Costa Rica boasts two stunning coastlines, each offering unique experiences and diverse wildlife. From the vibrant Pacific coast to the laid-back Caribbean coast, understanding the differences between these regions will help you choose the perfect destination for your next adventure. Our guide explores the coastal wildlife, landscapes, and attractions that make each coast special.
The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is renowned for its rich marine biodiversity and dramatic landscapes. Here, you can encounter a variety of coastal wildlife, including:
One of the highlights of the Pacific coast is whale watching, particularly in the Marino Ballena National Park and the Osa Peninsula, where humpback whales migrate to breed and give birth.
Bottlenose and spinner dolphins are frequently spotted off the Pacific coast, especially in the Golfo Dulce and around the Nicoya Peninsula.
The Pacific coast is home to important nesting sites for several species of sea turtles, including olive ridley, leatherback, and green turtles. Visit Playa Ostional or Playa Grande to witness these incredible creatures.
The Pacific coast’s mangroves and estuaries are teeming with birdlife, such as scarlet macaws, herons, and frigatebirds.
The Caribbean coast offers a different set of wildlife experiences, characterised by rainforests and marine ecosystems. Key highlights include:
The Tortuguero region is one of the few places in Costa Rica where you might spot the manatee.
Tortuguero National Park is famous for its sea turtle nesting sites, especially for green turtles, which nest from July to October.
The Caribbean coast is a birder’s paradise, home to species like toucans, parrots, and the great green macaw.
The coral reefs off the southern Caribbean coast are ideal for snorkeling and diving, where you can see colourful fish, rays, and occasionally, nurse sharks.
Wildlife watching in one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet. Explore tropical Tortuguero; home to tapirs, jaguars, monkeys, sloths and more. Witness and hike around the majestic, nearly perfectly conical, Arenal Volcano. Venture through the cloud forest and coffee plantations of Monteverde. Explore the wonders of the Osa Peninsula and relax overlooking the Golfo Dulce.
From 13000 per person
A thrilling eco-adventure through the jungles & beaches of Costa Rica spotting an abundance of wildlife and doing exhilarating activities such as ziplining and white water rafting.
From 11000 per person
Taking in the wildlife highlights of Tortuguero and Manuel Antonio National Parks and the Osa Peninsula. Costa Rica is synonymous with rainforests and tropical beauty, and on this trip we take you to the renowned ‘land of the turtles’ Tortuguero National Park, whose canals, rivers, beaches and lakes are a working laboratory of rain forest, freshwater, and marine biology. Experience the contrasting Pacific region in Manuel Antonio and Corcovado National Parks, with marine reserves, pristine beaches, snorkeling amongst rays and turtles in an ancient Indian burial ground and excellent primate-spotting, before completing your adventure with a day of beautiful waterfalls and coffee estates.
From 8500 per person
Explore tangled primary rainforest in the Osa Peninsula and encounter Capuchins, tree frogs and sloths in Corcovado. Unwind away from the crowds and explore the best of the natural world.
From 15500 per person
The Pacific coast is a surfer’s dream, with world-class waves at spots like Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, and Playa Hermosa.
The Pacific offers a variety of beaches, from the golden sands of Manuel Antonio to the secluded coves of the Osa Peninsula.
While the Pacific is known for its powerful surf, it also has excellent diving spots, such as the Catalina Islands and Caño Island.
Explore the diverse ecosystems of Corcovado National Park, known for its high biodiversity, or Manuel Antonio National Park, famous for its accessible wildlife.
The Caribbean coast’s beaches are known for their relaxed vibe and unique black and white sands. Cahuita and Puerto Viejo offer beautiful, laid-back beach experiences.
The coral reefs of Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge are perfect for underwater exploration.
The Caribbean coast has a rich Afro-Caribbean culture, reflected in its music, food, and festivals. Don’t miss the chance to experience local cuisine and the vibrant street life.
Often referred to as the "Amazon of Costa Rica," the canals of Tortuguero offer a unique way to explore the lush rainforest and spot wildlife.
