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.
Naranjo is a tiny agricultural town resting at the base of the Espírito Santo Hills in Costa Rica’s lush Central Valley. With more than two hundred years of coffee cultivation under its belt, the town has become a coffee lovers’ mecca. It has ever-increasing numbers of visitors touring the area’s coffee plantations, sampling some of the world's finest coffees, and learning about the local brew. Other popular activities include discovering the lush tropical landscape via a canopy tour or a jungle hike. Don’t miss the chance to explore the nearby Juan Castro Blanco National Park, which is known for its orchid flowers and quetzal birds and Poás Volcano National Park, which features a remarkable crater lake filled with smoke billowing from fumaroles.
Situated near the mouth of the San Carlos River in Costa Rica’s northern lowlands, Boca Tapada is renowned for its ecotourism as it boasts a rich diversity of fauna and flora. This remote area is characterised by endless pineapple and sugar cane plantations, lush tropical jungle, and vast wetlands, and is known as one of the last remaining nesting sites of the endangered Great Green Macaw. Visit the Maquenque Wildlife Refuge and Biological Corridor, hike through dense forest or simply laze in a hammock and listen to nature's symphony of sounds. Aside from the endemic macaw, twitchers can also enjoy spotting over 400 other species including the Rufescent Tiger-Heron, the exotic Dusky Antbird, and the Keel-billed Toucan.
Tucked between the slopes of Miravalles Volcano and Tenorio Volcano in a verdant valley south of Upala, Bijagua de Upala, also known simply as Bijagua, is a small farming community set on the border of Guanacaste and Alajuela. This remote village is a rustic retreat, perfectly placed as a gateway to the famous Tenorio Volcano National Park. Outdoor lovers can enjoy a scenic trek along the trails and watch the hypnotic torrent of the Rio Celeste Waterfall as it plunges into the turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon. After hours of exploring the forest’s leafy landscape, weary travellers can enjoy a leisurely soak in the park’s thermal hot springs. Don’t miss a visit to the Heliconias Rainforest Lodge, where visitors can traverse the network of trails and suspension bridges set amid lush rainforest.
Located just 2-hours drive northwest of San Jose, the little Costa Rican town of La Fortuna rests at the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna provides an excellent base for visitors to explore the beautiful surrounding area, most notably the scenic Arenal Volcano National Park. Photographers will delight in the spectacular views provided by several lookout points along sublime hiking trails, which wind through lush rainforests and past idyllic natural hot springs. The glistening Arenal Lake, which is the largest lake in the country, offers fantastic opportunities to practice water sports. Don’t miss the beautiful La Fortuna waterfall and natural pool. Visitors can also look forward to wildlife tours, coffee plantation tours, and cacao farm tours, as well as an array of excellent restaurants and shops in the town centre.
