7 Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica in 2025

Costa Rica was everyone's inaugural holiday spot, but in 2025, it glow brighter than ever. More ecotourism, more wellbeing tourism, more ecoadventure, the nation is now as lovely as the world's best. Rainforest or beach resort or volcano wonderland, magic reigns. Before you buy your air ticket to Costa Rica, let us present to you the 7 most sought-after holiday spots in Costa Rica, from nature attractions, cultural attractions, to Costa Rica's best beaches.​

1. Manuel Antonio National Park – Beaches and Wildlife in Harmony

​If tourists can be convinced to respond to what is Costa Rica's no. 1 attraction, Manuel Antonio National Park must be at the top of the list. Tiny but beautiful park with an unexpected mix: intact beaches, rainforest, and sheer diversity. Imagine capuchin monkeys, sloths, and rainbow-hued-skinned iguanas, all gazing over waves.

​One of Costa Rica's finest resorts, Manuel Antonio, is an ideal spot for relaxation and exploration. The trails form a chain linking nature walks to lookouts as well as stunning ocean vistas. Rest on Playa Espadilla or Playa Manuel Antonio after a hike, one of Costa Rica's finest beaches in the past.

Interactive tip: Offer reserve premium tickets to visit during the off-season. Restricted park entry in an effort to make it as natural as possible, something of the 2025 sustainability in Costa Rica.

2. Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna – Adventure Capital of Costa Rica

If your game of choice on a trip to Costa Rica is adventure, then La Fortuna town and Arenal Volcano are the place to be. More than 5,000 feet above sea level, Arenal was the world's most active volcano in the past. Though dormant today, the area is an adventurer's tourist heaven.

​There's hot springs relaxation, a canopy zipline tour, or hiking to La Fortuna Waterfall. White-water rafting and spelunking are a paradise for adventure. Plateau dining views over volcanoes are luxury—a reason why Arenal is in Costa Rica's top 10 list.

Hot trend: Wellness tourism is the catchword here. Ecological hotels now blend adventure sports with spa therapy, yoga retreats, and hot springs.

3. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve – Birdwatcher's Heaven

Nothing competes with the diversity of Costa Rica at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Heaven would be a better word to use, surrounded by clouds and wildlife-conscious. As the fifth Costa Rica site, Monteverde is a birdwatcher's utopia, especially for the possible viewing of the resplendent quetzal.

Among some of the activities to be carried out there are suspension bridges hiking, nighttime hiking, and trips to butterfly gardens. Monteverde, located at the heart of Costa Rica's conservation efforts, will be toured by ecotourists. Conservation work, studies, and environmental lodges have positioned it as the most environmentally friendly tourism destination in Costa Rica.

Interactive trend: All tours nowadays are citizen science in the sense that the tourists are helping to gather data on plants and animals, hence an educational experience.

Also Read: Ultimate Guide to Things to Do in Costa Rica

4. Tamarindo – Surf and Beach Scene

The second of Costa Rica's most stunning beaches, the first beach town that comes to mind is Tamarindo. Tamarindo is a beach resort town on the Pacific coast. Tamarindo is actually famous for its golden beaches, surf, and wild nightlife. Be a pro surfer or not, waves in Tamarindo are frequent enough that anyone can learn to overcome them with any water sport.

Once the waves of Tamarindo have energized your spirit, consider a complete immersion in nature at Tortuguero—Costa Rica’s Amazon, where river journeys and wildlife encounters deepen the adventure.

Travel tip: In 2025, Tamarindo welcomes remote workers. Beachfront restaurants and co-working cafes make it now an office traveler's dreamland that combines work with fun.​

5. Tortuguero National Park – Costa Rica's Amazon​

"Costa Rica's Amazon" is the term of endearment for the otherworldly Tortuguero National Park. River, canal, and wetland system, it's one of Costa Rica's oddest places to visit, especially for nature enthusiasts.

​After witnessing Tortuguero’s wild wonders, those seeking even greater biodiversity travel south to Corcovado, where the jungle’s secrets await in pristine isolation.

Interactive experience: Most of these lodges are only accessible by boat, fully immersing the visitor in the jungle experience. Eco-lodging is one of the hip 2025 technologies, and Tortuguero is an eco-green tourism trendsetter.

6. Corcovado National Park – A Jungle Heaven in the Wilderness

Ecologists and tourists in search of a destination to get cut off from human civilization during their holidays will include Corcovado National Park among the top 10 in Costa Rica. Situated on the Osa Peninsula, Corcovado is considered to be one of the most bio-diverse locations on the planet.

Beyond Corcovado’s untamed rainforest, journeys often circle back to urban life, and San José, the capital, welcomes travelers eager to discover Costa Rica’s cultural heart.

Travel tip: Limited access translates into guided tours, and it's worth it. Travel conservation is the Christmas gift of the park in 2025, and each visit contributes to it.

7. San José – Urban Charm and Culture

There are fewer tourist groups that converge on Costa Rica's beaches and rainforests, and its capital city, San José, is visited. It's Costa Rica's best-kept tourist secret.

San José is the past, present, and future. See the National Museum, trendy boutique Mercado Central for hand-crafted candy, or tour a nearby coffee farm. San José is even becoming a gastronomic town, farm-to-table, and more cool in 2025.

Practical tip: Having arrived on a flight into Costa Rica that was from somewhere, hopefully San José, then it would make sense to begin there before moving on to the rest of the country's natural wonders.

Conclusion: Plan Your Costa Rica Adventure in 2025

Costa Rica 2025 is not only a vacation; It's a nature, health, and sustainability adventure. Volcano mountain treks, cloud forest treks, and plain old relaxing on Costa Rica's finest beaches, these 7 destinations in Costa Rica let the country's unrivaled diversity shine through.​

From risk-taker-be-plagued Corcovado to San José, these two melting pots of culture spring into action solo-style like pack animals. Stuff the rucksack into the boot, book the lowest fares to Costa Rica, and off to one of the hippest countries on the planet.

Book your flight today with Affluence Travels and start your unforgettable journey to Costa Rica in 2025!

FAQs – Best Places to Visit in Costa Rica

1. What is the best time to visit Costa Rica?

The ideal time is during the dry season, from December to April. This period is perfect for exploring beaches, volcanoes, and rainforests without heavy rainfall.

2. How many days do I need to explore Costa Rica?

A 7–10 day trip covers the top places to visit Costa Rica, including Manuel Antonio, Arenal, Monteverde, and Tamarindo. Longer trips allow for more off-the-beaten-path adventures like Corcovado and Tortuguero.

3. What are the must-do activities in Costa Rica?

Things to do in Costa Rica include hiking volcanoes, wildlife spotting, zip-lining in cloud forests, surfing at Tamarindo, and exploring national parks like Corcovado and Tortuguero.

4. Do I need a guide for Costa Rica’s national parks?

While some parks like Manuel Antonio can be explored independently, guided tours are recommended for places like Corcovado and Tortuguero for safety and enhanced wildlife experiences.