14 BEST Places To Visit In Costa Rica For First Timers 2024

If it’s you’re first time heading over to Costa Rica, you’re gonna love us for putting this guide together for you; we’ve filled it with all the best places to visit in Costa Rica, so you can create an epic itinerary!

Jack and I loved our time in Costa Rica; we spent about three weeks exploring. It’s great for adventure travellers and wildlife fans thanks to countless national parks like Manuel Antonio and volcanoes like the one in La Fortuna, and with a large biodiversity, it’s perfect for hiking and extreme sports such as zip lining, paragliding and white water rafting.

We spent half our holiday on the beaches, the rest exploring breathtaking waterfalls and the unspoiled jungles. We also visited picture-perfect villages, which make Costa Rica a fantastic place to visit.

---

Discover The Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica, For The First Time Traveller!

In this post, I’ll share the best places to visit in Costa Rica for first-time travellers so you can plan the perfect trip! I’ll also include topics:

• Why these wonderful places in Costa Rica should be visited
• The best things to do, and some suggestions on places to stay and eat.
• I’ll also talk about what you expect from your Costa Rica trip, including climate, transport and common prices to help you plan your perfect holiday!

---

Is Costa Rica Worth Visiting?

In my opinion, Costa Rica is certainly a country which should be visited. It’s breathtaking and full of wonders. About one-quarter of Costa Rica is made up of protected jungle which makes it one of the best countries for ecotourism.

In truth, Costa Rica has it all, it’s known for its pristine beaches, active volcanoes and captivating wildlife but it also has a rich cultural history which can be seen in many cultural centres throughout its capital, San Jose.

If you love animals, exploring and adventure then you will definitely think a visit to Costa Rica is worth it!

✅ Good To Know: More than 99% of electricity generated in Costa Rica is sourced from renewable energy!

---

14 Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica For Your First Time

Discover the best places to visit in Costa Rica for your first-time visit, or even if you’ve been before, these places are great!

1. Orosi Valley

Orosi is one of my favourite places to visit in Costa Rica and is great for first-time visitors who love hiking and those who haven’t got very long in the country.

It’s pretty close and easy to get to from San Jose, (you just need to catch a couple of local buses) but it’s still relatively unknown to tourists, although it is slowly becoming more popular.

However, if you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-track destination which is close to San Jose, Orosi is it. It’s tucked away between valleys and surrounded by national parks. The village is medium-sized with local shops and amenities and there are some good options for accommodation.

Most of the people visiting Orosi are local tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. If you love hiking there are some excellent hikes around the village, a viewpoint which overlooks the whole valley and in the next village over there are the ruins of the first church built in Costa Rica during colonial times!

👉 Related Post: Orosi Costa Rica: Your Ultimate Orosi Valley Guide to find out everything you need to know about visiting this charming town!

Things To Do In Orosi

The Best Places To Eat In Orosi

2. Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is such a quirky little town in southeast Costa Rica. It runs along the east coast and is full of Caribbean flair and culture. It’s generally one of the first stops for those crossing the Costa Rica/Panama border and is full of backpackers.

Puerto Viejo is one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for the first time if you’re looking for a laid-back party scene. It’s got a new-age hippie scene with plenty of bars and restaurants along the beach.

It’s also a popular place for surfers! The immediate beach in Puerto Viejo isn’t that great but walk 10 minutes north and you will reach Playa Negra which is perfect for a quick dip.

The sand is black and sparkling and although the beach runs along the road it’s sheltered by the trees. For the best beach days in Puerto Viejo, you’ll have to visit Play Coceles which is about a 45-minute walk or an 8-minute ride.

Renting a scooter for a few days is a popular way to get around Costa Rica and the smaller villages such as Puerto Viejo, but they also have taxis and tuk-tuks. You could do a scooter road trip along the coast if you’re feeling super adventurous, Jack I did one in Bali, which was great!

Things To Do In Puerto Viejo

Top Eateries In Puerto Viejo

3. Cahuita Village

The small village of Cahuita is a lovely place to visit in Costa Rica if you’re working your way north from Puerto Viejo and want somewhere peaceful to rest.

It’s an up-and-coming place with a minimart and a few nice bars and restaurants but it’s not somewhere to go if you want to party.

