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.
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.
Punta Cocles ligt net ten zuiden van het bruisende strandstadje Puerto Viejo langs de zuidelijke Caribische kust van Costa Rica en is een prachtig Caribisch strandparadijs. Het wordt de hoofdstad van dit kustgebied genoemd en beschikt over 3 kilometer zacht goudkleurig zand omzoomd door wuivende palmen en omzoomd door warm kristallijn water. Bezoekers komen hier om te genieten van ontspanning aan zee en de natuurlijke glorie van het regenwoud te ontdekken. Geniet van een spannende branding, verken het ongerepte onderwaterwonderland van kleurrijke koraalriffen bewoond door exotisch zeeleven, maak een wandeling langs het kustpad, spot apen die in de bomen spelen, en bekijk tal van tropische vogels en luiaards, groene leguanen en krabben. Mis de kans niet om het geweldige Cahuita National Park, Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge en Talamanca Indian Reserve te verkennen.
Sandwiched between the towering Poas and Barva Volcanoes in Heredia Province, Costa Rica, the small village of Vara Blanca serves as a significant transport hub connecting the northern parts of the country. At only 32 km from San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport, the village lies close to many of Costa Rica's most popular attractions. Vara Blanca’s primary drawcard is undoubtedly La Paz Waterfall Gardens, with its exceptional hiking trails through virgin rainforest, ten animal exhibits, five waterfalls, and more than 100 animal species. Poas, one of the largest and most active volcanoes in the country, is another must-see. A short walk from the Poás Volcano National Park’s visitor centre will lead you to the crater, where you will find a spectacular blue-green lake and evidence of some minor volcanic activity. Barva Volcano is extinct, but there is still plenty of intriguing wildlife to see on its forested slopes.
Het Arenal Volcano National Park ligt in het centrum van Costa Rica, in het Arenal Tilaran Conservation Area en omvat acht van de 12 beschermde levenszones van het land. Het park is de thuisbasis van de meeste 850 vogelsoorten van Costa Rica, en een scala aan exotische wezens zoals kapucijnapen, papegaaislangen, jaguars en herten, en de diverse landschappen zijn graslanden en vulkanische badlands. Met uitzicht op het park vindt u de prachtige Arenal vulkaan en de Chato vulkaan, compleet met een prachtige lagune. Ervaar deze spannende regio door te wandelen door lavavelden en regenwouden, vogels en dieren te spotten en een duik te nemen in de warmwaterbronnen.
In the outskirts of northern Puntarenas, Costa Rica, lies Tárcoles—a small town with a surprising range of indoor and outdoor activities, set amidst captivating fauna and unique wildlife. The town, parallel to the ocean, boasts a million-dollar view. Explore Carara National Park for an adrenaline-pumping experience with American Crocodiles. The Waterfall Manatial de Auga Viva, one of Costa Rica's largest waterfalls at 200m, promises adventure through steep terrain with views of local beaches and vibrant wildlife. Tárcoles, near Jacó, provides access to world-class surf beaches, and canopy tours offer breathtaking aerial views through tram rides or exhilarating zip line expeditions.
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.
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.
Het stadje San Gerardo de Dota ligt aan een rustige weg in het Talamanca gebergte, ongeveer drie uur van de hoofdstad San Jose. Een van de belangrijkste attracties hier is Los Quetzales National Park, beroemd onder's werelds vogelspottende broederschap als een van de beste plaatsen om de prachtige quetzal te bekijken, met zijn levendige groene en rode verenkleed dat het een reputatie heeft opgeleverd als een van de mooiste vogels ter wereld. Voor sportieve en outdoor liefhebbers is wandelen een must-do activiteit in de regio, met fantastische paden die leiden door het nationale park en over de Rio Savregre.
