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Every year various publications produce lists of the top 10 travel destinations for the current year and while these lists offer up untouched and more remote or off the wall suggestions, these lists also included the tried and tested favorite travel destinations throughout the years. Among one of the most popular travel destinations and common feature on numerous top 10 travel destination publications is the small Central American country of Costa Rica.

Year after year, Costa Rica finds itself listed as one of the best travel destinations in the world thanks to the wealth of natural beauty that the county has to offer. Volcanoes, white and black sand beaches, rivers and mangroves, lush rainforests, cloud forests, and tropical dry forests are just some of the natural attractions that draw millions of international visitors every year. Combine these magical environmental settings with a strong economy, a stable government, a high standard of living, and a strong tourism sector and it’s no wonder Costa Rica is among one of the favorite top 10 travel destinations.

With over one fourth of the land protected by as national parks, Costa Rica is home to some of the most biodiverse terrain on the planet and visitors have a chance to see many wild animals such as monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, iguanas, dolphins, and manatees, not to mention over 800 different species of birds. The wildlife alone is reason enough to visit Costa Rica. In addition there is the unique Costa Rican culture that spans from the rancheros of Guanacaste to the Rastafarians of the Caribbean coast. This unique country with a population of just over 4 million people is one of the most interesting and stable countries in the Americas.

In addition to finding on several top 10 travel destination lists this year, some new comers are hitting the scene and offering up some interesting alternatives to the standards. Featured on Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Travel Destination for 2015 is The Republic of Congo which will host the 2015 All-Africa Games. Other alternative countries on the Lonely Planet list include Namibia, Lithuania, The Philippines, Serbia, and Morocco. International tourism is on the rise with the World Tourism Organization reporting 517 million tourists traveling internationally in the first six months of this year compared to 494 million in the same period for 2013. As more and more tourists plan international trips, the list of top destinations will continue to shift. While new countries become popular and gain more attention as top destinations, favorite locations such as Costa Rica may receive less attention although the attraction and reasons for visiting will remain the same.

For years Costa Rica has been a favorite travel destination for all types of travelers, from backpackers to honeymooners, family get-aways to yoga retreats. And while new destinations may begin to appear on different top 10 travel destination lists one thing is certain, Costa Rica will continue to delight. All of the reasons that visitors have loved coming to Costa Rica over the years remain the same and Costa Rica remains one of the top 10 travel destinations in the world.

With over 8,000 miles of coastline, finding the 10 best beaches of Costa Rica can be a daunting task. Luckily, USA Today has spent the time doing just that to help visitors to Costa Rica spend their vacations at the very best beach destinations that this tropical country has to offer. From popular surf beaches teaming with tourists and water sports, to secluded stretches of sand where the only sound is that of the waves breaking on the shore, Costa Rica has a variety of beaches to suit the wants and needs of any vacation.

Several of the beaches featured on this year’s 10 Best Beaches of Costa Rica list are well known beaches that have been hot on the travel scene for years and continue to draw visitors from all over the world. Also on the list this year are several lesser known beaches that are just starting to draw international attention. Thanks to Costa Rica’s strict laws on environmental protection, beaches that become popular are not at risk of over development meaning that more and more people can come enjoy the best beaches of Costa Rica without damaging the country’s rich natural beauty.

Playa Portrero makes the list this year as one of the best beaches in Costa Rica and in particular Guanacaste, the province known as the Gold Coast for having so many beautiful beaches to chose from. Playa Portrero is spread out along a bay located in the northern Pacific corner of the country. This area is home to several national parks as well, such as the Santa Rosa National Park and the Palo Verde Natural Reserve, both located a days’ trip from Playa Portrero. Playa Portrero is home to a great variety of accommodation options from resorts and hotels to beautiful vacation rentals houses and condos. The area is great for those seeking water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and sea kayaking. Not far from Playa Portrero visitors will discover several of the other beaches to make the 10 Best Beaches of Costa Rica list this year.

Playa Grande and Playa Avellanas, popular beaches found in the area known as Tamarindo are both nearby to Playa Portrero and also among Costa Rica’s best beaches. For years the town of Tamarindo and the surrounding beaches have been attracting backpackers, surfers, and international visitors looking for the idyllic tropical beach town and surf spot. Here, visitors will find both. Playa Avellanas, also known as “Little Hawaii” offers surfers an awesome surf location in a serene setting just outside of the hustle and bustle of Tamarindo. Playa Grande also attracts surfers to its waves along with turtle lovers. Playa Grande is located within the Marino Las Baulas National Park and is a protected turtle nesting site. Both Playa Grande and Playa Avellanas are close enough visitors to enjoy the amenities of Tamarindo while still experiencing the secluded reprieve of these less developed beaches.

While Costa Rica has literally thousands of miles of beaches to explore, visitors will be delighted to skip the hours of exploration and head straight to some of the best beaches with a trip to Playa Avellanas, Playa Grande, and especially Playa Portrero.

