Costa Rica is an incredible land of nature, wildlife and beaches that attracts thousands of travelers each year. However, there are many places like Costa Rica that should not be kept under your radar!
Whether you’ve already visited Costa Rica, it’s too expensive or too touristy for you, worry not! There are more countries similar to Costa Rica than most people think…
Some are near Costa Rica, others are far away, but they all have something, or everything, in common with the Pura Vida country. With this post, we hope to help you choose your dream destination based on what you love most about Costa Rica, but outside its borders!
🌊 🌴 Here are 15 places like Costa Rica, for their nature, volcanoes and hot springs, or similar coastline and wildlife. 🌴 🌊
15 Alternatives to Costa Rica
Places Like Costa Rica in Every Way
Most countries that look the most like Costa Rica in every way are located in Central America or in the Caribbean. Here are similar countries, in terms of landscape, nature, wildlife and beaches.
Panama
One of the most overlooked hidden gems in Central America is without a doubt, Panama! This spanish-speaking country is the last piece of Central American land before South America, surrounded by Costa Rica and Colombia.
Its proximity with Costa Rica makes it very similar to it in almost every way. It also has Pacific and Atlantic coasts, with incredible tropical beaches.
For surf lovers, Santa Catalina on the Pacific is to Panama what Santa Teresa is to Costa Rica! With something more: it has one of the longest beach breaks of Central America.
Photos: Panama on the left, Laguna Azul in Tenorio Volcano National Park, Costa Rica on the right
If you liked scuba diving in Costa Rica, you’ll be amazed by the underwater life of Panama. By the way, one of the best diving spots to see manatees in Costa Rica borders Panama.
You can explore the Coiba National Park and Bocas del Toro. Their waters are famous for their abundance of sharks, rays, turtles and sometimes, whales.
Apart from its coastline and sublime paradise islands, Panama has so much more to explore on land. The beloved sloths and toucans of Costa Rica can also be found in the rainforests of Panama.
👀 The main difference between Panama and Costa Rica is… tourism. Locals compare their country to Costa Rica, with far fewer tourists! Our friend Romane found herself alone on most of the mainland streets, and only saw the occasional tourist on the islands.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, although it lies outside the continental U.S. and is not exactly a state! It is located in the Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic.
Costa Rica is famous for its rainforest and abundant nature. One of the things we learned during our Costa Rica 10-day itinerary is that it has 6% of the world’s biodiversity on its territory… But Puerto Rico is not to be outdone.
Indeed, Puerto Rico is home to the only tropical rainforest in the United-States: El Yunque National Forest. Everyone talks about the Rio Celeste waterfall in Costa Rica, for good reason, but have you seen Gozalandia Falls in Puerto Rico?
Thanks to its year-round average temperature and humid climate, it is home to countless plant and animal species, including endemic hummingbirds and green and red parrots.
Puerto Rico also has some incredible white sand beaches bordered one one side by palm trees and one on the other by crystal clear water.
Last but not least, the dominant language is Spanish, just like in Costa Rica! Convinced? Anyways, we’ve got more in store for you.
👀 The main difference between Puerto Rico and Costa Rica is… the weather. Our local friend Zuli (that we met in Costa Rica, actually!) told us it’s very similar in nature but PR has less rain and more sun!
Jamaica
When you think of Jamaica, two images spring to mind: reggae musicians, or wooden rafts on the Rio Grande or in mangroves. That’s the second one that intrigued us the most.
This island located below Cuba has many similar attributes to Costa Rica. The party life of Jamaica is very opposed to Costa Rica… But its mountains hide some of the most incredible natural wonders of the Caribbean.
Photos: Jamaica, captured by Thrifty Living travel Freedom, and the Tabacon Hot Springs in Costa Rica
Have a look at Dunn’s River Falls, the Blue Lagoon or the Blue Mountains and you will understand what we are talking about. The waterfalls, rivers and forests remind us a lot of Costa Rica.
The beaches are also dreamy, I mean, it’s the Caribbean right? Wildlife is surprisingly similar to Costa Rica, with hummingbirds, turtles, manatees…
👀 The main difference between Jamaica and Costa Rica is… the culture. We said it already, Jamaica has a strong dancehall and reggae culture. It has pretty much nothing in common with Costa Rica traditions and ways of living.
Guatemala
Further north in Central America, Guatemala has a very similar attribute: its volcanoes!
