The Central American country of Costa Rica is a place of rich natural beauty, from its long, deserted beaches to the lush rainforest and volcanic interior. Holidays can be spent doing very little, romancing in luxury resorts, or there are busier places to stay that have all the amenities and facilities great for families and those looking to indulge in some Costa Rican nightlife. In such a varied environment there’s an abundance of adventures and things to do in Costa Rica, among its numerous natural parks and forest tours, as well as horse-riding and scuba diving.

Nestled between Panama and Nicaragua, Costa Rica is a Spanish-speaking country with plenty of Mexican influence. It has coasts on the Pacific to the west and Caribbean to the east, both boasting excellent stretches of sand and clear, warm water. The majority of the resorts are located along the Pacific coast, with the north-western Guanacaste region being particularly popular.

Roughly one quarter of Costa Rica is made up of protected jungle area which is home to over half a million species and while on holiday to Costa Rica there’s plenty of chance to sign up to tours of these magnificent areas. See if you can spot a jaguar or even a Central American squirrel monkey! If a cheap Costa Rica holiday is on your agenda, you can explore all these spectacular sites at your own pace.

Peaceful and playful

In Costa Rica you’re free to enjoy the ultimate away-from-it-all trip, staying in luxury accommodation at Playa de Matapalo or Playa Flamingo – the latter of which is known for its fishing opportunities and sunset cruises. If you prefer, you could also stay near a small town like Playa Tamarindo to make the most of its facilities.

What all regions across the country have in common is access to amazing beaches and tropical jungles. You can easily get set up on family-friendly nature tours through the jungle and mangroves, exploring caves and the ocean. As well as wildlife-spotting, Costa Rica holidays are full of opportunities to go rock climbing, ziplining, scuba diving and horseback riding to take in the scenery. Remember, if you book on a budget with one of our cheap Costa Rica holidays you’ve got plenty of spending money for all kinds of adventures!

Upbeat Tamarindo

Playa Tamarindo is perhaps the liveliest place to stay in Costa Rica and you’ll be in the company of keen surfers who make the most of the impressive waves here.

It rests just outside the Marino Las Baulas National Park, explorable on foot, by bike or even ATV and kayak ride. Bird watchers will especially want to pop in, as this expansive park is home to more than 150 feathered species. Alternatively if the adventure isn’t your kind of thing, you’ll find good jewellery and clothes shops, as well as a central plaza that houses bars and one nightclub. Aqua Disco is set over two floors and puts on a popular Ladies Night every Monday.

In Playa Tamarindo and nearby Playa Hermosa, you’ll find beach bars that put on parties on the sand, but otherwise nightlife is pretty low key in Costa Rica. Much of the entertainment is in the hotels, with live music and shows being held regularly. All Inclusive Costa Rica holidays may be more ideal for those looking for lively evenings.

Ecotourism rules

In order to preserve Costa Rica’s beautiful and natural environment, the government has formed national conservation areas, including over 100 national parks, biological reserves and wildlife refuges. In the north-western area near Playa Hermosa and Tamarindo are Parque Nacionals Santa Rosa, Guanacaste, Palo Verde and Rincon de la Vieja.

Ecotourism is encouraged and you can explore these areas with a guide, who’ll take you to spot the exotic, colourful birds and wildlife including patterned tree frogs and sloths. There are also night tours where you can spot giant insects, moths and bats. Even if you don’t go on an organised tour, you’re sure to see monkeys frolicking in the trees and turtles flapping on the beaches. The aim of these national conservation areas is of course, to offer incredible and natural experiences for tourists, but to educate visitors and to protect these species and environments.

Impressive volcanoes

The centre of the Costa Rica is home to two majestic volcanoes – Arenal and Poas – with the former looming over a huge lake of the same name. Local tour guides offer boat trips to take in the immense scenery, plus, some of the world’s top windsurfing and sailboarding conditions. You can also kayak on the lake and catch rainbow bass or cycle or ride horse-back around its shores.

South of Lake Arenal is Monteverde cloud forest, an unusual area of woodland where the top canopy is almost always covered in fog. The moisture here creates a huge amount of biodiversity. You can traverse a set of eight hanging bridges that are strung high across the trees before ziplining one kilometre down, spotting toucans as you go. Costa Rica holidays will fill your scrapbooks with an abundance of colour and breathtaking photos.

San Jose

San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica and is in fact the largest city here too. It’s certainly worth a visit whether travelling alone, with family or just the two of you. It’s home to fascinating museums, parks, historical buildings and great shopping. What’s more, San Jose offers a fantastic mix of bars and restaurants with a lively atmosphere – it’s really the best place in Costa Rica to experience life like a local.

There’s plenty to do to keep you occupied for a full day out and indeed, there’s plenty of delicious food for fuel. Costa Rica offers a huge array of flavours, hugely influenced by Spanish cuisine, as well as Middle eastern and European. Most of the restaurants here are quite laid back and casual, adding to the whole relaxed holiday feel, and you’ll find that prices are very reasonable and affordable, making cheap Costa Rica holidays very doable no matter the budget.