Highlights of Costa Rica
- Birdwatching at San Gerardo de Dota
- This sleepy little hamlet in the dense cloudforest of the Savegre valley has cool, crisp mountain air and is a bird-watcher's paradise - it's one of the best places to spot the beautiful resplendent quetzal.
- Birdwatching at San Gerardo de Dota
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- Discover rare birds in the Monteverde cloudforest
- The cloudforest at Monteverde is wonderfully rich in birdlife. You can often find the resplendent quetzal here - a beautiful emerald green bird with a bright red stomach.
- Discover rare birds in the Monteverde cloudforest
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- Explore Corcovado National Park
- Pristine rainforests and home of the scarlet macaw, an abundance of wildlife can be experienced in the Corcovado National Park. Some of the country's best ecolodges provide a base from which to explore the rainforest and wild beaches.
- Explore Corcovado National Park
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- Explore the Caribbean Coast
- This coast has a decidedly Afro-Caribbean influence and the small towns have a truly laid-back pace of life. This stretch of coastline is home to pristine national parks and deserted beaches.
- Explore the Caribbean Coast
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- Relax in the thermal mud pools at Rincon de la Vieja
- Get off the beaten track a little and visit another of Costa Rica`s active volcanoes - horseriding, relaxing in thermal mud pools and hiking in lush forest are just a few options here.
- Relax in the thermal mud pools at Rincon de la Vieja
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- Relax on the beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula
- Home to the country's best beaches, there's something for everyone here from high-end exclusive hotels to surf towns with simple cabins and secluded eco-resorts.
- Relax on the beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula
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- Spot squirrel monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park
- Costa Rica's smallest national park is very accessible and a great place to view diverse wildlife including the rare squirrel monkey. The coastline features a choice of lovely beaches for some relaxation.
- Spot squirrel monkeys in Manuel Antonio National Park
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- Stay at Pacuare Lodge
- Pacuare Lodge is a uniquely Costa Rican experience combining rafting, wildlife, rainforest and barefoot luxury. The lodge is candle lit and only the wine cellar is air conditioned.
- Stay at Pacuare Lodge
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- Visit Arenal Volcano
- If you are lucky enough to witness it, the sight of the active Arenal Volcano erupting is an unforgettable experience.
- Visit Arenal Volcano
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- Watch wildlife in Tortuguero National Park
- Exploring the canals of Tortuguero is a wonderful way to spot wildlife such as monkeys, caiman and toucans. In August and September you may be lucky enough to see turtles laying their eggs on the beach at night.
- Watch wildlife in Tortuguero National Park
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Our country specialists have travelled the length and breadth of Costa Rica - here are a few of their favourite things to do
Stunningly beautiful and with a wealth of flora and fauna, Costa Rica is also the most advanced Central American country in terms of both its economy and society.
Landscapes and natural attractions
For such a small a country there is an incredible amount to see. There are mist-shrouded cloudforests, smouldering volcanoes, beautiful bubbling hot springs, lush rainforests, rolling hills, huge tumbling rivers, white sand beaches that stretch for miles, incredible wildlife as well as sweet-smelling coffee and fruit plantations, all within easy reach of the capital, San José.
Wildlife
The diversity of the flora and fauna is on show everywhere in a riot of vivid colours: this is one of the best places to spot tapirs, caiman, iridescent butterflies and day-glow frogs, not to mention the elusive jaguar.
Adventure and experience
Costa Rica is also one of the most adventurous countries in Central America: they have devised hundreds of different ways to experience the country; on foot, by horseback, motorboat, canopy walkways and the more adrenaline stimulating activities including ziplining, scuba diving, river-rafting, mountain biking, volcano climbing, sea-kayaking and surfing to name but a few.
Ecotourism and guides
It is progressive in its views on ecotourism, has a long history of democracy and is peaceful enough to not even warrant an army. The guides throughout the country are excellent, which just enhances any trip.
Popular Places to visit in Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast is scattered with a diverse range of stunning beaches and protected areas of natural beauty - in all a fantastic opportunity to experience nature, adventure and relaxation within easy reach of San José.
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The Osa Peninsula is one of Costa Rica’s most unique and remote areas - tucked away in the south-west it is much less accessible than other parts of the country, which only adds to its appeal. The biological diversity in the area is huge, much of it protected since 1975 as the Corcovado National Park.
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Dominical is a wild and beautiful region situated on the remote south-western Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The area receives far fewer visitors than Manuel Antonio, which is just 40 kilometres north.
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The Monteverde locale is world famous for its cloud forest and, although generally associated solely with the reserve that carries its name, it actually covers a much larger area stretching from Volcan Arenal to the east down to the low hills of Guanacaste in the west.
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Slightly further afield than the central pacific coast, the Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste coastlines are fringed by some of the country’s most idyllic beaches.
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Rincon de la Vieja National Park protects a beautiful dry forest landscape in the northwest of Costa Rica. Named after the active Rincon de la Vieja volcano, the park is still relatively visitor-free and is home to some 200 bird species.
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The sleepy hamlet of San Gerado de Dota is about three hours south of San José and famous amongst the world’s birdwatching community.
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The capital of Costa Rica, the large, sprawling city of San José is the focal point of the Central Valley with a spectacular setting, ringed by jagged mountains and volcanoes on all sides.
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One of Costa Rica’s most culturally diverse regions, the Caribbean coast has influences that range from Hispanic and Miskito Indian to Afro-Caribbean. There are some beautiful beaches and coral reefs to be found around Cahuita but the main attraction is the Tortuguero National Park.
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The verdant Turrialba Valley is nestled against the Caribbean slopes of the Cordillera Central, just 40 miles east of San Jose. The lush landscape here is home to a huge variety of flora and fauna, and the wild waters of the Reventazon River offer some of Costa Rica's best white water rafting.
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Practical Info
Flight time from UK
Approx. 13 hours (via the USA or Europe)
When To Go
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