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, the small village of Uvita, also known as Uvita de Osa, is a little remote gem on the coast. It isn’t as overdeveloped as the other beach towns and boasts an array of wonderful attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. Uvita serves as the gateway to the incredibly scenic Marino Ballena National Park, famous for its migrating pods of humpback whales. It features a unique peninsula, the Cola de Ballena, which translates as ’The Whale’s Tail’, which is indeed in the shape of a whale tail. Visitors can look forward to enjoying a refreshing dip in the Uvita Waterfall, as well as the enormous multi-tiered Nauyaca Waterfall and exploring the caves of Playa Las Ventanas Don’t miss the opportunity to catch a magnificent sunset over the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, and spot colourful toucans flying around the jungle. Highlights include: the Annual Whale and Dolphin Festival, horse riding excursions, kayaking tours and excellent diving and snorkelling opportunities.
Cartago is a historic city in Costa Rica's Central Valley, about 25 kilometres southeast of San José, in the shadow of Irazú Volcano. As the country's former capital, it combines religious heritage, historic landmarks and scenic highland landscapes with the everyday activity of a regional commercial centre. Its most important attraction is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, a major pilgrimage site housing the revered image of La Negrita. Nearby, the atmospheric ruins of Santiago Apóstol Church recall the earthquakes that have shaped the city's history. Beyond Cartago, travellers can explore Irazú Volcano National Park, with its volcanic craters and cool mountain scenery, or visit the picturesque Orosi Valley, known for its colonial church, coffee farms and lush green hills.
