It is also very popular with young surfers, and has a distinct party vibe. Manuel Antonio , one of the most emblematic destinations in Costa Rica, is built up around a popular coastal national park, and caters to people looking to blend beach time and fabulous panoramic views with some wildlife viewing and active adventures. It is characterized by dense rainforests, large national parks and protected areas, and rugged coastlines. Much of the area is uninhabited and protected in Corcovado, Piedras Blancas , and La Amistad national parks.
A number of wonderful nature lodges are spread around the shores of the Golfo Dulce and along the Osa Peninsula. The Caribbean Coast — Most of the Caribbean coast is a wide, steamy lowland laced with rivers and blanketed with rainforests and banana plantations.
The culture here is predominantly Afro-Caribbean, with many residents speaking an English or Caribbean patois. The northern section of this coast is accessible only by boat or small plane and is the site of Tortuguero National Park , which is known for its nesting sea turtles and riverboat trips. The towns of Cahuita, Puerto Viejo , and Manzanillo, on the southern half of the Caribbean coast, are increasingly popular destinations.
The beautiful beaches and coastline here, as yet, have few large hotels. This area can be rainy, especially between December and April. Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip. Book Hotels. Frommer's Panama Buy Now. Manuel Antonio has a ton of luxury hotels. Down in the Costa Ballena, it changes completely as this area is still quite rural.
The beaches become more spread out, all with dark sand and waters. Instead, the Caribbean is much more humid and can rain all year long.
The summer month is October and the rainiest months are June and November on the Caribbean coast. Temperatures stay in the high 80s F 31 Celsius and cools off at night. The Pacific coast does follow the typical rainy and dry tropical season which is from end of April to beginning of December and beginning of May to end of November respectively. The rainiest months are usually September and October and the hottest months are March and April.
The Guanacaste coast has a longer dry season meaning you will get more sunny days on that side, particularly in the Northern area but that means the forest becomes very dry and very yellow, almost like a desert.
Temperatures can soar into the s F 38 C during March and April. The South Pacific coast is a lot more humid which keeps the jungle green all year long like the Caribbean coast.
In Tortuguero, most people only stay nights because it is a very small area. In the Puerto Viejo area, there are more things to do. Birdwatching is amazing in the Caribbean since you can see birds such as Keel-billed toucans, Great Green Macaws and unique hummingbirds. Since the Caribbean stays lush all year round, wildlife watching is also incredible.
Surfing and snorkeling are two other popular activities in the South Caribbean but it is not as consistent as the Pacific and have fewer spots. When it comes to snorkeling, Cahuita National Park has the longest coral reef so when the conditions are right, it is amazing. Beach bumming and soaking up the sun are the best things to do in the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica since it has a much more chill and laid back vibe.
The best adventure on the Caribbean side is white water rafting at Rio Pacuare which is one of the top 5 in the world! Puerto Viejo is also a popular party town so you can dance till your feet give out to reggae music, slurp up tasty shots and cocktails and enjoy bonfires at the beach.
The Pacific side has many more national parks and surfing, fishing , scuba diving and snorkeling spots than the Caribbean. The best scuba diving can be done in the Gulf of Papagayo and down by Cano Island , there is excellent fishing in Drake Bay , Flamingo and Playas del Coco and there are a myriad of great surf spots all up and down the coasts such as Tamarindo, Jaco , Guiones, Avellanas, Dominical and Matapalo. There is also more adventure in the Northern Pacific coast.
You can find many horseback riding, ziplining and ATV tours as well as white water tubing and sky diving. The Pacific coast also has more waterfalls compared to the Caribbean. When it comes to adventure and things to do, the Pacific does have more variety than the Caribbean. The Caribbean is also far from any other type of natural attraction like volcanoes and cloud forest.
The closest is Turrialba Volcano, which is a 3 hour drive. Monteverde Cloud Forest is 3 hours from Liberia. However, the South Pacific is far from those attractions but it has amazing wildlife watching. Within the Corcovado National Park and Osa Peninsula , you can experience one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet.
Tortuguero is a tiny village with 1 ATM. It is not the most tourist friendly as it is boat access only and there are no hospitals close by. But it does have its own airport. Puerto Viejo on the other hand has everything for tourists. It is easy to get around Puerto Viejo as there are daily direct buses from San Jose and buses that go all the way from Limon down to Manzanillo. You can also rent bikes or scooters to get around. You can find everything for tourists on the Pacific side, even all the way down at the Costa Ballena.
However, the Nicoya Peninsula takes quite some time to get to but there is a local airport in Tambor. The months of August and September are extremely popular for Europeans on the Caribbean side, particularly Tortuguero.
Canadians and Americans love the Tamarindo and Playas del Coco area. Many young American and British adults like the Guanacaste area because it has more all-inclusive resorts and is more developed. Surfers, yogis and those interested in more rural areas like the Nicoya Peninsula and Costa Ballena Uvita, Dominical, Ojochal for the laid back atmosphere and undeveloped nature.
You can have a great time on either coast of Costa Rica but here are some reasons why you should visit one over the other. One of the main reasons why you should visit the Pacific coast of Costa Rica versus the Caribbean can be summed up in two words: more choices. There are more beach towns, more hotels, more activities, more national parks, more snorkeling spots and more surfing spots on the Pacific than the Caribbean.
This is just because the Pacific is more developed and bigger. Another reason is close proximity to the airport. The closest beach town to Liberia International Airport is only 25 minutes away!
Additionally, Guanacaste rains much less. First, the wildlife is incredible. If you want to see sloths, monkeys, turtles, snakes, macaws and toucans, you can tick all of those off your list in the Caribbean and in just one national park! Another reason is the natural charm. You can experience a Costa Rica only found in that corner of the country!
Go for a walk in the jungle and you may be the only one to witness a sloth climbing a tree right in front of you. Go to the beach and you may be the only one swimming in the warm water.
You will get addicted to having the beach all to yourself! But the trade off is that it is very humid. And another reason is the food. Caribbean Costa Rican food is so delicious and I have never been able to find a better rice and beans than at our favorite restaurant, Soda Lidias in Puerto Viejo.
It is possible to visit both the Caribbean and Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Or you can fly, which is fastest. I do recommend having at least 2 weeks in Costa Rica if you want to visit both coasts. I wrote a couple of itineraries that go to both coasts you can read here. We hope this post helps your trip planning! Thank you for the detailed information. Your article made it so much easier to plan.
I will be in Costa Rica for about 12 days in November. From your article, I think the Caribbean will be a better fit. Do you think I can cover the main spots on the Caribbean and Pacific side in 12 days? Fly into one airport and fly out of the other? I am a solo-female traveling and love snorkeling, hiking, jungles, laid back beaches and wildlife. Could you also please recommend some safe places to stay on caribbean and pacific side? Muchas Gracias! Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui.
Rincon de la Vieja. San Gerardo de Dota. San Isidro del General. San Jose. San Ramon. Santa Ana. Santa Maria de Dota. Santa Teresa. Irazu Volcano National Park. Cahuita National Park. Tortuguero National Park. Ballena National Marine Park. Manuel Antonio National Park. Carara National Park. Tenorio Volcano National Park. Arenal Volcano National Park. Barra Honda National Park. Barbilla National Park. Turrialba Volcano National Park.
Los Quetzales National Park. Santa Rosa National Park. Las Baulas National Marine Park. Piedras Blancas National Park. Palo Verde National Park. Cocos Island National Park.
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