Worldwide the best Costa Rica attractions are known to be the natural destinations. Costa Rica has 68 areas of protected rainforests. From these 68 areas 26 are National Parks and the rest include wildlife reserves, refuges, and indigenous reserves. Overall, it is said that around 25% of the area of Costa Rica is protected by National Parks, reserves, and refuges. There are 112 volcano formations in Costa Rica, and from these the most recommended attractions are Arenal Volcano, Poas Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, and Turrialba Volcano. Poas Volcano and Irazu Volcano are the closest and more accessible of these. Irazu Volcano is the tallest volcano of Costa Rica. Arenal Volcano is one of the most famous worldwide, its one of the most active and the one that can better be seen from afar because of its almost perfect conical shape. Rincon de la Vieja Volcano is located inside the National Park that bears its name and is definitely a Costa Rica attraction worth visiting. Rincon de la Vieja National Park has several different habitats because of the different attitudes it contains and several beautiful lagoons and waterfalls. Corcovado National Park is certainly another Costa Rica attraction that should be schedule into any vacation plan if you want to see the wildest wildlife. Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the prettiest and also close to San Jose. What makes Manuel Antonio National Park a Costa Rica attraction is its lush tropical rainforest with views to the ocean and the several beaches that border it that are contained in the park’s protected area. Tortuguero National Park is a magnificent Costa Rica attraction to spot wildlife, especially turtles. And if you are looking for a Costa Rica attraction were you can enjoy the best bird watching, Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve is the perfect place to go.

Visiting the many beautiful natural destinations of diverse wildlife is one the main Costa Rica attractions. These visits can also be combined with outdoor adventure tours, which are also great Costa Rica attractions. Between the recommended adrenaline pumping Costa Rica attractions there is white-water rafting, windsurfing, sportsfishing, and rappelling and zip-lining through the rainforests. The best white-water rafting in Costa Rica is done at Pacuare River and Reventazon Rivers with rapid levels of II to V depending on the season and the section of the river. Sarapiqui River offers some good white-water rafting from May to November. Laguna de Arenal is a great Costa Rica attraction for windsurfing, actually it is said to be one of the three best windsurfing spots worldwide from December to May. Around 12% of the tourists state that one of the main reasons for them to visit the country was to do some sportfishing, thus making it one of Costa Rica attractions. Sportfishing is recommended at the Caribbean coast, Central Pacific Coast, Osa Peninsula, Nicoya Peninsula. You should be able to find good fishing lodges and charters of boats for rent around the area of Tortuguero Beach, Barra del Colorado, Golfito, Quepos Beach, among other areas. Zip-lining or canopy tours as they are widely known are other adrenaline pumping Costa Rica attractions. These tours consist of a series of platforms on the tree tops in the rainforest that are connected by cables. You slide from cable to cable through the green rainforests at a fairly fast speed. Monteverde offers one of the best canopy tours, same as Arenal.

Other outdoor Costa Rica attractions that are more tranquil are the Hanging Bridges at Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where you will be able to see the Cloud Forest from the top but with more calmness and be able to take pictures. Scuba diving is also a popular Costa Rica attraction, especially on Cocos Island. The downside of Cocos Island is that is about 500 km away from the Pacific Coast and diving trips to this island are pricey, but it doesn’t stop hundreds of professional scuba divers from visiting it annually as it is among one of the world’s best diving destinations. Some good diving can be done at the Nicoya Peninsula, especially at Coco Beach, Ocotal Beach, Hermosa Beach, Cano Negro Island and Bat Islands.

Surfing is also among one of the most important and well known Costa Rica attractions, mainly because the country offers point and beach breaks, warm water and good waves all year round along the different surfing beaches. The best spots for surfing are: Jaco Beach, Quepos Beach, Dominical Beach, Santa Teresa Beach, Mal Pais Beach, Nosara Beach, Pavones Beach, Naranjo Beach, Puerto Viejo Beach, Tamarindo Beach, Samara Beach, Carrillo Beach, Montezuma Beach, Hermosa Beach, Witches Rock Beach, Punta Uva Beach, and Manzanillo Beach. Note that some beaches are less crowded than others and they all have different surfing characteristics. Beach resorts, spas, and jungle lodges are also among Costa Rica attractions. The range of hotels is countless all over Costa Rica so you can certainly find the type of accommodation that you always dreamed of. In conclusion, Costa Rica attractions are great and the options are countless and for all different tastes.