Where Will You Visit? 5 Zones of Costa Rica

If you are planning a vacation to Costa Rica, knowing and understanding the different regions may help you to ensure that no part of this intriguing country is overlooked.  Here is a brief description of each of the five main tourist areas of Costa Rica.

Northern Plains
The biggest attraction of this area is the Arenal Volcano which sits at 1633 meters and is in a state of constant activity.  If seeing a real volcano happens to be on your to do list, then this will most definitely be a stop to plan! The volcano sits in a national Park which provides safe trails for exploring the area.  This beautiful region also offers splendid canopy tours over the rain forest, gorgeous waterfalls, scenic horseback riding and thermal springs that provide a relaxing soak after a long day of activity.  

North Pacific
This is a fascinating area of the country where tourism and local culture come together to make for a variety of different activities.  There are numerous county fairs, bull mounts, which are similar to what we call a rodeo, and cattle herding demonstrations. Local cuisine and culture abound at these events are not to be missed on any Costa Rica holiday.  There is also plenty of history to be learned in this region along with typical tropical forest scenery and deep caverns that the adventurous can explore.

Central Valley
San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica is located in this region and as a result, much of the tourism centers here.  It also has the most consistent weather of the country with the average temperature staying at around 77 degrees. Five of the country’s largest museums are located here, offering visitors a variety of places to learn about the country’s interesting and progressive past.  The night life is hopping here as well, so if you want to dine and dance the night away, this is the place for you!

Caribbean
This is the area to visit if you’ve come to enjoy the sand and surf.  The black and white sand on the beaches is an awesome sight, and diving in the crystal clear waters is an experience of a lifetime.  Fishing is an ongoing activity where the big ones might include a Tarpon, Wahoo, or Barracuda!  The other “big ones” are the waves that draw surfers from all over the world.  One of the most famous waves in the world, “Salsa Brava” is located here and reaches heights of almost 40 feet.

South Pacific
By far the least developed region of the country, the South Pacific offers rain forest flora and fauna like no other region.  The area is made up of several national parks that work to conserve the natural beauty of the country, and the largest remaining swampland is also located here.  If getting to see the real rustic beauty of the country is your purpose for visiting Costa Rica, then planning a visit to this region is a must!

Julieta Laham
Julieta Laham is a member of the concierge team at Los Suenos Resort and Marina, in beautiful Los Suenos, Costa Rica. Julieta has a blog where she shares Costa Rical travel tips: http://www.CRLuxury.com/blog