9 most Instagrammable places in Costa Rica.
Rainforests, volcanoes, waterfalls, and the Pacific Ocean..
Costa Rica has it all!
With such an abundance of picture-perfect settings, how do you fill up your travel itinerary to include Costa Rica’s most instagrammable places?
That is where I come into it!
Following my adventure around Costa Rica, I have picked my 9 favourite spots which are aesthetically pleasing, and good for the soul, both of which combined to give me a taste of that Pura Vida lifestyle.
The best place to start is with the incredible Rio Celeste Waterfall!
Posing in front of the Sky Blue waterfall.
Rio Celeste Waterfall.
Located deep in the Tenorio National Park lies Rio Celeste Waterfall.
It truly is one of a kind due to the optical illusion which provides visitors with an awesome sky blue colour sight.
Despite any myths that you may hear about why the colour of the water is so bright, it is caused by a phenomenon called ‘rayleigh scattering’, because a high concentration of aluminium silicate particles reflect the sunlight to create the turquoise colour.
Unfortunately visitors aren’t allowed to swim at the waterfall, or anywhere in the national park, however, this makes the scenery even more incredible, as it is completely untouched!
The colour is truly unique.
To reach the waterfall, you have to hike around 1.5 km from the entrance across trails and uneven ground, but it is broken up by the many beautiful distractions along the way.
Walking trees, active wildlife and the odd downpour are likely to capture your attention as you make your way towards Rio Celeste.
Rio Celeste is packed with interesting activities!
This is definitely a trip you should take with a local guide, so you can find out some insightful knowledge about the rainforest.
This landmark takes first place for aesthetics!
One of the two rivers is also sky blue.
The Arenal Volcano.
The Arenal Volcano - my favourite backdrop in the whole of Costa Rica!
I managed to capture so many awesome photos from different points in La Fortuna.
Although the Arenal Volcano isn’t the tallest in Costa Rica, it is definitely one of the most iconic, and it used to be the most active for many decades.
Arenal Volcano was renowned for its near-constant eruptions between 1968 and 2010, where it displayed frequent lava flows, ash plumes, and glowing pyroclastic flows.
The incredible views from the park in La Fortuna.
Since 2010, its activity has slowed significantly to next to no eruptions, with some sources claiming it is now dormant.
I watched the sun set behind the mighty volcano which was one of my favourite moments and photos from my Costa Rica trip!
You can actually climb to the top of Arenal Volcano for awesome views, and although it is illegal, many tourists ascend up to the top for sunrise!
Would you take on the hike?
Sunset over the Arenal Volcano.
Montezuma Waterfalls.
Another challenging hike, but another beautiful reward!
Montezuma waterfalls is a real highlight of the small bohemian coastal town.
Visiting Montezuma waterfalls requires a moderate hike up stream for just under a kilometre, where you will find yourself deep in the Costa Rican rain forest.
As you arrive at the main waterfall of three, you will find a pool which you can swim in to cool down after your hike.
If you visit in the rainy season, you should expect a wet hike with slippery rocks, therefore, shoes with good grips will make your adventure much safer and more enjoyable.
If you want a bird seye perspective of Montezuma Waterfalls, then you can enjoy a canopy tour which includes zip lining across the top of the waterfall area.
You can also do some cliff jumping into the upper pools of the waterfalls, which is included as part of the canopy tours.
Did you know that Montezuma Waterfall cascades over three waterfalls, with a total height of 130 feet (40 metres)?
Enjoying the waterfall after my hike.
Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Monteverde isn't just a cloud forest, it's a photographer's dream!
I found the forest to be unique with the mist descending over the tree tops to create a dream-like setting.
There are several parks which include hanging bridges for tourists to walk through the clouds and to step into another world.
Sleeping in the forest offers an awesome experience for visitors who want to fall asleep to the sounds of wildlife and nature.
An interesting fact about Costa Rica which I learned in Monteverde is that there are over 400 species of birds that call Monteverde home, including the elusive resplendent quetzal with its stunning plumage.
As the sun sets, the forest comes alive with the buzz of insects, chirping of birds, and howls from the monkeys!
El Establo Mountain Hotel.
An awesome hotel which makes you feel as though you are deep in the cloud forest.
Photo by Michael Steinman on Unsplash.
Visiting Monteverde in the dry season between the months of December and April is the best time to spot wildlife, as the dry weather brings them out to hunt for food and water more often.
If you manage to spot some rare wildlife, you will see exactly why Monteverde cloud forest is one of the most Instagrammable places in Costa Rica!
The cloud rainforest.
La Fortuna Waterfall.
The third waterfall on the list, but definitely a worthy contender.
La Fortuna waterfall is iconic in Costa Rica and is one of the tallest in the country.
The beautiful waterfall towers high 200 feet alongside some incredible nature, which creates a spectacular setting.
The waterfall reveals itself through the colossal trees as you make your way down the stairs.
There are many spots to grab your Instagram picture here, including in the water.
Another awesome waterfall in Costa Rica.
One of the reasons why La Fortuna waterfall is so popular is because tourists can swim right near the famous falls.
The force of the waterfall has created a very powerful current, therefore, getting close to the waterfall is very difficult.
You can capture the perfect Instagram shot though, if you persevere in the water.
The picture perfect setting of La Fortuna doesn’t come for free unfortunately, as there are 530 steep steps and a $20 entrance fee in between you and your new profile picture.
It is well worth the cost and challenge though.
This is a must on your La Fortuna itinerary.
The scale of La Fortuna waterfall is shown here.
Secure your bargain flights to Costa Rica now:
City of Colors Murals in San Jose.
Although San Jose doesn’t live up to the beauty of other destinations in Costa Rica, it still offers some aesthetic settings, dotted in between the grit of the city.
