theoneandonlytrishFind your center at the “rich coast” that is Costa Rica. This eco-centric paradise is home to 500,000 species—one of the world’s most biodiverse countries.
Rugged Costa Rica
San José
When I travel, I love to go on an adventure and I think this rugged country and I are a perfect match. Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity. I’ve seen so many vlogs about tourists featuring places in Costa Rica - with its amazing culture, the food, its gorgeous beaches and friendly people, this sure should be an entry in my bucket-list.
Updated 4 years ago
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Cano Island is a protected marine park. Fishing is prohibited for three miles around it. Harvesting of marine life and collection of shells is also against the law. Because of these, the waters are full of coral, fish, and other sea creatures such as reef sharks 😱, sting rays, turtles, and eels.
Isla del Cano, Costa Rica
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Drake Bay is the perfect destination for those looking for a place to get away from the crowds - definitely where you should go in Costa Rica when searching for a quieter place. This bay is one of the best diving spot in the country. It is recommended to arrange a trip to Costa Rica to coincide with the migration seasons for humpback and pilot whales - so that there is a chance to see these creatures passing through (after all admiring wildlife is one of the things to do in Costa Rica). Another benefit of diving in Drake Bay is that there are lots of beautiful archways and tunnels to swim through, and it is not necessary to go deep to see memorable sights.
Drake Bay, Costa Rica
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This volcano ceased eruptions in 2010. Its perfect conical shape sharply rises above the surrounding forests. There are a number of excellent trails and the area is dotted with natural hot springs that definitely merit a visit.
Arenal Volcano, Alajuela Province, San Carlos, Costa Rica
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One of the country’s most famous national parks. They say you can watch all manner of monkeys bounding through the forest canopy as you take leisurely hikes along the shores.
- +506 2777 5185
Puntarenas Province, Quepos, Costa Rica
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People call this place “The Other Costa Rica” - Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is where you can feast on coconut-scented rice 🤤 and jerk chicken, then burn off the calories while dancing the night away to reggae beats.
Limón Province, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica
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From Costa Rica’s highest peak, Cerro Chirripó, you can bask in panoramic views of both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Of course, if we want to enjoy this visual feast, we have to endure the tiring – but highly rewarding – hike to the top.
Cerro Chirripó, San José Province, Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica
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One the country’s most picture-perfect beaches, Samara is a strip of powder-white sand that lies between gently rolling turquoise seas and a string of trendy restaurants and cafes. An ideal destination for vacationing families. Samara is peaceful yet sophisticated.
Samara Beach, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
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The La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the top waterfalls to visit in Costa Rica. La Fortuna Waterfall is 230 feet high. The raw power of this waterfall is mesmerizing. After hiking down, you can swim in the pool beneath the cascade of water. They say the surrounding forest is stunning and it is likely that you will see toucans, monkeys, butterflies and sloths.
- +506 2479 9515
Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
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La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park is a privately owned nature sanctuary close to San Jose. There are waterfalls, cloud forests and rainforests, and an animal sanctuary with over 100 different species including jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, and pumas. This seems like an exciting attraction - a perfect way to experience the natural wonders of Costa Rica all in one beautiful place.
- +506 2482 2720
126, Heredia Province, Costa Rica
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This is the largest natural hot springs in Costa Rica. The pools are located within a private rainforest reserve and part of the Tabacon Thermal Resort. The highly mineralized and naturally heated water flows through the resort and fills multiple pools. It looks to be a relaxing experience, soaking in a natural hot tub while adoring the beautiful view.
- +506 2479 2099
Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
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There are eight chambers that make up a maze of limestone deep down in the earth. The rooms, which are filled with stalagmites and stalactites, were carved over the course of millions of years from underground rivers and the shifting plates of the Earth near the Arenal Volcano. This is not an experience for those who are claustrophobic. I’ve tried spelunking once here in PH and I most definitely wang to try it here in Venado Caves. 📸 Credits to the owner of the photos.
Alajuela Province, San Carlos, Costa Rica
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La Selva Biological Station and Reserve is a home to some incredible biodiversity, especially birds and to almost 300 visiting students and scientists. The combination of this being a learning and research center, protected reserve, and eco-tourism hot spot makes this a must-stop place.
La Selva Biological Station, Heredia Province, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica
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The Poás volcano is the largest and most active volcano in Costa Rica. It is 8,885 feet high, with a main crater filled with a stunning blue-green colored lake called Laguna Botas. Surrounding the volcanic area, there are multiple different ecosystems, including cloud forests, rainforests, and low mountain forests, which are home to 79 species of birds and a lot of small mammals.
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Parque Nacional Volcán Poas, Provincia de Alajuela, Costa Rica
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Walk across six suspension bridges that are pushing 800 feet long and 25 storys high above the lush and lively rainforest in Quepos. They say the view from the bridges is not like any other; the feeling of being so high up in the treetops where most of the rainforest inhabitants live is truly spectacular. Before you get to the first bridge, you will encounter a beautiful waterfall and natural swimming pool where you can take a dip and cool off. This zone is bursting with wildlife, especially birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals like monkeys.
- +506 2777 3565
Red Vial Cantonal 100, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
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This is a place in Rio Tárcoles that is especially famous for its abundance of very large American crocodiles. You can walk out onto a bridge and look down to see dozens of massive crocodiles laying on the embankment or just floating at the surface - SCARY but Exciting 😉
River Tarcoles, Costa Rica
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In 2008, San Lucas Island was declared a national wildlife preserve, but prior to that – it was the most feared prison in Costa Rica. 😱 I am attracted on places with eerie pasts and landmarks because the place itself tells a story and me being there is like seeing it through my eyes. The old prison still sits on this island. Now, when walking around this renewed island, it is common to see white-tailed deer, armadillos, boa constrictors, pythons, raccoons and pigs, along with 40 species of birds. There are also five pristine beaches on the island that you can explore. For being such a haunted place in the past, they say this island is full of life and beauty now.
San Lucas Island, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
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Tamarindo is a popular destination for family vacations and eco-adventures. It is one of the most developed and accessible beach towns in the region with paved roads and plenty of tourist facilities.
Guanacaste Province, Tamarindo, Costa Rica
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Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the country’s most coveted tourist destinations due to its astonishing natural beauty, extraordinary biodiversity and abundance of activities including ziplining and canopy tours.
- +506 2645 5122
Carretera a Reserva de Monteverde, Provincia de Puntarenas, Monteverde, Costa Rica
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