The San Jose Central Market is a cultural landmark of the city, filled with local vendors selling traditional handicrafts, local foods, and flowers. Visitors can roam around the market, sample local cuisine, and pick up souvenirs to take back home.
A place of natural beauty, La Paz Waterfall Gardens is home to five waterfalls surrounded by exotic wildlife and plants. Visitors can take a nature walk through the park, appreciate the stunning views of the falls, and interact with a diverse range of animals from toucans to jaguars.
The Ecomuseum of Abangares Mines offers visitors an insightful glimpse into the rich mining history and culture of Costa Rica. Located in a former gold mine, the museum illustrates the lives and work of miners through exhibits and tours of underground tunnels.
The Nicoya Peninsula is perfect for travelers seeking total immersion into the Costa Rican culture. Apart from just lounging on one of the many beaches, visitors can partake in cultural events and activities, learn about traditional fishing methods, and take Spanish classes from locals.
Manuel Antonio National Park is a must-visit for nature lovers. The park features gorgeous beaches, hiking trails through tropical rainforest, and an abundance of wildlife from sloths to monkeys. People should keep on the lookout for the park's hidden gems, which include little swimming holes.
The Tortuguero National Park is a precious gem of the Costa Rican coast, accessible only by boat or air. The area is notable for being a nesting ground for a variety of sea-turtles. People visiting in season have the thrill of seeing the baby sea turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean.
Arenal Volcano National Park is known for its breathtaking views of the majestic Arenal Volcano. It is an opportunity for recreational activities such as hiking, wildlife watching, and visitors can enjoy hot springs and take a zip-lining or canopy tour. This place is an excellent spot for bird watching as well.
A tour of a coffee plantation is a must-do cultural activity while in Costa Rica. San Juanillo, in Guanacaste, and Los Santos are few places suitable for coffee lovers. Visitors can learn about the traditional process of coffee production, try local high-quality Costa Rican coffee, and buy coffee for further enjoyment at home.
Traveling in Costa Rica can often entail traveling on rough gravel roads with steep slopes, and rocky edges. For a hassle-free exploration, organized tours are recommended since roads and driving regulations can be challenging to navigate. Taxis and buses are easy to catch a ride and come in cheap but conditions vary. Budget travelers can opt for the public bus system, but only routes between major cities are available, and it can be slow-paced. Domestic flights are an alternative if people end up in remote parts of the country such as Tortuguero National Park.
Estimated transportation costs range from $30-$150 depending on distance and mode of transport.
Travelers with more time can consider visiting the whole Nicoya Peninsula and explore the small colonial towns like Santa Teresa or Montezuma. For travelers with kids, the Children's Eternal Rainforest in Monteverde is an excellent addition. If people want to extend their trip by half a day, a unique experience of hot air ballooning is available in Arenal National Park for travelers.
The primary airport to Costa Rica is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), located in San Jose, Costa Rica's central capital. Another airport, the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR), is located in Liberia, Guanacaste, and is mainly used for travelers visiting Guanacaste's Pacific Coast. The distance between Juan Santamaria Airport and San Jose is about 12 miles.