Lush jungles so far as the eyes can see, sprinkled with towering volcanos and waterfalls, and bordering unspoiled seashores but to be trodden by the plenty: Costa Rica is a surprise of nature, and it is no wonder Individuals cannot get sufficient of it.
It acquired a record-breaking 2.6 million vacationers by air in 2024, the very best quantity in 16 years, and consider it or not, U.S. residents make up the majority of all arrivals: extra particularly, they account for 70% of the general determine, or over 1.5 million.
It appears not everybody is hell-bent on flocking into these Cancun all-inclusives to lounge by a pool all day, each day, in any case…
So what’s it about Costa Rica that has stolen the hearts of so many within the nation, and the place precisely are they headed?
What’s So Particular About Costa Rica?
Costa Rica could also be a small nation in Central America solely a bit smaller than West Virginia, however it boasts pure wealth like no different: from mountains to sea, and each patch of lush forest in between, it incorporates roughly 5% of the world’s biodiversity.
In different phrases, when you’re a passionate birdwatcher, you want to watch playful monkeys within the wild, otherwise you’re merely the adventurous form who units out on multi-day climbing journeys with sweeping views of an countless cover of bushes as a reward, that is the place to be.
Costa Rica additionally has over 800 miles of shoreline, each on the Pacific and the Caribbean, and it has its justifiable share of laid-back, small coastal settlements that present some aid from the jam-packed resort cities within the Tropics.
Expertise Costa Rica’s Pura Vida
On the lookout for a few of that ‘pura vida’?
Santa Teresa is a classy surfer’s city on the unspoiled Nicoya Peninsula internet hosting yoga retreats, rustic boutique resorts proper on the waterfront from $86-a-night, and locally-run eating places serving freshly-caught seafood.
Perhaps you are one to get misplaced in nature in search of big thrills, and in that case, the Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park is criss-crossed with tourist-friendly footpaths teeming with uncommon wildlife: long-tailed wood-creepers, white-faced capuchins, and even sleepy sloths.
You may discover all of them in right here.
Over on the Atlantic aspect, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a various group born out of the fusion of Afro-Caribbean and Hispanic influences, and apart from its untarnished shoreline, it is a foodie hotspot of the primary order!
We nonetheless dream of KOKi‘s signature grilled octopus and fabulous drinks.
The place Are Individuals In Specific Going In Costa Rica?
Most tourists who landed in Costa Rica last year arrived at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near the capital, San José: to be more precise, 1,779,529 of them.
San José is a one-of-a-kind metropolis break centered round a colonial core with centuries-old church buildings and stately authorities palaces, although we would argue it merely capabilities as a launching pad for Arenal-bound vacationers.
That is a part of the rationale why SJO is Costa Rica’s busiest worldwide hub: it’s the closest airport to the hugely-popular volcano that is the nation’s most easily-recognized landmark.
The small leisure city of La Fortuna is a brief 3-hour drive from the capital, and it is essentially the most sought-after vacation spot in Costa Rica because of the number of actions provided, well-developed tourism infrastructure, and its many scorching springs.
Climbing to the La Fortuna waterfall and crossing suspension bridges is a must-do within the space ($99 on GetYourGuide), and from solely $49, you possibly can spend a relaxing afternoon at Ecotermales Fortuna, a spa within the coronary heart of the jungle with naturally-heated swimming pools.
For the very best resort with a view in La Fortuna, and when you do not thoughts splurging a little bit, you will not be disillusioned within the Royal Corin Thermal Water & Spa Resort.
After all, there are much-cheaper, less-luxurious lodging preparations at Arenal Montechiari Hotel, with rooms ranging from $91 this spring, and the views are equally gorgeous.
The second Costa Rican vacation spot foreigners are flying to en masse is Guanacaste Worldwide Airport (LIR), which registered 881,289 arrivals, up 14.5% from the earlier 12 months.
The most important metropolis, Liberia has an enthralling Previous Quarter with many museums and colonial church buildings, but the first attraction within the neighborhood can be the Rincón de la Vieja Nationwide Park, a pure oasis identified for its string of volcanos and adjoining springs.
There are numerous factors of curiosity within the sprawling park, and fortunate for American guests, all of them will be simply reached from Downtown Liberia.
As an example, you possibly can e-book a climbing tour to La Leona Waterfall, positioned on the innermost a part of a slender canyon, from $40, couple it with a non-public tubing tour down a crystal-clear river for double the price, or hike the Las Pail path, adopted by hot spring relaxation at Rios Negros ($74).
Individuals Are Not Discouraged From Visiting Costa Rica
Final however actually not least, Individuals typically have fewer reservations about vacationing in Costa Rica, because the nation has a protracted file of protected tourism practices.
Tour operators are often licensed professionals with a number of years’ expertise of their discipline, and so they know these jungles just like the again of their palms, and on high of that, crime ranges throughout Costa Rica are markedly decrease in comparison with the Central American common.
See why here.
It could not have a Bukele, like El Salvador, however it’s thought of an equally low-risk vacation spot by the U.S. State Division, who’ve positioned it at Stage 2 of their Journey Advisory itemizing.
In non-technical phrases, U.S. residents are not discouraged from touring to Costa Rica as a consequence of violence, however they need to train ‘elevated warning’ as petty crime and different types of theft stay a priority in sure areas.
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Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the put up.
