Vanguard Costa Rica: Five Places You Must See

Unless you want to make snowmen, or go snowboarding, there’s likely a climate in Costa Rica which suits your needs. Whether you plan to vacation, or you plan to invest in Costa Rica real estate, you should consider all of your options.

 

The general climate is tropical, but from area to area, you can find chilly heights where a down comforter is needed for bedtime. You can also find hot beaches where sheet would be too much. Some areas get almost constant year round rain, others see a couple of rainy months, and all the points in between those extremes.

 

In the coming weeks we are going to explore more in depth the details of various regions, but today we are talking about our top five spots you must see.

Osa Peninsula
Key feature: Rainforest
Average annual rainfall:  4 to 7 meters (160 to 280 inches)
Temperatures: 27 C (80 F) to 35 C (95 F)
Humidity: 80-100%

 

Osa Peninsula is home to half of Costa Rica’s species; an estimated 250,000+ creatures, fungi, and plants. Since Costa Rica is regarded as one of the world’s most species-diverse places in the world, it’s no surprise that National Geographic characterizes Osa as one of the most biologically intense. Not the easiest place to get to in Costa Rica, pound for pound it’s worth the trip. Pack your binoculars, raincoat, and a pocket field guide.

Monteverde
Key feature: Cloud Forest
Average annual rainfall:  2.6 to 5 meters (102 to 197 inches)
Temperatures: 13 C (56 F) to 28 C (75 F)
Humidity: 70-90%

 

Monteverde is home to the original cloud forest. That’s not fog; you’re up in the heavens. You have a few options for trails to explore, several interesting coffee bean farm tours, and a nice downtown area, where you can listen to live music with your dinner. This town is a climb up a one of several potential dirt roads. Again, totally worth it. Pack your camera, a warm layer, and hiking shoes.

 

Arenal Area
Key feature: Volcano
Annual rainfall:  3.5 to 5 meters (138 to 197 inches)
Temperatures: 13 C (55 F) to 33 C (92 F)

Humidity: 40-80%  

 

The Arenal Volcano area is much quieter these days than it was when the main cone was spewing steam, rock, and lava. Still, there is something dizzying about the size of Arenal when you stand there looking up. Most people stay in one of the resorts, or in the town of La Fortuna. Pack your telephoto lens, your walking stick, and decent sox.

Playa Tamarindo
Key feature: Arid Tropical Beach
Annual rainfall:  0 to .3 meters (160 to 280 inches)
Temperatures: 26 C (79 F) to 38 C (100 F)
Humidity: 60-85%

 

"Tama-lindo," or “beautiful Tama,” as is translates, is the best of all things in Guanacaste. It’s developed, diverse (people from all over the world) and lovely. You can enjoy cuisines of the world, charter a fishing excursion, or just hang out and surf. Good place to branch out from. Pack sunscreen, your bathing suit, and a towel.

 

Playa Negra
Key feature: Surfing Beach
Annual rainfall:  4 to 7 meters (160 to 280 inches)
Temperatures: 21 C (70’s F) to 27 C (80 F)
Humidity: 80-100%


 

Famed Playa Negra, is home to the best year round surfing Costa Rica has to offer. It’s also on the Nicoya Peninsula, which is one of five blue zones in the world. People in Blue Zones live longer than they do anywhere else in the world. It could be the surfing, but it’s probably the diet, and pace of life. Pack your zinc, wax, and surfboard.

 

Well there you go. We suggest you make time to see all of these locations. You will find they all give you a different side of Costa Rica, and with good reason. They’re all different. If you really must make snowmen you can try making the sand version, and if you want to snowboard, have you ever heard of volcano-boarding? Yep. It’s a real thing.

 

See you next time when we break down the best beaches on the Gold Coast of Costa Rica!

 

Oh yeah, and don't forget to join us on Pinterest if you haven't already!