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.
Located in Costa Rica, the spectacularly scenic Southern Caribbean Coast is best known for its pristine golden-sand beaches fringed by swaying palm trees and lapped by crystal-clear turquoise waters. This coastline offers visitors the quintessential tropical vacation experience. It has yet to be fully discovered by Costa Rica’s tourism boom and retains its unspoilt natural charm. Visitors can spend lazy days relaxing on idyllic Caribbean beaches, snorkelling through underwater wonderlands, and surfing some epic waves. Don’t miss the remarkably beautiful Cahuita National Park, featuring an offshore stretch of coral reef; as well as the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge with its paradisiacal beaches, hidden coves, mangroves, little islands, coral reefs and lush rainforest inhabited by abundant wildlife including: sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, crocodiles and a variety of birdlife.
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.
Known as the ‘Forest in the Clouds’, Monteverde is one of Costa Rica’s key conservation areas, taking in six different ecological zones and home to a kaleidoscopic array of flora and fauna. Breathtaking walking trails traverse this mountainous reserve, whilea network of canopy bridges are suspended in the tree tops overhead – both offering visitors the chance to experience its astonishing biodiversity. The park’s menagerie of exotic wildlife includes jaguars, ocelots, three-wattled bell birds, bare-necked umbrella birds, and elusive, vividly coloured quetzals, while its botanical offerings range from woodlands and rainforests, to exquisite orchids, delicate ferns, jungle vines and mosses.
