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Best Tourist attractions in Costa Rica

Top Rated Tourist attractions

Top Reviewed Tourist attractions

Reviews

Jason
at 2024 Jul 26
Jason
at 2024 Jul 26
Absolutely Gorgeous area!
This was the Best hike ever! THANK YOU BRANDY!!!! I went with my 56 year old mother and my 7 year old son and he was so kind and patient and helpful with both of them! Brandy educated us along the way & I basically got a free Spanish lesson lol. This hike is very adventurous I will say that! Nothing cute about it but the views and sights of nature are stunning absolutely amazing. If my 56 year old mother and 7 year old son can do it you can too!!!
This tour was AMAZING!!! Francisco & Alias created a fun, informational and safe environment for our family. They were so helpful with our triplets by carrying them through the water to the waterfall. So many breathtaking moments. BOOK THIS TOUR!
We had Aaron as our tour guide and he did a great job. The path was moderate difficulty. Walked through the river a few times, and swam a very short distance. Some areas are slippery, just be careful. We saw two lizards 🦎 and a monkey in the tree before going onto the trail. At the very end just before the waterfall, there was around a 30 min wait. Due to many tour groups and the narrow area where the tour guides help you up. To get to the waterfall, there is a strong flowing stream, where you need to try and pull yourself up against the stream. 😆 I needed the help of two tour guides to hoist me up. But seeing the waterfall was worth it. And the whole trail felt like an adventure. Learned the names of a few trees and plants. I don’t have a picture, but our tour guide left for a few minutes to catch and move a rattlesnake, even showed some pictures he took. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, to wear while in water and on path. You get a waterproof bag with the tour and lifejackets.
Getting to the trail we were standing on the back of the truck, lots of fun. New experience.

Thank you Aaron, our family had a wonderful time on this tour
SPECTACULAR!!! I am so sorry I forgot our guides name. He was so kind and attentive. We were in a small group. My husband and I, our guide, and another couple. Indescribable honestly. We did the hike to La Leona combined with ziplining. This was our favorite day.

If you have the chance to do this excursion, DO IT!!! Worth every penny, worth every dime, worth every bruise or sore foot. An experience of a lifetime, with great people making sure you're taken care of every step of the way.
We last minute decided to go to La Leona Waterfall on our last full day in Costa Rica and we couldn’t have made a better decision! Our guides Ian and Diego were fantastic. The one thing we really appreciated was how much Ian (our main guide) cares about nature and wildlife. His passion for it really stood out on our tour. They made sure we had a great time, stopped to take pictures of us whenever we wanted to stop, and got us to the amazing waterfall before it got crazy busy. After the hike back we river tubed and it was so much fun. There were 2 families in our group, total of 8 people, and they had 6 guides on the river with us to make sure we didn’t get stuck and make sure we were safe. They went ahead of us during the larger rapids and would help if we needed help. I can’t say enough good things about this tour and I’m so glad we chose this as our last activity in Costa Rica!
This hike and waterfall tour is a highlight of our trip! Incredible hike to the cave waterfall swimming and crossing the river. Our guide Vladimir was wonderful and we loved having the private tour guide! Highly recommend this company. Very organized with quick transportation to the trail. Book this adventure without hesitation!
Emily
at 2024 Jul 07
Emily
at 2024 Jul 07
This is definitely a hike in and out, but it's worth every minute!
Justin Smith
at 2024 Jun 29
Justin Smith
at 2024 Jun 29
**A Journey Through History at Plaza de la Cultura, Costa Rica**

Embarking on what we fondly dubbed our "Starbucks odyssey trip" in Costa Rica turned out to be an unexpected voyage through history, especially at the Plaza de la Cultura. Nestled in the heart of San José, this bustling square is a microcosm of Costa Rican culture and history, offering a blend of modernity and tradition that captivated us from the moment we arrived.

