The town of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui lies two hours northeast of San José but its the surrounding area that is of interest to the traveller - it is wonderful for the wildlife and nature enthusiast, less-visited than Tortuguero or Monteverde.
Fast becoming an important ecotourism destination Sarapiqui lies near the base of the Cordillera Central range at the convergence of the Rio Sarapiqui and Rio Puerto Viejo, surrounded by agricultural plantations and lush forests. Right in the heart lies La Selva Biological Station which provides a superb scientific insight into the life of the rainforest. It is home to some 400 species of birds, 450 species of trees and over 100 species of mammals and is situated in one of the last remaining areas of primary rainforest in Costa Rica.
Lodges are simple but if you are looking for something a little off the beaten track it is well worth spending a couple of nights here. The area is increasingly becoming a focus of adventure activity with ziplines, canopy walkways, tubing, river-rafting and horseriding all on offer for your enjoyment.