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.
An exuberant blanket of dense rainforest encompasses over 77 000 acres on the northeastern coast of Costa Rica at Tortuguero National Park, a biodiverse wonderland and sanctuary for a rich array of wildlife, including jaguars, monkeys, sloths, and an astonishing variety of bird species. The park's name, meaning "Land of Turtles," highlights its significance as a nesting ground for several sea turtle species, most notably the endangered green turtles. A network of canals weaves through the lush rainforest, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore by boat or kayak, immersing themselves in the park's unparalleled natural beauty. Pristine beaches, vibrant mangroves, and dense forests make Tortuguero National Park a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and conservationists, where adventure and ecological wonders intertwine harmoniously.
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 southern Costa Rica, along its beautiful southwestern Pacific Coast, Dominical is a quaint beachside village best known for its excellent surfing. It boasts some impressive waves which make it popular with surfers who flock here from all corners of the globe. This village is surrounded by the lush jungle-clad foothills of the Talamanca Mountains and features scenic landscapes boasting various estuaries, mangroves, marshes, and sheer cliffs plunging into the ocean. Visitors can enjoy the long stretches of black-sand beaches, spot dolphins in the surf, and visit the Marino Ballena National Park for some of the best whale watching in the area. Don't miss the opportunity to hike to the magnificent Nauyaca Waterfalls. Other popular activities include thrilling canopy tours, hiking, horse riding, surfing, fishing, sea kayaking, bird watching and wildlife viewing.
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.