Costa Rica has 6 active volcanoes and 61 dormant or extinct volcanoes, shaping the landscape. The best-known volcano is Arenal Volcano, near La Fortuna. It gives rise to many incredible hot springs in Costa Rica.
Guatemala has around 31 volcanoes, with 3 active ones. But when we say active, we actually mean one of them is erupting every 15 minutes! This is El Fuego, a place so incredible that it alone is worth a trip to Guatemala. Pacaya and Santiaguito volcanoes are also impressive.
Photos: El Fuego in Guatemala, captured by She Roams the Globe, and the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica
It has incredible hot springs as well, such as Fuentes Georginas. This country is also famous for its forest, wildlife and… Maya ruins!
After finding ancient ruins of Costa Rica, you won’t be surprised that the north of Guatemala is home to Mayan wonders such as the Tikal, El Mirador and Yaxha sites. Between you and us, the ruins in Guatemala are even more impressive. 😉
👀 The main difference between Guatemala and Costa Rica is… the travel cost. Everything is significantly cheaper in Guatemala.
North Queensland, Australia
That’s our last-minute addition, we couldn’t resist when seeing our friends from Next Meridian Expedition traveling there.
Australia offers an impressive diversity of landscapes, but there’s one part of the country that could be mistaken for Costa Rica… It’s northern Queensland, the country’s northeastern state. This humid territory offers a similar environment to Costa Rica, with its beaches and forests.
Photos: Northern Queensland in Australia, captured by Next Meridian Expedition, and Santa Teresa Beach in Costa Rica
You’ll marvel at the vast stretches of sand stretching for miles, bounded on one side by rainforest and on the other by the waves of the Pacific Ocean. We especially recommend exploring Cow Bay Beach and Etty Bay Beach.
The North of Queensland is also home to the oldest tropical rainforest in the world: the Daintree National Park. It is divided in two sections, Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation, and has everything from waterfalls to wild beaches and scenic roads.
The wildlife is a bit different from Costa Rica’s but nonetheless exciting, from crocodiles to cassowaries, frogs, bats… Last but not least, here’s a fun fact: the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef at Cape Tribulation!
👀 The main difference between northern Queensland and Costa Rica is… the wildlife. Australia’s northern state is home to many wild pigs and crocodiles, while Costa Rica is famous for its toucans and sloths, among others.
Honduras
What do you know about this small Central American country? The average tourist knows little or nothing about Honduras. So we investigated. And loved what we found.
Honduras is bordered by Guatemala to the north, El Salvador and a tiny bit of the Pacific Ocean to the left, the Atlantic Ocean to the right, and Nicaragua to the south.
Its geography is quite interesting. Not only is the country cut off from almost all of its Pacific side by El Salvador, it is also split by the mountain range of the Central American Cordillera. Honduras has fabulous islands with crystal clear seabed waters, such as Roatan or Utila.
Photos: Honduras, captured by Elevate Your Escapes, and Tenorio Volcano in Costa Rica
¾ of the country actually are mountains, averaging 4,000 in height! It might not be ideal for traveling fast from one side of the country to the other, but it’s a mountain traveler’s dream.
The Pico Bonito National Park is a paradise for hikers, with waterfalls, rivers, hanging bridges… Among others, it is home to jaguars, monkeys, toucans and motmots.
Unsurprisingly, the Atlantic side of the country has a great deal of Caribbean influence, which is a pleasure to behold. Colorful houses line up in lively little towns.
👀 The main difference between Honduras and Costa Rica is… the safety. While Costa Rica is known for not having an army, Honduras has had a higher crime rate in the past than its neighbor. Although the situation has certainly improved, and Costa Rica is not always a model of safety either, we recommend Honduras to experienced travelers.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua borders Costa Rica to the north. It’s one of the places near Costa Rica where the comparison is obvious given its geographical proximity, but what is it really like?
Well, this country is known as the “Land of Lakes and Volcanoes”. That gives you a pretty good idea of Nicaragua right away, doesn’t it? Nicaragua is home to the Bosawás Biosphere Reserve, one of the largest rainforests of the Americas.
In this reserve, you can come across similar animals as in Costa Rica: toucans, sloths, monkeys, pumas or even jaguars! Nicaragua also has nice beaches with good surf conditions, and big lakes.
