Whether you’re seeking an adrenaline rush or deep relaxation – or a little of both – Costa Rica is your ideal destination. We reserve more than a quarter of our land for conservation, meaning undisturbed natural beauty is yours to enjoy. Top attractions with many activities call to visitors from across the globe. Then in vibrant cities you’ll find fascinating art, history and entertainment. We even have an official “Blue Zone” in the Nicoya Peninsula, meaning we have a high number of centenarians thanks to our balanced diet, active lifestyle, strong social bonds and integrated health care practices.
HIGHLIGHTS AND TOP DESTINATIONS
The 33-square-kilometer Arenal Volcano, located 7 kilometers from La Fortuna, has been active since July 29, 1968. It has two different landscapes: one covered with lush vegetation that houses a variety of wildlife, and another rugged area of lava flow and sand because of constant eruptions. It is considered the main attraction in the area and can be viewed both during the day and at night to take advantage of its constant eruptions. In addition, this area is known for its hot springs, which provide a unique relaxing environment surrounded by local nature.
The charming and welcoming town of La Fortuna is a perfect getaway for families, couples, and friends. The only requisite is that you love outdoor adventure! So, if you can’t wait to spend your vacation in the fresh air, biking, kayaking, hiking, and more, then discover why the Arenal region is just what you need. Best of all, you can enjoy luxe accommodations that boast volcanic views and pamper yourself with a luxurious soak in a hot spring. Nature is waiting for you, and she’s easy to find when you book your Arenal adventure with BARDII CR.
Created in 1972 to preserve the richness of the forest and the idyllic beaches, Manuel Antonio is home to many of Costa Rica’s endangered species. Don’t let the size fool you, the smallest of Costa Rica’s National Parks, which encompasses almost 1,700 acres of land (683 terrestrial hectares) and 136,000 acres of ocean (55,000 marine hectares), is regarded as one of its best.
With a total of 5,921 sq. miles and more than 400 miles of coastline, the Guanacaste tourism area comprises the Pacific Coast area from the border of Nicaragua to the Bongo River estuary in the Nicoya Peninsula.
The region’s dry tropical climate encompasses a varied landscape. Popular white-sand beaches line the coast, and to the east, the Guanacaste Mountains feature fascinating national parks and caldera volcanoes. Travelers of every type can enjoy Guanacaste’s myriad of activities, and Liberia’s international airport (LIR) provides excellent regional access.
There are two commercial centers located in the northern area: Liberia and Santa Cruz, which, in turn, are linked with five important tourism development centers: Papagayo, El Coco, Flamingo, Conchal, and Tamarindo. In the southern area, the commercial center is Nicoya with Samara being the development center.
Some things just come in pairs — socks and shoes, milk and cookies, Santa Teresa and Mal País, Costa Rica… These twin beach towns are near each other, but offer you a very different vacation experience, balancing your need for excitement, activity, and infrastructure against your desire to enjoy a quiet, calm, uncrowded getaway. Discover why surfing in the dynamic Santa Teresa plus fishing in the charming Mal País equal a Costa Rica beach vacation that’s the total experience.
Nosara Beach, particularly Playa Guiones, is a popular destination on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, known for its consistent surf, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. It’s a haven for surfers of all levels, with numerous surf schools and rental options. Beyond surfing, Nosara offers opportunities for yoga, wildlife viewing, and exploring the surrounding jungle.
North American retirees have effectively made Guiones a small extension of the U.S.- although with good taste. Lacking a centralized town, the area is spread out, and it provides a very relaxed setting. Here, visitors will find a quiet and secluded community in which to enjoy Nosara’s natural surroundings.
You will visit from a dry forest to a cloud one during a volcanic environment on a short journey. Emanations of boiling mud, boiling water and steam that resonate in the air … You can witness all this volcanic activity and can visit a dry forest, one wet, one humid and one cloud in just two hours.
It is a great place to escape from Guanacaste’s sun-splashed beaches and to enjoy cool air, refreshing waterfalls, beautiful birds, and fantastic hiking. Its unique environment offers a different kind of Guanacaste vacation experience.