There isn’t much you need to know about this blissful paradise of sun, sea and sand – except that you’ll be doing a lot of smiling! The beautiful tropical homes of Playa Flamingo, Playa Potrero, Playa Grande, and Brasilito have just about everything you need for your perfect tropical escape, but it’s useful to know a little bit about one of Central America’s most spectacular gems. Costa Rica is a diverse, magnificent, and breathtaking country, renowned for its natural splendor and for an open and progressive society which makes living here – as well as visiting – so fulfilling.

How to Get Ready for Costa Rica: Food and Culture

As with any vacation, the key is to prepare ahead of time. When staying in a tropical rental home, life will be different from staying at a resort, hotel, bed and breakfast and hostel. You can bring a little bit extra to your home away from home and enjoy the comforts of your own self-catering tropical paradise. When visiting Costa Rica you can enjoy a multitude of farmers’ markets, known as ferias, throughout the region which opens all day on Saturdays and Sundays offering some of the most delicious organic produce, locally baked goods and unique crafts around, so filling up your shopping list will be easy. Warm and welcoming, residents are more than happy to help give advice and offer bargains on some delicious dishes and fruits and vegetables which are exclusive to Latin America. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants ranging from seaside restos to elegant dining. Costa Rican cuisine is by nature very healthy, based largely on fruit and vegetables (particularly beans) and is mild and flavorful, and there are other options available as well for cosmopolitan eaters.

Costa Rican culture is equally enticing, combining Mesoamerican and South American cultures with Native American, Spanish, and African influences. Festival calendars are packed with every kind of party, from religious holidays and carnivals to jazz and arts festivals. One of the most socially progressive countries in the world, Costa Rica invests conscientiously in the arts as well as the environment. This arts haven is a great place for the high-spirited heart and visitors and locals alike can find plenty to delight in at concert venues and bars, restaurants and clubs.

Health & Environment

Home to protected sites like Corcovado National Park, Tortuguero National Park, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and beautiful coastal sanctuaries, Costa Rica has preserved its ecosystem (containing 5% of the world’s biodiversity). It is known for iconic fauna and flora like the squirrel monkey, the scarlet macaw, and thousands of orchids among several other plants and animals. It is a national ethos to respect the environment and visitors are encouraged to do the same. The climate is idyllic, but of course its geographical location means that the weather is tropical year-round (with micro-climates providing some variation where elevation and rainfall differ). Visitors will find it easy to acclimatize to the hot and humid days and afternoons, but always be vigilant about rehydrating, and applying sun lotion.

This terrific climate, combined with an excellent health care system and happy, laid-back lifestyle (which is reflected in saying “Pura Vida” meaning “Pure Life” as a common greeting) makes Costa Rica one of the world’s leading countries where life expectancy as well as quality of life is concerned, with the average Costa Rican expected to reach 79 years of age and beyond. It has a social health care service which is ranked even higher than the US and is run by mostly government hospitals and charities, earning it great international acclaim.

Travel Info

Costa Rica does not require a visiting visa for Canadian or American citizens, though it does require passports and/or other documentation. Before travelling, check with your government’s Costa Rican Embassy or website to check what you need to bring. Visitors with medical conditions should check with a comprehensive travel insurance policy but they can use emergency services for free. Documentation for any prescription medications is a good idea to carry as well. Many holiday companies offer discount deals on airplane tickets as well as airline operators’ websites which vary based on time of year (off-season is always a good time to look for deals) and how many days or weeks in advance of departure as well as time of day. It’s also easy to find good bargains on travel money as well by comparing online. Some travelers prefer to exchange smaller amounts at a time while monitoring the currency market, and can purchase traveler’s checks and bank cards. Costa Rica uses the colon, which averages to about 500 to 550 per US dollar.

Common sense prevails when it comes to safety, but Costa Rica has a low crime rate and is very safe, especially for families and couples. More information on Visiting Costa Rica can be found on the government’s official website as well as popular travel sites.

5 – PLAYA GRANDE

Playa Grande is found within the Marino Las Baulas National Park, and is a prime nesting site for the leatherback turtle. One can undertake turtle spotting night tours, although it is worth noting that the leatherback population has (alas) drastically declined in recent years. The Costa Rican authorities are, however, doing everything they can to protect these creatures and increase the numbers of these endangered species – so it is to be hoped that eco-conscious visitors may soon be rewarded by the sight of a great many turtles once again flocking to the sands of Playa Grande. Quite apart from the turtles, however, Grande offers great opportunities for eager surfers, and is recognized as a fantastic place from which to catch your first waves. There are plenty of wonderful vacation rentals in this area – which is also close enough to transport and urban links to make it a great base from which to explore Guanacaste as a whole.

