F.A.Q
How To Find Your Place- The 6 Regions of Costa Rica (part 1)
Costa Rica is a country full of choices. Everything, from the climate to the weather to the flora and fauna, is diverse.
What that means for anyone looking to relocate is that you can decide what type of weather you want, what type of activities you’d like to do, and what sort of critters you’d like to see, and choose your destination to coincide with that. Easy peasy, right?
Well no. Lots of choices can make it hard to decide.
This post will help you to understand the different regions within Costa Rica, and what each one offers so that you can make an informed decision.
To be totally honest, to really experience Costa Rica and all that it has to offer could take a while, so if there is no rush it can be a good idea to rent in a few locations and get the feel for the area before you buy.
Wikipedia uses this map…
I’ve been here 6 years and I’m still learning.
What I am going to do, is break it down based on what the area is most known for, must-see destinations in each area, how easy/hard it is to get there, and any other fun facts that I come across.
Guanacaste, which is located near the top of the region, is definitely the driest part of the country. In fact, during certain times of year, they’ll get no rain for months on end, making it a great place for outdoor excursions. Those who don't enjoy the heat, however, should avoid this area as it has the highest average temperatures in the country.
Known for:
Must see:
Liberia International Airport is located in the region, and provides travelers easy access to much of the area. Some of the more remote areas require a few hours of travel through some rough terrain, requiring 4-wheel drive vehicles and strong nerves.
Known for:
Rolling Flatlands, marshes, and winding rivers make this region unique and highly desirable to many types of waterfowl, avid birders and kayakers.
Must see:
Everyone knows about Arenal, La Fortuna, the many tourist attractions of the southern part of the lowlands, including the natural hot springs. What is less commonly known is that the collection of rivers to the north, which feeds into the San Juan River, creates almost 300,000 acres of swamps and canals that stretch all the way to the Caribbean.
The Caño Negro and Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuges, and the Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean side provide wintering grounds for thousands of migrating birds every year,.
The Rio Sarapiqui, Frio, San Carlos, and Toro rivers will provide hours of entertainment for adventurous kayakers, and are home to an amazingly biodiverse ecosystem.
Getting there:
The southern tip of the region lies between San Jose and Liberia, both of which have international airports. This makes it one of the easiest regions to access. Once in the region, you can also take advantage of the waterways for travel to the more remote areas.
Whether you enjoy the gorgeous vistas to be seen from the highest mountains, or the wide flat marshes split by the blue waters of the many rivers of the lowlands, Northern Costa Rica is a beautiful place, one with extreme changes in both elevation and topography. The area offers tourists plenty of variety and enjoyment, but living here can present unique challenges. Particularly during the rainy season when the low elevation makes the area prone to flooding.
Stay tuned for Part 2 where we will discuss the Caribbean, Central Valley, Pacific, and Southern Pacific Regions!
What that means for anyone looking to relocate is that you can decide what type of weather you want, what type of activities you’d like to do, and what sort of critters you’d like to see, and choose your destination to coincide with that. Easy peasy, right?
Well no. Lots of choices can make it hard to decide.
This post will help you to understand the different regions within Costa Rica, and what each one offers so that you can make an informed decision.
To be totally honest, to really experience Costa Rica and all that it has to offer could take a while, so if there is no rush it can be a good idea to rent in a few locations and get the feel for the area before you buy.
Wikipedia uses this map…
I’ve been here 6 years and I’m still learning.The Regions of Costa Rica
First, there are 6 regions;- Northern Pacific- The northernmost region borders Nicaragua, close to Cárdenas which is just south of Lake Nicaragua. It stretches along the Pacific coast to Mal Pais which is the southernmost point of the Nicoya Peninsula and includes Monteverde. Guanacaste, located within this region is perhaps the best-known tourist destination, and is home to many expats.
- Northern or Northern Lowlands- Located in the center of the country, the Northern Region also borders on Nicaragua and includes the areas around the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and the Arenal Volcano near La Fortuna. This is a very popular tourist destination, and as such attracts many expats, some of whom choose to settle in the area.
- Caribbean- this area includes the entire Caribbean coast along the Atlantic Ocean from Nicaragua in the north to Panama in the south. Weather patterns here differ greatly from those on the Pacific side.
- Central Valley- In the middle of the county and to the South of the Lowlands, the Central Valley is a lush area surrounded by mountains. It is also home to the capital city of San Jose, and somewhat surprisingly, many of the coffee and orange plantations as well.
