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: 998
  • 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 | 15.63% Visitors | 64 Hotels

  • Manuel Antonio National Park
    Popularity: 2 | 10.59% Visitors | 48 Hotels

  • San Jose
    Popularity: 3 | 8.59% Visitors | 81 Hotels

  • Tamarindo
    Popularity: 4 | 4.7% Visitors | 24 Hotels

  • Gulf of Papagayo
    Popularity: 5 | 4.45% Visitors | 6 Hotels

  • Jaco
    Popularity: 6 | 4.24% Visitors | 44 Hotels

  • Alajuela
    Popularity: 7 | 3.15% Visitors | 40 Hotels

  • Playa Carrillo
    Popularity: 8 | 2.6% Visitors | 10 Hotels

  • Santa Teresa
    Popularity: 9 | 2.28% Visitors | 24 Hotels

  • Playa Samara
    Popularity: 10 | 2.17% Visitors | 17 Hotels

  • Monteverde
    Popularity: 11 | 1.99% Visitors | 14 Hotels

  • Playa Conchal
    Popularity: 12 | 1.99% Visitors | 3 Hotels

  • Santa Ana
    Popularity: 13 | 1.68% Visitors | 9 Hotels

  • Drake Bay
    Popularity: 14 | 1.66% Visitors | 15 Hotels

  • Liberia
    Popularity: 15 | 1.63% Visitors | 21 Hotels

  • Playa Hermosa
    Popularity: 16 | 1.61% Visitors | 15 Hotels

  • Puerto Viejo
    Popularity: 17 | 1.51% Visitors | 13 Hotels

  • Montezuma
    Popularity: 18 | 1.47% Visitors | 16 Hotels

  • Escazu
    Popularity: 19 | 1.38% Visitors | 16 Hotels

  • San Antonio De Belen
    Popularity: 20 | 1.27% Visitors | 11 Hotels

  • Playa Flamingo
    Popularity: 21 | 1.24% Visitors | 7 Hotels

  • Uvita
    Popularity: 22 | 1.19% Visitors | 11 Hotels

  • Dominical
    Popularity: 23 | 1.16% Visitors | 20 Hotels

  • Playa Grande
    Popularity: 24 | 1.05% Visitors | 13 Hotels

  • Santa Cruz
    Popularity: 25 | 1.02% Visitors | 14 Hotels

  • Mal Pais
    Popularity: 26 | 0.99% Visitors | 14 Hotels

  • Playas Del Coco
    Popularity: 27 | 0.92% Visitors | 19 Hotels

  • Puerto Jimenez
    Popularity: 28 | 0.92% Visitors | 19 Hotels

  • Tambor
    Popularity: 29 | 0.88% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • El Roble
    Popularity: 30 | 0.87% Visitors | 1 Hotels

  • Rincon De La Vieja
    Popularity: 31 | 0.87% Visitors | 4 Hotels

  • Santa Elena
    Popularity: 32 | 0.85% Visitors | 14 Hotels

  • Nosara
    Popularity: 33 | 0.84% Visitors | 18 Hotels

  • Quepos
    Popularity: 34 | 0.84% Visitors | 19 Hotels

  • Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
    Popularity: 35 | 0.83% Visitors | 8 Hotels

  • Bijagua De Upala
    Popularity: 36 | 0.62% Visitors | 6 Hotels

  • San Rafael De Escazu
    Popularity: 37 | 0.55% Visitors | 7 Hotels

  • Turrialba
    Popularity: 38 | 0.53% Visitors | 16 Hotels

  • Heredia
    Popularity: 39 | 0.53% Visitors | 17 Hotels

  • Nuevo Arenal
    Popularity: 40 | 0.5% Visitors | 7 Hotels


Top Costa Rica Hotels

  • 1
    Nayara Hotel Spa & Gardens
    6 Km este de Fortuna, La Fortuna de San Carlos
    99% recommended | 889 reviews
  • 2
    Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat
    500 meters South Super Kike, La Fortuna de San Carlos
    99% recommended | 271 reviews
  • 3
    Hotel El Silencio Del Campo
    , La Fortuna de San Carlos
    99% recommended | 679 reviews
  • 4
    Los Altos De Eros
    , Tamarindo
    99% recommended | 333 reviews
  • 5
    The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal
    , La Fortuna de San Carlos
    97% recommended | 472 reviews
  • 6
    Hotel Royal Corin
    4,2 Km West of Catholic Church, La Fortuna de San Carlos
    98% recommended | 612 reviews
  • 7
    Arenas Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort Manuel Antonio Costa Rica
    Punta Quepos, Manuel Antonio National Park
    95% recommended | 442 reviews
  • 8
    Falls Resort at Manuel Antonio
    50 Mtr Sur de Si Como No, Manuel Antonio National Park
    97% recommended | 329 reviews
  • 9
    Gaia Hotel & Reserve
    Km 2.7 Carretera Quepos a Manuel Antonio, Manuel Antonio National Park
    96% recommended | 420 reviews
  • 10
    Hotel Arco Iris
    , Tamarindo
    99% recommended | 206 reviews