Costa Rica Travel & Tourism

Take a vacation that balances adventure and luxury as you explore the geographic wonders of Costa Rica. Costa Rica is renowned for its remarkable diversity in wildlife and vegetation, making the country a go-to destination for nature lovers. Ever since the country rose from the ocean to create a land bridge adjoining North and South America three million years ago, Costa Rica has offered a spectacular array of native species. Stop by the Reserva Bilógica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde, or Cloud Forest, to explore the walking trails that weave through the unique 811-acre park. Visit one of the country’s active volcanoes or experience the wild landscape with an adrenaline-pumping adventure tour. White water raft down the Ríos Revantazón, river kayak from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, or zip line through the tree tops on a canopy tour in Monteverde. If these sound too adventurous for your tastes you can simply relax at Playa Tamarindo, a tourist-fed beach destination that boasts some of Costa Rica’s finest hotels. Playa Negra offers visitors a unique romp through a black sandy beach while Playa Conchal offers sand colored by an infinite amount of broken seashells. For a view of Costa Rica’s wilder side, Montezuma offers hikers and backpackers a wild and picturesque landscape along the Nicoya Peninsula.


Worldwide Tourism Popularity Ranking: 38 of 230


Air Travel

  • Quality of Airports: Average (4.4 of 7)
  • Number of Airlines: 23
  • Number of Arriving Passengers: 1923000

Hotels & Lodging

  • Quality of Lodging: Good (4.2 of 5)
  • Number of Hotels: 939
  • Average Room Rate: $139.81
 

Purpose of Visit

  • Business Trip: 4%
  • Family Vacation: 21%
  • Couples Getaway: 55%
  • Friends Trip: 14%
  • Solo Travel: 6%
 

Top Vacation Destinations in Costa Rica

Most popular cities in Costa Rica in terms of percentage of visitors and number of hotels:

  • La Fortuna De San Carlos

    Popularity: 1 | 15.23% Visitors | 65 Hotels

  • Manuel Antonio National Park

    Popularity: 2 | 11.68% Visitors | 47 Hotels

  • San Jose

    Popularity: 3 | 8.08% Visitors | 76 Hotels

  • Gulf of Papagayo

    Popularity: 4 | 4.97% Visitors | 6 Hotels

  • Tamarindo

    Popularity: 5 | 4.86% Visitors | 24 Hotels

  • Jaco

    Popularity: 6 | 4.16% Visitors | 43 Hotels

  • Alajuela

    Popularity: 7 | 2.79% Visitors | 40 Hotels

  • Playa Conchal

    Popularity: 8 | 2.33% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Puerto Viejo

    Popularity: 9 | 2.31% Visitors | 15 Hotels

  • Playa Samara

    Popularity: 10 | 2.2% Visitors | 16 Hotels

  • Playa Carrillo

    Popularity: 11 | 2.14% Visitors | 9 Hotels

  • Santa Teresa

    Popularity: 12 | 2.12% Visitors | 22 Hotels

  • Monteverde

    Popularity: 13 | 2.03% Visitors | 14 Hotels

  • Playa Hermosa

    Popularity: 14 | 1.72% Visitors | 15 Hotels

  • Drake Bay

    Popularity: 15 | 1.67% Visitors | 14 Hotels

  • Montezuma

    Popularity: 16 | 1.63% Visitors | 16 Hotels

  • Liberia

    Popularity: 17 | 1.6% Visitors | 17 Hotels

  • Santa Ana

    Popularity: 18 | 1.51% Visitors | 8 Hotels

  • Uvita

    Popularity: 19 | 1.27% Visitors | 9 Hotels

  • Escazu

    Popularity: 20 | 1.27% Visitors | 15 Hotels

  • Playa Grande

    Popularity: 21 | 1.25% Visitors | 14 Hotels

  • San Antonio De Belen

    Popularity: 22 | 1.15% Visitors | 11 Hotels

  • Puerto Jimenez

    Popularity: 23 | 1.11% Visitors | 17 Hotels

  • Playa Flamingo

    Popularity: 24 | 1.1% Visitors | 7 Hotels

  • Mal Pais

    Popularity: 25 | 1.07% Visitors | 13 Hotels

  • Dominical

    Popularity: 26 | 0.99% Visitors | 17 Hotels

  • Playas Del Coco

    Popularity: 27 | 0.95% Visitors | 18 Hotels

  • El Roble

    Popularity: 28 | 0.94% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

    Popularity: 29 | 0.92% Visitors | 7 Hotels

  • Quepos

    Popularity: 30 | 0.91% Visitors | 19 Hotels

  • Santa Cruz

    Popularity: 31 | 0.86% Visitors | 14 Hotels

  • Nosara

    Popularity: 32 | 0.84% Visitors | 14 Hotels

  • Tambor

    Popularity: 33 | 0.8% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Santa Elena

    Popularity: 34 | 0.74% Visitors | 14 Hotels

  • San Rafael De Escazu

    Popularity: 35 | 0.63% Visitors | 6 Hotels

  • Turrialba

    Popularity: 36 | 0.58% Visitors | 16 Hotels

  • Heredia

    Popularity: 37 | 0.58% Visitors | 17 Hotels

  • Nuevo Arenal

    Popularity: 38 | 0.54% Visitors | 7 Hotels

  • Rincon De La Vieja National Park

    Popularity: 39 | 0.5% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Cahuita

    Popularity: 40 | 0.5% Visitors | 14 Hotels

 

Top Costa Rica Hotels

  • 1
    Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens
    600 Metros Noreste, La Fortuna de San Carlos
    99% recommended | 520 reviews
  • 2
    The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal
    , La Fortuna de San Carlos
    97% recommended | 249 reviews
  • 3
    Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat
    500 meters South Super Kike, La Fortuna de San Carlos
    99% recommended | 211 reviews
  • 4
    Hotel El Silencio Del Campo
    , La Fortuna de San Carlos
    99% recommended | 453 reviews
  • 5
    Hotel Royal Corin
    , La Fortuna de San Carlos
    98% recommended | 308 reviews
  • 6
    Los Altos De Eros
    , Tamarindo
    99% recommended | 266 reviews
  • 7
    Hotel Arco Iris
    , Tamarindo
    99% recommended | 150 reviews
  • 8
    Falls Resort at Manuel Antonio
    50 Mtr Sur de Si Como No, Manuel Antonio National Park
    97% recommended | 215 reviews
  • 9
    Kokoro Arenal - La Selva Resort
    500 mts west of Creek La Palma, La Fortuna de San Carlos
    97% recommended | 127 reviews
  • 10
    Arenas Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort
    Punta Quepos, Manuel Antonio National Park
    95% recommended | 271 reviews