The plaza itself is a vibrant hub, alive with the rhythms of daily life and surrounded by iconic landmarks. We found ourselves immersed in stories of the past as we sipped our coffee at Starbucks, conveniently situated at one corner of the plaza. The coffee shop offered a perfect vantage point to observe the ebb and flow of local life while reflecting on the rich heritage of this enchanting place.

The architecture of the plaza reflects its historical significance, with buildings dating back to the early 20th century. The National Theater, a jewel of neoclassical design, stands proudly nearby, inviting us to explore its ornate interior and learn about its role in Costa Rican cultural life. The Museo del Oro Precolombino, just a short walk away, housed a stunning collection of pre-Columbian gold artifacts that spoke volumes about the ingenuity and artistry of ancient civilizations.

Beyond its architectural and cultural attractions, Plaza de la Cultura serves as a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. We witnessed impromptu performances by street musicians, encountered artisans selling their crafts, and engaged in conversations with friendly locals eager to share stories about their city and its history.

Our visit to Plaza de la Cultura was more than just a stop on our coffee-fueled adventure; it was a journey through time and culture that left us enriched and inspired. As we savored our Starbucks drinks, we found ourselves not only enjoying the moment but also gaining a deeper appreciation for Costa Rica's past and its vibrant present.

In conclusion, Plaza de la Cultura in Costa Rica is not just a square; it's a living testament to the country's heritage and a must-visit destination for anyone eager to experience the intersection of history, culture, and coffee in one captivating place.
Very much worth the long and bouncy ride from the various San Jose hotel zones. The exhibits were well cared for and the convenience of so many collocated exotic creatures and gorgeous waterfall views makes this a trip you don’t want to miss. Toilets are abundant and kept sanitary. Buffet lunch was somewhat crowded but the stations were kept refilled. Overall, high marks for this “bucket list” item.
Maravilla arquitectónica de nuestro país.

Hay cursos, ferias, espacios de estar y naturaleza.

