Introduction

Picture yourself on a white-sand beach, surrounded by palm trees.

In the distance, surfers ride the breaking waves.

Behind you rises a dense rainforest, where white-faced capuchin monkeys jump from branch to branch.

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Welcome to Costa Rica.

In the northwest, a dry tropical forest stretches down the Nicoya Peninsula.

Farther south, Santa Teresa has an intriguing mix of cultures and superb international cuisine.

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I could go on and on.

There is no single recipe for enjoying Costa Rica.

We Costa Ricans are relatively few the population barely exceeds 5 million.

Reasons to Visit Costa Rica

Travel Tips

Destinations

Experiences

Hotels

Culture & Style

Plane landing near Tambor Beach, Nicoya Peninsula, Montezuma, Costa Rica

Aerial view of Puerto Viejo

Las Catalinas is located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Las Catalinas is a car-free European style resort.

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Clementina Espinoza, 91, takes care of her garden in Nicoya, Costa Rica,

Aerial view of Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Illustrated map of Costa Rica highlighting the rainforests mentioned in the story text

View of Arenal Volcano over the trees

Colorful fruits at a market in Costa Rica

A view of a crashing wave from in the water, standing in the wave, facing the shoreline of a tropical beach.

View overlooking the boats on the water in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Windmills on the rolling hills of Monteverde

Aerial view of the Peninsula of Manuel Antonio

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A catamaran and paddleboarders of the coast of Costa Rica

The paradise surf beach of Playa Naranjo and Witch’s Rock in the Santa Rosa National Park in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Arenal peaking over green plants at Tabacon Hot Springs

A sloth hanging upside down in a tree in Costa Rica

Arenal volcano at Dusk

Aerial view of Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica

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Sunset at a beach in Costa Rica

Mansita Beach at JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa

Couple walking on a beautiful beach in Costa Rica

Outdoor dining at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo during sunset

The Alejandro Surf School, Adaptive Surfing in Costa Rica

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Two hikers on a route in Costa Rica

Pair of photos from Costa Rica, one showing a woman rinsing off with a surfboard in an outdoor shower, and one showing a woman sipping a pink fruit juice

A cabin in Costa Rica

Pair of photos from Costa Rica, one showing a farmer harvest coffee beans, and one showing a coffee tasting.

Pair of photos from Costa Rica, showing a plated shrimp dish, and shrimp cooking in a skillet