Costa Rica

Pura Vida | Explore Costa Rica

     Discover a true paradise in Central America. Lush rainforests, Rugged mountains, breathtaking coastline, exotic wildlife; Costa Rica makes the perfect destination whether you are going on your honeymoon, or planning a family or group vacation. The rainforests are inspiring; the majestic volcanoes are a true sight like no other. While in Costa Rica you can spend your days lounging on the fine sand beaches of the pacific coast, hiking high in the sky in one of the several cloud forests, visiting one of the several National Parks, or soaking in the hot springs of La Fortuna. You will definitely feel you are living the "Pure life" or "Pura Vida" as the locals say while vacationing in this spectacular country.  

Explore the different regions of Costa Rica: Travel Recommendations

Guanacaste: One of the most popular, largest provinces in Costa Rica, located in the far northwest corner, but close enough to Liberia Airport, it is not only diverse, but exotic as well. It lies between two mountains with a beautiful sandy coast. The Guanacaste region consists of several popular beaches such as Playa Flamingo, Playa Conchal, Playa Brasilito, Playa Avellanas, & Playa Hermosa. Its hot and dry climate makes it a popular location for surfers and sun bathers. 
Manual Antonio: This may be the smallest of Costa Rica’s national parks, but it is considered one of its very best. It is recognized for its vast biodiversity and is home to many of Costa Rica’s endangered species. It features lush tropical forests, lagoons, mangroves, and even white sandy beaches. Manuel Antonio is a wonderful destination for first-time travelers to Costa Rica. There are many family-friendly resorts, and romantic villas geared for couples. While visiting Manual Antonio many optional activities include zip lining, waterfall repelling, kayaking, sportfishing, and horseback riding.
Arenal/La Fortuna: A personal favorite region of mine (I have been twice!), La Fortuna is not to be missed while visiting Costa Rica. Home to the breathtaking Arenal Volcano,  Arenal dominates the horizon in the rainforest. Around La Fortuna  you can visit sloths and tropical birds at the wildlife refuge, take a sky trek high in the sky, raft the river, or repel down a waterfall. This makes it a great destination for solo travelers, couples, and  families. Some of Costa Rica's most beautiful resorts can be found in La Fortuna with many rooms and restaurants providing stunning views of Arenal Volcano. 
Tamarindo: Another beautiful surfers town, Tamarindo was once a sleepy fishing village, but  has since grown into the area’s most developed and accessible tourist town in the region of Guanacaste. When you visit the beaches here you will find soft beige sand, tide pools, and some of the most stunning sunsets in Costa Rica. Besides surfing, other main activities include sport fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and horseback riding. In Tamarindo you won't find many high rise chain hotels, but there are several beautiful boutique hotels. You will also find some amazing restaurants as well as a vibrant night life.
Dominical/Uvita: Located on the Southern Pacific Coast, Dominical and Uvita are two neighboring towns. They are surrounded by jungle and are less developed, although they offer a great selection of hotels, restaurants, and activities. Dominical is another town that is best known for surfing. Uvita is a popular town among expats and is also home to Marino Ballena National Park (the National Whale Marine Park). Some of the best views of this National Park can be found by staying in one of the boutique hotels high in the mountains! Besides surfing, popular activities include Dolphin & Whale watching, ATV riding, horseback riding, and hiking. 

When to visit Costa Rica

Costa Rica has two distinct seasons: Rainy & Dry season. Dry season runs from December through April, and a rainy season runs from May through the end of November. The peak travel season when most people visit coincides with the dry season, however most people don't realize that the first 3-4 months of "rainy" season are not actually all that rainy! We have been to Costa Rica twice during "rainy" season. The first time was at the end of June-beginning of July and the second time was the end of July, beginning of August. We never once experienced a "washout" where it rained all day long; although it does happen but rarely will you see several straight days of full washouts. The weather reminded me greatly of Florida and for us never ruined any of our experiences. As long as you build some flexibility into your plans you should be able to fully enjoy all of your planned activities.  Some reasons to vacation in the months of May-August and late November through mid December is that you won't find peak season rates during this time and the weather will be a little less hot and humid. The rainiest months tend to be September and October and are not recommended for travel. 
Just like rainy season, there are a few drawbacks to traveling to Costa Rica during the dry season, believe it or not. Importantly, it can be extremely humid and hot at times making it a little more difficult to go on tours and hikes. Because of the humidity and heat, it also can get very dry and less tropical in certain parts of the country. 
 
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