Un hermoso edificio.
The waterfalls were amazing, I would have gladly paid the entrance fee just to walk in the nature and see these amazing sights. The animals however are placed in tiny cages, some of which people can walk into, including huge groups. I felt really sad about the birds and the cats, this is ridiculous that a place that calls itself a sanctuary can provide such poor conditions for these animals when they have a vast jungle space… I hope something changes in future as this is a zoo at best…
La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike is an unforgettable experience, and our guide, Alex, made it truly exceptional. Alex was incredibly kind, engaging, and knowledgeable. His expertise was evident as he guided us safely through the more challenging and slippery sections, knowing exactly where we should place our feet. His attentiveness and care made us feel like we were hiking with a lifelong friend. Alex's knowledge of the flora and wildlife added a special touch to our hike. He showed us caterpillars, a bird's nest with baby birds, and even stopped to let us smell leaves and bark while explaining the trees, all of which we enjoyed immensely. We are in our late 50s, and regardless of athleticism or skill level, you can confidently enjoy this hike with a guide like Alex. This hike was a perfect blend of adventure and breathtaking beauty, thanks to Alex's outstanding guidance. Highly recommended!
Mirela Pavel
at 2024 Jun 03
Mirela Pavel
at 2024 Jun 03
Nice to visit, lots of shops and restaurants near Plaza de la Cultura.
viowos1
at 2024 Jun 03
viowos1
at 2024 Jun 03
Nice walk with my family
As a previous review shared, this is absolutely a hidden gem. We were having trouble finding a local waterfall near Alajuela that allowed swimming. We were greeted by Mr. Luis when we drove up. It was 1,000 colones per person and 3,000 to park. He explained the trail to us then walked us halfway to the entrance. It’s about 20-30 minutes to the bottom. Medium difficulty, a few slippery areas but nothing dangerous. We had the waterfall all to ourselves the entire time we were there. We can’t recommend this place enough.
We lead groups through Costa Rica several times a year and I've done waterfalls and tubing with several different companies in this area. By far this company was the best quality and service. They took my group of excited 8th graders on a grand adventure. The guides (I recall two names - Jeremy and Victor - but there were a few more too) were playful, safe, helpful, attentive, took all the pictures, and encouraging. My students engaged with the guides and were interacting the entire time. They even pointed out plant life and identified the wildlife (we saw spider monkeys on the walk to the waterfall). I am an guide for canoeing, sea kayaking, and more and I have a high standard for safety and attentiveness when I look for outfitters in Costa Rica. I will only use this company from now on when I go to Rincon! Thank you!
Loved this place. I booked a tour online and I am glad I did that. This place is amazing. We saw a lot of birds , even took pictures with toucans. The butterfly conservatory was fun too. There is a separate section for reptiles. The restaurant has a very nice buffet. We went there after looking at the animals. Then continued on to the waterfalls. The waterfalls are amazing but be prepared to climb hundreds of steps. We went with a guide so it was helpful that we did it in an order where it was mostly downhill and we took the shuttle from the gift store to the main entrance. The tickets are expensive but we'll work the visit. We were there for 3 hours but you can spend an entire day easily. But we didn't feel rushed. I think you need a minimum of 3-4 hours to enjoy this place
This was one of my favorite stops in San Jose. The tour was amazing and quite entertaining. I don't wanna ruin the surprise but I would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting and enjoys architecture and a good background story.
Lugar super recomendado para aprender a tocar instrumentos🤗 cualquier curso disponible. Aquí les dejo la información 🎶🎶🎶
Tesoro Escondido translates to Hidden Treasure. This waterfall lives up to the name. Unfortunately, due to a lot of rain and the volcano being so active the water is not blue as it normally is. They say the ash on the water is exfoliating for the skin. Great hike. The Mirador was pretty high and took about an hr one way but breath taking views.
IG: love_to_exist
This is a hidden gem. You do need a 4X4 car to go up. A man named Luis who is very attentive will greet you. It only costs 1,000 colones to visit and 3000 colones for parking. The trail is very straightforward. Easy to get to a beautiful waterfall. It's a 1 hr roundtrip hike through a rainforest. The waterfall is beautiful and it is around 1-1.5 meters deep.
IG: love_to_exist
An incredible place! We loved it all! We got the lunch with our ticket and we highly recommend this. Lunch was a buffet and we ate about midway through our walk. And then after lunch continued! This was also a place we stopped at along our route to la fortuna, so if you’re head there from San Jose, definitely recommend stopping here!
After a beautiful drive through the mountains, we arrived at La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This is such a cute little place, maybe a little pricey but definitely worth it. There are several animals to see, you can even go inside the sloth enclosure which was amazing. Make sure you are in decent shape to walk a billion stairs, especially at the end. We opted for the lunch buffet option, it was a nice touch after our little hike and a nice way to relax.
Andrew K.
at 2024 May 03
Andrew K.
at 2024 May 03
Magnifique endroit ! Propre et bien entretenu
This was an absolutely wonderful place to visit. We could not get over how clean and well maintained it was. There was quite a bit to do and see including the wildlife and other biodiversity. The waterfalls were also amazing opportunities to explore and see the property. We went on a Sunday and while there was quite a few cars parked we never experienced any crowding when we went anywhere. The price per adult was $59 and $79 if you also wanted lunch which was a buffet. We didn't get the lunch but did go by the restaurant and they had a really nice selection of food available.
The Toucan enclosure, the Sloth enclosure and the jungle cats were really great. All of the animals we saw were very well taken care of. The walk to waterfalls was relatively easy as the weather was amazing. Each waterfall had The great viewing area where you could get excellent photos.
Centro Alajuelense de la Cultura, casa rosado es un lugar excelente, ahí puedes a prender a tocar instrumentos y otros cursos disponibles, si quieres aprender a tocar guitarra o Ukelele comunicate con Matzan al 84832662 profesor Alajuelense con el aprendes rapidísimo.!
AJ R
at 2024 Apr 26
AJ R
at 2024 Apr 26
Nice park but a bit smelly. Located in a bustling part of town. Plenty places to sit and people watch.
I came here as a solo traveler after reading the reviews and while it was gorgeous and the animals were beautiful, the price did not make it worth it. I was hesitant about going here for the price and I should face listened to my gut. There were a couple loud groups that were using the flash and scaring the animals away from the glass/tapping on the glass (which I understand is out of the employee’s control) but it really tainted my experience. I saw 3/5 waterfalls and I was exhausted by the end of it. I don’t think of myself as very fit, but the stairs on the way up to the shuttle are definitely not easy. The falls themselves were gorgeous! Lots of photo opportunities. But this is basically Hawaii, and Hawaii has free waterfalls. I went on a weekday and it was practically empty so I do recommend trying to go on a weekday morning if possible. I bought my ticket an hour before I arrived too so not always necessary to purchase in advance
