Central Costa Rica

Central Costa Rica is the country’s volcanic spine. Starting with the Central Valley, this urban heart is guarded by the massive volcanoes Poás and Irazú. To the north, the landscape levels into the plains of San Carlos and its iconic, cone-shaped Arenal volcano. Rising to the west is Monteverde, a misty "island in the sky" where high-altitude winds sustain misty and biodiverse cloud forests.

Topics

The North Central Valley

San José, Alajuela, Braulio Carrillo, Poás, Bajos del Toro, Grecia, and more.

The South Central Valley

Cartago, Irazú, Orosi, Ujarras, Turrialba, Guayabo, San Gerardo de Dota, and more.

The Northern Zone

La Fortuna, Arenal, Bijagua, and Rio Celeste.

Monteverde

Monteverde and Santa Elena.

Caribbean Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast is a distinct world from the Pacific side, defined by its humid lowlands and a rich Afro-Caribbean heritage. Geographically, it stretches from the wetlands of Tortuguero in the north to the beautiful beaches of Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo in the south, offering a laid-back atmosphere where the rainforest literally meets the sea, and the biodiversity is as rich as the local culture.

Topics

The North Caribbean

Braulio Carrillo, Work with Nature, Tortuguero, Pacuare, Sarapiqui, Boca Tapada, and more.

Tortuguero

La Pavona, Tortuguero, and more.

The South Caribbean

Cahuita, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Manzanillo, and more.

Pacific Costa Rica

The Pacific coast is a massive, diverse stretch of land. It is broadly categorized into three distinct zones. In the North Pacific, the landscape is defined by rare tropical dry forests and savannas, a region of luxury resorts and gold-sand beaches, and the laid-back yoga and surf-vibed Nicoya Peninsula. Moving down to the Central Pacific, the humidity clicks up a notch. The South Pacific is the most rugged corner of the country, with Corcovado National Park.