What's New in Costa Rica

Costa Rica // Photo by Freeimages.com/Mark Uttecht

Travelers now have access to new accommodations, activities and options to get around Costa Rica, which closed 2015 with a new record of 2.6 million visitors. For those looking to explore Costa Rica this year, the Central American nation is full of surprises.  

Below are some of the highlights for this spring and beyond. 

The Latest Hotel News

Whether traveling for business or for pleasure, solo or with a group, visitors now have new lodging options to suit their travel preferences and budgets. 

Several hotels and resorts have opened their doors throughout the country, including Hacienda Altagracia, a luxury property in the mountains of Perez Zeledon region, as well as the Esplendor Hotel, overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the Tamarindo region.

Others are slated to open their doors to travelers throughout the country, starting as early as this summer. Casa Chameleon Las Cantinas is opening in Mal Pais in December and will have 21 rooms. The Green Residence Hotel and Suites will come to San Jose in June and will have 100 rooms. The 100-room Manglar de Osa will open in Puntarenas in July. Nantipa: A Tico Beach Resort will open in Puntarenas in June and will have 44 rooms. Lastly, Residence Flamingo by Marriott will open in Guanacaste in November and will have 124 rooms.

The Latest Activities 

Those looking to explore San Jose’s rich history and culture with a certified guide can now enjoy the ease and convenience of the new “Hop-On, Hop-Off” tours.

Visitors have the option of hopping on or off at more than 12 stops as many times as they like throughout the day. The buses provide travelers with access to more than 50 attractions, including the National Theater, the Jade Museum, the Gastronomic Road in Escalante, the Children’s Museum, the Costa Rican Art Museum, the Central Market and Plaza Tempo, among others. The service is provided daily from 8:40 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Visit www.costaricacitysquaretour.com

When the sun sets, those looking to explore the city by night can take advantage of the new La Carreta by Carpe Chepe nightlife shuttle. Travelers have the opportunity to visit up to 30 of San Jose’s most vibrant bars as selected by a group of locals who live in the region. La Carreta runs continuously from 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Visit www.carpechepe.com

Those who want to get their adrenaline pumping can venture into the new Gravity Falls Waterfall Jumping tour in La Fortuna; the multi-sport canyon adventure combines hiking, rappelling, cliff jumping and swimming all in one. 

Thrill seekers can jump off 10- to 30-foot waterfalls and cliffs, and rappel along the edge of a thundering 140-foot waterfall, dropping into a deep pool of water. 

Visit www.desafiocostarica.com and www.visitcostarica.com. Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all your latest Latin America news.