Most people will do a day trip to the National Park from Limon but not visit the village, therefore it’s still a good place to see local culture. Of course, most people who visit are headed for the Cahuita National Park and so should you!

The park is very beautiful and free to enter, although I would leave a donation. There are clearly marked paths and some decked areas and it’s been very well managed and kept.

You will certainly see a myriad of animals from monkeys and racoons and if you’re lucky sloths! But if you don’t see them there, luckily, there is a sloth rescue centre close by which is also worth a visit.

The beaches in the park are breathtaking and unspoiled. It’s unlikely to be rammed with tourists as this is one of the quieter National Parks in Costa Rica; expect white sandy beaches at Playa Blanca and black volcanic sand at Playa Negra!

Things To Do In Cahuita Village

Best Places To Eat & Drink In Cahuita Village

4. Tortuguero

Tortuguero is the ultimate place to visit in Costa Rica to see sea turtles for the first time. It is renowned for being one of the best places on the Caribbean coast to witness sea turtles nesting and hatching.

Good To Know: The best time to visit Tortuguero is from July to October to see the turtles nesting, but don’t worry if you can’t make those months as they will still be visiting all year round.

It’s not that straightforward to get to either, especially if you’re backpacking, but it’s certainly worth it. Tortuguero village is pretty remote and therefore only accessible via water taxi or boat, or small plane if you have the money!

Luckily, most hotel bookings will provide/include transport and transfers for you, however, make sure you check and arrange everything prior to going.

If you are backpacking you will need to make your way to La Pavona or Caño Blanco to find a boat to take you to the village.

Tortuguero is a small fishing village surrounded by swamps, jungles and winding waterways. They focus heavily on promoting ecotourism and you will find many people offering turtle tours and jungle activities.

*Note: This is somewhere you will have to take a tour, you can’t really do anything there by yourself and so make sure you do your research as there are a lot of scammers.

Things To Do In Tortuguero

Best Places To Eat In Tortuguero

5. La Fortuna

If you want to see a perfect conical volcano in Costa Rica the best place to visit for the first time is La Fortuna. It’s home to Arenal Volcano which dominates the skyline at a whooping 1,657 metres high, this volcano is actually still active!

It might not be the tallest volcano in Costa Rica but it is one of the more popular. The town of La Fortuna makes for a good base if you want to see the volcano and the surrounding area.

From La Fortuna, it’s possible to arrange day trips to the volcano including hikes around the national park (you can’t actually hike to the top of Arenal) but you will find old lava flows and plenty of wildlife.

The town is well prepared for tourists with plenty of tour offices offering excursions and activities. Come evening and the town comes alive, there are a lot of restaurants, bars and boutique shops to keep visitors busy.

The view of Arenal Volcano from La Fortuna is unbeatable, especially on a clear morning before the clouds set it!

There are lots of activities to do around La Fortuna including a visit to the sloth wildlife sanctuary, biking to waterfalls and relaxing in hot springs.

Things To Do In La Fortuna

✅ Have you used Get Your Guide before to book tours? They have an easy-to-use platform with loads of unique tours. Search for your perfect holiday excursions in La Fortuna here!

Best Places To Stay In La Fortuna

✅ Find more places to stay in La Fortuna here!

Top Eats

6. Monteverde

Monteverde is home to the Monteverde Biological Reserve which is one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for the first time if you want to reconnect with nature in one of the world’s premier cloud forests.

It’s the one place that is usually on everyone’s Costa Rican bucket list and attracts over 250,000 tourists every year!

It really is something special and shouldn’t be missed if you are in the area. The National Park is known for its diverse flora and fauna with most people flocking there to see glimpses of the rare quetzal bird. But even if you don’t see it, the amount of wildlife there is unreal!

I thought the entrance fee was rather steep at $25 per person but it’s actually quite a standard entrance fee throughout the country, so just bear that in mind if you’re doing a few parks and tours.

Although it’s not required and only if your budget permits, I strongly recommend taking a guided tour around the reserve as without one it’s really hard to spot the wildlife which is well camouflaged. A guide will be able to point things out that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.

One thing which is important to keep in mind is that the weather at Monteverde is unpredictable. It can be very wet and windy with cooler temperatures so make sure you’re prepared with raincoats and warmer layers!

