Central Valley

Mountains and volcanoes enclose the Central Valley to form Costa Rica’s cultural and geographical base. Hosting the San José International, offers a starting point for visiting cultural hallmarks such as the Museums and the National Theatre, and enjoying the surrounding natural delights such as white water rafting, rain and cloud forest hiking, mountain biking, butterfly farms, botanical gardens, picturesque towns and coffee plantations. The Central Valley is where most of the population lives. The three largest cities, San José, Alajuela and Heredia, are located in the center of this valley - each having it's own personality.

Northern Region

The Northern Region stands out internationally for the Arenal Volcano, its Mountain Range of Tilarán, the Monteverde Cloud Forests and Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.

From January to the end of April the temperature in the lowlands of this region reaches 30ºC, making it appropriate for travel. The humidity ranges between 82 and 89%.January, February, March and April show the sunniest days in this region.

Caribbean

The Caribbean Zone is located between the coast of the Caribbean Sea and borders of Nicaragua and Panama. The temperature in the coastal areas oscillates between 25ºC and 27ºC. This region is different than the others because of its people and culture particular characteristic of the Caribbean Islands. The principal access to this zone is through the city of Limón (consisting mainly of afro Caribbean people since 1870) where the plantation of banana and portuary activities are of great importance for Costa Rica's national economy. The Caribbean Zone is the most humid region of Costa Rica, because of the wind influence coming from the Caribbean Sea.

Central Pacific

South of Puntarenas down to Quepos / Manuel Antonio National Park, the Central Pacific Region stretches along the Pacific coast line, forming the transitional zone between tropical dry forest and evergreen humid and rain forest.
The Central Pacific has many important national and private protected areas. The two most well known areas, Carara National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park, are readily accessible for nature lovers to explore.

Carara National Park harbors an incredible variety of wildlife including the largest population of Scarlet Macaws in Costa Rica. The Central Pacific Coast is very accessible, wonderfully scenic and full of a wide variety of activities.

North Pacific

The North Pacific Region including the Nicoya Peninsula is Costa Rica's hottest and driest zone. Sunny days, awesome surf and stunning beaches are three ways that best describe the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Among the best and most easily accessible diving sites in the country, the North Pacific Coast has an abundance of marine life, especially around the Isla Catalina area, Playas del Coco and Playa Ocotal. Many beautiful beaches are located here; they are vast and always sunny, with endless coves and pristine shorelines just a few minutes away from one another. Some of these areas are quickly being developed with luxury resorts, while others are still small fishing villages just waiting to be discovered.
Tamarindo is the area’s most well developed tourist town with plenty of accommodations to suit every pocket. With much to enjoy & even more to do, this multi-cultural community is the ideal place to have some fun in the sun!
Besides surfing, swimming, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, boogie boarding, horseback riding and scuba diving, visit the nearby wildlife refuge of Diria, as well as the Marino Las Baulas National Park, where leatherback turtles come every summer to nest and breed.

South Pacific

The South Pacific Region stretches between Quepos in the North down to the Osa Peninsula and border to Panama, bordered by the Talamanca Mountain Range with its highest Peak in Costa Rica, the Cerro Chirripó. Main parts of this region are hardly explored for tourism and visitors mainly are focusing on Drake Bay and the Corcovado National Park. Coastal Vegetation is dominated by lowland rain forests reaching close to the vast and wild beaches, often interrupted by huge oil palm, banana and pineapple plantations.
Home to some of the country’s most stunning natural treasures, this area is blessed with an abundance of exotic and diversified flora and fauna.
With a hot tropical climate throughout the year, this area receives a lot of rainfall, producing one of the most lush and dense tracts of forestation in the country. The Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is a must for nature lover’s due to its isolation and remoteness from the rest of Costa Rica. Visitors will also find a number of hidden and secluded beautiful beaches. For those who enjoy snorkeling, visit the stunning Isla del Caño off the coast with its fantastic underwater marine world, while for those who enjoy sportsfishing the area of Drake Bay is the avid angler’s dream.