Route Pura Vida

Costa Rica Destinations

Explore 24 amazing destinations across Costa Rica

Mountain landscape at Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano National Park

A near-perfect volcanic cone wrapped in rainforest, hot springs, and lava-trail hikes.

Beach scene at Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica

Cahuita National Park

A Caribbean coastal trail through rainforest fringed by Costa Rica's best snorkeling reef.

Mountain landscape at Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Corcovado National Park

Costa Rica's wildest park, on the remote Osa Peninsula, with the country's densest wildlife.

Beach scene at Dominical, Costa Rica

Dominical

A surfer-hippie town and jumping-off point for waterfalls and the Costa Ballena coast.

Guanacaste Airport (LIR) terminal, Costa Rica

Guanacaste Airport (LIR)

Liberia's international airport, closest to Guanacaste's beaches and the Nicoya Peninsula.

Mountain landscape at Irazú Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Irazú Volcano National Park

Costa Rica's tallest volcano (3,432 m), with a lunar summit and turquoise crater lake.

Beach scene at Jaco, Costa Rica

Jaco

A high-energy surf town an hour from San José, with consistent waves and lively nightlife.

Mountain landscape at La Fortuna, Costa Rica

La Fortuna

Base camp for Arenal Volcano, hot springs, and the country's biggest hanging-bridge hikes.

Beach scene at Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio

A small Pacific town famous for white-sand coves, sloths, and the country's most-visited national park.

Beach scene at Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio National Park

Costa Rica's most-visited park, where rainforest spills onto white-sand beaches and four monkey species.

Beach scene at Marino Ballena National Park, Costa Rica

Marino Ballena National Park

A whale-watching marine park anchored by the photogenic Whale's Tail sandbar at Uvita.

Mountain landscape at Monteverde, Costa Rica

Monteverde

A misty cloud forest hill town for canopy walks, zip-lines, and exceptional birdwatching.

Mountain landscape at Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, Costa Rica

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve

10,500 hectares of primary cloud forest threaded with hanging bridges and elusive quetzals.

Beach scene at Nosara, Costa Rica

Nosara

A wellness-focused Pacific beach community known for surf, yoga, and protected jungle.

Mountain landscape at Poás Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Poás Volcano National Park

One of the world's largest active craters, an easy day trip above San José.

Beach scene at Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Puerto Viejo

Costa Rica's laid-back Caribbean side — reggae bars, reef breaks, and Afro-Caribbean cuisine.

Mountain landscape at Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Costa Rica

Rincón de la Vieja National Park

An active volcano wrapped in dry forest, with bubbling mudpots and waterfall hikes.

Beach scene at Samara, Costa Rica

Samara

A relaxed beach town with a calm, swimmable bay — great for families and first-time surfers.

Cityscape of San José, Costa Rica

San José

Costa Rica's capital and cultural hub — markets, museums, and the country's best food scene.

San José Airport (SJO) terminal, Costa Rica

San José Airport (SJO)

Costa Rica's main international airport and gateway to the Central Valley.

Beach scene at Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

Santa Teresa

A bohemian surf town at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, beloved for sunsets and yoga retreats.

Beach scene at Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Tamarindo

A lively Pacific beach town with reliable surf, sunset bars, and easy access to quiet coves nearby.

Beach scene at Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

Tortuguero National Park

A roadless maze of jungle canals on the Caribbean coast, famous for nesting sea turtles.

Beach scene at Uvita, Costa Rica

Uvita

Gateway to Marino Ballena National Park and the iconic Whale's Tail sandbar at low tide.