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Central Pacific region

Featuring some of the most popular beaches in the country, much of this region is easily accessible lying on the other side of the Talamanca Cordillera Mountains from San Jose. The delightful beaches of the coastal resort towns offer plenty of opportunities for sunbathing, surfing and sportsfishing as well as a good selection of restaurant and facilities. The impressive rainforests provide the perfect tropical backdrop and the weather too is decidedly tropical.

Manuel Antonio and Quepos

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On the Central Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio has the best of what Costa Rica has to offer. Abundant wildlife, white sand beaches, lush jungle and of course superb vacation rental villas.

With stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean the breezy road that leads from the town of Quepos over the hill to Manuel Antonio National park has attracted first-class restaurants, luxurious vacation rentals, elegant villas and hotels. The road descends until it reaches a series of half-moon, jungle-clad beaches that are located both inside the park and along the stretch of coastline by the park. These attractive beaches are popular amongst locals and tourists and offer possibilities for surfing and kayaking.

Despite being the smallest national park in Costa Rica, the 682 hectares of Manuel Antonio National Park contain an abundance of rare and exotic animals including sloth, agoutis, coatis, 200 species of birds, howler, capuchin and squirrel monkeys. Making their home amidst the almond trees, leafy rainforests, mangrove swamps and rocky outcrops of the park these animals are best spotted early in the morning.

A whole day can be quite easily spent exploring the numerous trails that cut through the humid tropical jungle of the park. However, in order to appreciate the full magnificence of the area, visitors should head up to Cathedral Point, a lookout affording incredible views over the islands of the park and the Pacific Ocean. Formerly an island, Cathedral Point is joined to the mainland via a tombolo formed over thousands of years.

Located 7km from Manuel Antonio National Park lays the town of Quepos. Previously used to export bananas, this small port town was once home to the Quepoa Indians - a sub-tribe of the Boruca, famed for their beauty and fighting skills. Now, despite looking slightly run-down, Quepos has some very fine restaurants, bars, shops, a flourishing sportsfishing industry, friendly inhabitants and a decent nightlife.

In terms of villa rentals in Manuel Antonio, the focus generally tends to be on high-end luxury, however there are also some mid-range options to be found. The best villas for rent have stunning views of the Pacific ocean, and there are also a few beach front villa options. There are various villas in the area which are perfect for intimate romantic getaways or honeymoons, coming fully staffed and with romantic touches such as jacuzzi's. Many of the Manuel Antonio villas are also perfect for larger groups coming for spring break or sportsfishing trips, with many being able to accommodate up to 20 people.

Jaco

A favorite amongst surfers, Jaco's waves appeal to both beginners and the more experienced. The bustling beachside town caters for a young, pleasure-seeking crowd and has plenty of options for partying. Filled with eateries, bars and surf-inspired stores, Jaco's streets run alongside a 3km stretch of beach where you can also sea kayak, horse ride and try your hand at sportsfishing. Jaco is one of the closest beaches to San Jose and therefore attracts crowds wishing to escape the city at weekends.

Playa Hermosa

5 km south of Jaco is Playa Hermosa, famous for its annual international surf contest which attracts experienced surfers from all over the world. Not to be mistaken for a beach of the same name in Guanacaste, Playa Hermosa in the province of Puntarenas has breaks which are not for the faint hearted and this is not an ideal beach for swimming. These waves are at their biggest and most consistent between the months of April and November. With fewer amenities than neighboring Jaco, Playa Hermosa is also quieter.

Montezuma

The charming beach town of Montezuma is situated close to the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. It began life as a remote fishing village but now is better known for its brightly colored buildings, weekly organic vegetable market and artists stalls.

The town is small and intimate, and has not seen some of the over-development of the other parts of the country, perfect for those looking for a more 'natural' experience in their vacation. Having said that, the influx of foreigners in this area means that amenities and interest for visitors is in plentiful supply, there are a host of restaurants with international cuisine, eco-resorts, internet cafe's and tour providers in the center of town.

The natural landscape also pulls in the visitors; excellent white sand beaches are surrounded by majestic jungle-cloaked cliffs hiding a dramatic waterfall or two. Actvities are plentiful, with visitors enjoying horseback rides to waterfalls, canopy tours, the Cabo Blanco national park, diving, sport fishing, surfing, kayaking, and tours to the beautiful Isla Tortuga.

Mal Pais and Santa Teresa

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Its location on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula makes Malpais and its neighbour Santa Teresa slightly off the beaten track, yet incredibly rewarding for those who make the trip. Principally a surfing and travelling spot, Malpais and its neighbour Santa Teresa have in recent years also piqued the interest of the more discerning luxury traveller looking for more privacy and seclusion in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. Various celebrities have been known to rent villas in the Malpais area, including model Giselle Bundchen who has recently built a house in the area.

The influx of foregin tourists has given the area a delightful mix of tourist amenities, whilst still retaining its natural feel. The beaches are uncluttered by chairs and umbrellas and the roads are unpaved, but there is a wide selection of international restaurants and activities available.

As always, the surf and beaches in this area are fantastic, with a long stretch of white sand beaches providing good swells and variety for surfers, and large rock-pools (often filled with tropical fish) providing a more tranquil experience for those not on boards.

There are a host of villa rental options in the area, both for surfing groups on more of a budget as well as those looking for high-end luxury. The villa owners in the area tend to be of a discerning taste, which has lead to some breathtaking and unique-design vacation rentals in the area, with the focus being on indoor-outdoor living. RicaRent can recommend various options either right on the beach-front, or with breathtaking ocean views.

Monteverde

Following their objection to the US war draft in 1949 a community of Quakers, mostly from Alabama, were in need of a new place to settle, somewhere that accommodated their pacifistic philosophies. By abolishing its army, Costa Rica had displayed a commitment to peace and so the Quakers moved to Monteverde, an area of pristine cloudforest on the eastern fringes of the centre of Costa Rica. Devoted to conserving the forests, the Quakers bought 17,000 hectares of local land so that it may be protected. They are now a part of the Costa Rican community and produce a local cheese that has become a favorite countrywide.

The Reserva Biologica Bosque Nuboso and Reserva Santa Elena are two cloudforests that are located in the area generally known as Montverde. It is now the second most popular destination for tourism although stringent guidelines mean that the number of people allowed to enter the reserves is limited. The misty forest is brimming with life; trees are laden with mosses and orchids and you may even spot the rare resplendent quetzal bird.

Monteverde offers plenty in the way of outdoor activities too. One of the most frequented tours consists of a series of ziplines and rope bridges suspended over the jungle canopy. The popularity of this area means that it can be expensive in comparison to the rest of the country but prices drop as do the number of visitors during the wet season.