Costa Rica Destinations Map
Welcome to our Costa Rica destinations and attractions map! In the map below, you will find articles to all the beaches, cities, national parks and natural attractions we have been to. Click on the marker for more information or filter posts with the sidebar (click the square on the top left corner with the arrow).
We split it up into 7 categories: national parks/reserves/wildlife refuges, activities and tours, cities and towns, hotels/rentals/restaurants and beaches, things to do in, driving around and tips for visiting.
We were not able to fit itineraries on the map so if you are looking for itinerary ideas, please click this page here: Costa Rica itineraries. For first time visitors, check our Costa Rica travel guide!
*Please read our Costa Rica coronavirus post and our Costa Rica COVID-19 Travel for the latest updates*
We hope you find this map useful in your travel planning. As you can see, it makes it a lot easier to find articles on the destination, tour, hotel or activity you’re looking for. Even though we have spent the past 5 years traveling the country, we still have a lot of places to go and we will be continually updating this page with new content.
To get all our articles straight to your inbox and get the newest updates as soon as it comes out, sign up to our mailing list! You’ll also get our FREE travel eBook, free packing checklist and free downloadable Spanish pocket guide!
Rosario says
I love your site. I have spent hours on your informative and thorough tips. I’m so excited for our trip. Will be at La Fortuna from Feb 9-12, 2021. I’m hoping all excursions are open during this pandemic. Thank you so much for sharing.
Gina says
Where are the craft / homemade items markets?? Are they mainly on Saturdays or during the week as well?
Sammi says
There is an artisan market in downtown San Jose that is open during the week
Lynn Robson says
My husband and I are visiting CR from January 6th (landing 12:30 pm) through January 15th, landing in San Jose. We are not interested in touring San Jose. We have rented a 4×4. My question is where to spend our time. We are very adventurous and like to hike. The more I read on your website, the more confused I get about where to go. It all sounds so AMAZING!!! Any suggestions for a 9 night itinerary would be greatly appreciated. We are happy to go off the beaten path. Thank you so much for all the great info on your blog.
Sammi says
Hello, you can check our Costa Rica itinerary ideas to help your trip planning.
Anna Lee says
This is a long overdue review of a car rental Yeison helped us with earlier this year. We were fortunate to visit Costa Rica before Covid locked us down in NY and I am so grateful the timing worked out that we could spend a week in Costa Rica in February.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for being so responsive and helping us with our car rental. Everything went so smoothly and hopefully we can revisit & use this service again!
Sammi says
Hi Anna, thank you for your review and kind words, we were very happy to help and glad you got to visit Costa Rica before lockdown. We hope you can visit again, we’ll be happy to assist you if you do 🙂
Mary Dreger says
Have spent hours on your incredible , informative, exciting, inspirational, thorough site and i just purchased the ebook for La fortuna as we will be spending 3 nights there in September, 2020 an plan to figure out how to incorporate all the activities you recommend. Not sure how much time to allow for sky tran , hanging bridges, waterfall, rio celeste waterfall, Eco Termales hot springs, safari float and horseback riding. Too much for 3 nights, arriving by plane from Tortuguero at 1pm?
But my real question is we’re going on to Ostional to see the turtles, hoping by luck to maybe see nesting and hatching ?? But we have 3 nights there and wandering what other activities should we be considering? I love beaches but in September 78th 8th it could be raining every day, so what else?
The Wildlife Refuge for sure but what else? I didn’t see a book on that area. Should I add another night to La Fortuna or to Nasara?
Thanks
Mary Dreger
Denver, CO
Sammi says
I would stay one more night in La Fortuna to do all activities you listed since Rio Celeste is a 1 full day activity, you can do safari float + horseback riding in one day and then hanging bridges or sky tram, waterfall and hot springs the 3rd but you will need 4 nights there.
Usually on the Guanacaste coast, it is cloudy and dry in the mornings and rainy at nights so you can still have dry days at the beach.
Sherry Smith says
Hi from Canada:
We will be flying into Liberia on March 6th and staying in the Coco Beach area. I’ve rented a 4X4 with GPS (lol I know I need maps) for 3 days so we can do some exploring. We’ve been looking at doing the Mistico Hanging Bridge’s, Tenorio Volcano and then the Rio Negro Hot Springs and Mud baths. Our daughter would love to learn how to surf. And I might try it myself. We’re big swimmers. Do you have any suggestions? And without a car, how is getting around in the Coco Beach area? I haven’t heard of much about public transportation. Any insights you may have will be helpful. I really enjoyed your website, it’s very organized and straightforward and the topics are great. Oh, one other things on any of our planned outings do you thing we may see some sloths? I’d love to see some in their natural habitat.
