The capital city, San Jose, is where most visitors will arrive and spend some time before heading to the beaches or touring other parts of the country. San Jose is a large, cosmopolitan city, with accommodations for all budgets, and many great restaurants, shopping and nightlife. The city is also rich in cultural attractions such as museums, theatre and art galleries.
The Jade Museum, (Museo de Jade) can be found on the 11th floor of the Instituto Nacional de Seguros building, and displays the world's largest collection of American jade. This much prized mineral, with its variety of colors, has added desirability because of its rarity, with only six known quarries in the world. The craftsmanship of each gemstone on display is exquisite, and the various archeological exhibits of ceramic and stonework give a real insight into Costa Rica's pre-Columbian cultures.
Between Avenida Central and Avenida 1 is the National Museum (Museo Nacional). This fascinating museum occupies the old Bellavista Army Barracks, and visitors can still see bullet holes on the south wall dating back to the 1948 civil war. Inside the building is a superb archeology section, and the history section gives a graphic account of the virtual extinction of the indigenous people. Along with San Jose's fascinating museums, another attraction that is well worth a visit is the National Theatre (Teatro Nacional). This is probably Costa Rica's most attractive and impressive public building, and visitors will be amazed at the marble, gilding and finely detailed glasswork that complements the frescoes and murals. The building alone is worth seeing, however the theater also stages wonderful performances for visitors and locals alike to enjoy.
After exploring the historical and educational side of the city, the Central Market offers a fun and colorful shopping experience, and a lively insight into Costa Rican life. Bustling and noisy, the market sells a variety of goods such as vegetables, fruit, flowers, cheese, leather goods, gifts and souvenirs, and even live turkeys!
Outside of the city, Costa Rica provides many incredible options for sightseeing, relaxation, and adventure. One of the most popular areas to visit is the Arenal National Park area in the Northern Zone. The small town of Fortuna is used mainly as a base from which to explore the surrounding area, and offers accommodations, restaurants and many tour operators for those who wish to take organized tours, hikes or horseback rides, or who also need information and assistance.
The magnificent Arenal Volcano sits in its prime location overlooking the area, and provides sensational night-time viewing, with glowing lava flows and red hot rocks being spewed from the crater. Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica's most active volcano erupting on an almost daily basis. It is dangerous to walk anywhere near the summit, but there are great views both night and day from the lower slopes, and from nearby resorts and attractions.
The Tabacon Hot Springs provide a wonderful view of the volcano while visitors soak in the hot, naturally heated pools full of beneficial minerals. This serene, beautiful place offers eight pools of varying temperatures, the largest of which has a water slide and even a swim up bar! There are several waterfalls, and massages are available on request. After spending some time relaxing at Tabacon, nearby La Catarata de Fortuna is a breathtaking waterfall that is reached by a 3 mile dirt road, and leads to a lookout point where a second waterfall can be seen. The two waterfalls are very impressive and cascade through the rocks and forest, although it is a muddy scramble to actually reach them and swim in their cool waters.
Next to Arenal National Park is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This is a magical, lush green place that is hugely popular with visitors and offers unbelievable wildlife viewing and bird watching. The Reserve straddles the continental divide, and the recreational activities here are endless. From the amazing zip line and canopy tours that provide extraordinary views of the wildlife and birds, to authentic coffee plantation tours, horseback riding and hiking, to wildlife viewing from suspended bridges high in the rainforest, Monteverde is a place quite unlike any other, and must not be missed when visiting Costa Rica.
This rainforest gives an inspiring look into the remarkable eco-system that is unique to this small country, and allows visitors the chance to get up close and personal with some captivating creatures from high up in the trees. It truly is an experience of a lifetime.
Away from the rainforest, Costa Rica is also famous for its spectacular beaches, both on the Pacific coast, and Caribbean coast. Visitors come from all over the world to surf these beaches, as the waves are some of the best in the world for this challenging and fun sport. Fishing is another popular pastime and can be enjoyed up and down Costa Rica's coastline.
On the Pacific coast, the region of Guanacaste has a string of exceptional beaches, some better for surfing, some better for fishing, and many offering luxury all-inclusive resorts and a variety of great restaurants, bars and shopping centers.
Several wildlife refuges such as Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge, Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, and Santa Rosa National Park all can be reached easily and provide opportunities to view wildlife, birds and nesting sea turtles, along with the benefit of having great beaches, and opportunities for hiking, swimming, horseback riding and fishing.
Costa Rica is a country that really does have it all. From its culture and traditions, to its unrivaled wildlife and eco tourism, its tropical beaches, warm climate and recreational opportunities, it would be hard to find a reason not to visit this special place, where paradise lies waiting for those ready to discover it.