuguero: boat trips on jungle canals and turtle nesting at night. Tortuguero map
- Corcovado: the wildest rainforest in the country, with tapirs and scarlet macaws. Osa map
- Río Celeste: a sky-blue waterfall in the rainforest. Río Celeste map
- The beaches: from Tamarindo and Santa Teresa on the Pacific to Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean. Beaches map
Hanging bridges, zip-lining, rafting and wildlife night walks are among the most popular things to do.
See top-rated tours ↗For a route that links these sights, see the road trip itinerary. More maps: volcanoes, national parks, waterfalls and wildlife.
Plan your trip to Costa Rica
Tours & tickets
Guided tours, day trips and activities with free cancellation on most bookings.
See tours ↗Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one attraction in Costa Rica?
Arenal Volcano and the area around La Fortuna, followed by Manuel Antonio National Park and the Monteverde cloud forest.
Last reviewed October 2026. Opening hours, prices and road conditions change: check official sources before you travel.