It’s easy to choose Costa Rica as the location for your next tropical vacation. A quick and easy trip from the US or Canada, and a great place to escape the cold of northern winters, the lush nature and the safety of the country are getting more and more international attention. Costa Rica has secured its place on the map as a hot new vacation destination, and with good reason, as all of Costa Rica is overflowing with exquisite nature, beautiful scenery and a warm welcoming culture. The hardest decision comes when you have to pick which of the many destinations in Costa Rica is best for you. How do you choose one of the many fabulous Costa Rican destinations over another? Allow me to ease that process and give you a few pointers.

Arenal is an extremely popular and famous area to visit due to the fact that this town surrounds a huge and active volcano. It is lush countryside at its finest, with natural, life-giving hot springs included. Arenal is a peaceful location to relax, take in the views, hike, renew your energy in one of the many hot springs day-spas and pamper yourself with volcanic-infused spa treatments. The agricultural and horse/cattle culture in this region is predominant and San Carlos, the main town near Arenal, showcases this side of local life well. The downside to Arenal is that in high-season it is often over populated by tourists as almost every travel agency sends the majority of their clients to Arenal for at least a few of their days in Costa Rica, so many of the hot springs can be crowded, and of course, if you are a beach-lover like me, there is no beach here.

Near Arenal you will find Northern Guanacaste, a very developed region of the country. Home to commercialized shopping centers and all-inclusive resorts by large hotel chains, this tourism destination is complete with an arid climate and never ending landscapes as well as great surf and endless stretches of beach. While beautiful, just like the rest of Costa Rica, the only problem with the type of tourism offered in Guanacaste is that all-inclusive resorts tend to be a bit homogenous and don’t really offer travelers the opportunity to experience the essence of the country. These types of properties keep you away from the “real” Costa Rica.

One place you can really experience the heart of Costa Rica’s jungle is the Osa peninsula. This destination is at the top of my list of all-time favorite places to visit. Wild lushness, phenomenal untouched beaches, flocks of toucans, scarlet macaws, endless troops of monkeys and blue morph butterflies everywhere make you feel as if you had just stepped into the Garden of Eden. This southern region of Costa Rica is breathtakingly beautiful and the wildlife is over the top. Here you will find ec0-resorts, mostly of rustic nature although there are a few first class eco-resorts that are a step above the rest. It is important to note that the few towns that exist in this southern region are small and segregated, so there’s not too much to do other than fully enjoy the surrounding nature.

One place that I consider “has it all” is Manuel Antonio. There’s a reason I chose to live here and still love it every day! It’s like taking the best parts of all the other options and putting them together. There are incredible mountain and ocean views, beautiful blue waters, and a surrounding jungle that is very much alive. The beaches are clean and the water crystalline. There are great hiking trails and three species of monkeys all in this one magical location. Its nature is abundant and stunning, and you are only a short drive away from numerous other diverse regions and fun day trips, however what I love the most about Manuel Antonio is not just the breathtaking natural beauty, but all the different activities offered in town. Here you can find everything from salsa dance lessons to paddle boarding, from Julliard jazz ensembles to guest chefs and wine tastings. Manuel Antonio is a very active community with cultural events, live music, a ton of restaurants, a strong focus on food and wine culture, a marina, and an overwhelming amount of outdoor activities to participate in. Whether staying at one of the many fine hotels offered here, none of which are chain hotels and all which are locally owned and operated, or at a luxury Costa Rica villa rental you will be surrounded by nature that is undoubtedly Costa Rican. You will fall asleep, in a bed that was designed with you in mind, to the sounds of tropical birds, monkeys, and palm branches rustling from the sea breeze. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is the perfect mix of luxury and nature, plus, it’s easy to get to because of the nearby Quepos airport. So when trying to decide where to go on your Costa Rica vacation, I highly recommend that Manuel Antonio be at the top of your list! Stay tuned for a list of my five favorite day trips from Manuel Antonio…