Jennifer
at 2024 Apr 21
Jennifer
at 2024 Apr 21
I saw the prettiest blue butterfly 😍❤️👍🏻👏
Built in 1782. How?
The falls were breathtaking! It was well kept and the public bathroom at the bottom was clean!
Definitely has all the signs of a tourist trap, but is extremely beautiful and a great way to experience the majestic waterfalls without a harrowing jungle climb. The captive animals don’t look particularly happy to be there, but the place is immaculately kept and hopefully they are rescued animals. In several areas you are inside the open bird, frog and butterfly enclosures, so you can get up close and personal. Overall, I’d definitely visit again. Lots of fun restaurants and shops along the road nearby, which we were told have better food at much lower prices. We went to Soda Amitai and loved it.
An amazing experience with our group of friends. It was a fairly easy hike. Not much of confusions, clearly marked.
There are 3 waterfalls (1 major & 2 ae more of a cascade). Water was super chill, but as soon as we start swimming, it was fine. Just amazing experience. The waterfalls Pozos Esmeralda is a must visit. We didn't get to see the original emeral colour as there wasn't enough Sun, it was misty. But nevertheless, it is a beautiful place. We went on a weekend. Not much crowd, felt like we had a private waterfall for our own :) There is even a nice cafeteria at the reception. Tico cuisine, super tasty and a nominal price!
Vicky F
at 2024 Mar 20
Vicky F
at 2024 Mar 20
So many animals not just the jungle cats. There are waterfall trails too. You could easily spend a whole day here at La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
Unfortunately it's gotten very expensive....
Judah Shanks
at 2024 Feb 18
Judah Shanks
at 2024 Feb 18
I love cats, and wild cats are no exception. They had a nice variety of jungle felines including three jaguars. One of the smaller cats was rubbing his head in the side of the cage, and it looked as if he wanted us to pet him.
Place is easy to access and hike easy to moderate. Waterfall is beautiful.
It is a great and beautiful Catholic Church, The mass was good and it felt like home when we were there
Anastasia S
at 2023 Nov 08
Anastasia S
at 2023 Nov 08
A spot just off the road for rest and relaxation, and sunset watching :)
Nina Eipper
at 2023 Nov 01
Nina Eipper
at 2023 Nov 01
Aussicht entspricht leider gar nicht wie auf den Bildern. Außer Nebel war kaum etwas zu sehen. Maike haben wir auch nicht gefunden :(
Schade, ich hatte mich sehr auf ein Wiedersehen gefreut.
Vielleicht haben andere mehr Glück bei diesem "Geheimtipp" ;-)
Zwei Sterne, da wir auf dem Heimweg "den" blauen Schmetterling gesehen haben 🦋
The place is exactly what the name describes a hidden treasure period! I would come early if you don't like the rain but the rain was no problem as it was warm compared to other places. The staff is super helpful even helped to get our toddler over the roughest part of the trail as it was raining an the levels of the water higher then usual. We plan to go back and explore the lookouts and swing holes!
Muy recomendable, está habitada para el baño. Incluida dentro de las actividades si te alojas en la Hacienda Guachipilin
Toni M
at 2023 Sep 02
Toni M
at 2023 Sep 02
Sitio muy bonito y agradable. Se permite el baño, que es 100% recomendable. El acceso es a través de un puente que da algo de vértigo pero es muy divertido. No comento nada sobre el precio de la entrada ya que si te hospedas en la Hacienda Guachipelin, la visita está incluida.
beautiful experience. one thing I’ll note is you need to pay parking through someone’s private property. we would recommend being nice and being culturally aware because of the threat he may be. it’s been said that he has weapons and you’ll want to pay full price and tip. we paid approximately $20. go at your own risk. beautiful experience
Great place for a day of exploring. When you pull off the road you are greeted by an attendant that asks for 3,000 colones to park and 1,000 colones per person. You drive a little further to park next to the bathrooms and you can change there as well. Don’t mind the cows :). The path is narrow and switches back and forth but it is easy to find your way down. I highly recommend water shoes. The attendants spoke English and Spanish and everyone was so friendly. This is definitely worth the trip.
Beautiful place! Nice walking trail! We love it!
Its about 15 minutes walk from Rio Celeste waterfall! For our opinion it was worth the extra walk
Hanna M.
at 2023 May 12
Hanna M.
at 2023 May 12
Nice view for sunset!
Nenufar Azul
at 2023 May 02
Nenufar Azul
at 2023 May 02
Muy bonito el sendero y los puentes colgantes para llegar. Hay personal de seguridad del hotel Hacienda Guachipelin
Tracy Alfaro
at 2023 Apr 22
Tracy Alfaro
at 2023 Apr 22
El lugar muy bonito .
Deberían de mejorar el servicio de información desde que se paga los 800 cólones en la entrada .
This place was an absolute highlight to our trip! Friendly family, it’s helpful to know Spanish, but they worked with us and knew some English. absolutely breath taking views! The hike down and up isn’t long and it’s awesome. We swam in the base of the waterfall and it was pure bliss. Some of the best nature I’ve been immersed in. Will never forget being there!
Great hosts, easy to get to, well marked and traveled trail. They love dogs and we were joined by a pack of curious small dogs that were very agile. They stored our helmets while we were visiting the falls. At the falls, there are two falls, two rivers that join, each has its separate fall. Very pretty place.
Kaysi Gómez
at 2023 Feb 25
Kaysi Gómez
at 2023 Feb 25
Lugar hermoso dentro del parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja
Myke
at 2023 Feb 05
Myke
at 2023 Feb 05
Seems this part of the hike has its own reviews. The location of this is where the hot springs start and where the river meets. Very cool spot as well if you hike up a bit more
Two gorgeous waterfalls, definitely worth the hike! It is a steep hike down, and I would not recommend if it’s raining, because it will get pretty slippery. Both waterfalls are easily accessible once you get down, and the river is beautiful as well. There are mango trees at the entrance of the trail, and the guy who lives there will let you try them if they’re in season! There is also a bathroom at the top of the trail (in the guy’s house, he’s super nice) that you can use as well.
Fabrizio Beninati
at 2022 Dec 25
Fabrizio Beninati
at 2022 Dec 25
What an amazing waterfall!!! The route pass the bridge was closed so we couldn't go any further but still what an amazing time. It was a lot of uphill walking by the way so definitely pack proper hiking shoes. I can't begin to tell you how many stairs there were in the place. Definitely worth all the stairs though!
An amazing hike, well maintained but still very challenging at times. It can be muddy and some rocks are slippery but well worth the effort! Very dog friendly....
Clemens Majunke
at 2022 Dec 10
Clemens Majunke
at 2022 Dec 10
Good spot for sunsets! I recommend to stay for half an hour after sunset, that’s when the colours come out!
A AA
at 2022 Dec 07
A AA
at 2022 Dec 07
Gorgeous view
Beautiful, moderately difficult, friendly staff.

