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When you think of Latin America, you probably think of tourism giants like Mexico, Argentina and Colombia that is only understandable:
Between the luxurious Caribbean resorts and ancient Mayan sites and the other’s charming colonial towns and delectable street food, they are often visitors’ first choice when planning a trip to the Global South, and they are undoubtedly hugely popular.
That said, there is a renewed interest in what has been historically overlooked centrally part of LatAm, stereotypically known as a no man’s land full of obscurity and marred by underdevelopment – but to what extent is all this true?
And if that is the case, why does Costa Rica, of all things, break its own arrival record and position itself among the main players in the subcontinent’s market?
About Costa Rica’s rise in popularity
Costa Rica, a name you’ve probably come across in your Instagram feed or travel searches, is a small, transient country in Central America with a enormous biodiversity and of course rich coastlineS––pun intended, and yes, in the plural:
Not only is a quarter of its landmass made up of protected greenery, making the country a haven for wildlife, it also offers access to both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, with emerging resorts and public-free beaches in abundance.
For the first half of 2024 tourism in Costa Rica rosewho already registers one 14.5% increase year after year, and it will likely continue to grow, especially with the abundance of cheap flights to San Jose––return flights from Miami from a shockingly cheap $232.
According to Secretary of Tourism William Rodriguez, 92% of visitors to Costa Rica come by air, mainly from the US and Canada, and this year in particular the number of American vacationers has increased by 18% compared to the same period in 2023.
At this rate it looks like there is one record-breaking 2024.
The question is: what is it about this lesser-known Latin gem that has them so hooked?
This is what actually makes Costa Rica Great
The main attraction of Costa Rica is it blooming naturewhich is probably one of the most diverse in Latin America, despite the less advantageous size of the country: apart from the honey-colored beaches, we are talking about volcanoes, clouds and rainforests, and provinces dotted with lakes.
It is home to some of LatAm’s most beautiful natural sights, including La Fortuna Waterfall, a dizzying, fast-flowing drop that flows into shallow, swimmable pools and surrounded by lush landscaping.
The waterfall is worth flying all the way to Costa Rica to see, but… wait until you see the path that leads you therewith the towering trees, the chirping of rare birds and even the occasional sighting of endangered spider monkeys.
At the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano, Mistico Arenal is another national park not to be missed on an excursion to Costa Rica, especially for its picturesque freshwater lake and iconic suspension bridges.
Nearby, also with views of the volcano, Monteverde has a 2.1 kilometer trail that loops around a cloud forest, and if you’re keen to escape into nature for more than a day, Tortuguero is the perfect place to base yourself:
This large eco-reserve is located in the heart of the jungle, and according to… Booking.comthere are at least 22 accommodation optionsranging from cheap hostels to more expensive four-star hotels.
As for the park itself, it offers guided wildlife watching tours – watch out for those big-toothed crocodiles when you’re near the water! – boat trips through winding, nature-made canals, and because it borders the Caribbean coast, there are even beaches in close proximity to tourist facilities.
How does Costa Rica perform as a beach destination?
Unlike the Mexican Caribbean or the northern coast of Colombia, Costa Rica is not primarily a beach destination.
Although the country has a coastline of more than 1,300 kilometers, the country is actually best known for its numerous waterfalls and pristine landscape.
What we’re trying to say is don’t come to Costa Rica expecting to find a hotel-filled Cancun or a lively Cartagena somewhere on the Pacific or Caribbean side: there Are coastal townsbut they are much more relaxed and tourism is (much) smaller-scale – and that is the beauty of it.
When you vacation in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica’s most beloved resort on the central Pacific coast, you can expect truly untouched nature audience beaches completely unclaimed by hospitality giants, more nature reserves, including a butterfly atrium and crocodile lagoon, and tourist-friendly tours.
There are some bars and nightlife dotted along the coastline, but Tulum visitors should take this into account this is not a major party destination––that’s not to say you can’t find a beach bar or entertainment venue within a short distance of your jungle retreat.
Here too, the accommodation is considerably cheaper: an overnight stay Hotel Plaza Yaraa four-star accommodation half a mile from Manuel Antonio’s main beach costs $113 per night, while a more modest alternative Hospedaje Colibri costs just $23 to book.
Budget-friendly adventures
Costa Rica is a small country, about the size of West Virginiamaking it incredibly easy to explore, whether traveling alone on a road trip through the jungle-dominated hinterland or accompanied by a guide.
As lenient as Costa Rica may be compared to its Central American counterparts, we would still recommend the latter:
By booking a tour you can maximize your time, visit hidden gems not normally featured in regular travel brochures – and only locals have heard of it––and maximize your safety when you go deep into the rainforest.
Departing from the Costa Rican capital of San Jose, there are countless activities to choose from Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs and Zip Lining Tour (with meals) from $179, to the highest rated Tortuga Island Tour with Snorkeling and Lunch––warm seas and turquoise waters from just $115!
From La Fortuna, another popular base for tourists in Costa Rica, you can join one night tour walking through the rainforest for the best possible chance of spotting elusive animals in their natural habitat, from $42.50.
Alternatively, to beat the crowds, you can book this $48 early bird Arenal volcano tour with lunch and a visit to the hot spring added – the hike only takes 6 hours and avoids the challenging parts of the hike, making it perfect for those with limited mobility, or for inexperienced trekkers in general.
Costa Rica is one of the safest destinations in Latin America
Safety is a major concern for Americans traveling in Latin America.
There is certainly some exaggeration on the part of the US media, but we will not sugarcoat this and portray LatAm as a completely safe destination: local crime levels Are generally higher than most US states or Europe, and extra precautions are needed when venturing into certain areas.
In the case of Costa Rica, however no safety problems as prominent.
That’s because the country has long had a reputation as a “neutral” zone in the Central American zone, with a stable constitutional democracy and a rapidly developing economy that sets it apart from nearby dictatorships and failing states.
Crime in tourist hotspots is not unheard ofYet it is by no means widespread, such as in the Mexican Caribbean or Punta Cana.
The US Department of State itself classifies Costa Rica as a moderately safe destination and has added it to Level 2 Travel advicemeaning that Americans are not discouraged from visiting – on the other hand, they should be extra careful because of the crime rate.
They add that Costa Rican authorities are providing “additional security resources” in areas frequented by tourists, and by “increased caution‘, they mean avoiding showing valuables such as expensive jewelry and electronic devices and booking activities through reputable providers only.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and 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 in the post.