- Central Pacific- Running along the Pacific Coast from the top of the Gulf of Nicoya to Dominical the Central Pacific is home to some of the best sport fishing and surfing in the world. It is a popular tourist destination, and home to a large and thriving expat community.
- South Pacific- Starting at Dominical, the south pacific region runs along the coast to the end of the Osa Peninsula and the Panamanian border. It includes Cocos Island which is the geographical southernmost point of Costa Rica. On the mainland, Pavones is known as the ‘end of the road,’ literally. Everything past Pavones is wilderness which makes it a popular area for naturalists. It is however, sparsely populated and without infrastructure in many areas.
What I am going to do, is break it down based on what the area is most known for, must-see destinations in each area, how easy/hard it is to get there, and any other fun facts that I come across.
1. Northern Pacific Region
The Northern Pacific is a large area with a very diverse range of climates. Within its borders, you can find rainforest, transitional forest, cloud forest, farmland, mountains, three active volcanoes, and tropical dry forest.Guanacaste, which is located near the top of the region, is definitely the driest part of the country. In fact, during certain times of year, they’ll get no rain for months on end, making it a great place for outdoor excursions. Those who don't enjoy the heat, however, should avoid this area as it has the highest average temperatures in the country.Known for:
- All-inclusive resorts. Coco, Flamingo, and Tamarindo are all popular tourist destinations, with a very beachy, tropical feel. The hottest driest area is the northwest part of the region.
- The Blue Zone which is an area known for the longevity and health of its residents. Between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Nicoya, you will find protected areas, both on and offshore, and natural wilderness.
- Cloud Forest. Inland, at Monteverde you will find forests that stretch into the clouds. Here the weather cools the farther up you climb, and the plant life changes a little with each elevation. It is a conservationist/naturalists dream location with lots to see and do.
Must see:
- The Tropical Dry Forest has a wide array of wildlife and draws birders from around the world; the dry landscape makes it much easier to view some of the rare birds. There are also 3 active volcanoes, Tenorio, Miravalles, and Orosi.
- Guanacaste is also known for whale- and dolphin-watching at certain times of the year and giant sea turtles at other times.
- Playa Tamarindo has some world-class surfing for anyone who loves to ride the waves.
Liberia International Airport is located in the region, and provides travelers easy access to much of the area. Some of the more remote areas require a few hours of travel through some rough terrain, requiring 4-wheel drive vehicles and strong nerves.
2. Northern/Northern Lowlands Region
The Northern Lowlands which is divided from Nicaragua on its northernmost edge by the San Juan River. With the exception of the Arenal Volcano, the area seldom rises above a few hundred feet.Known for:
Rolling Flatlands, marshes, and winding rivers make this region unique and highly desirable to many types of waterfowl, avid birders and kayakers.
Must see:
Everyone knows about Arenal, La Fortuna, the many tourist attractions of the southern part of the lowlands, including the natural hot springs. What is less commonly known is that the collection of rivers to the north, which feeds into the San Juan River, creates almost 300,000 acres of swamps and canals that stretch all the way to the Caribbean.
The Caño Negro and Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuges, and the Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean side provide wintering grounds for thousands of migrating birds every year,.The Rio Sarapiqui, Frio, San Carlos, and Toro rivers will provide hours of entertainment for adventurous kayakers, and are home to an amazingly biodiverse ecosystem.
Getting there:
The southern tip of the region lies between San Jose and Liberia, both of which have international airports. This makes it one of the easiest regions to access. Once in the region, you can also take advantage of the waterways for travel to the more remote areas.
Whether you enjoy the gorgeous vistas to be seen from the highest mountains, or the wide flat marshes split by the blue waters of the many rivers of the lowlands, Northern Costa Rica is a beautiful place, one with extreme changes in both elevation and topography. The area offers tourists plenty of variety and enjoyment, but living here can present unique challenges. Particularly during the rainy season when the low elevation makes the area prone to flooding.
Stay tuned for Part 2 where we will discuss the Caribbean, Central Valley, Pacific, and Southern Pacific Regions!How to Find Your Place- The 6 Regions of Costa Rica (part 1)
In Part 1 we talked about the two most northern regions of Costa Rica, now it’s time to head farther south…
Known for:
It's laid-back, low-key, authentic rural vibe. It is Pura Vida at its finest. Perhaps the most famous thing about this region is Tortuguero, and its national park, which protects and rescues thousands of sea turtles each year.