This is an interesting and well maintained trail with a lovely waterfall at the end. The hike itself is not too difficult but if stairs are not your jam than only go on the trail to the main waterfall. Lots of plants to see along the way. Beautiful pools that you can swim in (I didn’t so I can’t say how good they were for swimming) and a diverse and at times challenging trail. I highly recommend this out of the many waterfall trails you can choose from in the area.
Very very nice! Highly recommend good hiking shoes with nonslip soles. And don't forget raincoat and bathing suit! Lots of water! Some parts walking to the waterfall are very slippery. Lots of stair steps ...very tough on knees!
Jan Smith
at 2022 Jun 06
Jan Smith
at 2022 Jun 06
Wonderful to be able to see these magnificent animals, but hate to see them in such small places and cages.
Daniela Gamboa
at 2022 May 16
Daniela Gamboa
at 2022 May 16
Un mariposario hermoso. Hay muchísimas mariposas, el lugar muy bien cuidado.
Rahul Kurup
at 2022 Apr 28
Rahul Kurup
at 2022 Apr 28
Nice viewpoint with a bench. Saw colorful lizards :)
Amazing Viewpoint, especially when the sun comes out! Most people just drive by but the stop is absolutely worth it ❤️
Leider nur in Kombination mit einem Essen ab 36,- $ zugänglich, da in privater Hand.
renan garcia
at 2022 Feb 13
renan garcia
at 2022 Feb 13
You have to go through Guachipelin hotel, be aware of $35 entrance fee, whether you are local o tourists.
Deniz Alkoyak
at 2022 Feb 06
Deniz Alkoyak
at 2022 Feb 06
Geniale Aussicht. Wahrscheinlich der schönste Mirador der Gegend.. Geheimtipp ;)
Bradford Hearn
at 2022 Jan 26
Bradford Hearn
at 2022 Jan 26
Great natural hideaway. Very busy today.
Siempre será espectacular el ver a los felinos americanos de cerca, y en este refugio podremos acercarnos bastante a algunos de ellos, dado que no pueden ser reintroducidos a su hábitat natural, es bueno saber que estos majestuosos animales cuentan con un albergue tan encantador y que nos permite acercarnos a ellos de manera segura
Skip the first part of the 'park' with the view on the mountains, you can see the same view anywhere else.

