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Top things to do in Costa Rica
Travel to isolated Tortuguero, go birdwatching, spot exotic wildlife and see the active Arenal volcano. Costa Rica has some of the finest beaches in the Pacific, home to leatherback turtles and their eggs, so nesting season is a must-see.
Here are the top things to do on a Costa Rica holiday, as chosen by our Central America specialists.
Go birdwatching
Costa Rica’s various habitats are home to more than 850 bird species, many of which are endemic, and offer rewarding birdwatching experiences. Besides the numerous cloud forest reserves and the pristine rainforests of the Osa peninsula, other important areas include the Frio river and the wetlands of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge with an impressive number of migratory birds, including Nicaraguan grackles. Waterfowl also abound in the fresh and saltwater lagoons of the Palo Verde wetlands, particularly from January to March. The lowland forests around La Selva Biological Station and Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí contain more than 400 bird species.
See nesting turtles
Costa Rica is home to six species of turtles including leatherbacks, the largest sea turtles. During the nesting season, watch adults laying eggs and baby turtles making their way to the sea. There are sites both on the Caribbean side (Tortuguero) and the Pacific coast (Tamarindo & Ostional) offering good possibilities of a sighting.
Travel to isolated Tortuguero
Tortuguero National Park is located on the remote northern Caribbean coast and is accessible only by boat or plane. Travel through banana plantations and take a boat through the network of waterways that penetrate the dense tropical forests, linking rivers and lagoons. Spot monkeys, sloths, caimans and toucans. Green turtles lay their eggs on the beaches here between July and September, while leatherbacks can be seen from March to June. The untamed coast further south has pristine beaches and an easy-going ambiance.
See the active Arenal volcano
See the top shrouded with clouds of ash and fumes during the day, watch the lava glow at night or soak in one of the numerous hot springs in the area.
Discover islands and beaches
The Nicoya peninsula stretches down along the northern Pacific coastline offering some of Costa Rica’s finest beaches. In the beach town of Tamarindo, relax on the sandy beaches, explore the mangroves by boat or take an excursion to see nesting leatherback turtles. Meanwhile, palm-fringed Caño island (near the Osa Peninsula) is home to beautiful sandy beaches and excellent snorkelling opportunities.
