Costa Rica
Destinations in Costa Rica
Regions
Activities in Costa Rica
Attractions in Costa Rica
Discover the region
Volcanoes, jungle and tropical beaches - the landscape in Costa Rica
Costa Rica lies at the centre of the green heart of Central America. Visitors are mesmerised by 30 national parks and numerous biological nature reserves. The small country is divided into five regions that could not be more different:
- Caribbean coast: tropical rainforest meets Caribbean dream beaches! The Costa Rican Southern Caribbean fascinates with places like Puerto Viejo and Cahuita, where you can enjoy Caribbean cuisine to the sounds of calypso and reggae music. The Northern Caribbean is characterised by a system of canals and tropical rainforest and is home to the famous Tortuguero National Park.
- South Pacific Coast: The wild side of Costa Rica! The region offers unique national parks such as Corcovado, Piedras Blancas and Marino Ballena as well as the mountain cloud forest San Gerardo de Dota, which are known for their unspoilt landscape and biodiversity.
- North and Central Pacific coast: sun worshippers and water sports enthusiasts take note! The Guanacaste region with the Nicoya peninsula offers picture-perfect tropical beaches - and the country's most popular surfing hotspots.
- North: Volcanoes, forests, waterfalls! One of the most beautiful excursion destinations is the Arenal volcano, which is a popular photo motif, especially because of its almost perfect cone shape. Don't miss the turquoise-coloured Rio Celeste and its spectacular waterfall as well as the fairytale Monteverde cloud forest.
- Central highlands: In the capital San José, gastronomic and cultural highlights await visitors. One of the main attractions is the country's highest volcano, Irazú: In good weather, you can see both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts from there.
Photo: ICT
A paradise for biodiversity
Hardly any other country in the world - measured by its size - is as rich in species as Costa Rica. With an area of around 50,000 square kilometres, it is only slightly larger than Switzerland, but is home to 6% of the world's flora and fauna.
The diverse landscape, consisting of tropical jungles, mangrove swamps, cloud forests and extensive coastal regions, is home to an exotic animal world with over 900 bird species (including the rare quetzal, toucans and hummingbirds) as well as hundreds of species of mammals and reptiles.s well as hundreds of species of mammals and reptiles such as monkeys, sloths, big cats, frogs and the protected sea turtles that come to lay their eggs on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts every year.
Photo: Costa Rica
A special destination for nature lovers is the Osa Peninsula in the south of Costa Rica, where the unique Corcovado National Park is located. This is considered the most pristine and biologically interesting national park in the country, with 2.5 % of the world's biodiversity found here alone. You can experience the park as part of a guided tour with a guide.
Tortuguero National Park is also known as the small "Amazon of Costa Rica". You can explore the unique canal and lagoon landscape of Tortuguero, surrounded by dense tropical jungle, by boat or kayak and observe the impressive wildlife.
The idyllic mountain cloud forest area of San Gerardo de Dota is particularly popular with birdwatchers and nature lovers. With a bit of luck, you might catch a glimpse of the rare bird of the gods, the quetzal.
Costa Rica is adventure
On land, in the water or in the air - adventurers will find plenty of unspoilt terrain in Costa Rica.
Some of the local providers specialise in guided rafting, canyoning and kayaking tours on the Pacuare, Sarapiquí or Savegre rivers. Others specialise in diving and snorkelling experiences on the Costa Rican coast. Those who want to take a closer look at the wild jungle will find secluded trails that can be explored either on foot, by bike or on horseback. A special highlight is a hike over suspension bridges through the treetops of the rainforest of Monteverde or La Fortuna de San Carlos.
You can read about some of the many opportunities for discovery in our travel report about a round trip in Costa Rica's south:
Stell dir vor, du wanderst durch den Regenwald und entdeckst auf einmal Tatzenabdrücke eines Jaguars. Sie sind noch so frisch: Es ist kaum ein paar ...
Beach and sun on two oceans
Only 320 kilometres separate the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica from the Pacific coast. It is therefore perfectly possible to experience two oceans in one day.
The tropical sandy beaches, secluded bays and coral reefs make Costa Rica a popular destination for anyone who wants to spend their holiday by the sea. The beaches of Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific coast or Cahuita and Punta Uva on the Caribbean coast are perfect for relaxing. Adventurers, on the other hand, are drawn to Drake Bay, Golfo Dulce or the Marino Ballena National Park.
Photo: Costa Rica
Pura Vida Costa Rica
Photo: Costa Rica
"Pure life" - this is exactly what makes Costa Rica so authentic. For the Ticos, the inhabitants of Costa Rica, this term is synonymous with a very special attitude to life. Anyone who visits the Central American country between the Pacific and the Caribbean coast will be deeply impressed by this positive attitude to life.
You can gain a deep insight into the rural life of farmers, indigenous population groups and the development of exciting community projects with "Turismo Rural".
For example, you can visit a coffee plantation in the central highlands and follow the journey of the valuable "Grano de Oro" coffee bean from the plant to the cup.
You can also visit a typical regional market and numerous folk festivals with music, dancing and culinary delights.
Things to know about your Costa Rica trip
Entry and on the road
A passport valid for six months is sufficient. The maximum length of stay is 90 days. Travelling with Lufthansa (non-stop from Frankfurt), Iberia (via Madrid), Edelweiss (via Zurich) or Airfrance (via Paris), KLM (via Amsterdam).
Whether travelling individually in a hire car or on a guided tour, Costa Rica has a good infrastructure and a well-developed bus network. Domestic flights are offered by Sansa Regional, for example.
Overnight stay
A holiday starts with the accommodation. From simple cabañas to rustic and luxurious eco-lodges to five-star spa and wellness hotels - Costa Rica offers accommodation in all price categories.
The small boutique hotels and eco lodges in spectacular scenic settings are particularly popular. Over 90% of the accommodation has fewer than 30 rooms and is therefore particularly intimate and personal.
Localization