Cities of Costa Rica Bucket List

Visit San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Explore the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum (displays over 1,600 gold artifacts from pre-Hispanic cultures), stroll through the National Theater (opened in 1897 with ornate European-style architecture), and visit the Central Market (one of the oldest markets in the city, offering local crafts and traditional food).

Visit Limon, the capital of Limón Province on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Explore the vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture at the Parque Vargas (seaside park with historic bandstand and tropical gardens), sample traditional dishes like rice and beans with coconut milk at the Mercado Municipal, and stroll along the Playa Bonita (black-sand beach popular for surfing and sunsets). Don't miss the annual Carnaval de Limón in October, a lively celebration with music, dance, and parades.

Guanacaste's surf town, with leatherback turtles nesting at Playa Grande next door.

The cloud forest reserve, resplendent quetzals and the first canopy ziplines.

The gateway to Manuel Antonio: sloths and capuchins on the beach in the smallest national park.

The Arenal volcano, hot springs and hanging bridges through the rainforest.

Afro-Caribbean reggae, coconut rice and the Salsa Brava wave on the Caribbean coast.