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.
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 at the confluence of the Rio Madre de Dios and Pacuare rivers, Barra de Pacuare is set on the eastern coast of Costa Rica. This natural wilderness area is the most unspoilt sector of the Tortuguero Canals in the Caribbean of Costa Rica. The landscape is blanketed in tropical rainforest traversed by a labyrinth of winding rivers and swamps. Barra de Pacuare is surrounded by a collection of sea turtle conservation areas, where visitors can learn about these magnificent sea creatures in their natural habitats. Enjoy a scenic boat cruise down the waterways, join a guided excursion into the wild landscape, and spot an array of abundant wildlife. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the beautiful Pacuare Reserve, which is one of the most important nesting sites for endangered leatherback sea turtles in the country.
The Pacuare River meanders down the Atlantic slope of the Talamanca mountain range, through the dense rainforest of the Pacuare Protected Zone, until it finally reaches the Caribbean Sea on Costa Rica's central coast. Although the river is primarily known for its challenging rapids and its excellent white water rafting opportunities, it also features some remarkable scenery characterised by lush primordial rainforest, lowland tropical forest, and dramatic towering waterfalls. This pristine natural terrain along the banks of the river provides a haven for a wide variety of wildlife including river otters, jaguars, ocelots, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas, coatis, and raccoons - among many more. Birders will delight in the colorful avian life. Day trips combine rafting adventures with the exploration of waterfalls, hiking trails, and natural springs along the way.
Situated in the Costa Rican Cartago Province, the small city of Turrialba is home to flourishing agriculture, textile, and tourism industries. Renowned for its amazing white water rafting, visitors can enjoy thrilling excursions down the Pacuare and Reventazon Rivers. This city serves as the gateway to the Costa Rican Caribbean and has been declared as a city of National Archeological Interest. Visitors can explore the largely undiscovered Turrialba Volcano National Park, home of the active Turrialba Volcano; discover Costa Rica’s only pre-Columbian ruins at Guayabo, and sample some delicious locally-made Turrialba cheese.
Located southeast of San Jose, Cartago is a Costa Rican city set in the foothills of the Irazu Volcano in the Central Valley of Cartago. Cartago is one of the oldest towns in the country and once served as the capital of Costa Rica. It is home to the enthralling Negrita, the Black Madonna shrine at Our Lady of the Angels Basilica, and the atmospheric Apostol Parish Ruins, which form a lovely central park. For families and nature lovers alike, the beautiful Lankester Botanical Garden, which displays over 1000 spectacular, brightly coloured orchid species, and the flourishing rainforests of Tapantí Macizo de la Muerte National Park, which alongside housing a plethora of wildlife, has great hiking and photography opportunities are well worth visiting.
Not far from the Pacific Coast in southwestern Costa Rica lies a wilderness of heaths, lakes and ancient oak forests that makes up part of the Los Santos Reserve. The country is one of the world’s most biodiverse and this remote region shelters some of the rarest and most exotic flora and fauna on the planet. Bird watchers will be in their element here, with the possibility of spotting exotic species such as the sooty thrush, fiery-throated hummingbird, acorn woodpecker and resplendent quetzal. Other resident wildlife includes foxes, coyotes, tapirs, armadillos, pit vipers and coral snakes. For those willing to make the challenging trek up Vueltas Hill, the views from 3,156-metre-high summit are superb.
Situated in the enthralling Central Valley of Costa Rica, southeast from the capital, Dota is a paradise of verdant forest and spectacular birdlife. This eco-tourism hub is the perfect place for hikes, nature photography, and most significantly, birdwatching. Numerous high-altitude bird species can be seen in the orchid-fringed Savegre basin, including the magnificent quetzal. Other birds include hummingbirds, parakeets, tanagers, and many more. The Batsu Garden is a must-see, as is the Cerro de la Muerte (a challenging hike with worthy views) and the Los Quetzales National Park.
Neighbouring the spectacularly scenic 680-hectare Manuel Antonio National Park and situated along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, the bustling beachside village of Manuel Antonio offers a variety of comfortable accommodation options for eco-explorers and adventurers who flock here to explore this beautiful area. The undeniable highlight is the adjacent Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica’s smallest national park, featuring lush biodiverse rainforests, mangroves, lagoons, offshore coral reefs, pristine white-sand beaches and abundant wildlife, including over 100 mammal species and almost 200 bird species. Visitors can enjoy a variety of exciting activities including fishing, swimming, snorkelling, wildlife viewing, bird watching, hiking and relaxing on tropical beaches.
