What are Costa Rica’s Major Regions?

Only 9 degrees north of the equator, Costa Rica is a small country, sharing its borders to the north with Nicaragua and to the south with Panama. Despite its size, Costa Rica is lined by the Caribbean Coast to the east and the Pacific Coast to the west. Predominantly comprised of national parks, 25% of the country’s land mass is protected, boasting over 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Costa Rica has seven distinct provinces, each with its own climate zones, native biodiversity, and terrains.  

San José

Starting with the Central Valley and heart of Costa Rica, San José is both the name of the capital city and province. Home to the Juan Santamaria Airport, San José is one of two major entry points for the country, where you will have the opportunity to explore one of Latin America’s biggest intellectual and cultural hubs. The city itself was founded in 1848, with much of its modern architecture blended amongst its colonial heritage. San José is home to some of the most diverse gastronomy in the country, making it the ideal destination for those looking for faster-paced and culturally immersive travel.

Beyond the city, the Central Mountain Range extends through the province. Thanks to its central location, San José is an excellent spot to explore the rest of Costa Rica, being no more than roughly six hours, or 300 kilometers, away from the furthest reaches of the country by car.  

Guanacaste

If you don’t fly directly into San José, you will likely fly into Liberia’s Daniel Oduber International Airport at the heart of the northwestern-most province. Liberia is a must-see city in Costa Rica, having preserved its cowboy-dominant heritage and blending it with good food and culture. Guanacaste boasts a beautiful combination of world-class shorelines, mountain ranges, and volcanoes. This province used to be part of Nicaragua but was later annexed to Costa Rica in 1824. Some of the best beaches in Guanacaste can be found in Tamarindo, Nosara, Playa Hermosa, and Playa Flamingo. 

Further inland from the coast, the Palo Verde and Santa Rosa National Parks are two of this province’s most pristine. The Rincon de la Vieja National Park spans six life zones and 34,800 acres, featuring waterfalls, deep black soil, and nine volcanic craters. This park is one of the best places to view pumas and jaguars in the wild.

Alajuela

Known as the “land of mangoes,” Alajuela is a larger, land-locked province, sharing its northern border with Nicaragua. Alajuela’s most famous natural landform is the Arenal Volcano, which is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Arenal offers beautiful eruptions that are best viewed at night from one of the nearby hotels. The Central Mountain Range runs through the province, extending down to San José, near which you can find the Poás Volcano, also known for its beautiful scenery. 

At the base of its impressive summits, Alajuela also has extensive lowlands that are home to extensive rainforests. The Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge is an ecologically significant wintering area for migratory birds between October and April. The area sees massive changes each year, with the rainy season accumulating a lake roughly 3 miles in diameter that later dries up completely during the summer months. 

Heredia

Next to Alajuela, Heredia is the smallest province in Costa Rica, home to the beautiful but small colonial towns of Barva, Santa Domingo, Heredia, and Cartago. This province extends from the national border with Nicaragua down to the northern tip of San José, with rolling terrain up and down the Central Valley. Heredia is one of the best provinces to visit if you are interested in experiencing a coffee plantation that grows some of the best beans in the world. 

The Braulio Carrillo National Park has both the Barva volcano and some of the best bird watching in the nation. The park has both dense tropical rainforest, waterfalls, and extensive hiking trails where you can immerse yourself in the richness of the Central Valley’s ecology. If you’re hoping to spot a monkey or crocodile on your trip, the Sarapiqui River is best explored on a river or whitewater rafting tour. 

Limón

Limón is home to all of Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast as well as the highest percentage of protected land in the nation. Limón is known for its distinct culture and atmosphere compared to the rest of the country, drawing in considerable Afro-Caribbean heritage that is best represented through its language. Limón, the city, is this province’s cultural and economic center, with beautiful beaches and nearby coral reefs. Puerto Viejo’s distinct culture is even more apparent than Limón's, boasting good food, museums, and Caribbean beaches.

This province has the most famous national park in Costa Rica, Tortuguero. Each year, the most significant turtle nesting and hatching sites bloom with activity. This park is one of the most expansive protected lands in the world, contributing to most of the globe’s green turtle population. The Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, sharing its borders with Panama, is another significant protected nesting site for four species of turtle in Limón. 

Puntarenas

The largest in Costa Rica, this Pacific province shares its borders with Panama. It extends from dry tropical climates to the north, dense green forests to the south, and over 500 miles of Pacific coastline. Manuel Antonio National Park, Corcovado National Park, and Carara Biological Reserve are the three major protected regions in Puntarenas. The first, extends between white-sand beaches and extensive rainforest, home to over 100 mammal species, including spider monkeys. The second, is home to 2.5% of the planet’s biodiversity. The third, is lined with the Tarcoles River and dense mangrove forests. 

Puntarenas has historically been the major vacation hub for Costa Rica, with Jaco, the city of Puntarenas, and Uvita being major tourist destinations. Bahia Ballena is the world-famous beach that is shaped like a whale tail. Bahia Ballena is also an excellent site from which to spot humpback whales as they birth and nurse their young between December and March as well as July and October each year. 

Cartago

The oldest province in Costa Rica, Cartago, dates back to 1563 and was the nation’s capital until San José’s founding in 1824. This province is also relatively small, reaching only slightly south of the Central Valley. This province is significant for Costa Rica’s colonial history and art. Cartago boasts some of the most beautiful churches and architecture in the country, such as the temple of Orosi and the national monument of Guayabo. 

The Irazu Volcano is the country’s highest, with several major waterways extending from this high natural structure, offering some of the best white water rapids for adventure enthusiasts. The Tapanti National Park is part of the International Park La Amistad that is shared between Costa Rica and Panama. The rich soil across this province grows some of the best fruits and vegetables throughout the country. 

Regardless of which province you choose to visit, you will certainly be able to explore diverse landscapes and cities, allowing you to immerse yourself in the richness of Costa Rican life. Whether you are keen on thrill-seeking adventures, something slow on the coast, or learning a city inside and out, Nature Ways Travel can prepare your ideal getaway, complete with 24/7 on-the-ground support.

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