I Want a Nature Vacation. Where Should I Go in Costa Rica?
Anywhere can set you up with fascinating nature tours. Learn about the wide range of Costa Rica’s nature destinations before you decide which environments you most want to visit. You can choose to go on an engrossing trek through the rainforest, sleeping in cabins along the way, or plush hotels nearby national parks.
The Osa Peninsula is at the top of many nature enthusiast's must-see lists. In Drake Bay, Caraté, and the Corcovado National Park, you'll find swaths of untouched forests filled with exotic plants and animals. Go to the coast for whale watching and dolphin watching excursions, and follow a guide deep into the inland jungles.
Stay in Monteverde so you can have easy access to several parks, as well as wildlife exhibits where you can see butterflies and bats. Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is less visited than other reserves in Monteverde, and is one of the best places in Costa Rica to see noisy howler monkeys.
Go looking for one of the most sought-after birds at San Gerardo de Dota, where you can easily get to the Los Quetzales National Park. While you’re here you can also visit the Savegre River for boating and fishing. Look for more exotic birds at Boca Tapada, which is one of the few places you can still see the great green macaw in the wild.
In Tortuguero, you'll find no cars, beautiful mangrove canals, and nesting sites for several species of sea turtles. You can also find sea turtles in Marino Bellena National Park, which is near the pristine beaches and plush accommodations of Manuel Antonio.
There’s a lot more to Costa Rican nature vacations than hiking. You can sign up for a rafting tour in the jungles of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, or in the volcanic terrain of Tenorio. Tenorio National Park is also home to the bright blue river of the Río Celeste, and one of the most striking waterfalls in Costa Rica. Arenal’s rainforests are a convenient place to sign up for adventure activities like zip-lining.
Related Questions
- Can I Expect to See Wildlife in Costa Rica?
- Where Are Costa rica's National Parks & Reserves?
- How Much Does it Cost to Visit a National Park or Reserve in Costa Rica?
- What Is So Special About Costa Rica's Biodiversity?
Costa Rica Nature Tours
Costa Rica’s many natural wonders make it a special place to explore, and to offer much more than a typical vacation destination. A visit to Costa Rica is hardly complete without a walk through its dense, tropical forests, where giant trees are home to hundreds of epiphyte plants, the sounds of rare bird species can be heard in the air, and slow-moving sloths can be found lounging high in the upper canopy. Nearly every activity in Costa Rica incorporates the lush environment, but walking through the forest with a naturalist or meandering along suspension bridges through the canopy offer visitors a way to immerse themselves in the country’s natural surroundings.
Costa Rica Turtle Nesting Tours
Every year from April to November thousands of sea turtles come ashore the beaches of Costa Rica to lay their eggs. Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts are visited by over six species of sea turtles, whose golf ball-sized eggs will incubate beneath the sand for 50-70 days before emerging as hatchlings and beginning their mad scramble towards the sea. Nighttime nesting tours privilege travelers with observing either end of this ancient procession – the laying or hatching – and are sure to provide any tour taker with an unforgettable and unrepeatable experience.
Costa Rica Mangrove Tours
Mangroves exist in estuaries, the confluent places where saltwater comes together with freshwater. The plants are both varied and unique, but can be invariably recognized by their striking root systems, which delve beneath the surface of the water to prop up the plants above. A great variety of animals reside within this habitat, including caimans, snakes, monkeys, iguanas, and several species of birds. Mangrove tours allow travelers to explore these complex waterways from the security of a kayak or covered boat, often with the company of a naturalist guide. These guides both educate passengers on the important biological relationships at work in the mangrove, as well as help spot critters along the way.
Costa Rica Adventure Tours
Costa Rica is an adventure-seeker’s paradise. Although relatively small in size, the country offers an extraordinary range of activities. There are diverse landscapes to discover and exciting ways to explore them. People of all ages can enjoy these safe and thrilling activities. And if one adventure is not enough, there are plenty of other ways to experience the country’s diverse landscape - river rafting, zip lining, ocean kayaking, cave exploration, horseback riding, mountain biking, or hiking.
