Cocos Island National Park offers opportunities for diving in clear waters that are home to a wide variety of marine life. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The national park can be reached by boat from the port of Puntarenas; check the duration and arrangements for the trip again before you travel. Those looking for archaeological history as well as natural experiences will find many other very different sites in Costa Rica.
Archaeological Traces and World Heritage
Guayabo National Monument preserves pre-Columbian stone structures built between 1000 BC and 1400 AD. This dating makes Guayabo a special destination for anyone interested in early structures and archaeological evidence. Caño Island offers a different glimpse into the past: it is one of Costa Rica’s most important pre-Columbian archaeological sites. Prehistoric inhabitants used it as a cemetery and sacred site.
The stone spheres also offer a distinct way to explore their history. At the Stone Spheres Museum, founded in 2014, they can be viewed at their original discovery site alongside their history. Guayabo, Caño and the museum thus represent different facets of the archaeological heritage: stone structures, the former use of an island, and the presentation of the stone spheres at their discovery site.
Volcanoes, Craters and Fumaroles
Poás Volcano reaches an elevation of 2,708 meters above sea level and has two craters. Botos Lagoon is fed exclusively by rainwater. Rincón de la Vieja National Park’s volcanic landscape includes nine cones and Los Jilgueros Lagoon. A trail there leads to fumaroles and mud pools; the park also has a historic house and a mill. Poás and Rincón de la Vieja thus showcase different features, from craters and a rain-fed lagoon to fumaroles, mud pools and historic buildings.
Wildlife, Coastlines and Trails
Manuel Antonio National Park is home to beaches, a lagoon and mangroves. Along the trails, visitors can spot capuchin monkeys, sloths, coatis, raccoons, iguanas and numerous bird species. Visitor amenities also include trails, drinking water, signage and several natural viewpoints. Check the latest information about these amenities before your visit.
Corcovado National Park protects wetlands, mangroves, rivers, humid forest, lowland cloud forest and 46 kilometers of sandy beach. An authorized guide is required for entry. The variety of protected landscapes and the clear entry requirement are two important considerations when planning a visit to this park.
Activities and Everyday Life
In the Monteverde area, activities at various private reserves include canopy climbing, canyoning, ziplining and hiking. The selection includes hiking as well as canopy experiences and other activities such as canyoning and ziplining.
Communities around Tortuguero National Park preserve Caribbean traditions; bicycles are the only means of transportation there. In Costa Rica’s Caribbean region, several permaculture projects have developed sustainable cacao tours to explain the process of making handmade chocolate. Both topics shift the focus beyond individual attractions to regional traditions and the presentation of local production.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Quepos, Guanacaste, Alajuela, San Jose, Puntarenas, Heredia, Limón, Cartago.
