There are a multitude of parks in the vast region around the Nicoya Peninsula and the North Pacific. Get ready for picture perfect views.

Guanacaste, a symbol of Costa Rica

On the Osa peninsula, in the south Pacific, Corcovado National Park is one of the jewels of Costa Rica. However, an excursion here can quickly become expensive. Here are out top tips and advice to make&nbsp; sure your visit here fits with your budget, whatever that may be.

Corcovado On Any Budget

Arguably Costa Rica's most famous residents, these immense volcanoes are well worth a visit.

Stuff of Legend: Costa Rica’s Volcanoes

White sand beaches, calm, blue waters and rich culture; take the time to stroll around Samara, meeting its people and taking a much needed break on your Costa Rican adventure.

Samara: Ultimate tranquility

Volcán Tenorio

Drake Bay

Tortuguero National Park

Corcovado National Park

The most popular of the Nicoya Peninsula beach resorts and a famous surfing spot..

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Tamarindo used to be a small fishing village, but over the years it's become a favorite beach destination, mainly for Americans. With its long, sandy beach, bordered by tropical vegetation, this comes as no surprise. One thing that did surprise me was the road that leads there - it's in really good condition, unlike the others on the peninsula. It's true I prefer areas that are remote and you'll quickly realize <a href="/costa-rica/">as you travel around Costa Rica</a> that the country has little 'gems' and places where time seems to stand still...for example the natural reserves that the Ticos (Costa Ricans) are so proud of, which is easy to understand. So as you know, I love Costa Rica, but Tamarindo...let's just say its OK. This is a laid back, surfer's paradise; you've got shops, surf schools run by tanned, bleach-haired dudes and, of course, awesome waves. It's also a place to party (there are 10 times more people during the vacations) and everything that comes with having a good time. Apart from surfing, there are still other things to do a la playa and the horseback rides are fun, even if expensive. So yeah, it could be worth a visit. But if you don't have much time, I suggest you head further south on the Nicoya Peninsula, where you'll come across villages that are 'Edensesque'.

The most popular of the Nicoya Peninsula beach resorts and a famous surfing spot..

Perhaps it wouldn't be the first town you would chose if you wanted to <a href="/costa-rica/">discover the wild, natural side of Costa Rica</a>. But it's a town that's easy to get to by bus! Once you are there it's easy to find a hotel or youth hostel to stay in, and there are lots of things to do. There's a fairly big beach where a novice surfer like me can enjoy an ocean with quite small waves. If you walk up Tamarindo beach you'll get to various cocktail bars with sun loungers that let you enjoy your cocktails while you've got your toes in the sand. A bit further on I got to the river estuary and hired a local to take me up it in a boat - and they don't just have reeds along the riverbanks there...they have crocodiles!

Tamarindo isn't the most beautiful town on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. On the other hand, it has everything you need for an enjoyable stay.

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