Costa Rica
Costa Rica is noted for its exceptional wildlife and warm and welcoming people. Well-managed parks and reserves encompass tropical jungle, Caribbean and Pacific coastline, verdant hills and dense mangrove swamps. Highlights include howler monkeys, alligators, turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs, tapirs, sloths and tree frogs - and if you’re really lucky, a glimpse of a jaguar or quetzal.
San José, the capital, is set on a high plateau surrounded by mountainous cloud forest, thick with vines, ferns and orchids. Lush plantations are within easy driving distance (self-drive is a popular way to get around). Spectacular volcanoes are an impressive sight - particularly the gently rumbling Arenal whose lava flows glow and smoulder on clear nights. Costa Rica has superb birdwatching, from iridescent humming birds to flamboyant parrots and toucans.
The Pacific and Caribbean coasts have some wonderful beach resorts, with plenty of opportunities for water sports, snorkelling and scuba diving, relaxing on the coral sand, or absorbing the lively Afro-Asian culture. Costa Rica is very family-friendly, with a range of exciting activities, from white-water rafting to zip lines through the forest canopy.
Highlights
Here are some of our Costa Rica highlights
Adventure
From kayaking and tree-climbing to zip-lines through the forest canopy, Costa Rica is a real adventure destination. Possibilities abound with waterfall rapelling, rafting and hiking throughout the country - you'll certainly never be bored!
Wildlife
The Osa peninsula is a haven for wildlife. Half is covered by the Corcovado National Park, mainly primary rainforest with more than 400 species of birds and many amphibians and mammals and the possibility to see majestic Humpack whales in December and January.
Turtles
Six species of turtles visit Costa Rica to nest, principally in the areas of Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast and on the Nicoya and Osa peninsulas on the Pacific coast. Seasons vary depending on species and/or area.
Smouldering volcanos
The spectacular, active volcano of Arenal in Costa Rica's central valley is one of the country's most impressive. A scenic hike over ancient rocks to the famous lava wall or a relaxing evening dip in the thermal hot springs are highly reccomended!
Overall the itinerary was great and we felt the number of night stays in each location was about right. Our local representative was absolutely great, a very good communicator and was really ‘on it’ in terms of keeping us up to date on everything. The Costa Rican people are all delightful and generally extremely welcoming and the level of spoken English was exceptional. The internal flights were good and obviously got us around quickly but we really did enjoy having the freedom to explore in our rental car. A great holiday, thank you very much for all your help and advice, and we feel that overall we did get to really explore the country which is, of course, helped by having a car to go off and do your own thing. Driving in Costa Rica was easy once you’d become accustomed to the local traits.
- SJ