10 Most Spectacular Places in Costa Rica

Size doesn’t necessarily matter when it comes to aesthetics, and the beautiful country of Costa Rica is a major testament to this.

Like other small-sized countries such as Austria, Norway, and Vietnam, Costa Rica is a relatively small nation in terms of land mass but blessed with numerous beautiful sites to make even much bigger countries jealous.

From islands to parks and spectacular land formations; volcanos and mountains to villages and rivers, Costa Rica is without a doubt one of the most spectacular countries on earth.

Below are a few of some of the most spectacular of spectacular places in Costa Rica.

Playa Uvita – The Whale’s Tail

Playa Uvita is a sandbar so spectacular, it appears to have been crafted by nature itself to resemble the tail of a really large whale.

Symbolism aside, this peculiar land formation also makes for a truly beautiful sight on its own, thanks in part to the whale’s tail symmetry, but also a great deal due to its surrounding lush, green vegetation and clear river.

It is located just south of the Marino Ballena National park and can be a great site for whale watching thanks to the clear, nutritious waters. The surrounding town also has a good deal of bars, restaurants, and hotels to make your stay here a truly unforgettable affair.

Poas Volcano National Park

This spectacular place is home to an active volcano over 14,000 acres of parkland. You don’t have to worry, though, its last eruption was over a century ago and it isn’t expected to erupt for at least some more years.

Nowadays it functions as a tourist attraction – and a great one at that, thanks to its hiking trails and peak points offering mind-blowing views.
There’s also a historical appeal to the Poas Volcano Park, as the site is regarded by experts as a perfect symbol of the geological conditions responsible for the formation of the country’s landscape a good number of years ago.

Arenal Volcano

Another active volcano with no significant hazardous threat, the Arenal Volcano ceased erupting years ago and is now another spectacular site on the inexhaustible list of mind-blowing places to visit in Costa Rica.

Visitors had been taking in the remarkable view of its continuous explosions since 1968, nowadays, however, its appeal lies in examining the quite spectacular remnants of the old days and taking in the sight of surrounding lakes, mountains and rivers – symbols of serenity in the midst of great chaos.

In case you’d been looking forward to witnessing the active volcanic combustions, you don’t have to be dismayed just yet, it is estimated that it may just begin again soon.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Brilliant sunset, jungle beaches, ultra clear blue-green water, and stunning white sand that sparkles in the sun – these are some of the things that make the Manuel Antonio National Park something of a scene from a Hollywood adventure movie.

If you’re looking to literally get soaked in some nature, this is without a doubt the place to do it. It is also teeming with wildlife, with lizards and monkeys scattered all around the beach area.

You also get to hike, take a soothing walk, and take some really spectacular, instagram-worthy shots that will remain gorgeous till the end of time.

Corcovado National Park

The Corcovado National Park is considered to be one of the most biodiverse area in the world. The park itself houses numerous wonderful creatures like pumas, peccary, and tapirs, all of which can be sighted quite easily.

The surrounding rivers also serve as an abode to some wonderful sea creatures such as large sharks and crocodiles, all of which are sometimes found swimming close to the river mouth.

The Corcovado Park also boasts of some remarkable vegetation with old trees and gorgeous flowers scattered all around.

Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa is a stunning fishing village that is arguably one of the most beautiful destinations in the whole country. So beautiful, in fact, that the village itself has become one of the top tourist sites in the whole of Costa Rica.

Another impressive aspect of Santa Teresa is the fact that it manages to play its tourist role without losing any of the traditional serenity that makes it so desirable in the first place.

Add serenity to unparalleled physical beauty, thanks to lush vegetations for horseback riding, clear rivers for surfing, and you start to get why Santa Teresa is so popular.

Cocos Island

Cocos Island can actually be found a few kilometres off the coast of Costa Rica, but nonetheless is still considered one of the most stunning physical attractions of the region.

It is the only eastern Pacific island with tropical rainforest, and is a great destination for scuba diving. Among the sea creatures to be found in the surrounding waters include sharks, dolphins, rays and eels.

Fun fact about Cocos Island – the island served as a great inspiration for the Jurassic Park movies and actually served as a location for one of the movie’s iconic scenes.

Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

Located very close to Panama, Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge houses an incredible range of truly wonderful animals including sloths, couple species of monkeys, and even jaguars in the inner parts of the park.

Apart from the animals, the Refuge is also blessed with stunning beaches, perfect for snorkeling, and a golden sand surrounding clear ocean waters perfect for surfing on a hot day.

Rio de Celeste

Another place to get in tune with nature and literally get soaked up in the beauty of the earth, Rio de Celeste is a waterfall inside the Tenorio Volcano National Park known for its shimmering, clear blue waters and opalescent glow from a mix of sulfur and calcium bicarbonate originating from the volcano.

Bajos del Toro

Last but definitely not least on our list of the most spectacular places in Costa Rica is the Bahia del Toro, an hidden paradise in the Alajuela Province.

This private reserve is replete with spectacular rock formations, beautiful vegetation, and splendid pools and waterfalls.

Other notable spectacular places in Costa Rica worth mentioning include the Poas Volcano, Tamarindo beach, Rincon de la Vieja, and the Montezuma beach.

Author Sam From Ultimate Vietnam