This small, breathtakingly beautiful country is a laid-back and peaceful democratic republic (there is no army), without much of an indigenous culture or colonial heritage but exuding a warm, authentic Latin personality.
Costa Rica is a treasure trove for the nature-lover. Separating the lowlands facing the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean is a range of active and dormant volcanoes surrounded by mountain cloud forest, lowland tropical jungle and savannah grasslands. Plantations of its world famous coffee blanket the sunny slopes, while trees laden with orchids are home to quetzals, trogons and hummingbirds.
places worth visiting
Waterfall Gardens
La Paz
Visit the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and the impressive crater lake at the top of Poas volcano, stopping at a coffee farm along the way.
Giant Leatherback Turtles Nesting
Tortuguero
Watch an extraordinary natural event take place on Tortuguero’s beaches as giant leatherback turtles arrive en masse to lay their eggs.
Waterfall Abseiling
Arenal
Descend a jungle gorge with ropes, dipping in and out of the torrential cascades of waterfalls.
Spot Quetzals in the cloud forest
Talamanca mountains
See the resplendent quetzal in its natural habitat on a jungle trail through the cloud forest.
We Recommend… Active Costa Rica & Nicaragua
In partnership with Journey Latin America
16 days from £3,629pp
Places visited:
- San Jose, central highlands and central valleys
- Arenal and the north
- Río San Juan
- Granada
- Ometepe Island
- Pacific coast
This thrilling but accessible adventure holiday includes zip-lining through the rainforest canopy, whitewater rafting, mountain-biking, hill walks and jungle treks, you’ll be seeing the unspoilt natural highlights from a different perspective.
