If exploring the different corners of Costa Rica is one of your New Year’s resolutions, we would like to give you a list of 10 places that you need to visit in Costa Rica this 2018, granted there are many more than just 10, but with 12 months ahead of us 10 seems like a good number for you to take your pick or visit them all.

1) Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve: Cabo Blanco in the Nicoya Peninsula holds a unique scenic beauty that is certainly worth visiting. This is the first protected area created in Costa Rica. It is an important seabird sanctuary and therefore an obligated stop for birdwatchers. Cabo Blanco is located south of the popular beach town of Montezuma. The access to this protected area is limited to a certain number of visitors, so if possible call and reserve first. Cabo Blanco is surrounded by forest; there are three different trails two short ones and the main one that leads to Cabo Blanco Beach and in which you get a chance to spot different animals. The beach is beautiful and crystal clear.

2) Caño Island (Isla del Caño): Also in Puntarenas, if you enjoy snorkeling and/or scuba diving this is a perfect place, granted, getting to Isla del Caño is not simple, but it is absolutely worth it. You can reach the island catching a boat from Drake, Sierpe or Puerto Jimenez. The Island itself has historic importance, it was used by Pre-Columbus inhabitants as a cemetery and sacred place; but it’s the underwater attractions that steal the show.

3) Los Sueños, Herradura: Just under an hour and a half away from San Jose, Los Sueños is a beautiful resort and residence complex. Its location is ideal since it offers very easy access to many different adventures and close by attractions. Los Sueños also features a full-service marina perfect for those who enjoy world class sports-fishing; the luxury and comfort found in Los Sueños gives you the best description of a Pura Vida experience, you never know you might end up buying a house and calling it home.

4) Río Perdido, Bagaces, Guanacaste: Thermal SPA, impressive sights, adventure. When you think of Guanacaste the first thing that comes to mind are the many spectacular beaches. Rio Perdido is a little different, offering you more of a nature-adventure-wellness experience. Bungalows in the middle of the forest with amazing views; hiking, mountain biking or water tubing are some of the options you can enjoy.

5) Hacienda AltaGracia, Perez Zeledon: Hacienda AltaGracia is considered one of the top resorts in Cental and South America, this alone should be a good enough reason to put this destination in your “must visit” list of 2018. Perez Zeledon is a beautiful area surrounded by raw nature and in many ways still unexplored. The resort amenities include multiple dining outlets, pool, SPA and fitness center. Guided forest hikes, mountain biking, horseback riding, meditation, great options for different preferences.

6) Uvita Island and the South Caribbean, Limon: Plan a visit to Limon during those months when it rains a lot in the rest of the country. Uvita is just a quick 10 minute boat ride from the coast of Limon. A small and pretty island with a lot of history behind it. Enjoy a fantastic tour and then head to the South Caribbean, from Cahuita to Manzanillo, a few days in Limon promise to feel you with good vibes.

7) Ostional National Refuge: If you haven’t seen an arribada yet, this is the year to do it. Located in Guanacaste, just 8km from Nosara, the Ostional Wildlife Refuge is a nesting site for Leatherback Turtles and one of the most important nesting sites in the world for the Olive Ridley sea turtle.

8) Rincon de la Vieja Volcano: A visit to one of Costa Rica’s volcanos cannot be missing in the list. The Rincon de la Vieja in Guanacaste is an active volcano which actually registered several minor eruptions on 2017. The National Park protects lush nature home to a wide variety of wildlife. Hot springs, waterfalls and bubbling mud pools are part of the amazing scenario that can be found here.

9) Savegre Valley in San Gerardo de Dota: When the time of the year comes when you need to get away from the city noise and reconnect with nature. Savegre Valley is the ideal spot.The silence of the mountain here is only broken by the singing of many birds and the sound of the river.

10) Playa Quesera, Curu National Refuge: Southeast of the Nicoya Peninsula, 45 minutes from Montezuma, Playa Quesera is part of the Curu National Refuge an overseen location that has great scenic views and raw nature. In Playa Quesera you can witness the phenomenon of bioluminescence, the emission of light by living organism, something definitely worth experiencing before the 12 months of 2018 come to an end.