Visitors to the Republic of Costa Rica will find that despite its small size, the country has an incredible number of attractions and activities to offer. Five per cent of the world’s biodiversity can be found within Costa Rica’s borders and great efforts have been made to preserve this rich resource; protected national parks make up almost 25% of the land – more than any other country in the world. From fishing and surfing to white water rafting and exploring volcanic regions, Costa Rica is the perfect playground for nature lovers and adventures seekers alike.
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.
Resting on the outer western edge of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, between the popular beach towns of Playa Samara and Playa Tamarindo, the surfer’s town Nosara is known for its wildlife, watersports opportunities, and long-standing yoga culture. A long stretch of white-sand beaches fringed by palm trees and verdant jungle make Nosara a prime destination for holidaymakers, and it is one of the only coastal towns with minimal development along the beachfront. Rated as one of the top twenty surfing destinations by National Geographic, the town attracts surfers from all over the world to enjoy its clean, plentiful waves. Animal lovers, hikers, and nature photographers should make sure to visit the Nosara Biological Reserve, where they'll be able to spot monkeys, turtles, and numerous other species.
