Costa Rica balances its stunning ever-evolving landscapes with a conscious eye to the world. On a Costa Rica vacation, you’ll find a country that is at the forefront of sustainable tourism, offering up opportunities for back-to-basics adventure travel along with every trend imaginable – from laid-back surfing resorts and farm-to-table restaurants to environmentally conscious honeymoon resorts and some of Central America’s best beaches. But today we’ll introduce you to some of our favorite natural destinations in Costa Rica – from the Arenal Volcano to the beaches of Liberia.  

The Monteverde Rainforest  

Monteverde is a stunning nature reserve of lush, otherworldly cloud forests that Costa Ricans voted as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Costa Rica. The best way to see it is by hiking through the forest and walking across the hanging Bridges in Selvatura Park that takes you along incredible cloud-topped canopies and bring you face to face with a huge diversity of indigenous species. There are more than 2,500 species of plants, 100 species of mammals, 400 bird species, 120 amphibian, and reptilian species, and thousands of species of insects in the forest, making this a must-see for nature lovers and naturalists. 

Arenal Volcano Region 

Costa Rica’s rich tapestry-like landscape is home to more than 100 volcanoes, most of which are dormant, including the stunning Arenal Volcano. The area though is as active and wild as you could possibly imagine, with riveting lake and forest vistas on every side that are filled with hiking trails, zip-lining spots, and volcano-heated pools that are great for unwinding at the end of a busy day. Be sure to include the Arenal Volcano Region in your itinerary if you’re looking for the best in adventure travel in Costa Rica.  

Manuel Antonio National Park 

The Manuel Antonio National Park is easily Costa Rica’s most picturesque coastline. On one side you’ll be greeted by the sparkling turquoise of the Pacific Ocean and on the other the lush thick vegetation of the interiors of the national park. It’s a fantastic place to spot the wildlife of Costa Rica too, with monkeys, birds, and sloths scurrying around the canopy of the forest, and once you tire of the wilds, head back to the stunning sandy beaches that make Manuel Antonio so very popular.  

Parque Nacional Tortuguero 

Perfect for true nature lovers, explorers and animal lovers – the Parque Nacional Tortuguero is one of the wettest areas in Costa Rica but also the most important breeding ground for the green sea turtle. Travelling here is an adventure, and you’ll be placed in a maze of dense jungle and calm labyrinthine canals that are fabulous when explored by boat or kayak. Take a boat tour and you’re bound to see no less than 4 different species of sea turtles, boisterous gangs of spider monkeys in the trees and delightfully colourful toucans. 

Liberia Beaches 

Liberia is green and laid back with lots to offer, but we love the beaches here and around the greater Guanacaste area that offer everything from excellent surf spots to tranquil out-of-the-way stretches of sand that are fringed by trees and backed up by gorgeous vistas of mountains and hills that are teeming with plenty of wildlife and hidden waterfalls. Surfers should try Tamarindo for the excellent surf, while those looking for something a little more out of the way and rustic should opt for Sugar Beach. For an all-round great beach experience in Liberia try the ever-popular Playa Conchal or Playa Hermosa if you’re looking for something a little closer to Liberia city.