Visiting Costa Rica? Here are a few of the spectacular places to visit when you are there.
Cataratas De La Paz
This waterfall leaves a lasting impression on all those who feast their eyes upon it. Some don’t call it waterfall but waterfalls because, at one point, you can see three streams of water all at once.
La Cataratas de la Paz is also a park where, after paying a fee ($45 for foreigners), you can see a variety of local animals and insects like butterflies, exotic birds, frogs, tigers and much more.
Irazú Volcano
In the region of Cartago, you can find the Irazú Volcano National Park, which rises to almost 3500 meters altitude, with a purely volcanic landscape. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a clear day, the view promises to be spectacular.
Cartago
Cartago is one of the most important cities in Costa Rica and, for many years, it was the capital of the country. Although it has been devastated by earthquakes on more than one occasion, it still holds a lot of charm and above all, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, the most famous Catholic temple in the country.
While you’re there, if you visit the Plaza Mayor, be sure to check out the Cartago ruins. It’s a church that collapsed under one of the heavier tremors that shook the area.
Lankester Botanical Garden
One of the many beautiful attractions that Costa Rica offers, this spectacular park has over 3000 species of plants, including a unique collection of 15,000+ orchids. The garden is a project started by the British naturalist Charles H. Lankester in the 40s and currently manages the University of Costa Rica with the collaboration of several international companies.
Turrialba
Turrialba is one of the most mountainous places in Costa Rica, where heavy rain creates a landscape that’s truly worthy of admiration. This region is a must for adventure lovers, and also for those who want to escape the heat of the low-lying areas. The outdoor activities in this place are endless! And if you like, you can take a tour of the Turrialba Volcano or go rafting on the famous Pacuare River.
Monteverde
Monteverde, being a mountainous area, is rich in green landscapes and has a good amount of tourist attractions. Its cloudy forests attract visitors with a sense of otherworldly magic that can be perceived when standing in their midst, which is why this region is specifically dedicated to adventurous activities such as canopy, horseback riding, zip-lining, and more.
Montezuma
Montezuma is a true hippie paradise in Costa Rica. This unique place is located in the surfer’s area and it is an ideal spot to spend a couple of days relaxing, strolling around, swimming, or lounging by the ocean. If you want to see more of this beautiful place, you can take a canopy tour, or get involved in yoga classes by the beach.
Tortuguero
Tortuguero is reputed to be one of the most mystical and spectacular places in Costa Rica, and it is located in the northeastern end of the country in the province of Limon. This region is surrounded by impressive canals and it is one of the richest regions in flora and fauna and a variety of wild animals. There are approximately 2,000 species of plants and 400 types of trees.
If you’re up for it, take a boat tour through the National Park channels first thing in the morning as the view is best at this time of day, or check out the sea turtle sanctuary where you will be able to see plenty of species of turtles, crocodiles, a variety of crustaceans, and about 52 species of fish.
If you’ve visited any of these places, please comment below and let me know what your experience was like. Hopefully, you loved it as much as I did?
by: Carolina Salazar
