Tailor Made Holidays in Costa Rica: Highlights

Discover the Turrialba Valley

The Turrialba Valley is often overlooked on most visits to Costa Rica but is very easily built into an itinerary as it links well with San Jose and Tortugero National Park. Rains throughout the year have created thick pockets of primary forest connected by important biological corridors whilst the wild waters of the Reventazon River offer some of Costa Rica's most exciting white water rafting. The lush mountainous landscapes, pristine tropical forests, thundering rivers and wildlife ensures that there is plenty to do in Turrialba; but it is also a great place to discover the agricultural side of the country with a visit one of the plantations to sample some of the best organic produce in Costa Rica.

Read more about: San José and Central Valley
 
Explore the canals of Tortugero National Park

You can only reach Tortugero by boat or light aircraft and its remote location has allowed the rainforest to develop into a thick, impenetrable looking blanket of green on the Caribbean coast. An extensive network of canals is the best way to discover the park and its fantastic wildlife. The dark waters are always calm and tranquil as you drift lazily past water hyacinths, catch glimpses of sloth’s, crocodiles and basking freshwater turtles whilst high up in the canopy you often see numerous species of monkey and noisy, brightly coloured parrots.

Read more about: Tortuguero and the Caribbean Coast
 
River rafting in Pacuare

The Pacuare river is the most famous river in Costa Rica for white water rafting, with a mix of grade three and four rapids. It is a thrilling experience in a stunning setting as the surrounding tropical rainforest provides your backdrop for this adventure, complete with narrow gulleys and beautiful waterfalls along the way.

 
Seek adventure and wonderful birdlife in Monteverde and Santa Elena

This is the adventure capital of Costa Rica with the country's best zip lining and canopy tours. For those seeking something less adventurous, the cloud forest reserves of Monteverde and Santa Elena offer some of the best bird watching and are home to the famous and aptly-named resplendent quetzal.

Read more about: Arenal Volcano and the Cloudforest Reserves
 
Take a walk in the Arenal National Park

Volcan Arenal is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and is a must for those visiting Costa Rica for the first time. It has been continuously active since the last major eruption in July 1968. The National Park’s main trail takes you through verdant tropical rainforest with diverse flora and fauna before you reach the old magma flows from the last eruption and the landscape dramatically changes to a barren, jagged moonscape framed by the impressive conical volcano. You may get the chance to see the glowing cinders from the crater and hear (and feel) explosions from gas eruptions.

Read more about: Arenal Volcano and the Cloudforest Reserves
 
Turtle watching in Tortuguero

Between July and October is the nesting season for the endangered Green Turtle, when the turtles come up on to Tortuguero beach at night to lay their eggs in nests and cover them to protect from predators. It is possible to arrange trips at night to witness this fantastic natural phenomenon, and it really is a wonderful sight to see these peaceful giants so close up.

Read more about: Tortuguero and the Caribbean Coast
 
Visit the remote Osa Peninsula

Isolated in the far southwest of the country, few people venture to this corner of the country. Home to the scarlet macaw as well as hundreds of other species of birds, mammals and even illusive large cats, the smaller jungle lodges in this area of the country result in an exclusive and memorable experience.

Read more about: Corcovado and Osa Peninsula
 
Whale Watching in Dominical

Dominical is an impressive, wild and beautiful region on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Little visited compared to the more developed parts in the north of Manuel Antonio, this area offers some fantastic bird watching in the Oro Verde private reserve, endless deserted black sand beaches and the Marina Ballena National Park were Humpback whales can be seen from February to April and August to October. Day trips to Corcovado National Park and Cano Island are also easily arranged from Dominical.

 
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