Volcanoes
Costa Rica is a land of volcanoes, with more than 200 volcanic formations in the country. Most are located in the northern and central highlands. Of these, five are active: Arenal, Poás, Rincón de la Vieja, and Irazú.
Irazú and Poás both have beautiful lakes in their craters. Although you wouldn’t want to swim inside, as the lake at Poás is filled with boiling acid.
Beaches
If you fancy a dip, Costa Rica’s two coastlines offer lots of picture-perfect locations. The most popular are Playa Flamingo and Tamarindo — both of which offer plenty of opportunities for water sports and, of course, sunbathing.
These beaches are great for local activities, with friendly residents ready to take you out on boat trips. They’re also good places to find tour guides for visiting various historical sites, taking volcano hikes, and more.