Good To Know: There are other reserves close by in Curi-Cancha or Santa Elena. These places are also worth a visit during your stay in Montverde!

Things to do in Monteverde

Best Places To Stay In Monteverde

✅ Check Out Accommodation Prices For Monteverde Today!

Top Eats

7. Tamarindo

Tamarindo is another popular spot for first-time visitors to Costa Rica. It draws quite a young crowd such as backpackers and surfers but it’s still enjoyed by families, especially those with teenagers.

Its main attraction is its beach which is perfect for lounging around, surfing and catching waves but there are numerous activities and tours such as sportfishing which can be arranged from the town too.

It’s got a nice party vibe so it’s quite a fun place to be. It’s on the northwest of the Nicoya Peninsula and is a great place to have on the list if you’re planning to travel around the Nicoya Peninsula coastline.

Tamarindo is also the perfect sunset spot with the sun setting directly over the beach. It’s a little more expensive than in other areas in Costa Rica so make sure you keep an eye on your budget as it’s easy to overspend!

Good To Know: You will likely see leatherback turtles nesting between May to October.

Things to do in Tamarindo

✅ Search For More Things To Do In Tamarindo Today!

Best Places To Stay In Tamarindo

✅ Check Out Accommodation Prices For Tamarindo Here!

Top Eats In Tamarindo

8. Santa Teresa

Near the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula is the small and trendy town of Santa Teresa, it’s fast becoming a hot spot for surfers, backpackers and free-spirited ex-pats however, it’s still relatively undeveloped and remote.

It’s one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for first-time travellers if you’re looking for a laid-back bohemian town, similar to Montezuma. If you are, then you’ll likely enjoy Santa Teresa and probably not want to leave!

There are plenty of beaches within walking distance from the town, all with fluffy white sand and a jungle backdrop which is beautiful. It’s one of the best views if you’re out for a morning surf.

The small town is somewhere which has some fantastic eateries too, shared workspaces and a really “lost in the jungle” feel about it.

It’s also another fantastic spot to watch the sunset and you will notice that around 5 pm small crowds gather on the beach to watch it go down. During the weekends there are usually small beach parties happening and you will notice a nice sense of community there.

Things to do in Santa Teresa

✅ Search For More Things To Do In Santa Teresa Today!

Best Places To Stay In Santa Teresa

Top Eats in Santa Teresa

9. Montezuma

On the other side of the Nicoya Peninsula is another tiny laidback town of Montezuma. This is one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for the first time if you’re looking for a boho, off-the-beaten-track romantic destination.

With a mix of backpackers, young families and couples who visit Montezuma it attracts a nice crowd and is a great place to kick back and relax.

Its beaches and hippie vibe are what draw people to visit, with some of the nicest beaches in Costa Rica to explore.

There is also plenty of wildlife to be seen in the thick forest which surrounds Montezuma, plus loads of wildlife trails to discover, waterfalls, rivers and mountains.

Good To Know: You can actually get from Jaco (mentioned below) to Montezuma by speedboat by crossing over the Nicoya Gulf! The ferry leaves Jaco at 10 am every day and returns the next day at 8:30 am.

Things to do in Montezuma

✅ Search For More Things To Do In Montezuma Today!

Best Places To Stay In Montezuma

✅ Check Out Accommodation Prices For Montezuma Here!

Top Eats In Montezuma

10. Jaco

Jaco is one of the most visited spots in Costa Rica for first-time, fun-in-the-sun, all-inclusive holidaymakers. It’s popular with tourists who love a party scene and is known for its 2.5-mile beach, nightlife and surf.

It’s actually a great place to go if you want to learn to surf with fantastic waves for beginners and intermediates.

The beach is wonderful too, although it’s not white sanded like other beaches in Costa Rica, instead, it’s quite dark but it’s lined with palm trees and super soft.

If you want somewhere with a lot of energy, great nightlife and countless activities, Jaco is a sure bet.

There are plenty of resorts along the beachfront, casinos, bars and restaurants, plus lots of local boutique shops and larger mainstream ones to keep you busy.

You’ll be able to find any kind of tour from National Park hikes, boat trips and animal sanctuaries at the numerous tour offices lining the main street.

Another thing which makes Jaco special is the sunsets. The beach is perfectly angled for sunsets and there are plenty of beachfront spots to enjoy a sundowner!

