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Where to go in Costa Rica

COS St Costa Rica La Fortuna Arenal Volcano National Park Shutterstock Fcg

Where to Go in Costa Rica

A well organised and tranquil country within a relatively small area, Costa Rica may be compact but it packs a terrific amount of variety. San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica and sits in its geographical heart.

Inland there are misty mountains of Monteverde and Santa Elena with cloud forests that beg to be discovered, plus soaring volcanoes and hot volcanic springs.

Then there are two very different coasts; the Pacific and Atlantic, each with their own attractions. Manuel Antonio reserve on the Pacific Coast has a peninsula setting with nearby marine parks that are a beautiful playgrounds for dolphins, whales and turtles, whilst Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula further south offer a much more remote adventure.

On the east coast, the mangroves and beaches of Tortuguero are a turtle breeding haven, hence its literal translation as ‘land of the turtles’.

Tortuga Lodge3


WHERE TO GO IN COSTA RICA

St Costa Rica Arenal Volcano Shutterstock Galyna Andrushko

Arenal Volcano

When the skies are clear and lava is in full flow, the magnificent Arenal Volcano provides one of Central America’s most exhilarating natural sights and wonders – a combination of blinding light and logic-defying rumbling that erupts in a spectacular show for onlookers. Since 2010, Arenal, the world’s most active volcano for the last 43 years, has been in a resting period; however it still remains a stunning sight. Beyond Arenal’s lava fields, the surrounding rainforest national park is a lush, prime spot for walking and hiking. Set within the 29,960-acre Arenal Volcano National Park, the volcano itself is 1633 metres above sea level and was formed some 7,000 years ago by the adjacent and now extinct Chato Volcano. The town of La Fortuna is the gateway to the national park and is situated just 4 kilometres from the volcano itself. Soak and relax in volcanic hot springs, listen out for gas eruptions and, as darkness descends, watch Arenal come to life from the comfort of your lodge.

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Tortuga Lodge

Tortuguero National Park

Lying in the northeast of Costa Rica along the Caribbean coastline, the Tortuguero National Park is a stunningly located park that protects a 22-mile stretch of beach, providing one of the largest and most important nesting grounds for the endangered green turtle. During the nesting season, between July and October, entrants to the park will have the privilege of coinciding their visit with these gentle creatures who make their way up the beach at night to lay their eggs, and with our guided nocturnal trips it is possible to see them at incredibly close range, making it in many wildlife enthusiasts eyes a must as part of their Costa Rica itinerary. This is one of the best places to see turtle hatchlings, and you can also see wildlife such as sloths, monkeys and toucans.

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Monteverde Reserve Excursion

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Forming part of the central highlands, an expanse of undulating countryside that spreads as far east as Volcan Arenal to the lowlands of Guanacaste in the west, the luscious and fertile hill country of this region makes it one of Costa Rica’s most enticing for walking, hiking and exploring its natural world highlights. The corridor of settlements that comprises Monteverde and Santa Elena is surrounded by a swathe of famous cloud forests, which generally sit at an altitude of around 1500 metres above sea level and protect a variety of flora and fauna within the spectacular two reserves of the region.

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St Costa Rica Manuel Antonio National Park Sloth Mom And Baby Shutterstock Buchpetzer

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is a small biological reserve set on a peninsula atop an enchanting expanse of tropical rainforest, with spectacular views out to far-reaching white-sand beaches of the Central Pacific Coast.

Just a three-hour journey from the capital, San Jose, and one of only two spots in the country where you can see all four monkey species, it is also a great place for sloth-spotting. The smallest of Costa Rica’s nature reserves but by no means the least rewarding, Manuel Antonio offers visitors a tantalising and unusual mix of incredible beaches lapped by crystal-clear waters, varied wildlife, and one of the best spots for relaxation in natural splendour.

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TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Osa Peninsula

Described by National Geographic Magazine as ‘one of the most biologically intense places on earth,’ the Osa Peninsula is a unique and remote area in the southwest of Costa Rica. Home to the Corcovado National Park, this region is perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-track experience away from more popular tourist areas. The Osa Peninsula boasts vast biodiversity and is a natural wonderland with much of its parkland protected since 1975. It is even possible, though elusive, to sight pumas and jaguars.

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COS St Costa Rica Puerto Viejo Shutterstock Chris Young

Guanacaste & Nicoya Peninsula

Bordering Nicaragua in the northwest of Costa Rica, Guanacaste is a province whose name stems from the indigenous word ‘quahnacaztlan,’ meaning Guanacaste Tree, also the national tree of Costa Rica. The region is marked by spectacular beaches, a host of national parks, a string of volcanoes, wild rivers, and diverse forests, including the last remaining bands of protected tropical dry forests that used to stretch to Mexico.

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