Photos: Nicaragua, captured by Adventure to Every Country and Santa Teresa Beach in Costa Rica
Among the many lakes of Nicaragua, one intrigues us by its size. Lago Cocibolca alone represents 6% of the country’s surface area. Another water source you can swim in is hot springs, like the one at the Don Alfonso.
There are around 40 volcanoes in the country, with about 10 still active today. This has given rise to a unique activity probably found only in Nicaragua… Volcano boarding!
👀 The main difference between Bali and Costa Rica is… the approach to nature. Costa Rica has focused on nature conservation tourism for so long, while tourism in Nicaragua revolves around nature AND cities. There are many incredible treehouse hotels in Costa Rica!
Places Like Costa Rica For its Nature, Volcanoes and Hot Springs
Bali
We are aware that the Indonesian island of Bali is located on the other side of the planet from Costa Rica. Yet there are many more similarities between these two places than one would think.
The first thing that springs to mind is Bali’s greenery. Thanks to its tropical climate, this island is covered in verdant landscapes. As in all places like Costa Rica, the rainy season in Bali is no joke.
Rice terraces, rainforests, volcanoes and hot springs blend together to create a magnificent natural environment. The waterfalls of Bali are also some of the prettiest I’ve seen in my life.
Photos: Secret Garden Waterfall in Bali, and Rio Celeste Waterfall in Costa Rica
The jungle environment and common animals such as monkeys, geckos, snakes and manta rays make a trip to Bali very much about nature.
Locals don’t speak Spanish, but they are just as friendly and helpful. The food is exquisite but different from that of Costa Rica. The main ingredients are rice or noodles with eggs and vegetables, accompanied by chicken, pork, tofu or tempeh.
👀 The main difference between Bali and Costa Rica is… the cultural offer of a trip to Bali. This island is a true mix of nature, celebration and tradition. You can’t visit Bali without seeing its temples and offerings. A trip to Costa Rica is less about culture and more about nature.
Peru
Peru is much bigger than Costa Rica. Like, 2,5 times bigger. The variety of these landscapes is enormous, but it’s one region in particular that interests us here: the Peruvian Amazon rainforest.
In Costa Rica, people travel directly from the capital San Jose to Monteverde Cloud Forest to discover the flora and fauna.
In Peru, Monteverde is… the Amazon! It’s the world’s largest rainforest, so probably the place with the most fascinating wildlife.
The flora and fauna discoveries include almost all the emblematic animals that you can see in Costa Rica. But to spot them, you will definitely need a guide!
The wild environment is also home to incredible swimming experiences in rivers, but also in hot springs!
👀 The main difference between Peru and Costa Rica is… the history. There are more ancient ruins to explore in Peru. The Inca trail, ending at Machu Picchu, is just fabulous.
Iceland in the summer
Ok, now you must be thinking we are totally off topic… But we are not. Costa Rica’s best-known feature is its greenery. Well, Iceland in the summertime can certainly compete with that!
Although these countries have very different climates, Costa Rica being tropical and Iceland rather cold, it rains a lot in both. And that, my friend, explains the incredibly green landscapes of these two countries!
We are pretty convinced that anyone who travels to Costa Rica for its nature would want to travel to Iceland for the same reason. We mean, look at this…
Photos: Iceland in the summer, captured by Tall Adventure Fam, and La Fortuna Waterfall in Costa Rica
This country not only has incredible waterfalls all around the island, it also has a LOT of volcanoes. There are many free hot springs in Iceland that you can enjoy.
👀 The main difference between Iceland and Costa Rica is… obviously the climate. Iceland is the land of “fire and ice”, and it’s very far north on the globe. But if you’re a nature lover, you’ll love it deeply.
Places Like Costa Rica for its coastline or wildlife
Martinique
This french Caribbean island looks like a tropical postcard to the south, and jungle waterfalls one to the north. Martinique is located between Dominica and St Lucia, in the lesser Antilles.
Its landscapes reminded us of Costa Rica for many reasons. First, its tropical climate feels the same. One minute you have those big plans to hike a mountain and the other, you are heading to the beach because you are too hot.
The south of Martinique has some of the best beaches we’ve seen in our entire lives. The sand is soft, it’s hidden by palm trees and the water is transparent and hot. You can even see turtles at some beaches.
