San Jose, affectionately known to its residents as 'Chepe', lies in the heart of Costa Rica and is home to almost two-thirds of the country’s population. With few buildings over 100 years old, the mountainous capital is relatively modern compared to its Latin American counterparts, but still has a significant amount of culture, art and history for visitors to discover. With a number of theatres full of Costa Rican culture, museums that include the largest collection of American jade in the world, and streets full of bright murals and painted buses, San Jose is an eclectic city waiting to be experienced.
Resting in the remote volcanic mountains to the north of Costa Rica’s Central Valley, the tiny town of Bajos del Toro makes an ideal getaway for nature lovers, hikers and bird enthusiasts. The town sits at the foot of the towering Poas Volcano and is surrounded by a number of protected wilderness areas including the Poas Volcano National Park, Juan Castro Blanco National Park, and the Bosque de Paz Rain/Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. The climate in this area is typically wet which allows for wonderfully lush vegetation as well as beautiful waterfalls, streams and pools. This spectacular natural environment provides ample opportunity for outdoor adventure including: trout fishing, horse riding, river rafting, mountain biking, hiking rugged mountain trails, or whizzing through the forest canopy on a zipline tour. Don’t miss the impressive Cataratas del Toro Waterfall, which drops 300-feet into an extinct volcanic crater.
Set in the north of Costa Rica, Tenorio Volcano National Park is home to a magnificent volcano from which it received its name. The park is covered in natural tropical forests and decorated with rivers and waterfalls. One of the many highlights here is a hike to the magnificent Celeste Waterfall, known for its stunning blue waters. Visitors can also enjoy walking over the many suspension bridges in the rainforest, visiting the Blue Lagoon, and climbing through the cloud forest along the Crater Trail to the top of the volcano to view the steaming Lago Dante. Hikers are likely to spot a variety of wildlife, possibly even the shy tapir and puma. The park also provides the opportunity to bathe in wonderful natural hot springs.
Named after one of three volcanoes in the reserve, Rincon de la Vieja National Park offers a heady mix of rolling green hills, gushing waterfalls and lush cloud forest. The park attracts travellers year round who come to explore its volcanoes, hot springs and numerous picture perfect waterfalls. Rincon de la Vieja means "The Old Woman's Corner" and was named after a local legend, which tells of a girl’s lover who was thrown into the volcano by her father. It’s said the woman became a recluse and developed healing powers, living out her days on the slopes of Rincon de la Vieja.
On the northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, just north of Playa Panama, lies the exquisite untamed Gulf of Papagayo. This expansive wilderness area is known for its spectacular views, its excellent bird watching opportunities, its impressive array of exclusive, luxury resorts and its beautiful palm-lined beaches featuring long stretches of powder white sand lapped by calm, aquamarine waters. Surrounded by lush tropical forest and a dramatic volcanic landscape, the Gulf of Papagayo is the perfect destination for nature lovers eager to explore the magnificent national parks of Guanacaste, or those looking to simply unwind with a cocktail in hand on one of the area’s idyllic world-class beaches.
