Places to Explore

• Caribbean Coast

  The high-rise, glitzy resorts of the Pacific coast are nowhere to be found in the Caribbean. The norm here is small, independent lodgings, usually family owned and operated. Fewer visitors in this region... (more)

• Central Pacific Coast

  The Central Pacific region of Costa Rica is a long swath of gorgeous land, from sublime coastline dotted with national parks to inland stretches of ranches, coffee plantations, small villages, and forested... (more)

• Central Valley

  San José sits in a mile-high-ish mountain valley ringed by volcanoes whose ash has fertilized the soil and turned the region into Costa Rica's breadbasket. This is the land that coffee built, and... (more)

• North Pacific Coast

  Beautiful weather and a windswept coastline bring surfers to the North Pacific area of Costa Rica, an abundance of marine life and stellar diving spots lure underwater aficionados, and a sturdy flow of... (more)

• Northern Plains

  Costa Rica's Zona Norte packs in more adventure than any other part of the country. You'll find almost everything here that Costa Rica has to offer—except beaches. Spend any amount of time in this... (more)

• San José

  The center of all that is Costa Rica probably won't be the center of your trip to Costa Rica. If you're like many visitors, you'll spend two nights in San José—tops. Most international flights... (more)

• South Pacific Coast

  Costa Rica's South Pacific encompasses everything south of San José, down to the border with Panama, and all the territory west of the Talamanca mountains, sloping down to the Pacific coast. World-class... (more)