Top 12 Reasons Costa Rica Ranks Among the World’s Best Vacation Spots

Brimming with rain forests and beaches, Costa Rica is famous for its natural beauty. Whether you’re craving adventure, family-friendly activities, good food, or an all-inclusive resort, you’ll find it in Costa Rica. This beautiful Central American country, filled with rain forests, beaches, rivers, biodiverse wildlife, and eco-chic hotels, has long been a great place to vacation. Consequently, it has grown in popularity in recent years.

It’s no wonder, considering there’s something for everyone. Costa Rica is renowned for its incredible national parks, where travelers enjoy thrilling activities like river rafting, canyoning, cave tubing, and zip lining. It’s also one of the best places for animal lovers to discover wildlife, including macaws, sea turtles, and adorable sloths.

Moreover, Costa Rica has a hip, glamorous side. The capital of San José is quickly becoming a hot spot for foodies, especially since innovative chefs have opened new restaurants and bars. Furthermore, the city features a vibrant craft beer scene.

If you’re looking to relax, there’s no better place to visit than a pristine beach resort or a spa near one of the country’s many hot springs. You can work on your tan, get a massage, go swimming and surfing, or relax in a geothermal pool, all within one vacation.

It has stunning national parks.

Costa Rica is home to 30 national parks and about five percent of the world’s biodiversity. There are cloud forests, coral reefs, dry forests, and rain forests to explore. One of the best activities is to take a hike, especially in Tenorio Volcano National Park, where you can see the stunning Rio Celeste waterfall.

It boasts active and dormant volcanoes.

Costa Rica has more than 60 volcanoes — including five that are active. Arenal Volcano is one of the country’s most popular attractions, especially for those who wish to hike its rugged terrain or soak in the soothing geothermal hot springs. There are many spas and resorts in the area that take advantage of the naturally warm waters.

It’s a wildlife paradise.

About 30 percent of Costa Rica is protected through national parks, reserves, and refuges, providing ample space for animal populations to thrive. Wildlife is abundant, and you can find numerous species, including scarlet macaws, howler monkeys, humpback whales, green iguanas, sea turtles, and sloths.

It’s known as the hummingbird capital of the world.

Costa Rica is a fantastic destination for bird watchers, especially for those looking to see one of the 50 different species of hummingbirds that inhabit the region. Some types of birds you may encounter include the violet sabrewing, the coppery-headed emerald, and the magenta-throated woodstar.

It’s a playground for adventure enthusiasts.

If you’re searching for thrilling outdoor activities, Costa Rica is the perfect destination. There are numerous tour companies specializing in river rafting, fishing, ATV driving, scuba diving, tubing, horseback riding, and zip lining through the rain forest. Additionally, the country offers countless places for hiking, surfing, and swimming.

It’s an unsung culinary destination.

Food may not be the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of Costa Rica, but its traditional cuisine is shaped by Spanish, Caribbean, and Indigenous influences, along with an abundance of fresh ingredients. This makes it a haven for adventurous foodies. Some popular dishes include vuelve a la vida (a ceviche-like seafood cocktail) and arreglados (a type of sandwich made with meat, cheese, and vegetables), as well as pejibayes (peach palm fruits often boiled and served with mayonnaise).

It has both Pacific and Caribbean beaches.

Costa Rica makes significant efforts to protect its national parklands, including its beaches. The country boasts over 800 miles of pristine shoreline on both its Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The Nicoya Peninsula is particularly popular for its laid-back beach towns and numerous surf spots.

It’s dotted with world-class resorts.

Costa Rica isn’t just a rugged vacation spot for adventure seekers. It’s also the ideal destination for a relaxing spa getaway, thanks to its collection of top-notch hotels and resorts. The area surrounding Arenal Volcano is famous for its luxury spas, which are nestled amid natural hot springs. Moreover, beach resorts are gaining popularity, with destinations like the Papagayo Peninsula offering sandy shores, wildlife experiences, and five-star accommodations.

It’s easy to find a good cup of joe.

Costa Rica produces some of the best coffee globally, making it a cornerstone of the country’s economy. Coffee enthusiasts can immerse themselves in all things coffee by staying at Finca Rosa Blanca, an organic coffee farm that offers tours and tastings.

It has a potent national beverage.

When you’re not enjoying coffee, you should opt for Costa Rica’s other drink of choice: guaro. This clear, sweet liqueur is made from sugar cane juice and has a very high alcohol content. It’s not recommended for those unaccustomed to it to drink in shots. However, many drink it chilled with sugar and lime, or blended into cocktails.

It’s a convenient vacation destination.

Costa Rica is approximately a three-hour flight from Miami, a six-hour flight from Los Angeles, and a five-hour flight from New York City. If you’re traveling from the United States, you likely won’t face severe jet lag, as the country operates on Mountain Standard Time from mid-March to October and Central Standard Time from November to mid-March. Although the currency is the Costa Rican colón, U.S. dollars and credit cards are widely accepted.

It’s one of the world’s happiest countries.

One of the most famous Costa Rican mottos is “pura vida,” which translates to “pure life.” Costa Ricans embody this sentiment, which is likely why the country ranks among the happiest places in the world according to the Happy Planet Index. The phrase is not only a common greeting but also a response to “How are you?” making it an integral aspect of Costa Rican culture.