Sammi says
The best beginner beach in the area is Tamarindo, there are a ton of surf shops there and is easily accessible.
You can walk in Coco beach to get around since it’s very small but if you want to visit surrounding beaches like Hermosa, Panama, Ocotal, etc. it’s best with a car because public transportation in Guanacaste is not great.
Sammi says
You can check our post for things to do in San Jose and Jaco guide (I don’t have a post for Atenas)
Miriam says
Hello. We’re coming to CR in three weeks and staying in three different areas. We’re flying into San Jose and staying in the Barrial area the first week, Jaco the second and Atenas the third. We’ve rented a car so can explore on our own. Do you have recommendations of things to do in each of those areas?
Judy K says
I’m so excited to read your website, and hope you can help out with a couple of things. We are going to CR June 27-July 4. Flying into Liberia. Husband and two 20 something kids. Originally thought that we would fly in, drive to a beach town within 2 hours of the airport, and just hang out. I guess my question is, will I miss out on THE CR experience if we stay at eh beach the whole time. We are going to rent a car, but I feel like day trips to the Arenal Volcano would be difficult to do and be home by dark. We are a laid back family, and don’t want to go nonstop, but don’t want to waste an opportunity. Any suggestions? Keeping in mind the time of year and only 7 nights. Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Judy, honestly whatever you guys want to do on your vacation in Costa Rica is the best, there is no saying what is THE CR experience (I know some people like to judge and say this is the best, this isn’t, etc. etc. and all that) but in my personal opinion, whatever you guys want to do, it’s your vacation, your time, your money and you guys should spend your family time however you want. If you can fit in 1 day trip to Arenal or even a closer rainforest like Bijagua, that’d be great so you can experience and see something different than the beach (especially if you don’t plan to come back). You can do it as a tour so that you don’t need to worry about driving and all you guys have to do is sit back and relax which is way less stressful.
And since you guys have a car, you can drive around and explore different beaches because Costa Rica is well known for its beautiful beaches and there are a lot of nice ones here. You can also explore and find some off the beaten path beaches to get a more local experience.
Robin says
my boyfriend and I are coming the exact dates as you into Liberia. 2 nights at La Fortuna so we can do the Arenal area and then to Tamirindo. Have fun!
Gabriella says
Hey guys,
First of all, absolutely great blog!! Very helpful. Me and hubby going to CR in May and I already have a rough plan but I need some advice. We wanna visit the Cloud Forest Monteverde, just a self guided easy hike….but I’m also looking into Sky Adventures and their Sky Walk. Is there a lot of difference between the two parks? We wanna walk the hanging bridges in the cloud forest so could you tell me, if I had to choose which would be the best for the bridges? Many thanks!!
Sammi says
Monteverde Cloud Forest reserve has one hanging bridge, if you want to see the hanging bridges like you do in pictures on the Internet, the Sky walk offers that experience.
Gabriella Dancza says
Thank you so much! 😀
Melanie Buffel says
Hi,
I am planning a trip in January 2020 and will be wanting to get from my hostel near SanJose airport to Drake Bay in one day. Any advice on how to make that possible with all of the transfers from bus to bus to boat is appreciated. Also want to know if it is possible/realistic to travel from Drake Bay to Puerto Vieja Talamanca in one day or if I should plan to stay overnight in San Jose or another town along the route.
Sammi says
Hi Melanie, you can check our post Sierpe to Drake Bay boat for bus information and for Drake – Puerto Viejo, I recommend to ask in the Costa Rica by Bus FB group for more information. I know the public boat from Drake to Sierpe is at 715 AM and the bus from Sierpe to San Jose is 730 AM so you will need to take the bus from SIerpe to Palmar Norte, then Palmar Norte to San Jose then San Jose to Puerto Viejo but I am not sure the times.
Sammi says
Both waterfalls are deeper in the forest so you need to walk to see them, no view from the road.
