Tamarindo is a fairly small beach town, known for beaches with strong surf like Playa Tamarindo and Playa Langosta, within walking distance from downtown. Playa Negra and Playa Avellana are slightly further away, but can easily be reached by car. Nature lovers won't want to miss Playa Grande to the north — it is a major nesting site for huge leatherback turtles. Visitors can enjoy miles of soft, pristine sand and crystal-clear waters, helping to give the region its reputation as a tropical paradise.

Ring the 5-foot and 3-ton brass bell for good luck, feed droves of eager carp, ducks and swans in the garden's pond, or just relax in the ambiance of the Byodo-In Temple. However, make sure to visit the 2-ton carved wooden statue of the Buddha sitting placidly inside the replica Temple, hearkening 11th century Uji, Japan.

Palais Longchamp is an extraordinary, majestic building right in the middle of the city that throws you years back in time with its ornamental staircases and large fountains. The building houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Natural History Museum.

Las Catalinas is a new beach town developed in 2006 along the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Its purpose is to create a way of life that is healthy, sustainable, fulfilling and fun. In practical terms, it means that Las Catalinas was founded based on the principles of New Urbanism — a compact, car-free and fully walkable town within easy reach of the beach. A maze of small shaded streets connects houses, shops, restaurants, small hotels and inns, pedestrian streets, plazas, parks, and recreational facilities — all surrounded by a lush rainforest. On the other side is the Pacific Ocean, where you'll find two of the finest beaches in all of Costa Rica with great swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, boogie boarding, and snorkelling. Don't miss out on the opportunity to go diving next to the Las Catalinas islands!