The north of the island is more wild, with mountains, waterfalls and a rich nature and fauna. You can do canyoning in the rivers and be as immersed in nature as you would be in Costa Rica.
👀 The main difference between Martinique and Costa Rica is… the food. Martinique’s main dishes are accras, chicken colombo, langoustines… They use a lot of spices in their cooking, and most drinks are rum-based.
Dominica
Dominica is the island above Martinique. It’s very similar, but even wilder and more beautiful! It is an independent island-nation with a strict policy of nature conservation.
Imagine a land almost entirely made of waterfalls, natural pools and forest reserves… It sounds dreamy right? Dominica is about 10 times less visited than other big Carribean islands.
Dominica is known as the nature island of the Caribbean. It has two big national parks, named Morne Trois Pitons National Park and Cabrits National Park.
In the first one, there are incredible emerald pools, waterfalls and even a boiling lake… Which is the second largest hot spring in the world!
The Cabrits National Park is a mix of rainforest, coral reefs and wetlands. There is so much to see nature wise in the forests, but its coastline is just as incredible.
It has dreamy white-sand beaches, surrounded by lush vegetation, just like in Costa Rica. We especially recommend the beautiful Batibou Beach.
👀 The main difference between Dominica and Costa Rica is… the culture. Dominica is a melting pot of populations of European, African, Central and South American origin.
Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is another French island, located above Dominica and Martinique in the Caribbean. It is in fact an archipelago of 6 islands.
Most of Guadeloupe is made up of 2 butterfly-shaped islands. They appear to be one, but are in fact separated by the Rivière Salée.
The island of Grande-Terre is famous for its long, white sandy beaches as far as the eye can see. That’s one of the reasons Guadeloupe is one of the places like Costa Rica. The underwater life is also very similar.
Grande-Terre also boasts numerous sugarcane fields. The island of Basse-Terre consists almost entirely of the Guadeloupe National Park. This park is home to the famous Carbet Falls and the Grande Soufrière volcano.
👀 The main differences between Guadeloupe and Costa Rica are… the languages, experiences and accommodation. Guadeloupeans speak French, while Costa Ricans speak Spanish. Costa Rica has more upscale hotels and is more nature-oriented. Guadeloupe is more beach-oriented, although its nature is also rich. It has less luxury resorts.
Belize
Belize is one of the most underrated countries in the Americas. It’s truly a mystery why this island is not more visited. But we won’t complain about it!
Belize is one of the best places in the world to go scuba diving. It is home to one of the famous diving spots: the Big Blue Hole. Its marine life is richer than Costa Rica’s. From sharks, ray mantas, dolphins, lion fishes, squids… It has it all.
On land, the rainforest covers 80% of the country. It’s not rare to see jaguars, pumas, tapirs, crocodiles, toucans and even tapirs!
Last but not least, Belize also has Maya ancient ruins that are worth checking out: Altun Ha, Xunantunich, and Caracol.
👀 The main difference between Belize and Costa Rica is… the scuba diving options. Belize is THE paradise for divers of all kinds.
Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands are an archipelago off the coast of Ecuador. It’s exactly 1,369 km away from the mainland, which might explain its extraordinary wildlife, both on land and at sea.
After exploring La Fortuna to Monteverde, you might think you’ve seen it all, wildlife-wise. But the Galapagos CAN rival Costa Rica’s wildlife reputation.
Its endemic sea lion is often spotted sunbathing on the beach or rocks. But that doesn’t stop here. Other emblematic animals include giant turtles, iguanas, penguins, flamingos…
The Galapagos also boasts one of the world’s most special island archipelagos in terms of underwater life. From sharks, manta rays and turtles to exotic fishes, there’s so much to see.
Aside from wildlife, those islands also have incredible volcanic formations, such as the impressively tall Kicker Rock or Darwin’s Arch.
👀 The main difference between the Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica is… size. The Galápagos Islands cover 8,000 km2, while Costa Rica is around 51,000 km2. Depending on the length of your visit, this may help you decide.
So, what country is MOST like Costa Rica?
The award of the country that looks the most like Costa Rica goes to… Panama!
Not only are the coastline, underwater life, surfing and diving opportunities very similar, but the rainforests and wildlife are almost the same. The only difference is tourism, which is actually a good thing for travelers who like to get off the beaten track!
Costa Rica remains an incredible country to visit, whether as a solo female traveler, with family or friends.