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.
Meet all manner of wildlife – by day and night –, including hummingbirds, butterflies, and frogs. Have a second childhood when you climb trees, and so much more! The first step in your adventure is building your itinerary…
If you are willing to live a wild experience and feel nature in all its splendor, Osa Peninsula area waiting for you. Encounter with a tapir on the beach, watching a herd of peccaries (sainos) and observe the fins of a bull shark when it enters the river seem to be scenes from an adventure film, but could be part of your reality if you visit the Corcovado National Park, it is 2.5% of the biodiversity of the world. It is an experience for environment lovers who want to venture and are willing to travel paths with a certain degree of difficulty to witness the wonders of nature.
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.
Go ahead and visit the surrounding areas, as Drake, Puerto Jimenez, Rancho Quemado, La Palma, Carate, Los Planes, El Tigre, among others.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small coastal town on the Caribbean Sea, surrounded by the lush tropical rainforest, gorgeous white sand beaches, and a vast array of different wildlife. Puerto Viejo offers a diverse and multicultural vibe with a mixture of Afro-Caribbean, Bribri Indigenous, Latinos, Americans, and Europeans. Famous for its ‘Go Slow’ attitude, you won’t find a more laid-back town in Costa Rica.
Puerto Viejo is not for everyone. You won’t find any golf courses, marinas, or country clubs. Only a handful of hotels offer amenities like swimming pools or air conditioning that are standard in hotels in Guanacaste and other more-developed areas. Although several beautiful, high-end hotels in the area, Puerto Viejo is more suited for the down-to-earth traveler looking for a no-frills, authentic experience. If that’s what you are looking for, Puerto Viejo will exceed your expectations.
The melting pot that is Puerto Viejo shows in its restaurants. Everything from fine dining options with exquisite international cuisine to local ‘sodas’ offering fresh ‘mariscos’ (shellfish) is available. Puerto Viejo is one of the friendliest locales in Costa Rica, where party-goers, surfers, and passersby mingle at the beach by day and come night. Many bars offer Caribbean beats for never-ending fun.
Puerto Viejo is still considered an off-the-beaten-track, authentic destination where the local community wishes to keep maintaining its roots and beautiful, unique ambiance and environment.
Playa Jaco is the closest beach to San Jose, the Central Valley and is one of the most visited coastal destinations in Costa Rica. The beach is a 2.5-mile (4 km) strip which offers world renowned surfing and more.
Jacó lies between several mountains and is neighbored by the beaches of Herradura Bay to the North, and Playa Hermosa to the South (not to be confused with another beach by the same name but located in Guanacaste). About 35 kilometers north of Jacó, lies the Carara National Park, recognized for its exuberant wildlife and dense rain forest. Carara is home to one of the largest remaining populations of wild scarlet macaws in the country. The Manuel Antonio National Park is located 75 kilometres south of Jacó.
Parque Nacional Tortuguero is a protected wilderness area on Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean coast. Its beaches are famous nesting grounds for sea turtles, including endangered green turtles. The park’s freshwater creeks and lagoons, which can be navigated by boat or canoe, shelter spectacled caimans and river turtles. The surrounding dense rainforest is also rich with wildlife, from monkeys to many bird species.
There are no roads leading to Tortuguero and is most accessed by boat from the town of Moin found near the port town of Limon. From here you’ll take a boat trip on the canal to Tortuguero and its National Park. Another option is by taking a short plane ride from San Jose. The village itself is small with a collection of houses, a hand full of hotels, gift shops, and lots of wildlife attractions.
Though relatively small, Tortuguero offers a variety of activities. An awesome experience is to visit the nesting beaches at night with a guide and watch the turtles’ laying eggs or eggs hatching. Rent a canoe or Kayak and go exploring on the canal where you’ll be able to spot creatures such as the caimans, birds, and crocodiles. The park also offers various trails great for wildlife viewing and bird watching. Also popular here are fishing and sports fishing tours as well as the zip line and suspension bridges.
