The next few articles, I will feature the top 10 attractions in Costa Rica. I will be counting down from 10 thru the number one hot spot.  As you read the articles, you can really get a feel for all the amazing and beautiful locations and the activities available.   So here we go……….

#10  The Towns of Grecia & Sarchi

Located in the gorgeous highlands of San Jose, the picturesque towns of Grecia and Sarchi can provide a wonderful escape from city life. Great communities to get an up close view of Tico culture, places like Sarchi are known for its intricate and artistic wooden handicrafts.

The picturesque town of Grecia in Alajuela  province has the distinction of being one of the cleanest towns in Central America. Located some 20 km north of Alajuela City, this small farming town is around a 20-minute car-drive or a 30-minute bus-ride away. Lying northwest of the capital San Jose, Grecia is situated in Costa Rica’s Central Valley amidst beautiful mountain landscapes and rich lush sceneries.

The local Tico community here is very friendly and eagerly welcomes visitors into their homes as well as their hearts. Mostly farmers by profession, the people here are relaxed and laidback. Being an important agricultural hub of the country, sugar cane is grown and harvested in Grecia in huge amounts, as is organic coffee and pineapples.

This town is an important tourist destination mainly due to its unique metal church, which is a deep dark red color. The Cathedral de la Mercedes is a gothic style church made from metal pieces that were imported from Belgium in the 1890’s.

However, perhaps the biggest reason why tourists flock to Grecia is because of the “World of Snakes” serpentarium, which houses more than 50 species of snakes from all over the world. Lying a kilometer out of town on the old Alajuela route, this snake habitat is a great place to observe these amazing reptiles in their natural environment. If you get the chance, tour the nearby waterfalls of Cataratas Los Corros in Tucares de Grecia, which makes an excellent day trip.

Neighboring Grecia , a few kilometers away is the quaint little town of Sarchi, known throughout Costa Rica for its beautiful and intricate arts and crafts and souvenirs.  The town of Sarchi is perhaps most widely recognized for its colorful and decorative oxcarts that have been made here for over a century.

A national symbol of Costa Rica, the oxcart plays a key role in the country’s history, as they were used to transport coffee beans to nearby and faraway markets. Highly ornate, these oxcarts are elegantly craved and are usually painted with bright colors. The largest and oldest oxcart factory is also found in Sarchi. The Joaquin Chaverri Oxcart Factory was built in 1902, and is considered to be the birthplace of oxcart handicrafts in Costa Rica.

Besides the beautiful handicrafts, another reason to visit this charming town is for its unusual church that is painted pink and blue. Built in the 1950’s, this two-towered church sits on a hill overlooking the town.

#9 - Rincon de la Vieja Volcano

An eco-adventure haven, the Rincon de la Vieja is an active volcano that is more than a million years old. Sitting inside a national park sharing the same name, this area boasts dramatic sceneries, roaring waterfalls, relaxing hot springs, bubbling mud pits and wonderful picnic areas to enjoy. 

One of the protected parks within the Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG), the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, is one of Costa Rica’s most diverse ecological parks. Boasting fantastic sceneries, beautiful waterfalls, soothing hot springs, boiling mud pits, a fresh water volcanic lagoon, picnic areas and long-winding trails that one can hike or horseback ride.

Spread over 14,083 hectares, this park is also the habitat of an impressive array of wildlife, insects and birds like the Spider Monkey, the Blue-crowned Motmot, the Emerald Toucanet, jaguars, cougars and tapirs. Also found in abundance here amidst the verdant vegetation are, Guaria Morada orchids, the national flowers of Costa Rica as well as a plethora of Laurel and Guanacaste trees.

Named after a Native American legend, the Rincon de la Vieja is actually an active volcano that is over a million years old. It last spewed ash and lava down its sides in 1991. However, it has not erupted since 1983.

#8 – Puerto Viejo & Cahuita National Park

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica has a lot to offer. From world-class surfing, snorkeling and diving among the many reefs in the blue waters, to mountain biking, horseback riding and cultural visits to indigenous people. Nearby Cahuita National Park, protecting Costa Rica’s largest and only coral reef, combines beautiful beaches with lush coastal rainforests to provide a truly wonderful atmosphere to relax in.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a beach lover’s paradise. Fast becoming one of Costa Rica’s premier tourist hot spots, many international surfers come here from all over the world to ride the famed Salsa Brava waves, making this Caribbean influenced town is a ‘must visit’ place when in Limon.

Formerly a quiet little fishing village, Puerto Viejo has a charm that is all its own. Becoming increasingly popular, especially with the young hip crowd, this town is among the top rated surfing destinations of the world. With its relaxed atmosphere and its own unique blend of Latino, Afro-Caribbean and Bribri indigenous cultures, Puerto Viejo is a lively place to have a fun relaxing vacation.

Lying on Costa Rica’s stunningly beautiful Caribbean coast and facing the Atlantic Ocean, the Cahuita National Park is one of the most amazing national parks in the country. Created in 1970 to protect Costa Rica’s biggest coral reef.

Encompassing a land area of just 1,067 hectares, this national park protects over 22,400 hectares of ocean and marine life, and is one of the most gorgeous regions in the entire country. The main attraction of the park is not so much its land, but rather its underwater world, which is home to a fantastic array of marine life and the largest coral reef in Costa Rica. Tourists from all over the world flock to this national park because the fantastic snorkeling and underwater diving opportunities, as well as because of the park’s white sand palm tree lined beaches and crystal clear blue waters, which are ideal for swimming.

The Cahuita National Park is the habitat of several ecological zones, including a swamp forest, rainforest, littoral woodlands and costal flora. Home huge variety of marine life, some common underwater inhabitants here include; sea urchins, angel queen fish, blue parrot fish, green turtles, eels, barracudas, sea cucumbers, shrimps, lobsters, sponges, manta rays, remoras, 3 species of sharks and Carey turtles. Among the many mammals found on land are sloths, possums, monkeys, coatimundis, frogs, pacas, iguanas, basilisks, porcupines and several bird species including ibises, herons, gulls and kingfishers.

Stay tuned as the next article will bring you top destinations from 5 thru 7. 

I am Brendan Macarthur, reporting for Costa Rica Sims