However don't skip the part where you go to the jungle to see the beautiful Waterfall and others falls, it's just beautiful. It's a good 4km minimum and you need to be in a good shape as you will have to walk through the river (get your feet wet) and climb stairs. Definitely worth it and the price 7.000 colones is well worth for the nature you will see.
Sara Fischer
at 2020 Feb 29
Sara Fischer
at 2020 Feb 29
Inhumane
Cultural place
Mike D
at 2019 Jul 23
Mike D
at 2019 Jul 23
Great exhibit where you're allowed to walk among the butterflies, including the beautiful blue Morpho, feeding and holding them. There are stations set up full of cocoons to observe the various metamorphosis states from caterpillar to butterfly.
Mike D
at 2019 Jul 23
Mike D
at 2019 Jul 23
Beautiful Central American cats that were placed under care of La Paz after the center that previously housed them had to close. Margay, jaguars, ocelots, and pumas now live here where you can observe them lounging and playing.
Very nice place and well refurbished. it is worth a short visit.
Arpit
at 2019 Apr 09
Arpit
at 2019 Apr 09
Beautiful we had a great time we had a good guy that was showing us why the color of the water is the way it is. It's a nice hike make sure you bring nice shoes
This place should be and I believe is already on everyone's to visit list. Pretty colors and outworldly landscape make La Laguna Azul a stunning attraction. The park is well maintained and clean so take your trash with you when visiting
Jason Anchia
at 2019 Feb 24
Jason Anchia
at 2019 Feb 24
Beautiful place. Moderate walk. Muddy path.
Best time to go is jan-feb
There is not much to see here but i love the place and visit it regularly to listen to the many different sounds from students playing their instruments and singing. It serves as meeting place for government municipals too.
Nice historical place. It is nicer during the day as you hear ans see all students in their class and the sound of they instruments playing and the birds, it is relaxing. Other than that there is not much to see or do here.