👉 Read Next: Is Jaco Worth Visiting In 2023? Costa Rica’s Booming Party Town

Things to do in Jaco

✅ Search For More Day Tours In Jaco Today!

Best Places To Stay In Jaco

✅ Check Out Accommodation Prices For Jaco Today!

Top Eats

11. Manuel Antonio

Manuel Antonio is one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for the first time if you’re in search of an epic National Park and pristine beach. The Manuel Antonio National Park is renowned to have one of the best beaches in Costa Rica and is heralded as being beyond breathtaking.

You’ll be able to spend the day strolling through the rainforest in search of wildlife and beautiful flora but don’t expect a day of jungle trekking. The trails are well-paved or decked and you’ll end up at several captivating beaches.

Playa Manuel Antonio is the most popular and aside from the wildlife spotting it’s the main reason people visit. Espadilla Sur is the next beach along and is equally stunning followed by Playa Gemelas which is the most secluded and least crowded. It’s worth making the additional 20-minute trek!

One thing which you need to keep in mind is that you can only buy tickets online and not at the entrance. The park is limited to a certain number of visitors per day, so please make sure you pre-book and I would advise you to take a guide for the best experience.

Aside from the National Park, the small coastal village of Manuel Antonio is a lovely place to spend a few nights, it has its own beautiful beach and a kind local community.

Good to Know: According to SINCAC, the park protects 352 species of flora, 335 species of birds, 93 species of reptiles, 56 species of amphibians and 107 species of land mammals.

Tops Things to do in Manuel Antonio

✅ Search For Tours In Manuel Antonio Today!

Best Places To Stay In Manuel Antonio

✅ Check Out Accommodation Prices For Manuel Antonio Today!

Top Eats

12. Dominical

Dominical is the best place to visit Costa Rica for the first time if you are a surfer! It’s got one of the ultimate surfing beaches in Costa Rica with consistent breaks. However, It’s not for beginner surfers or swimming.

That being said, the beach is beautiful and stretches for 2.5-miles, you can easily spend your days soaking up the sun and going for a paddle. The beach is lined with palm trees and sits on the edge of the rainforest, which due to the humidity, stays green all year round.

The views are perfect at Dominical and there is a lot to keep you busy such as remote waterfall hikes and visiting (or volunteering) wildlife sanctuaries!

Luckily, Dominical still has a sense of stillness and is much less crowded than other surfing spots along the pacific coast. This means the prices are still reasonable and you’re sure to find some delicious deals along the beachfront restaurants.

One of the best waterfalls in the region is Nauyaco Waterfall and it can be reached from Dominical. It might be a little tricky to get there without a car or on a tour but it’s certainly doable, and from what I hear, worth it!

Things to do in Dominical

✅ Search For More Things To Do In Dominical Today!

Best Places To Stay In Dominical

✅ Check Out Accommodation Prices For Dominical Today!

Top Eats

13. Drakes Bay At Corcovado National Park

One of the best places to visit in Costa Rica for first time travellers if you’re in search of a remote and rugged national park is Corcovado National Park. It’s found on the Osa Peninsula and is one of the most remote regions of Costa Rica.

The park protects the largest remaining tract of primary rainforest on the Pacific coast of Central America and is one of the largest lowland tropical rainforests. The park is an astonishing 163 square miles which covers almost half of the Osa Peninsula!

Although it is possible to take a day trip, make the most out of your visit to the national park by doing a 3-day guided tour to the La Sirena Ranger station where you will be able to spend time admiring the wildlife.

Drakes Bay is the most popular place to stay if you’re heading out to Corcovado National Park and there are plenty of hostels and hotels to choose from with tour offices working out of the remote town.

Good to know: Corcovado National Park is renowned for its wildlife. There are 140 mammal species, 370 bird species and over 10,000 insect species on the Osa Peninsula.

Things to do in Corcovado

Best Places To Stay In Corcovado

✅ Check Out Accommodation Prices For Corcovado, Here!

Top Eats

14. Samara

I’ve just had some friends come back from Samara and they absolutely loved the small beach town. It borders a thick tropical dry forest and abuts straight to the beach. This means, there is tons of wildlife to enjoy even while you’re relaxing on the soft sand.