4 – PLAYA TAMARINDO

Playa Tamarindo is the place for those who like a beach with a buzz. Arguably the most developed of Costa Rica’s beaches, this resort boasts a fine array of restaurants and activities to suit even the most bored and jaded palate. The Lazy Wave restaurant comes particularly recommended for its relaxed and congenial atmosphere (as well as a stellar menu), while El Coconut makes fish dishes to die for. The beach itself may be a little busy at times, but there are very good reasons behind its status as tourist favorite. The beach is smooth and sandy, the sea inviting, and the sunsets sublime. Furthermore, the proximity of the Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge makes it an excellent destination for eco-tourists and sun-seekers alike. Snorkeling, boat rides, watersports and so forth abound in the area, so visitors will certainly not be short of things to do! Tamarindo is a top pick for best beaches in Guanacaste.

3 – PLAYA HERMOSA

Hermosa Beach gives modern tourists a glimpse of what the first explorers saw in Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s name literally translates as ‘rich coast’, as the Spaniards who viewed this land from the shore were so stunned by its lush and fertile beauty that they felt sure it must contain untold riches. In fact, it proved not to be the literal goldmine that they had hoped – but visitors going on a cruise past the wonders of beaches such as Hermosa will have little doubt that the coast is nonetheless just as ‘rich’ as the name suggests. This beach is stunningly beautiful, with light sand and a long shore lapped by shallow waters. The sunsets are utterly spectacular, and perhaps best viewed from the ocean – although the sight of the sun setting over the palm-fringed beach is just as wonderful in its own way. Hermosa has the undeniable advantage of being close enough to amenities such as shops and restaurants to make it convenient, yet distant enough to provide some seclusion from the crowds.

2 – PLAYA FLAMINGO

Playa Flamingo has light brown sand which is perfectly smooth and feels great underfoot. It’s also an excellent beach from which to introduce kids to the joys of beaches, as it has what could almost be termed a ‘shallow end’ for paddling near the coast, and shady places in which to take a break from the sun. There is ample parking and plenty of space along the long sandy stretch. The fabulous Casa Palombia is located at Flamingo, as are various other wonderful rental properties from which to enjoy all that this lovely beach has to offer.

1 – PLAYA CONCHAL

Conchal is widely considered to be one of the best beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Its secluded location and gleaming white sands give it a relatively unspoiled feel, and the sunsets sparkling over the waters are truly phenomenal. The sands give a satisfying rustly crunch underfoot, and the white beach is sandwiched between perfect azure seas and rich forest. The waters of the perfect, sweeping bay are absolutely clear, making this the ideal spot for paddling, bathing, or simply enjoying an entrancing view. Nearby are several nature reserves in which visitors can take the opportunity to experience Guanacaste’s abundant birdlife. This beach does take some getting to – but it’s more than worth the journey! Should you wish to stay near this calm and beautiful place, properties are available within walking distance of the beach. contributor, Susie Jackson

Costa Rica Vacation Home Rentals

Many people who visit choose to stay in Costa Rica vacation home rentals, rather than a hotel or resort. Because so many visitors to this tiny, tropical country stay in vacation home rentals, there is a healthy market place for vacation home rentals. For those of you looking to stay in a vacation home rental, you will be please to discover that there are many options to choose from.

Vacation home rentals can range in size and accommodations and as such fall into a wide range of pricing options as well. While searching online for vacation home rentals you may discover sites that allow you to rent directly from the home owner. These sites are called Rental By Owner sites. Other sites offer Costa Rica vacation home rentals that are property management companies. These companies will manage a variety of rental properties and can help you select the best option for you, based on availability, prices, and size. Vacation home rentals are all unique since you are renting someone’s house and not staying in a standardized hotel room. Different vacation homes will have different amenities, such as pools, hot tubs, wireless internet, TVs and satellite TV channels, and laundry facilities. Some vacation home rentals may have ocean views, patios, or balconies. Others may even have direct beach access to private or semi-private beaches. Each vacation home rental is different, so finding the right one for you will be a unique experience.

Some of the most popular places in which to rent a vacation home are located in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica. Guanacaste is famous for having some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica, and also some of Costa Rica’s most renowned surf spots. Towns in the region such as Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, and Playa Del Coco offer visitors plenty of activities and amenities. A vibrant nightlife scene, great restaurants, and world class shopping can be found in this area, providing all the right ingredients for an unforgettable Costa Rican vacation.

Also in the Guanacaste area you will find plenty of activities surrounding the environment and eco-tourism. Here you can hike through the many national parks and experience some of Costa Rica’s exotic wildlife. You can kayak in the ocean or the through the mangrove systems of this lush area. Horseback riding, ATV adventures, zip lining, and volcano treks are all possible in Guanacaste. After a day out and about exploring the region, you can return to your vacation home rental to unwind and recap on all the new and exciting experiences you had. Or, if you’re looking to fully relax during your time in Costa Rica, you’ll be pleased to know that you could spend each and every day lounging at the beach, just down from your vacation rental home, since Guanacaste enjoys warm, sunny days almost year round. It’s wonder why year after year, visitors from all over the world visit Guanacaste, Costa Rica and choose to rent a vacation home in this magical place. Come see for yourself what others have already discovered in Costa Rica. Please contact us if you need help finding Costa Rica vacation home rentals.

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