Costa Rica Hotels
Costa Rica is all you've heard and more — from adventure vacations to romantic getaways, and family trips to solo travel, part of the magic of Costa Rica is that it almost seems to transform itself based on your travel needs. You can explore mountains, cloud forests, beaches, and more. In each of these unique destinations, you'll find hotels to match your activities and personality. Enjoy a honeymoon or anniversary of romance and indulgence when you stay in Uvita or Dominical, or a sustainable adventure for two when you find yourselves in Sarapiqui or Drake Bay. Perhaps the person you're celebrating and learning to love again is yourself; Costa Rica can accommodate your inner journey. Choose a hotel that offers yoga courses or a full-fledged yoga retreat — you can find them all over the country, from Tamarindo to Arenal. Want to take the family on a vacation where everyone can unplug? How about lodgings that double as working farms? Costa Rica's farm hotels will have you in the heart of the country — explore destinations including Arenal, Monteverde, and San Isidro General. Not only will you enjoy peace and quiet, you can even teach the children about sustainability and where their food comes from. The best part? Most farms offer an opportunity to assist with some of the chores, so you'll get to know the animals and harvest some of the produce you've been enjoying! Wherever you choose to stay, you won't be too far from adventures such as zip lining through rainforests, observing amazing wildlife in cloud forests, trekking across mountains and volcanoes, and napping on beaches. Your perfect vacation begins with the perfect hotel, and both are waiting for you in beautiful Costa Rica.
Canopy Tour and Ziplining in Costa Rica
Zip-lines above the canopy are in many ways synonymous with Costa Rica. Originally introduced during the 1970s, zip-lines have developed into one of the country’s most popular and widespread activities. Composed of steel cables and platforms strung at various heights between trees, they offer travelers a unique means of accessing beautiful and remote natural areas. And although they undoubtedly boost the adrenalin of each and every participant, zip-lines also educate their riders on ecology, botany, and reforestation practices. You can find zip-lines all over Costa Rica, but some of the best are in Monteverde, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio.
Costa Rica Guided Tours
Led by English-speaking naturalist guides, guided tours provide travelers with the sort of hands-on education one demands while exploring new territory. Versed in both the local history and ecology, tour guides can introduce visitors to cloud forests and coffee plantations, nocturnal ecosystems and native rainforests. Fascinating sights, sounds, and even smells will be revealed in new and intriguing ways, encouraging tour takers to investigate further once the outing is over.
Costa Rica Nature
Located between two oceans and two continents, the country of Costa Rica is set apart by the intense biodiversity on display within its borders and by its efforts to preserve these natural wonders through future development. No matter what region of Costa Rica you visit, there are unique habitats and ecosystems supporting a wide range of species. A Costa Rica nature getaway is a wonderful choice for not only outdoor enthusiasts, but those in desperate need of an opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect to the natural world. Whether you choose to stay in a Costa Rica nature lodge or simply explore one of Costa Rica's nature reserves, you will find no shortage of outdoor adventure. Enjoy a rugged expedition when you hike through Arenal Volcano National Park or the cloud forests of Monteverde. Spot monkeys on one of several canopy tours, or observe the animals of the Caño Negro wetlands, where you may see rare birds tending to their nests. Venture off the coast of Drake Bay and see enormous whales breaching the surface of the Pacific. Many tours are led by Costa Rica Nature Guides, so it's like watching a nature documentary unplugged and up-close.
South Pacific
With the largest prehistoric rainforest along the Central American Pacific, Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula (Peninsula de Osa) is one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse locations on the planet. With few entry points, this jewel of Costa Rica remains relatively isolated, and it receives fewer visitors than many other parts of the country. Miles of uninhabited beach and the enormous Corcovado National Park make this southern tip one of Costa Rica's most stunning regions. Friendly people, amazing flora and fauna, and active rainforests all contribute to the South Pacific experience.
Boca Tapada
Boca Tapada Costa Rica is located in the northern lowlands nearby the mouth of the San Carlos River. This off-the-beaten-path part of Costa Rica is home to hundreds of pineapple and sugar cane plantations as well as a rich biodiversity of plants and animals.
Carate
Carate is situated along Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast in the wonderfully isolated Osa Peninsula. Lying about 31 miles (50 km) south of Drake Bay, right next to the lush Corcovado National Park, Carate is off the grid for most tourists, and as such is one of the country's most pristine natural areas.