The town is bursting with boutique shops and trendy bars, cafes, restaurants and tons of tour operators. You’ll find excursions into the forest where you’ll likely see monkeys and iguanas, and it’s a dream for bird watchers.

The biggest draw is the beach, Playa Smara is a paradise beach lined with palm trees and beach bar shacks selling cold beers and fresh Pina Coladas! You’ll be able to enjoy a sunset too, forest hikes, snorkelling, and horseback riding and 20 minutes outside town is Belen Waterfall!

Things to do in Samara

Best Places To Stay In Samara

Best places to eat in Samara

The Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica Map

---

Where Is The Most Visited Place In Costa Rica For First Timers?

The top three most popular spots in Costa Rica for first-time visitors are Jaco beach, La Fortuna and San Jose. The Capital is one of only two international airports and so most people will choose to spend a few nights there when travelling through, however, many go straight to Jaco and stay there for their holiday.

For us, we didn’t spend any time in San Jose as we were not looking for a city break and from the little time we did spend there, it wasn’t somewhere that felt like it needed to be explored!

We did spend a week at Jaco and enjoyed ourselves a lot. It was a very relaxing week as we were a little further out of the main tourist area which helped us maintain an element of peace, however, it was clear that Jaco is a party place!

The most popular National Park in Costa Rica is split between Montverde and Manuel Antonio. Holidaymakers tend to take a day trip from Jaco to these national parks.

👉 Read More: Is Costa Rica Worth Visiting In 2023? The Pros And Cons

How To Get Around Costa Rica?

As Jack and I were backpacking we chose to get around Costa Rica using local transport and as far as the experience went for us, it was great! We had no issues navigating and arranging transport and managed to get buses everywhere we wanted to go.

Costa Rica On Buses

Does Costa Rica have Uber?

Costa Rica does have Uber in Jaco and San Jose. I think the Uber in Costa Rica was okay, we used it quite a few times while we were in Jaco as we were staying right on the edge of town and were lazy to walk!

As there was a group of us it actually worked out cheaper to get an Uber rather than it would have to catch the bus, it’s also a lot more comfortable and quicker and it’s easy to sort out the payment.

The cost of a 10-minute Uber journey in Jaco is around $3

Costa Rica On Rental Cars

Another great way to get around Costa Rica is to rent a car. If Jack and I ever go back we will rent a car next time! We met people renting cars and they were talking about the freedom they had and the more remote places they were able to visit just because they had a car.

If you are going on a holiday then renting a car is ideal. It means you won’t be locked into taking tours to visit certain areas and you will be able to explore a lot more or the country in a shorter amount of time.

One thing I would really love to do is drive along the Pacific coast stopping at the smaller villages and hitting some of the more deserted surfing spots!

Is Costa Rica Safe?

We felt that Costa Rica was safe and fortunately, we didn’t have any incidents involving crime. However, that’s not to say that it doesn’t happen.

The most common type of crime in Costa Rica is petty theft which happens mainly on beaches and on bus journeys. Therefore, you should always remain vigilant and not do anything to attract attention to yourself.

If you do find yourself in a situation with robbers the best thing to do is to give them exactly what they want. Do not try to negotiate or fight, as soon as they have what they want they will almost certainly leave.

Stay Safe In Costa Rica Travel Tips

• Only take what you need to the beaches and don’t leave your valuables unattended. If you do leave your bag and leave it, be prepared that it may go missing.

• It’s best not to wear flashy items like watches and expensive jewellery as this attracts attention to you and makes you a target.

• Don’t walk around with your phone out and if you are taking pictures make sure to be aware of your surroundings – hold it tight and don’t leave it on the table.

• Avoid quiet and isolated areas, especially if you’re alone, as it’s easier to be targeted by robbers.

• Make sure you use authorised taxis, this is another reason Uber is good and check the metre is working. I like to use my maps when I’m in a taxi to make sure I’m going in the right direction.

• It’s important you have travel insurance for the duration of your trip. We used World Nomads who were great but I have also heard that Safety Wing is a good company!

When Is The Best Time To Visit Costa Rica?

The best time to visit Costa Rica totally depends on what you want from your trip. If you want dry, sunny weather perfect for beach days then around February is great. The New Year is perfect for visiting the rainforests but is the busiest. If you’re looking for better prices and fewer tourists July and August are perfect.

