Characterized by its vibrant rainforests, beautiful beaches, unique wildlife, and warm hospitality, it is a sought-after destination for tourists who enjoy both adventure and leisure. If this is your first trip or you are coming back to uncover more, Costa Rica provides so many possibilities to explore.

From snowcapped volcanoes and dreamy cloudforests to tropical beaches, glacial canyons and sultry rainforests where you'll breathe not a gasp of stale air.

This guide will introduce you to the top sights of Costa Rica, help you to get the most from your visit and explain why the freedom and flexibility rent a car in Costa Rica can turn even an average vacation into an extraordinary one.

 

San José- The Cultural Pulsating In The City

San José, capital of Costa RicaMost trips to Costa Rica start in the capital, San José. A lot traditionally go straight to swim on the beaches and hike in the rainforest, but San José has a few more interesting bits to offer for a day or two. The city is home to such cultural treasures as the National Theater of Costa Rica with its beautiful 19th-century neoclassical architecture. 

Beyond all the cultural sites, San José is full of markets where you can sample local coffees, tropical fruits and authentic Costa Rican dishes like gallo pinto. Excellent base for romancing yourself into the country before going deeper.

 

Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna

La Fortuna, the easygoing town close by one of Costa Rica's most famous natural formations: Arenal Volcano. This volcano is over 1,600 meters tall and encircled by rainforest, with hot springs and hiking paths. While Arenal hasn't erupted since 2010, its near-perfect conical shape has made it one of the most photographed volcanoes in the world.

The lava fields and sweeping vistas surrounding Arenal Volcano can be explored via numerous hiking opportunities within the borders of the park. At the end of a busy day hiking, unwind in one of the natural hot springs in the region like those found at Tabacón or Baldi that are heated by geothermal activity.

 

Monteverde Cloud Forest

For a unique landscape that may have you feeling like you are in a fairytale, make sure to visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The Highland Rainforest: always buried under mist, creates an ancient, highland inspired feel to the landscape with some of the best examples of plant and animal life on the entire continent.

Monteverde is a haven for bird watching with over 400 species, in particular, the magnificent resplendent Quetzal. Canopy tours, hanging bridges and night walks give visitors a chance to see the forest in slightly different ways.

 

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica — The small but beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica incorporates pristine beaches, an evergreen rainforest flourishing with wildlife. It is still a jewel even with it being one of the most visited parks in the nation due to its wide-ranging ecosystems.

 

Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park is often called the 'Amazon of Costa Rica' because it lies in a maze of canals and rivers through the densely forested lowlands along the Caribbean coast. Its most notable residents are the sea turtles, which come by the thousands to lay their eggs between July and October.

Manatees, caimans, monkeys and an overwhelming 700 different bird species can be observed on boat tours along the canals. Although extremely remote, this area is also one of the rainiest in a country it is something not to be missed at all costs.

 

Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula

Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula If sun drenched shorelines, surfing and laid back coastal towns is your idea of a perfect travel location then Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula are places you must visit. Places like Tamarindo, Nosara and Santa Teresa have grown in popularity with surfers, yoga junkies and digital nomads because of their chilled vibe and endless waves.

 

Reasons to Rent a Car in Costa Rica

Although public transportation is very cheap in Costa Rica, it can also be time consuming and restrictive if you wish to explore more than one region at your leisure.

Owning a car also gives you the opportunity to go off the beaten path and find hidden gems: from secluded falls to tiny mountain villages. You can stop at beautiful vista points, make unexpected detours, and best of all get things done without being tied down to fixed times.

Costa Rica has a good road network tied to most major attractions, and even if you're not driving on the paved routes our writer experienced they are navigable with a good rental car; get a 4x4 shorten the length of drive on those adventures. It can also be more practical to rent a car in order to visit several places during the same holidays (for example, Arenal + Monteverde + Pacific coast).

Let your tour through Costa Rica become more intimate, adventurous and comfortable with the convenience of a rental car.

 

Plan a Dream Trip to Discover Costa Rica

A trip to Costa Rica is more than the average vacation, it will be a life changing experience with so many wonders of nature and cultural heritage on display from amazing beaches to warm people.

The country ranges from the volcanic landscapes around Arenal, to the palm-backed beaches at Manuel Antonio, to misty Monteverde cloud forests and at last the primeval wilderness of Corcovado, which is why Marine getaways in Costa Rica offer something for every brand of traveler.

To really get in the spirit of exploring, a car will give you total freedom to come and go as you please. Renting a car in Costa Rica is far and away the best way to see all that this beautiful country has to offer from the beaten path of travellers making their way by bus.