Attractions of Costa Rica

To help inspire or plan your trip to Costa Rica, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Costa Rica which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
Click on the icons below to focus on specific types of features (click again to return to all).


Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Diving & Snorkelling opportunities in Costa Rica

Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo is located on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast and surrounded by natural and wildlife reserves. The town has a relaxed Caribbean vibe and culture and is renowned for its beautiful beaches and excellent surfing. The coral reefs off the coast also make it a prime site for diving or snorkelling. Visits to the Kekokdi and Bri-Bri Indian Reserves will allow you to learn more about these indigenous peoples. There are also many opportunities for wildlife spotting in the mangrove swamps (manatee, crocodile and caiman), rainforest (tapir, toucan, manakin, hummingbird and brightly coloured poison-dart frogs) and beaches (turtles).

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is located on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast and surrounded by natural and wildlife reserves. The town has a relaxed Caribbean vibe and culture and is renowned for its beautiful beaches and excellent surfing. The coral reefs off the coast also make it a prime site for diving or snorkelling. Visits to the Kekokdi and Bri-Bri Indian Reserves will allow you to learn more about these indigenous peoples. There are also many opportunities for wildlife spotting in the mangrove swamps (manatee, crocodile and caiman), rainforest (tapir, toucan, manakin, hummingbird and brightly coloured poison-dart frogs) and beaches (turtles).

Cocos Island National Park
Cocos Island National Park is located 550 km off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and is the only island in the tropical eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest. The interactions between the island and the marine ecosystem and its position relative to the northern equatorial counter-current make it a fascinating laboratory for studying biological systems and it has a large number of endemic plant species. The waters off the island are rated as some of the best diving waters in the world to view large pelagic species such as sharks, rays, tuna and dolphins. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Cocos Island National Park

Cocos Island National Park

Cocos Island National Park is located 550 km off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and is the only island in the tropical eastern Pacific with a tropical rainforest. The interactions between the island and the marine ecosystem and its position relative to the northern equatorial counter-current make it a fascinating laboratory for studying biological systems and it has a large number of endemic plant species. The waters off the island are rated as some of the best diving waters in the world to view large pelagic species such as sharks, rays, tuna and dolphins.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Cocos Island National Park