Natural wonders in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s landscape is defined by its intense volcanic activity and dense tropical biodiversity. This collection features the perfectly symmetrical Arenal Volcano and the high-altitude Irazú Volcano, known for its vibrant crater lake. The list highlights the Osa Peninsula's Corcovado National Park, which protects 2.5% of the world's biodiversity, and the geothermal features of Rincón de la Vieja. Water-based landmarks include the chemically turquoise Río Celeste, the 70-meter La Fortuna Waterfall, and Lake Arenal, the country's largest landlocked body of water.

Costa Rica's Natural Wonders — Map

A

Jardin Botanico Herrera

Private botanical garden and nature reserve located on the Osa Peninsula, dedicated to the conservation of native tropical plant species and local flora.

Eric T Gunther / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Rio Fortuna Waterfall viewpoint

La Fortuna Waterfall is in central Costa Rica, in the Alajuela Province. In Spanish, it is known as Catarata Fortuna.

Yricordel / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Arenal Volcano

An active andesitic stratovolcano rising 1,633 meters above sea level. It is characterized by its near-perfect conical shape and was the country's most active volcano until 2010.

D

Irazu Volcano National Park

Irazú Volcano National Park, or in Spanish the Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú, is a National Park in the Central Conservation Area of Costa…

José R. / CC BY 3.0

E

Corcovado National Park

Corcovado National Park is a National Park on the Osa Peninsula, in Osa Canton, located on the southwestern regions of Costa Rica, which is…

Hans Hillewaert / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Rincón de la Vieja is an active andesitic complex volcano in north-western Costa Rica, about 23 km from Liberia, in the province of…

Fabiana Valera / CC-BY-SA

G

Lake Arenal

Costa Rica's largest landlocked body of water. This man-made reservoir was expanded in 1979 to generate hydroelectric power and sits at the base of the Arenal Volcano.

Daniel32708 / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Irazú Volcano

The Irazú Volcano is an active volcano in Costa Rica, situated in the Cordillera Central close to the city of Cartago.

I

Volcán Tenorio

An inactive stratovolcano in northern Costa Rica consisting of four volcanic peaks and twin craters, located within the Tenorio Volcano National Park.

Fabiana Valera / CC-BY-SA

J

Catarata Río Celeste

Located in Tenorio Volcano National Park, this waterfall is known for its bright turquoise water, a color resulting from the suspension of aluminosilicate minerals.

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