Lush jungles as far as the eyes can see, sprinkled with towering volcanos and waterfalls, and bordering unspoiled beaches yet to be trodden by the masses: Costa Rica is a wonder of nature, and it’s no wonder Americans can’t get enough of it.
It received a record-breaking 2.6 million tourists by air in 2024, the highest number in 16 years, and believe it or not, U.S. citizens make up the bulk of all arrivals: more specifically, they account for 70% of the overall figure, or over 1.5 million.
It seems not everyone is hell-bent on flocking into those Cancun all-inclusives to lounge by a pool all day, every day, after all…
So what is it about Costa Rica that has stolen the hearts of so many in the nation, and where exactly are they headed?
What’s So Special About Costa Rica?
Costa Rica may be a small country in Central America only a bit smaller than West Virginia, but it boasts natural wealth like no other: from mountains to sea, and every patch of lush forest in between, it contains roughly 5% of the world’s biodiversity.
In other words, if you’re a passionate birdwatcher, you like to observe playful monkeys in the wild, or you’re simply the adventurous kind who sets out on multi-day hiking trips with sweeping views of an endless canopy of trees as a reward, this is the place to be.
Costa Rica also has over 800 miles of coastline, both on the Pacific and the Caribbean, and it has its fair share of laid-back, small coastal settlements that provide some relief from the jam-packed resort cities in the Tropics.
Experience Costa Rica’s Pura Vida
Looking for some of that ‘pura vida’?
Santa Teresa is a trendy surfer’s town on the unspoiled Nicoya Peninsula hosting yoga retreats, rustic boutique hotels right on the waterfront from $86-a-night, and locally-run restaurants serving freshly-caught seafood.
Maybe you’re one to get lost in nature in search of big thrills, and in that case, the Manuel Antonio National Park is criss-crossed with tourist-friendly footpaths teeming with rare wildlife: long-tailed wood-creepers, white-faced capuchins, and even sleepy sloths.
You’ll find them all in here.
Over on the Atlantic side, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a diverse community born out of the fusion of Afro-Caribbean and Hispanic influences, and other than its untarnished coastline, it’s a foodie hotspot of the first order!
We still dream of KOKi‘s signature grilled octopus and fabulous drinks.
Where Are Americans In Particular Going In Costa Rica?
Most tourists who landed in Costa Rica last year arrived at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near the capital, San José: to be more precise, 1,779,529 of them.
San José is a one-of-a-kind city break centered around a colonial core with centuries-old churches and stately government palaces, though we’d argue it merely functions as a launching pad for Arenal-bound travelers.
That’s part of the reason why SJO is Costa Rica’s busiest international hub: it is the closest airport to the hugely-popular volcano that’s the country’s most easily-recognized landmark.
The small recreational town of La Fortuna is a short 3-hour drive from the capital, and it’s the most sought-after destination in Costa Rica due to the variety of activities offered, well-developed tourism infrastructure, and its many hot springs.
Hiking to the La Fortuna waterfall and crossing suspension bridges is a must-do in the area ($99 on GetYourGuide), and from only $49, you can spend a relaxing afternoon at Ecotermales Fortuna, a spa in the heart of the jungle with naturally-heated pools.
For the best hotel with a view in La Fortuna, and if you don’t mind splurging a little, you won’t be disappointed in the Royal Corin Thermal Water & Spa Resort.
Of course, there are much-cheaper, less-luxurious accommodation arrangements at Arenal Montechiari Hotel, with rooms starting from $91 this spring, and the views are equally stunning.
The second Costa Rican destination foreigners are flying to en masse is Guanacaste International Airport (LIR), which registered 881,289 arrivals, up 14.5% from the previous year.
The largest city, Liberia has a charming Old Quarter with many museums and colonial churches, yet the primary attraction in the vicinity would be the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a natural oasis known for its string of volcanos and adjacent springs.
There are countless points of interest in the sprawling park, and lucky for American visitors, all of them can be easily reached from Downtown Liberia.
For instance, you can book a hiking tour to La Leona Waterfall, located at the innermost part of a narrow canyon, from $40, couple it with a private tubing tour down a crystal-clear river for double the price, or hike the Las Pail trail, followed by hot spring relaxation at Rios Negros ($74).
Americans Are Not Discouraged From Visiting Costa Rica
Last but certainly not least, Americans generally have fewer reservations about vacationing in Costa Rica, as the country has a long record of safe tourism practices.
Tour operators are usually licensed professionals with several years’ experience in their field, and they know these jungles like the back of their hands, and on top of that, crime levels across Costa Rica are markedly lower compared to the Central American average.
See why here.
It may not have a Bukele, like El Salvador, but it’s considered an equally low-risk destination by the U.S. State Department, who have placed it at Level 2 in their Travel Advisory listing.
In non-technical terms, U.S. citizens are not discouraged from traveling to Costa Rica due to violence, but they must exercise ‘increased caution’ as petty crime and other forms of robbery remain a concern in certain areas.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