I highly recommend if you want to splurge, especially for a surprise trip for a birthday or whatever, to stay a night at El Silencio Lodge which is in the town of Bajos del Toro, only a 10 minute drive from both waterfalls. It’s a splurge but so worth it.
It’s 2 hours from San jose.
Alex G says
You’ve heard that a lot but still- AWESOME website!
I plan a trip with the wife in early January (Shhh! it’s a surprise!). The idea is to land in San Jose and drive to La Fortuna. Here is my dilemma- I may swing by Catarata del Oro and the blue falls but since they close at 5 PM we probably won’t make it in time. I saw that they near the road. Is there a view from that road that is worth the trip? Also, if not, where would you recommend spending half a day and night between San Jose and La Fortuna?
Nicholas says
HI there. Totally amazing blog. I am heading to CR this November. This will be my first time.
Primary reason for going is to enjoy beautiful beaches, eat healthy food and do some hiking and some kayaking.
Will be going for 10 days, would prefer to stay in one location (2 max) and use as a base – I don’t drive either.
Can you suggest any areas for this stay?
Thank you so much x
Sammi says
Hi Nicholas, thanks for the nice comments. For ideas of places to go, you can check our Best places in Costa Rica and our Costa Rica itinerary ideas
Geri says
We are going to Jaco CR the end of October. We would like to go to an area that has hanging bridges to view the area from. What would be the closest to Jaco that is nice. We are both seniors but still activity.
Love your blog!!
Sammi says
Hi Geri, Rainmaker park I believe has some hanging bridges and you can drive there or see if they can arrange a tour for you from Jaco. Villas Lapas has a hanging bridge I think as well.
Jose sanchez says
Going to CR at the end of Oct, staying in SAN JOSE, hacienda Belen what would be the best waterfall park for a day trip ?
Sammi says
Definitely Peace Lodge and La Paz waterfall gardens park!
David Goguen says
Hello, thank you for your website! My husband and I are staying in Ojochal, CR, in Jan., 2020. We want to go snorkeling. I found a company, through your website, Pacheco Tours. They have a boat/snorkeling tour to Cano Island. We contacted them and they said that they are located about a 3 hour drive from Ojochal. Do you know of any other tour companies that have a boat/snorkeling tour out to Cano Island, that is closer to Ojochal? I haven’t been able to find any. Do you know of any snorkeling areas near Ojochal that you don’t have to take a boat to? Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi David! Pacheco is out of Drake Bay, there are several companies that go from Uvita which is much closer and they depart from Marino Ballena National Park. You can check with Ballena Info Center.
TRACY CULBERTSON says
You guys are AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank You so much for all of the info you have accumulated and put here for everyone. I just got the email from you with the info of where to find your destinations map. It is amazing and the best thing I have found out there in my research for our trip. Thank you both for making it so easy.
Sammi says
Hi Tracy! Thanks for the kind words, so glad it’s helpful!
Shandria says
Planning a trip for 4 adults in October. Originally thinking the MA area but heard no good snorkeling there that time of year. Might we find good snorkeling and still enjoy the lush atmosphere and animals in the Guanacaste region?
Sammi says
Guanacaste doesn’t have as much wildlife as MA and October is our rainiest month so if you go snorkeling, go early as possible in the morning but it may be fairly cloudy in the mornings.
Deidra says
I am thinking about taking a huge leap of faith and moving at to Costa Rica for at least 6 months or so. I’m Doing this to see if I would like to live there full time period I have been researching and researching and your website has given me tons of information. The only thing I’m not able to find a lot of information on are the laws about working when you are not a citizen their. Would you have any information on that or where to point me in the right direction?
Sammi says
Work visas are extremely difficult to get in Costa Rica as they only give them to foreigners who is filling a position a Costa Rican cannot, which is very very few. Most people who are here temporarily work “under the table” here, either as waitresses/bartenders/teachers or they own a business and foreigners can legally own a business. Some also do “work exchanges” (work for free stay at a hostel or something). Salaries in CR are also much lower so make sure you have a source of money either savings or from another stream of income. Working/making money is one of the biggest obstacles foreigners run into if they move to Costa Rica which is why most of them open a business here.
Mark Gall says
I’m a retired U.S. National Park Ranger, and my wife is an RN from Bangkok who I met in 2005 (in Bangkok). I traveled for 8+ years in 21 countries in Central/South America and Asia after I retired, 5 of them with my wife. Just wanted to let you know that I greatly appreciate your thoughts and information, as they have helped us decide where we’ll end up, at least for a few years before possibly moving on to new terrain. Even though I had spent a couple months in Costa Rica in 2006, I never made it all the way south to the Osa Peninsula, and that area seems to be great for what we’re seeking. We enjoy parts of Thailand, primarily in less inhabited areas on a few islands, and Thailand is certainly cheap, great food, friendly people, usually good snorkeling etc, but I miss the wild life of the jungle in Central America. It seems that many places in Southeast Asia have far fewer birds/animals and sounds from them than the jungle in many places in Central America. As our money is OK but not high, Thailand was nicer in that respect (having a native speaker got us into some places a bit cheaper), but we’ll try southwest Costa Rica for awhile. Maybe see ya somewhere in the future.
Thanks
Pop and Mark
Sammi says
I would hire a guide anytime you want to see wildlife since it’s not super easy to see wildlife with untrained eyes. Places like Manuel Antonio, La Fortuna and Tortuguero are great for guided hikes/tours.
Glad the site is helpful!
Paul McDermott says
Hi
I sent you a post earlier. But your website is amazing.
One of the things I meant to ask is about self guiding hikes and where I should have a guide. I will be mainly travelling down the Pacific Coast. I like hiking, wildlife, nature and little on the beach. I feel your map will be a great help. I am here for 3 weeks and I am trying to judge how many days/nights to stay in places down the Pacific Coast.I will be starting with 2 nights in Tortuguero
Thank you
Dawn M Loftus says
This is a great site. Thank you! I noticed you don’t have the Riu Guanacaste on your map. I will be staying there mid June. We want to Kayak, go on a Jungle/Volcano Tour and zipline. Can you give me any suggestions? Thank you for your time!
Sammi says
Hi Dawn, you can check out Diamante Eco Adventure Park which is next to the RIu and they have kayaks and a zipline. For a jungle/volcano tour, you would need to do a day tour to La Fortuna, that would be the best option.
donna ferrara says
Hello, Need help determining what region to plan a family trip to Costa Rica for July 14th thru July 21st. Looking for a beach vacation with opportunity for day trip excursions. We are a family of 7 with five kids; 17 -27 yrs old. Active group looking for fun, open to most all activities, water sports, ATV, horseback riding, sport fishing, zip lining, hanging bridges, mild/moderate adventure. Your help is greatly appreciated. Best Regards, donna
Sammi says
Hello Donna! You can check our Best places in Costa Rica for more guidance and advice.
Andrea Lichtner says
Hello!
Your website is amazing – very helpful in so many ways!
I could not fit this next question on my previous post…
While in La Fortuna we are interested in 2-3 days there and then are going to Atenas area for 4-5 days as my Aunt (not longer alive) left her home to her ‘houseboy’ whom we met 17 years ago when we did CR and there is a guest apartment on the property. It is a bit difficult as he is spanish and although I remember having no problems conversing in English, email is a bit of a challenge and I don’t want to ask him too many questions. 🙂
After staying a few days with him, we plan to go towards Quepos / Uvita area for 5 or so days until we return to Liberia.
Question: being rainy season (and your info says that the south pacific area is quite rainy in Nov), is it worthwhile going down there to do Manuel Antonio and Nauyaca Falls etc? Or would we be better off spending our beach time around Samara area? I’d hate to have all of our time with constant rain, although we are fine with occ’l rainy periods during the day. Our girls want some boogie boarding and beach time!
I admit I have only spent a couple days looking at your website and taking notes – and I have about 10 tabs open, but as I want to book accommodation I am hopeful for your input! I look forward to your advice!
Thanks,
Andrea from Canada
Sammi says
Hi, when it comes to traveling in November, its a nice time but it is at the end of rainy season and transitioning to dry so it can be very rainy still in some parts of the country. You can read more about Costa Rica weather in this post. We have been in MA in November and it was super cloudy the whole time and rained a couple of days off and on. Samara tends to be more dry over in the Nicoya Peninsula.
Andrea Lichtner says
Hello!
Your website is amazing – very helpful in so many ways!
We are planning a 2 week trip to CR in November 2019. (I realize it is still rainy season but this fits best into our life / work!). We are planning to fly in and out of Liberia. We arrive at the airport at 11:30 am and can pick up our vehicle but have to wait til other family members show up at 1330 on a different flight. I want to be able to book AirB&B’s now to have more selection and get better pricing etc…
We want to spend time in Rincon de la Vieja Park and then go down to La Fortuna. My question is – we are NOT hiking to Cangreja Waterfall, but just exploring the park and hotsprings etc. Would we have time to go there after leaving the airport? Is there somewhere that is affordable and close to stay? My concern is our luggage. It is hard to travel from place to place and stop and see things along the way when one has luggage in the vehicle. (we will be renting an SUV for clearance, so there is no hidden trunk).
Then while in La Fortuna are interested in 2-3 days there before moving on but would prefer not to backtrack to Rincon de la Vieja.
Any advice?
Thanks!
~ Andrea from Canada
Sammi says
The park closes at 4 PM (you need to be out of the park by 4 PM, they won’t let you in past that time) so by the time you land, wait for your other family, get your car and eat lunch you won’t really have much time at the park. I’d recommend if you want to see the park to stay the night in one of the lodges in the area like Guachipelin for a night so you can visit the park the next day and then leave for LA Fortuna the next day after you spend the morning in the park.
Ray says
I like what I have read so far, a couple questions: If we have an early departure from San Jose going home we need to get to the airport very early. Will there be personnel to capture the vehicle? We are seniors, is there a maximum age for a driver? Finally, If we have a home-stay in San Jose, could the car be delivered and possibly picked up there?
Sammi says
Hi Ray, it will depend on the car rental company. The one we work with in Costa Rica, Adobe Rent a Car starts collecting cars at 4:45 AM at their San Jose airport office and they will shuttle you to the airport complimentary after you drop off the car.
The maximum driving age for Adobe is 80 years old. They don’t deliver and pick up to Airbnbs or vacation rentals or homestays, they can only go to hotels so you’ll have to find the closest hotel to your location.
John Csomor says
Hello Sammi
I am a” soon to visiter” from Canada going to Ocotal area and really enjoy your map and the website of mytanfeet.
I did this comment hoping you guys have more readers. You deserve it.
John
Sammi says
Hi John, thanks for your comment, we hope you enjoy CR!
Richard Glaser says
I am looking for a good snorkling trip around the Dominical area, any suggestion would be great, going the end of Feb -March time frame
Sammi says
Hi Richard, the best place is Cano Island down by Uvita off of Marino Ballena NP. Here is our article on it: Cano Island snorkeling
Sally Way says
This is an awesome resource for me as I plan my couple of months in Costa Rica – so much great down to earth information in your blogs and articles… thank you!!
PS have any hot tips for Spanish lesson intensives in Puerto Viejo? I’ll be near there for a month 🙂
Sammi says
Hi Sally! Glad the blog has been helpful. I don’t have any personal experience but I see that there is a Spanish school pura vida and Spanish by the SEa in Puerto Viejo you can check out.
Marcela Lupi Biondini says
Hi. Can I download this ma to my Google acocunt? Im not sure how to do this! Many thanks
Marcela.
Sammi says
Hi Marcela, I’m not sure if you can download it but here is the link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1WLA61q_lro6HXOLa266hLMyPa108SxjS&usp=sharing
Debbie says
Awesome! Thank you!
bobbie spencer says
Outstanding! I will share this map with full attribution and your website info.
Cheers
Bobbie
Sammi says
THanks Bobbie!
Jesse Sheridan says
Love it! Also a geographer (ping me if you have GIS challenges). Everything gains context when it’s on a map. Thanks again for your blog and all the energy you put into it. We found it incredibly helpful during our recent visit.
Sammi says
Hi Jesse! THat is so cool you’re a geographer – I love maps and wish I knew more about them. I agree, it is definitely very cool when you put it on a map and can see it all laid out like that. I’m glad you found the blog helpful and hope that you had a great time in Costa Rica! Thank you for your offer, I’ll definitely take you up on it if I need it! 🙂
Sarah Smith says
This is just the best! I am geographer so I love maps! Very useful information and a great visual tool to see all the places you have visited and written about!
Sammi says
HI Sarah! Yay I’m glad you like it! I wish we thought of this earlier to be honest but it was really fun to see exactly where we’ve gone in CR and where we still need to go!
Shimon says
Thank you for sharing!
Sammi says
You’re very welcome!