Costa Rica in Stijl

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.

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.

Forming part of the Osa Conservation Area, Piedras Blancas National Park is situated in the Puntarenas Province near the Golfo Dulce on the Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Renowned for its untouched beaches, glistening bays and lush rainforests, Piedras Blancas is popular with nature lovers. Visitors can look forward to a wide selection of activities including exploring the rugged mountains, discovering rare tropical trees, and spotting an array of wildlife such as a diverse variety of bird, mammal and reptile species. Most notably, the park is among the last remaining habitats for the Jaguar in the whole of Costa Rica. Don't miss the opportunity to meander along the vast network of jungle trails while soaking up spectacular views of the 14 000 hectares of unspoilt natural beauty.

Gelegen in het zuiden van Costa Rica, is het kleine dorpje Uvita, ook wel Uvita de Osa genoemd, een klein juweeltje aan de kust. Het is niet zo overontwikkeld als de andere strandsteden en biedt een scala aan prachtige attracties en activiteiten waar bezoekers van kunnen genieten. Uvita dient als de toegangspoort tot het ongelooflijk schilderachtige Marino Ballena National Park, beroemd om zijn migrerende pods bultruggen. Het heeft een uniek schiereiland, de Cola de Ballena, wat zich vertaalt als “De walvisstaart”, die inderdaad in de vorm van een walvisstaart is. Bezoekers kunnen zich verheugen op een verfrissende duik in de Uvita waterval, evenals de enorme multi-tiered Nauyaca waterval en het verkennen van de grotten van Playa Las Ventanas. Mis de kans niet om een prachtige zonsondergang te vangen over de Pacifische kust van Costa Rica, en spotten kleurrijke toekans vliegen rond de jungle. Hoogtepunten zijn: het jaarlijkse walvis- en dolfijnfestival, paardrijtochten, kajaktochten en uitstekende duik- en snorkelmogelijkheden.

Named after the native Quepoa Indians who lived in the area until the 1800s, Quepos is a small but active town on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast, boasting a traditional Latin American charm and an energetic nightlife. Although the town serves as a gateway to the nearby Manuel Antonia National Park, it has many wonderful attractions of its own, including a variety of fish that have made it a world-class destination for sport fishing. For those in search of a different kind of thrill, Quepos offers kayaking, surfing, scuba diving, canopy tours, and many other activities for adventurous visitors.

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.