When the skies are clear and lava is in full flow, the magnificent Arenal Volcano provides one of Central America’s most exhilarating natural sights and wonders – a combination of blinding light and logic-defying rumbling that erupts in a spectacular show for onlookers. Since 2010, Arenal, the world’s most active volcano for the last 43 years, has been in a resting period; however it still remains a stunning sight. Beyond Arenal’s lava fields, the surrounding rainforest national park is a lush, prime spot for walking and hiking. Set within the 29,960-acre Arenal Volcano National Park, the volcano itself is 1633 metres above sea level and was formed some 7,000 years ago by the adjacent and now extinct Chato Volcano. The town of La Fortuna is the gateway to the national park and is situated just 4 kilometres from the volcano itself. Soak and relax in volcanic hot springs, listen out for gas eruptions and, as darkness descends, watch Arenal come to life from the comfort of your lodge.
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Lying in the northeast of Costa Rica along the Caribbean coastline, the Tortuguero National Park is a stunningly located park that protects a 22-mile stretch of beach, providing one of the largest and most important nesting grounds for the endangered green turtle. During the nesting season, between July and October, entrants to the park will have the privilege of coinciding their visit with these gentle creatures who make their way up the beach at night to lay their eggs, and with our guided nocturnal trips it is possible to see them at incredibly close range, making it in many wildlife enthusiasts eyes a must as part of their Costa Rica itinerary. This is one of the best places to see turtle hatchlings, and you can also see wildlife such as sloths, monkeys and toucans.
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Forming part of the central highlands, an expanse of undulating countryside that spreads as far east as Volcan Arenal to the lowlands of Guanacaste in the west, the luscious and fertile hill country of this region makes it one of Costa Rica’s most enticing for walking, hiking and exploring its natural world highlights. The corridor of settlements that comprises Monteverde and Santa Elena is surrounded by a swathe of famous cloud forests, which generally sit at an altitude of around 1500 metres above sea level and protect a variety of flora and fauna within the spectacular two reserves of the region.
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Manuel Antonio National Park is a small biological reserve set on a peninsula atop an enchanting expanse of tropical rainforest, with spectacular views out to far-reaching white-sand beaches of the Central Pacific Coast.
Just a three-hour journey from the capital, San Jose, and one of only two spots in the country where you can see all four monkey species, it is also a great place for sloth-spotting. The smallest of Costa Rica’s nature reserves but by no means the least rewarding, Manuel Antonio offers visitors a tantalising and unusual mix of incredible beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters, varied wildlife, and one of the best spots for relaxation in natural splendour.
Described by National Geographic Magazine as ‘one of the most biologically intense places on earth,’ the Osa Peninsula is a unique and remote area in the southwest of Costa Rica. Home to the Corcovado National Park, this region is perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-track experience away from more popular tourist areas. The Osa Peninsula boasts vast biodiversity and is a natural wonderland with much of its parkland protected since 1975. It is even possible, though elusive, to sight pumas and jaguars.
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Bordering Nicaragua in the northwest of Costa Rica, Guanacaste is a province whose name stems from the indigenous word ‘quahnacaztlan,’ meaning Guanacaste Tree, also the national tree of Costa Rica. The region is marked by spectacular beaches, a host of national parks, a string of volcanoes, wild rivers, and diverse forests, including the last remaining bands of protected tropical dry forests that used to stretch to Mexico.
Read more...The Pacific coast has a distinct dry season from December to April and a rainy season from May to November. The dry season is ideal for beach activities and wildlife viewing.
The Pacific coast is generally more developed and accessible, with multiple airports (Liberia and San José) and better road infrastructure.
The Caribbean coast has a more consistent climate year-round, with frequent rain showers but also plenty of sunshine. The wettest months are typically November and December.
The Caribbean coast is less developed, giving it a more remote feel. It’s accessible via road from San José, but travel times can be longer due to the rugged terrain
