A green frog on a flower in Costa Rica

This Central American country attracts travelers to its beaches, rainforests, wildlife, resorts, and diverse landscape. Visiting national parks, ziplining, hiking, cave tubing, diving, birdwatching, and river rafting are popular with adventure travelers, and for those seeking a relaxing or luxurious escape, Costa Rica offers beautiful beaches, plush resorts, golf courses, and excellent dining. Dormant and active volcanoes, rare wildlife, waterfalls, hot springs, and “pura vida” lifestyle make Costa Rica a sought-after destination.

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The Best Times to Visit Costa Rica
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The Best Things to Do in Costa Rica
Latest Stories
Panama City skyline with modern skyscrapers and buildings viewed from a lush green foreground
A Top Travel Advisor Reveals the Best Multi-country Itineraries for Central America
Explore This Adult-Only Boutique Hotel in Costa Rica

Explore This Adult-Only Boutique Hotel in Costa Rica

Destination of the Year 2024

Aerial view of Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
15 Best Beaches in Costa Rica for Surfing, Snorkeling, and Wildlife Spotting
Destination of the Year 2024: Costa Rica
Pool overlooking the beach at Arenas del Mar
14 Best Hotels and Resorts in Costa Rica
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Central & South America

Windmills on the rolling hills of Monteverde
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Monteverde, Costa Rica
Clementina Espinoza, 91, takes care of her garden in Nicoya, Costa Rica,
The Nicoya Region in Costa Rica Is a 'Blue Zone' Where Many Residents Live Till 100 — Here's Their Secret
View overlooking the boats on the water in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Tamarindo, Costa Rica
View of Arenal Volcano over the trees
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to La Fortuna, Costa Rica
The paradise surf beach of Playa Naranjo and Witch’s Rock in the Santa Rosa National Park in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
10 Places Locals Love to Visit in Costa Rica — From Beaches and Hot Springs to Markets
Arenal volcano at Dusk
20 Best Things to Do in Costa Rica, According to Local Experts
Aerial view of Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica
This Peninsula in Costa Rica Has 15 Miles of Beaches, Luxury Resorts, and Monkeys and Iguanas Roaming Freely
Tamarindo Villa in Costa Rica
This Country Was Just Named the Most In-demand for a Luxury Vacation — and It's an Affordable Beach-lover's Paradise
Rooftop Pool
One of Costa Rica's Most Beautiful Destinations Has a New Family-friendly Hotel — and It's Right Next to the Beach
Arenal Volcano and Arenal Volcano National Park
This National Park Has 2 Volcanos, Hot Springs, and Scenic Hiking Trails — and Now Is the Best Season to Visit
A scrapbook collage of family vacation photos from Costa Rica
I Traveled to Costa Rica With 17 Family Members — Here's How We Pulled It Off
Las Catalinas is located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Las Catalinas is a car-free European style resort.
The Best Places to Buy a Vacation Home in Costa Rica, According to Experts
Plane landing near Tambor Beach, Nicoya Peninsula, Montezuma, Costa Rica
What to Know About Flying to Costa Rica From the U.S.
Aerial view of the Peninsula of Manuel Antonio
Discover the Enchantment of Manuel Antonio’s Beaches and Forests
Two hikers on a route in Costa Rica
On This 174-mile Trek Across Costa Rica, Stay With Local Families and Learn Cultural Lessons
Illustrated map of Costa Rica highlighting the rainforests mentioned in the story text
How to See the Best of Costa Rica’s Rain Forests — From Mesmerizing Cloud Forests to Tropical Oases Bursting With Wildlife
Kids in the pool with dad at the villa rental. Family vacation with kids in Nosara, Costa Rica
I Took My Kids to This Costa Rican Beach Town — Here's Why It's Perfect for a Family Vacation
Sunset at a beach in Costa Rica
These Eco-friendly Hotels in Costa Rica Have Organic Gardens, Beachfront Pools, and National Park Views
Pool area amongst tropical plants at Sendero hotel in Nosara, Costa Rica
This Under-the-radar Costa Rican Beach Town Now Has a Chic Hotel Perfect for Digital Nomads
Outdoor dining at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo during sunset
This Stunning Costa Rican Resort Is Nestled Between 2 Crescent-shaped Bays — and Was Just Named One of the Best Hotels in the World
Aerial view of Las Catalinas at sunset
This Car-free Beach Town Is a Hidden Gem in Costa Rica With Beautiful Beaches and Charming Cobblestone Streets
Colorful fruits at a market in Costa Rica
Costa Rica's Biggest City Is Full of Vibrant Art, Interesting Architecture, and Delicious Food
Pair of photos from Costa Rica, one showing a farmer harvest coffee beans, and one showing a coffee tasting.
Costa Rican Coffee Culture Is World Renowned — Here's the Best Way to Experience It
Rooftop lounge pool area overlooking mountains
Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite Resorts in Central America 2023
Wildebeest migration in Seronera, Tanzania
This Solo Travel Company Is Back With 17 New Trips — From Tanzania's Wildebeest Migration to a Northern Lights Tour of Iceland
Couple walking on a beautiful beach in Costa Rica
15 Best All-inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica
Mansita Beach at JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa
7 Beautiful Costa Rica Beach Resorts for Surfing, Swimming, and Sunbathing
A view of a crashing wave from in the water, standing in the wave, facing the shoreline of a tropical beach.
This Laid-back Beach Town in Costa Rica Has Beautiful Beaches, World-class Surfing, and Stunning Sunsets
landscape view from beach with waves crashing onto sand
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Costa Rica
Jen Murphy surfing with surfX Costa Rica
You Can Ride Waves With the World's Top-ranked Surfers at This Luxury Resort in Costa Rica — and I Gave It a Try
Lounge furniture on a patio at Mahali Mzuri
The 14 Best Boutique Hotels Around the World, According to T+L Readers
Exterior of a villa perched on a hill in a rainforest in Costa Rica
I Checked Out a New Jungle Lodge in Costa Rica — and Found the Perfect Winter Escape
Reasons to Visit Costa Rica
12 Reasons Why Costa Rica Is One of the Best Vacation Destinations in the World
Top Festivals in Costa Rica
5 Best Festivals in Costa Rica
Aerial view of Puerto Viejo
The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica for Good Weather, Wildlife, and Affordable Prices
Diver films a large tiger shark at the dive site "Tiger Beach" on Grand Bahama Island. These sharks frequent a shallow sandy area with sea grass known as Tiger beach.
7 Amazing Shark Experiences Around the World