Tortuguero is also the best place on the Caribbean side to go whale-watching from December to March, when humpback whales which have made the journey from the North Atlantic, come to the area to their young.
Must see:
A trip to the Atlantic would be wasted without seeing sea turtles, so the best time to visit is in August when females lay their eggs in the sand, or in October/November when those eggs begin to hatch.
Puerto Viejo on the southern end of the region is a popular destination for surfers and has a Caribbean/party vibe. Cahuita is said to have some of the best snorkeling in the country, with their coral reefs just offshore.
Chocolate lovers like me will enjoy a visit to the BriBri Tribe where you can see how authentic cacao beans have been harvested and processed for hundreds of years. Click here to learn all about it. It's also fascinating because only women are allowed to process this precious resource!
Getting there:
Getting to the Caribbean side of the country requires a bit more work. There are no airports, and the commercial port at Limon doesn’t help the average traveler. Buying property in this area requires a willingness to be off-the-beaten-path and to have access to fewer modern amenities. It will appeal mostly to people who want to escape the rat-race and live a simple existence in nature.
Unlike North American cities which are often planned out in advance, in San Jose several smaller barrios grew together to form the city, encompassing farms and plantations as it went. While this gives the city an interesting feel it has also resulted in traffic issues and a lack of parking in certain areas.
Expats tend to enjoy the newer and more modern areas of the city, like Escazu and Santa Ana or buy properties in Arenas which is outside the city but close enough to have easy access to shopping and amenities.
Known for:
The Central Valley is known for its history and architecture, beautiful old buildings and monuments, museums and galleries, and artisan markets.
If you wander a little bit outside the city center, you will find lush green mountains with rows of coffee beans along the hillsides, right next to orange trees (the country has almost 5 million orange trees!) There are also cacao plantations and chocolate tours!
Must see:
If you explore the less commercial side of the region, you will find the Irazu volcano or small towns like Orosi or Turrialba (which have some architectural sites of historical importance) outside of the more urban areas.
Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy the challenging trails of the Savegre River with its two beautiful waterfalls. There is also the Indian Reservation Quitirrisi where you can learn all about tobacco and the traditional production of cigars.
Getting there:
The Santa Juanita International Airport will take you right into Alajuela, where you can hire a shuttle, take a bus or rent a car to get anywhere in the country. Getting into the city is easy and the country has an extensive public transportation system which will allow you to travel anywhere you wish easily from here.
Known for:
The Manuel Antonio Park, near Quepos, is the most widely known attraction in the region because of its wide variety of easily accessible wildlife and its famous beach (Marino Ballena National Park), with its whale-tail-shape. The tail itself is only fully visible at low tide, but the area boasts some terrific snorkeling.
Between San Jose and Manuel Antonio, you will pass by lots of quaint little towns, and many are clustered around their own beautiful beaches.
One of the most popular of these is Herradura, home to the Los Suenos Resort, (the largest in the region which boasts both a golf course and marina for sportfishing enthusiasts). Some world record-breaking fish have been caught in these waters, and anyone who wants to try their hand at catching a marlin or sailfish can head out into the pacific with one of many tour companies.
Jaco- the largest town in the area, and a popular tourist destination is located a few kilometers to the south or Herradura. It and Hermosa are both popular with surfers, although Jaco's long sandy beach is better for sunbathing.
Most of the towns along the Pacific Coast have thriving expat communities thanks to these beaches, and the many other activities available in the area. Tourist areas like this are often more comfortable for English-speaking expats.
Must see:
When it comes to the Central Pacific Region, beaches and water tend to be the biggest attraction. It is also home to the Carara National Park, and plenty of attractions for people who like adventure. You can enjoy lots of different types of tours on land or in the water. Jaco is also well known for its nightlife and casinos.
Regardless of what area of the central pacific you land in, there are warm breezes, soft sands, and palm trees to rival any tropical destination.
Getting there:
Any trip to the CP region must start in one of the international airports. Jaco is about an hour and a half from San Jose, depending on the traffic, and Quepos another 2 hours past that. If you aren’t interested in a road trip, you can take a domestic flight from either Liberia or Santa Juanita to Quepos Domestic Airport. The flight from San Jose to Quepos is only about 25 minutes.