Drake Bay
Resting on the northern side of the Osa Peninsula, Drake Bay (Bahía Drake) is an adventure-seeker's paradise. It is named after Sir Francis Drake, who is believed to have ventured here in the late 16th century. Travelers here take on some of his adventurous spirit on treks through the primary rainforest.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is home to a namesake national park full of unspoilt beaches and world-class views. Enjoy adventures as diverse as snorkeling and jungle hikes. A great destination for families, there’s something for everyone whether you have young children or college-bound teens. See a variety of Costa Rica’s animals when you peek into tide pools and hike through forests; experience the subtle thrill of birding when you cross a variety of species off of your ‘seen’ list. The best part? This is just the beginning of all of the beauty, excitement, and adventure awaiting you in Manuel Antonio.
Monteverde Costa Rica Vacations
Heed the call of the great outdoors and let your next vacation take you to beautiful Monteverde, Costa Rica. Home to cool, misty cloud forests, and deep green foliage almost everywhere you look, there’s no mistaking that you’ve stepped away from everyday life. If spending time in nature is at the top of your travel to-do list, then you’ll get your fill of adventure in this part of Costa Rica’s Central Highlands. From zip lining across a canopy to tours of coffee plantations, there are plenty of activities to keep you moving in the fresh air.
Puerto Viejo
Known for its laidback attitude and famous for it's surfing, Puerto Viejo beckons visitors to come experience Costa Rica’s eccentric side. The village’s cultural influences are interesting to be sure: a mix of Afro-Caribbean, Bribri Indian, tico and hippyesque counterculture, this small port town is an anthropological study in itself. A mere 11 miles (18 km) from Cahuita, Puerto Viejo is accessible via Highway 36 or by simply walking south, along the beach.
San Gerardo de Dota
A haven for birdwatchers and hikers awaits visitors around the town of San Gerardo de Dota, huddled up against the roaring Talamanca Mountain Range. Nestled in the Savegre River Valley, tourism hasn't quite hit this quaint settlement which provides quick access to the recently named Los Quetzales National Park.
Savegre River
The Savegre River runs through a valley in central Costa Rica. It makes its way through the Las Quetzales National Park toward the Pacific coast, flowing from the humid cloud forest down into the lowland tropical forest.
Tenorio Volcano Area
The Tenorio Volcano area is located in the northern highlands along Guanacaste's eastern border within the Alajuela Province. With many rivers, waterfalls, dense and dry tropical forests, rainforests, and primary cloud forests, the area hosts an abundance of wildlife.
Tortuguero
The Caribbean Coast is home to the beautiful town of Tortuguero and it's National Park. This sun drenched zone with its sparsely spaced coastal villages offers a completely laid back and relaxed atmosphere. The culture is vastly different on this coast compared to the rest of the country with its prominent Afro-Caribbean influence notable as well in the delicious cuisine found here.
Corcovado National Park
The crown jewel of Costa Rica's national park system, Corcovado National Park (Parque Nacional Corcovado), is comprised of an enormous 103,290 acres (41,800 ha) of tropical rainforest. The largest of Costa Rica's parks, it encompasses about a third of the Osa Peninsula and embraces an unbelievable amount of its biodiversity.
Marino Ballena National Park
Encompassing 270 acres of land (110 terrestrial hectares) and 13,300 acres of ocean (5,400 marine hectares) is the Marino Ballena National Park (Parque Nacional Marino Ballena). Positioned just 10 mi (16 km) south of Dominical and 112 mi (180 km) southwest of San Jose, Marino Ballena is one of the newest national parks in Costa Rica. Established in 1990, the park contains the largest coral reef on the Pacific side of Central America. The park&s waters are also great vantage points for viewing the humpback whale as it migrates (Dec. to April) from as far away as Alaska and Hawaii down to Cano Island, just off of the Osa Peninsula.
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena) is the less visited sister reserve of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Just 4 miles (7 km) from the town center of Santa Elena are the less crowded, lush green forests full of flora and fauna. This reserve boasts one of the best places to hear and see howler monkeys in all of Costa Rica!
