The small town of San Gerardo de Dota is strung along a quiet road in the Talamanca Mountains roughly three hours from the capital, San Jose. One of the main attractions here is Los Quetzales National Park, famous among the world’s bird watching fraternity as one of the best places to view the resplendent quetzal, with its vivid green and red plumage that has earned it a reputation as one of the world's most beautiful birds. For exercise and outdoor enthusiasts, hiking is a must-do activity in the region, with fantastic paths leading through the national park and across the Rio Savregre.
Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Golfo Dulce in the southwestern region of the country. This virtually untouched corner of the world contains almost half of Costa Rica’s wildlife species, offering nature lovers the chance to see exotic animals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians in the enthralling rainforest of the Corcovado National Park. The surrounding turquoise waters invite visitors to surf, snorkel, and fish, while white sandy beaches are perfect for sunbathing. Two highly-acclaimed dive sites off Isla del Caño are inhabited with manta rays, hammerhead sharks, and more. Puerto Jimenez, the rustic but comfortable main town on the peninsula, provides for all shopping and eating out needs. History-lovers should make sure to visit the fascinating Sitio Arqueológico Finca 6, filled with pre-Colombian artifacts.
Southern Costa Rica is known for its remote, unspoilt landscapes encompassing the towering Cerro Chirripo standing at 3820 metres, the jungle-clad Osa Peninsula, and the magnificent La Amistad International Park. Visitors can spot an array of wildlife including monkeys, sloths and coatis; discover the rugged coasts of the Golfo Dulce - a wild, scenic and incredibly biodiverse gulf; and immerse themselves in the local Bribrí, Boruc, Cabecar, and Ngobe cultures. Don’t miss a visit to the Corcovado National Park, featuring a network of scenic hiking trails, long stretches of golden shoreline, and a variety of diverse ecosystems.
Located conveniently close to the city of San Jose, captivating Carara National Park boasts dense jungle and easy hiking trails and is considered to be one of Costa Rica’s best birding destinations. This protected area encompasses 4700 hectares and a number of distinct ecosystems, including marshlands, lagoons, and gallery forests. Lucky travellers will spot animals such two-toed Sloths, Agoutis, Armadillos, Pacas, Great Anteaters, Crocodiles, Kinkajous, Tayras, Margay cats, Collared Peccaries, White-tailed Deers, a variety of monkeys, and over 400 bird species. The park is also famous for containing one of the highest diversity of trees in the world, as well as a number of enthralling and fascinating pre-Columbian archaeological sites dating back as far as 2000 years, which can be visited along the beautiful trails.
