Costa Rica is sure to inspire any traveler, from the adventurous backpacker to the eco-tourism enthusiast. Visitors to this exotic country experience stunning views of the ocean and natural territories. With 26 national parks and many luxury hotels, you really will be vacationing in paradise.
While here, be sure to visit Drake Bay and the Payones, some of the more popular and beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. Be sure to visit the Irazu Volcano, as this country is also known for its volcanoes and mountainous terrain. Eco-travel enthusiasts will definitely enjoy the Monteverde Cloud Forest and the many other rainforests and tropical dry forests found in this area. There are tons of hiking trails, parks and rafting adventures available when looking at some of the most exotic plant and wild life on the planet.
On Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast, you’ll find cultural events amidst the tourist hot spots and restaurants. While here, you can explore the banana plantations, hike on a safari trail, or soak in the local music. Throughout the day, you’ll hear an assortment of reggae and calypso music while exploring the city. Key cities on this side of Costa Rica include Puerto Limon, Manzanillo, Cahuita, and Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Other regions you may enjoy in Costa Rica include San Jose, the South Pacific and Osa Peninsula, also known as South Puntarenas, and Caratago or Central Valley. Each of these regions has tons of activities and offer unique cultural experiences to all its visitors. Costa Rica is quickly becoming a popular eco-tourism spot, and is a great vacation destination for travelers every year.

Costa Rica is a popular destination for eco-tourism enthusiasts and adventure travelers. Aside from the fertile rainforests, the surrounding cities and towns have a lot to offer as well. You can visit historical sites and take part in a number of festivals and events that take place throughout the year. Following are some of the most popular tours in Costa Rica:
City Tour of San Jose
Take a full or half day tour through San Jose, and visit this city’s museums, historical buildings, and city sites. Some of the more interesting spots include the National Library, the Gold Museum, Apostolic Embassy, and the Metropolitan Park. You can get a taste of the local culture by visiting El Pueblo, which is filled with bars, restaurants and boutiques.
La Chacara Hacienda Tour in Liberia
In the Guanacaste province is Liberia, a tropical venue hosts may of Costa Rica’s cultural events throughout the year. While here, visit La Chacara Hacienda and see the authentic Costa Rican farm culture through the many sugarcane fields and photographs in the town’s museums. You can also see the Fiesta Brava rodeo show while here.
City Tour of Alajuela
Alajuela is home to the famous Mango Park and the Poas Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful volcanic sites. When on a guided tour of this area, you will pass the Agriculture Monument, the Juana Santa Maria, the Metal Church in Grecia, and Sarchi, the gathering place for local artisans. The beautiful architecture characterizes this area in addition to the monuments and scenic views while on your stay here.

Taking a trip to Central America can be romantic and exotic. The endless adventures and depth of travel offered in this region makes it a great place for young budget travelers and backpackers to explore. Out of all the countries in Central America, Costa Rica is one that attracts many people in the world. With tons of things to do, from the beaches to the urban city, you’ll never be born here. Following are some places any backpacker or budget traveler should experience while here.
The Beaches
Costa Rica has exquisite beaches as the Pacific Ocean is on its western coast while the Caribbean is on its eastern shores. Keep in mind that the most frequented beaches in Costa Rica are its worst. The isolated beaches are the most idyllic and far more beautiful. You may have to travel a bit, but it will all be worth it once you find your perfect beach.
Rafting in Rica:
Those who like a dash of daring alongside their adventures should take a rafting trip down the Chorro Section of the Naranjo River. This is definitely not for the faint-hearted, as it is wild and a truly unique experience. For those who want to travel down the river in a calmer atmosphere, head to the Penas Blacas River.
Mountain biking:
The mountainous terrain of Costa Rica makes it great for mountain biking. The volcanic regions make it excellent for experienced bikers, and the dirt road situated between the Irazu Volcano and Turrialba Volcano is a popuar biking spot.
Explore San Jose
A trip to Costa Rica is incomplete without a visit to its capital, San Jose. Vibrant and evocative, this city will definitely draw you in and keep you busy day and night. While San Jose is as busy and noisy as other large cities, it also has a great nightlife.
While here, hotels are your best option for overnight stays. They make for a great base of operations as they are clean, comfy and very affordable. One of the most preferred hotels is Hostel 1110, located near Avenida Central. By staying here, you get access to a large amount of facilities for a decent price, making it idea for budget travelers and students who are backpacking in Costa Rica.

Disneyworld claims it is the “happiest place on earth,” but according to Happy Planet Index, this isn’t all true. This Index measures life expectancy, life satisfaction, and the ecological footprint of the country. Out of the 143 countries rated, Costa Rica came out on top.
The Index asked three questions:
1. What is a country’s life expectancy (premise: it is better to live longer than die young)?
2. How satisfied are a country’s people with the quality of their life (premise: living longer but miserably is not very satisfying)?
3. What is the cost to the planet (premise: sustainable development is better than exhausting resources)?
The assumption is that the most developed and richest countries are the happiest and most content, but with the United Kingdom at 74th place and the United States at 114th, this isn’t the case. When you compare Costa Rica to the United States, this country’s people live longer, have higher levels of life satisfaction, and have a very small carbon footprint.
When it comes to sustainable development, Costa Rica does not depend on resources, like oil, for power. In fact, 99% of its energy is renewable and sustainable. While other countries are simply discussing the problems associated with global warming, Costa Rica has been taking action. While deforestation continues to be a problem for most of the world, Costa Rica has 20% more forested areas than it did 20 years ago. Despite the presence of oil deposits off its shores, Costa Rica refuses to allow drilling. It is also the first, and so far, only country that has committed to being completely carbon neutral by 2021. While the per capita income of this country is only a fraction of United States’, it is certainly a country that we should emulate.