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

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Costa Rica

Montverde Cloud Forest
The Montverde Cloud Forest Reserve was originally created by North American Quakers in the 1950s and is now amongst the most important natural environments in the country. Covering just 100 km², Montverde encompasses six different life zones and an incredible diversity of plant and animal species. There are over 400 bird species including the Resplendent Quetzal, the ancient holy bird of the Mayans, the bare-necked umbrella bird, the blue-crowned motmot, the emerald toucanet and the three- wattled bellbird, as well as over 100 species of mammals, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles and an estimated 2,500 species of plants. The reserve can be explored through forest trails, on the Skywalk - suspension bridges and platforms that allow you to explore the canopy, or for the adventurous by zip line through the canopy. There are also night walks to see nocturnal species such as porcupines, toucans, owls, agoutis, coati mundis and snakes. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Area de Conservación Guanacaste

Montverde Cloud Forest

The Montverde Cloud Forest Reserve was originally created by North American Quakers in the 1950s and is now amongst the most important natural environments in the country. Covering just 100 km², Montverde encompasses six different life zones and an incredible diversity of plant and animal species. There are over 400 bird species including the Resplendent Quetzal, the ancient holy bird of the Mayans, the bare-necked umbrella bird, the blue-crowned motmot, the emerald toucanet and the three- wattled bellbird, as well as over 100 species of mammals, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles and an estimated 2,500 species of plants. The reserve can be explored through forest trails, on the Skywalk - suspension bridges and platforms that allow you to explore the canopy, or for the adventurous by zip line through the canopy. There are also night walks to see nocturnal species such as porcupines, toucans, owls, agoutis, coati mundis and snakes.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Area de Conservación Guanacaste

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

La Amistad National Park
La Amistad National Park covers over 4,000 km² on both sides of the Panama-Costa Rica border. The park contains a huge variety of habitats including lowland tropical rainforest, cloud forest, subalpine paramo forests, pure oak stands, glacial lakes and high-altitude bogs. The species diversity is equally impressive with tapir, squirrel monkey and all the Central American wild cats including puma, ocelot, jaguarundi, tiger cat and jaguar. Additionally four different Indian tribes inhabit the park. Walks through the park allow you to spot wildlife and appreciate the remarkable natural scenery. In particular, the Los Quetzales Trail in Panama between Boquete and Cerro Punta around the Baru volcano has spectacular views of the forest and valley and is home to the rare and beautiful Resplendent Quetzal. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park

La Amistad National Park

La Amistad National Park covers over 4,000 km² on both sides of the Panama-Costa Rica border. The park contains a huge variety of habitats including lowland tropical rainforest, cloud forest, subalpine paramo forests, pure oak stands, glacial lakes and high-altitude bogs. The species diversity is equally impressive with tapir, squirrel monkey and all the Central American wild cats including puma, ocelot, jaguarundi, tiger cat and jaguar. Additionally four different Indian tribes inhabit the park. Walks through the park allow you to spot wildlife and appreciate the remarkable natural scenery. In particular, the Los Quetzales Trail in Panama between Boquete and Cerro Punta around the Baru volcano has spectacular views of the forest and valley and is home to the rare and beautiful Resplendent Quetzal.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park

Other World Heritage Sites in Costa Rica

	Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís	Cultural site