The most popular time to visit Costa Rica is just after the rain and into the dry season between December and March, this is when the country has the least amount of rain.

December is most favoured, especially in the northwest as the forests still remain lush, it’s also a great time to see migrating wildlife.

That being said, we visited in June and again in July and although we saw rain most days it was only in short bursts or during the night. It didn’t affect our trip at all and was actually refreshing.

This is the low rainy season and often referred to as the “green season” and favoured by returning visitors. Expects sunny, warm mornings perfect for the beach and rain towards the afternoon. It generally stops again before dinner time!

Does Costa Rica Get Hurrincanes?

Costa Rica is not known for its hurricanes. There have only been 18 recorded in history which have actually impacted Costa Rica and from those, most were formed in October and November.

The country will get the backlash from a hurricane including higher wind and rain once a year but nothing destructive. The last hurricane which impacted Costa Rica was in 2017, and it’s said to be around 20-25 years between impacted hurricanes.

Is Costa Rica Expensive?

Yes, Costa Rica is expensive. The main reason for this is that Costa Rica uses the US Dollar. There are a few other reasons; labour laws, higher income and a good economy and political stability all attributed to the higher cost of living.

This, in turn, means that Costa Rica is not a cheap holiday destination, in fact, many backpackers skip Costa Rica altogether. However, if you’re savvy enough you can still enjoy a backpacking trip through Costa Rica, we did!

The two examples below show some of our typical costs while we were travelling around Costa Rica. The mid-range includes some alcoholic beverages and eating out all day plus an excursion, but these are base rates, remember, the sky’s the limit!

Activity	Cost: budget (£/$)	Cost: mid-range (£/$)
Accommodation – double room	$25.00	$80.00
Transport – Bus (shorter distances)	$1.00 – $3.00	same
Transport – Bus (long distance)	$5.00 – $7.00	same
Taxi – Jaco to Airport	same	$90.00
Groceries – 5 days x 2 people	£30.00	same
Eating Out – Breakfast	$3.00	$15.00
Eating Out – Lunch	$5.00	$15.00
Eating Out – Dinner	$7.00	$20.00
Beer or Cocktails?	$3.00	$7.50
Surf Lesson 1hr	$10.00 – $20.00	same
Jaguar Rescue Centre Tour	$25.00	same
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve	$25.00	same
La Fortuna Waterfall	$20.00	same
Tour Guide at Manuel Antonio	$15.00	same
Daily expenditure	$50 – $60	$120 – $150

What’s Costa Rica’s Currency?

You can use Costa Rican Colones and US Dollars, both are accepted.

Using both currencies can get confusing and it actually works out cheaper to use their local currency. However, you can use both in one purchase but say you pay in US dollars you will most likely be given your change in Colones.

Beware of scams. For instance, if you pay 75 US cents for a drink, you will (most likely) get 25 colones in change. Most people will see a coin with the number “25” on it and not think twice. In truth, 25 colones is worth only 4 cents!

So make sure you are sure what the exchange rate is and what you should be getting, don’t be embarrassed to spend a little longer working out the correct figures.

How Much Money Do You Need For 2 Weeks In Costa Rica?

We spent a couple of weeks backpacking around Costa Rica trying hard to keep within budget. You will certainly need a higher budget if you’re visiting during a backpacking trip.

We also visited for one week where we were less strict on our spending. It was our final week backpacking after one year of travelling and decided to let loose with friends!

est. 2 weeks backpacking	$800 – $1,000
est. 2 weeks mid-range holiday	$1,800 – $2,000

---

Conclusion: Best Places To Visit In Costa Rica For First Time

Hopefully, the best places to visit in Costa Rica for first-time travellers have helped you decide where you want to visit during your Costa Rica trip. Most people will head to a few places to maximise their experience but it can be tiring travelling long distances

I would suggest sticking to one area of the country and hitting a few places rather than trying to see it all. The northwest and the Nicoya Peninsula would make for a nice holiday if you’re visiting for two weeks and want to move around.

You’ll be able to incorporate the best of Costa Rica from remote beaches to national parks and party scenes! If you’re staying put, Jaco or Tamarindo are good choices with day tours to the national parks available.

---