A day in the capital reveals some artistic treasures on each corner.
A popular spot for tourists to visit, to enjoy the artistic skills of the locals is the City of Colors Murals.
The designated spot in downtown San Jose is commissioned by the city’s officals to illustrate the culture and diversity of the city.
There are hundreds of graffiti murals depicting a variety of topics, from politics and religion, to cartoons and nature.
Some awesome graffiti in San Jose.
As you wander the streets and parks in the Costa Rican capital, you will also notice many quirky statues.
Coming in all different shapes and sizes, the statues are mainly used to showcase the proud way of life for the Costa Rican people.
You don’t have to wander far to spot some artistic mastery in San Jose!
More fun murals.
Tamarindo beach.
Just imagine relaxing in a beach bar with an ice cold beer watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.
You could enjoy this moment all the way along the Pacific coastline of Costa Rica, but there is something extra special about Tamarindo Beach!
Watching the horses trot by, or the tourists finishing their surf lessons with the locals, I found it to be an ideal spot to people watch.
The beach stretches for miles and is abundant with popular beach bars, all offering different variations of happy hour specials.
It is a great place in Costa Rica to be at sun set time!
A beautiful sunset moment.
A daytime walk along the beach also helped me to feel the essence of Tamarindo.
It is a quirky little surf town with many fun activities to fill your itinerary, and I struggled to see anyone without a smile on their face.
There is just something about the Pacific Ocean!
There are lessons on the beach throughout the day.
Mistico Hanging Bridges Park.
As I walked along the hanging bridge high above the rainforest, the abundance of nature in Costa Rica became apparent.
Miles and miles of beautiful greenery, and the echoes of the ecosystem filled the air.
Visiting the Mistico Hanging Bridges Park should be the number one activity added to your Costa Rica itinerary, as it is a unique draw to the country.
Witnessing forest life from different perspectives is such an insightful experience.
Even though we visited in the rainy season, on our tour we witnessed vipers, toads and monkeys up close, before seeing some beautiful birds from the telescope from high up.
One of the coolest parts of the tour was when we were shown the tarantula homes.
They have secret hidden doors!
What an awesome shot.
Mistico Park has been open for close to a century in the foothills of the Arenal volcano, allowing visitors to step into a different world for a couple of hours.
Over the period of 2-3 hours, you can walk the 1.6 mile route, which includes 16 bridges and plenty of hanging bridges.
It ain’t for the faint hearted, but the reward is totally worth it.
This is one of those tours that is essential with a local guide.
They know all the small details about the rainforest, so they can spot wildlife easily.
They also bring a telescope for the group to use.
Walking high above the rainforest.
The 400 year old Ceiba Tree.
Located very close to the Tenorio National Park where you hike to Rio Celeste Waterfall, you will find the oldest tree in Costa Rica.
The 400 year old tree is Ceiba Pentandra, which is also known as the Kapok tree. They are native to Central and South America and are famous for their incredible growth.
The ceiba tree makes for a great photo spot as its true scale is magnified when humans stand next to it, with the roots being taller than me when I was standing next to it.
This particular tree has become a key feature of the surrounding area, and is looked after by the locals.
With the abundance of rainforests in Costa Rica, it would be very difficult to count the amount of native ceiba trees, but one thing is for sure, you would struggle to find a larger tree than this one!
In awe of the size of the Ceiba Tree.
Posing in front of the 400 year old tree.
Frequently asked questions about photography in Costa Rica.
Can you take photos in the national parks in Costa Rica?
Yes, photography is actually encouraged in the national parks across the country, however, etiquette and respect towards wildlife and nature is expected and strictly monitored.
How can you capture the best photos of wildlife in Costa Rica?
Our tour guide in the rainforests led by example in capturing some awesome wildlife photos. He said the trick is to learn the forest through visiting often. For example, he knew exactly where find toads and vipers. Moving slowly and being awe of your surroundings is crucial in identifying the different species.
What sort of photos do tourists capture in Costa Rica?
Wildlife in their natural habitat.
Rare trees and flowers.
Beautiful waterfalls.
Pura Vida moments.
The Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Local and International cuisine.
Adventure activities such as zip-lining and water rafting.
A birds nest in the rainforest through a telescope.
And a viper.
How can you capture unique wildlife shots in Costa Rican rainforests?
Wildlife photography requires patience, therefore, observing animal behaviour will help you to anticipate the perfect timing.
Improving knowledge about animal behaviour will put you one step ahead.
A telescope or binoculars will allow you to zoom in and capture close-up wildlife shots without disturbing them.
Visiting in the early mornings or evenings will improve your chances as animals are more active in these hours.
How can tourists ensure ethical wildlife photography in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is protective of is biodiversity, therefore, has many regulations and rules in place. Tourists should stick to the rules and not disturb natural wildlife, or make loud and disruptive noises in the midst of the forest.
Additional tips for capturing the perfect Instagram shots in Costa Rica.
Visit the most popular spots at sunset.
I found looking for reflections and captured some quirky shots.
Looking for pura vida moments to capture, such as horses trotting along the coastline at sunset.
Be prepared to take more than one photo to capture the perfect aesthetics.
Ask locals to help you!
Which is my favourite Instagrammable place in Costa Rica?
This is a tough one as I enjoyed so much of the aesthetically pleasing nature throughout my time in Costa Rica, however, the Arenal Volcano takes top spot from me.
Towering high above La Fortuna, the volcano can be spotted for miles. As I headed to Tamarindo from La Fortuna, I could still see it after over an hour of driving around Lake Arenal.
You don’t have to walk far to find hidden spots in La Fortuna, offering an unbeatable backdrop.
If you are feeling really adventurous, you can tackle the illegal climb and enjoy views from the top of Arenal Volcano.
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