REGIONS AND CITIES

Costa Rica - Regions & Cities

Central Pacific

Perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the Country.  The Central Pacific is also the most easily accessible region on the coast of Costa Rica.  Known for its many attractions and activities, such as world class surfing in Mal Pais, whale watching in Playa Tambor, carnival in the port city of Puntarenas, sportfishing out of the Los Suenos Marina in Playa Herradura, the nightlife of Jaco to exploring the natural wonders of Manuel Antonio National Park.  The Central Pacific consists of a vast area that's worth discovering.  Some of the notable spots in this area are the following:

Playa Coyote:

Santa Theresa / Mal Pais:

Montezuma:

Playa Tambor:

Paquera:

Playa Naranjo:

Puntarenas:

Playa Herradura:

Jaco:

Playa Hermosa:

Playa Esterillos:

Parrita:

Quepos:

Manuel Antonio:

North Pacific

Looking for sunny beaches, beautiful sunsets and lively beachtown atmosphere? The North Pacific has all of that.  The North Pacific is home to some of the Countries most beautiful beaches.  This area ranges from the world class developments of the Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo, to the bustling Playa Tamarindo and the adventurous beach towns like Nosara and Playa Samara that dot the coast heading down toward the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. The climate of this area is typically hot and dry, with dry tropical forest vegetation.  On the beaches just north of Playa Tamarindo, hundreds of turtles gather each year to lay their eggs in the white sands of the North Pacific. Some of the notable spots in this area are the following:

Peninsula Papagayo:

Playa Panama:

Playa Del Coco:

Playa Flamingo:

Liberia:

Playa Conchal:

Playa Tamarindo:

Playa Langosta:

Junquial:

Santa Cruz:

Nosara:

Playa Samara:

Central Valley

This is where you´ll find 70% of the population and the capital of the Country, San Jose. It's a strikingly beautiful area and has a mild, dry and steady climate.  The Central Valley covers a large area in the interior of Costa Rica, including cities like San Carlos, Heredia, San Jose, Escazu, Cartago and many more.  In addition it's home to some of Costa Ricas most spectacular volcanoes, Irazu and Poas.  The Central Valley can be a great base for day trips to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Coffee Tours in Heredia, visiting the colonial church of Cartago or simply catching some of the cultural activities that abound in and around San Jose like world class cuisine, museums, parks, theaters and nightlife. Some of the notable spots in this area are the following:

San Carlos:

Alajuela:

Heredia:

San Jose:

Coronado:

Escazu:

Santa Ana:

Cartago:

Caribbean

With its beautiful jungles, pristine white sand beaches and "caribbean vibe", the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica is like a whole other Country.  If you have never been its absolutely worth the trip and the experience.  Including some 200 kilometers of coastline between Panama and the Nicaraguan borders, this area hosts one of Costa Ricas most impressive natural wonders - the Tortuguero National Park, an incredible spot to see á huge amount of Costa Rican wildlife in a picturesque setting.  A must see!  It is also where some of the only indigenous tribes of Costa Rica exist.  It is also a great spot for surfing, snorkeling, bird watching and beachtown nightlife.  Some of the notable spots in this area are the following:

Tortuguero:

Moin:

Limon:

Cahuita:

Puerto Viejo:

Manzanillo:

Bribri:

South Pacific

Some describe this area as the true heart of Costa Rica as it is home to some of the Countrys most spectacular natural treasures like the Corcovado National Park which National Geographic has described as "one of the most biologically intense places on the planet".  The South Pacific is preserved by its remoteness, with its secluded beaches, pristine waters and lush pacific rain forest.  Some of the notable spots in this area are the following:

Playa Dominical:

Uvita:

Palmar Norte:

Palmar Sur:

Sierpe:

Drakes Bay:

Puerto Jimenez:

Golfito:

Zancudo:

Pavones: