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The map of Costa Rica, region by region

Tap a region to see what to do there, the best season and how many days to plan. Add it to your request: the itinerary form fills itself in.

Stylized map of Costa Rica divided into nine regionsNine regions: Central Valley, Arenal, Monteverde, Central Pacific, South Pacific, Guanacaste, South Caribbean, Tortuguero and Turrialba. Cartago is in the middle of the country.Pacific OceanCaribbean Sea

Raúl is based here

Central Valley, Cartago & Orosi

Things to do

  • Go up Poás volcano and see the La Paz waterfall
  • Take in the Orosi lookout and its old church
  • Visit the Cartago ruins
  • Drive up to Irazú’s crater, early in the morning
Best season
All year round; at the volcanoes, mornings are the clearest.
Suggested stay
1 to 2 days
Central Valley, Cartago & Orosi

Arenal, La Fortuna & Río Celeste

Things to do

  • Hike at the foot of Arenal volcano
  • Unwind in natural hot springs
  • Cross the hanging bridges and look for sloths
  • Go tubing on the Río Celeste and discover Maleku culture
  • Try horseback riding, tubing or a night walk
Best season
All year round; in the rainy season, mornings are often sunny and the shower comes in the afternoon.
Suggested stay
3 to 5 days
Arenal, La Fortuna & Río Celeste

Monteverde

Things to do

  • Walk through the cloud forest
  • Cross the hanging bridges
  • Discover a land of coffee, cacao and sugar cane
  • Zipline over the canopy
  • Join a night walk to spot wildlife
Best season
All year round; bring a sweater, it gets cool up there.
Suggested stay
2 days
Monteverde

Central Pacific (Manuel Antonio)

Things to do

  • Explore Manuel Antonio National Park (buy tickets online, in advance)
  • Sail along the coast on a catamaran
  • Stop by the Tárcoles river on the way
  • Look for monkeys and sloths between forest and beach
Best season
December to April for sunshine; avoid weekends in high season, it gets very busy.
Suggested stay
2 days
Central Pacific (Manuel Antonio)

South Pacific (Uvita, Dominical & Osa)

Things to do

  • Watch humpback whales in season
  • Walk Marino Ballena National Park in the morning
  • Swim below the Nauyaca waterfall
  • Explore the local rivers and waterfalls
Best season
August and September, peak whale season; October is very wet there.
Suggested stay
3 days
South Pacific (Uvita, Dominical & Osa)

Guanacaste & North Pacific

Things to do

  • Swim in the calm water of Nacascolo or Potrero
  • Hike Rincón de la Vieja and Curubandé: waterfalls and hot springs
  • Enjoy the lively beaches of Tamarindo, Conchal or Flamingo
  • Snorkel at Playas del Coco
Best season
The driest region of the country: a good choice all year round, even in September and October.
Suggested stay
3 to 6 days
Guanacaste & North Pacific

South Caribbean (Puerto Viejo, Cahuita & Manzanillo)

Things to do

  • Ride along the coast by bike
  • Snorkel the Cahuita reef
  • Discover cacao and natural medicine with the Bribri community
  • Hike the Gandoca-Manzanillo refuge
Best season
September and October, its driest and sunniest season; in July and August, it’s where it rains the most.
Suggested stay
3 to 4 days
South Caribbean (Puerto Viejo, Cahuita & Manzanillo)

Tortuguero

Things to do

  • Explore the canals by kayak or canoe
  • See green turtles nesting at night, with a guide
  • Look for sloths, howler monkeys and toucans
Best season
August and September, peak green turtle nesting; a wet area all year round.
Suggested stay
2 days
Tortuguero

Turrialba

Things to do

  • Raft down the Pacuare river
  • See the Aquiares waterfall
  • Visit Guayabo, the country’s main archaeological site
  • Taste the region’s coffee
Best season
All year round.
Suggested stay
1 to 2 days
Turrialba