Known for:
Endless green wilderness and biodiversity which draws nature enthusiasts, birders, hikers, and more. It’s not an area for the faint of heart or the laid-back beach loungers. It’s an area for adventure and exercise because the SP is wild!
Must See:
Dominical is located at the northernmost point of the region and is famous for its surfing. Even hard-core thrill-seekers may meet their match with these ten-foot waves.
Drake Bay is home to the Corcovado National Park and also offers tourists a way to get to Cocos Island/Caño's Island which is a biological reserve and is known as the most renowned scuba diving destination in Costa Rica.
A visit here requires a willingness to take the multiple-day dive boat out to explore those protected waters.
Ten km from Dominical you can find the Nauyaca Waterfalls where you can hike the 4 km trail, or enjoy one of their horseback tours to the falls with their 40-meter drop.
Getting there:
Driving from one of the international airports to the Southern Pacific Region would take eight or nine hours. Luckily, there are two closer options, the Quepos Domestic Airport and the Puerto Jimenez Airport. A flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez is about half an hour.
Driving in this region is an adventure so a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a snorkel is a must because traversing a river in a car without a snorkel is a bad idea. Your engine needs oxygen… hence the snorkel. If your vehicle isn’t equipped with one, never drive in over your headlights!
Living in this area, requires a willingness to cope with rough roads, few amenities, lots of nature (including things like snakes and bugs) and extra travel time. If you enjoy that sort of thing, there are few places more wildly beautiful on the planet!
Okay! Those are the 6 regions of Costa Rica. As you can see, the country is full of options and you can find pretty much anything you want to here, no matter what your idea of “adventure” is. The trick is deciding what you plan to do the most, and what sort of amenities you can't live without and using that to narrow down which areas will suit that lifestyle!
3. Caribbean
The Caribbean region stretches along the Cordillera Volcánica and Cordillera de Talamanca mountain ranges that run down the center of the country to the Atlantic Ocean. This region is quieter, more rustic, and boasts some gorgeous off-the-beaten-path destinations that will remind you of scenes from Robinson Crusoe. You will also find an interesting mix of cultural influences thanks to it's proximity to the Caribbean islands.Known for:
It's laid-back, low-key, authentic rural vibe. It is Pura Vida at its finest. Perhaps the most famous thing about this region is Tortuguero, and its national park, which protects and rescues thousands of sea turtles each year.
Tortuguero is also the best place on the Caribbean side to go whale-watching from December to March, when humpback whales which have made the journey from the North Atlantic, come to the area to their young.
Must see:
A trip to the Atlantic would be wasted without seeing sea turtles, so the best time to visit is in August when females lay their eggs in the sand, or in October/November when those eggs begin to hatch.
Puerto Viejo on the southern end of the region is a popular destination for surfers and has a Caribbean/party vibe. Cahuita is said to have some of the best snorkeling in the country, with their coral reefs just offshore.Chocolate lovers like me will enjoy a visit to the BriBri Tribe where you can see how authentic cacao beans have been harvested and processed for hundreds of years. Click here to learn all about it. It's also fascinating because only women are allowed to process this precious resource!Getting there:
Getting to the Caribbean side of the country requires a bit more work. There are no airports, and the commercial port at Limon doesn’t help the average traveler. Buying property in this area requires a willingness to be off-the-beaten-path and to have access to fewer modern amenities. It will appeal mostly to people who want to escape the rat-race and live a simple existence in nature.
4. Central Valley
The Central Valley is the home of Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose, and about 60% of the country's population.Unlike North American cities which are often planned out in advance, in San Jose several smaller barrios grew together to form the city, encompassing farms and plantations as it went. While this gives the city an interesting feel it has also resulted in traffic issues and a lack of parking in certain areas.
Expats tend to enjoy the newer and more modern areas of the city, like Escazu and Santa Ana or buy properties in Arenas which is outside the city but close enough to have easy access to shopping and amenities.Known for:
The Central Valley is known for its history and architecture, beautiful old buildings and monuments, museums and galleries, and artisan markets.
If you wander a little bit outside the city center, you will find lush green mountains with rows of coffee beans along the hillsides, right next to orange trees (the country has almost 5 million orange trees!) There are also cacao plantations and chocolate tours!
Must see:
If you explore the less commercial side of the region, you will find the Irazu volcano or small towns like Orosi or Turrialba (which have some architectural sites of historical importance) outside of the more urban areas.
Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy the challenging trails of the Savegre River with its two beautiful waterfalls. There is also the Indian Reservation Quitirrisi where you can learn all about tobacco and the traditional production of cigars.Getting there:
The Santa Juanita International Airport will take you right into Alajuela, where you can hire a shuttle, take a bus or rent a car to get anywhere in the country. Getting into the city is easy and the country has an extensive public transportation system which will allow you to travel anywhere you wish easily from here.
5. Central Pacific
This is by far the smallest of the six regions. It does, however, pack a big punch thanks to its beautiful beaches and attractions like the world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park.Known for:
The Manuel Antonio Park, near Quepos, is the most widely known attraction in the region because of its wide variety of easily accessible wildlife and its famous beach (Marino Ballena National Park), with its whale-tail-shape. The tail itself is only fully visible at low tide, but the area boasts some terrific snorkeling.
Between San Jose and Manuel Antonio, you will pass by lots of quaint little towns, and many are clustered around their own beautiful beaches.
One of the most popular of these is Herradura, home to the Los Suenos Resort, (the largest in the region which boasts both a golf course and marina for sportfishing enthusiasts). Some world record-breaking fish have been caught in these waters, and anyone who wants to try their hand at catching a marlin or sailfish can head out into the pacific with one of many tour companies.
Jaco- the largest town in the area, and a popular tourist destination is located a few kilometers to the south or Herradura. It and Hermosa are both popular with surfers, although Jaco's long sandy beach is better for sunbathing.
Most of the towns along the Pacific Coast have thriving expat communities thanks to these beaches, and the many other activities available in the area. Tourist areas like this are often more comfortable for English-speaking expats.Must see:
When it comes to the Central Pacific Region, beaches and water tend to be the biggest attraction. It is also home to the Carara National Park, and plenty of attractions for people who like adventure. You can enjoy lots of different types of tours on land or in the water. Jaco is also well known for its nightlife and casinos.
Regardless of what area of the central pacific you land in, there are warm breezes, soft sands, and palm trees to rival any tropical destination.
Getting there:Any trip to the CP region must start in one of the international airports. Jaco is about an hour and a half from San Jose, depending on the traffic, and Quepos another 2 hours past that. If you aren’t interested in a road trip, you can take a domestic flight from either Liberia or Santa Juanita to Quepos Domestic Airport. The flight from San Jose to Quepos is only about 25 minutes.
5. Southern Pacific
The SP region starts at Dominical and heads down into the wilderness of the Osa Peninsula and beyond.Known for:Endless green wilderness and biodiversity which draws nature enthusiasts, birders, hikers, and more. It’s not an area for the faint of heart or the laid-back beach loungers. It’s an area for adventure and exercise because the SP is wild!
Must See:Dominical is located at the northernmost point of the region and is famous for its surfing. Even hard-core thrill-seekers may meet their match with these ten-foot waves.
Drake Bay is home to the Corcovado National Park and also offers tourists a way to get to Cocos Island/Caño's Island which is a biological reserve and is known as the most renowned scuba diving destination in Costa Rica.A visit here requires a willingness to take the multiple-day dive boat out to explore those protected waters.
Ten km from Dominical you can find the Nauyaca Waterfalls where you can hike the 4 km trail, or enjoy one of their horseback tours to the falls with their 40-meter drop.
Getting there:
Driving from one of the international airports to the Southern Pacific Region would take eight or nine hours. Luckily, there are two closer options, the Quepos Domestic Airport and the Puerto Jimenez Airport. A flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez is about half an hour.
Driving in this region is an adventure so a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a snorkel is a must because traversing a river in a car without a snorkel is a bad idea. Your engine needs oxygen… hence the snorkel. If your vehicle isn’t equipped with one, never drive in over your headlights!
Living in this area, requires a willingness to cope with rough roads, few amenities, lots of nature (including things like snakes and bugs) and extra travel time. If you enjoy that sort of thing, there are few places more wildly beautiful on the planet!
Okay! Those are the 6 regions of Costa Rica. As you can see, the country is full of options and you can find pretty much anything you want to here, no matter what your idea of “adventure” is. The trick is deciding what you plan to do the most, and what sort of amenities you can't live without and using that to narrow down which areas will suit that lifestyle!