Arenal Volcano

Feel the ground tremble and see the night sky explode with ash and lava in a natural display of fireworks. Arenal Volcano National Park is part of the Area de Conservación Arenal, wich protects most of the Cordillera de Tilarán. It contains half the species of land welling vertebrates ( birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians ) known in Costa Rica. The Arenal volcano was temporarily dormant form about 1500 AD until July 29, 1998, when huge explosions triggered lava flows that destroyed two villages.

Despite this massive eruption, the volcano retained its almost perfect conical shape. Due to its continuing activity ash columns, massive explosions, and glowing red lava flows almost daily since 1968. The closest town to the volcano is La Fortuna de San Carlos. Activities you may perform around: canopy tours, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing at the Arenal lake, tour to Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, tour to Venado Caves, visiting the hot springs, and more.

Corcovado Area

Thisis a marvelous place where miles of solitary beaches and rainforest capture the imagination of those who take this path. The 54,539 hectares Corcovado National Park has astonishing biological diversity that attracts the attention of ecologists who study the intricate rainforest. The park was established in 1975, and has two sections. Most of it is in the southwestern corner of the Península de Osa and protects at least eight distinct types of habitat.

This assemblage is considered unique, being the best remaining Pacific Coastal Rainforest in Central America. Later, 12751 hectares were added on the northeastern side of the Golfo Dulce. Many important species are protected here: the beautiful scarlet macaw, tapirs, wild cats, crocodiles, peccaries, giant anteaters, monkeys, sloth, the rare harpy eagle, almost 400 species of birds, 140 mammals and over 500 species of trees. Towns near the park: Agujitas in Bahía Drake, Puerto Jiménez, Chacarita and Golfito. Activities to do around: hiking, animal-watching, tour to Isla del Caño Biological Reserve, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming-with-dolphins, horseback riding, sport fishing, and others.

Monteverde Area

Monteverdeis one of the most visited destinations in Costa Rica famous for its cloud forest, resplendent quetzals, and bell birds. The name "Monteverde" refers to a small community founded by North American Quakers in 1951 and to the cloud forest reserve that lies adjacent to the community. Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1972, with the help of international organizations. Gradually, more land was acquired and added to the reserve.

The size of the Monteverde Reserve is estimated of about 17,000 hectares, combined with another 7,000 hectares (or more) of the neighboring Children's Rainforest. The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve was created in 1989. Four trails around the reserve offer walks of varying length and difficulty, from 45 minutes to 3 and a half hour. Over 2,000 plant species are native to the area, as well as over 400 birds and 100 mammals.Among these species are: black guan, great green macaw, resplendent quetzal, three-wattled bell bird, bare-necked umbrella bird, baird's tapir, jaguar and ocelot. Towns: Monteverde and Santa Elena (both very quiet). Activities to do: canopy tours and its variations: Sky Walk (on hanging bridges) and Sky Trek (High speed sliding hanging from wires), horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, visit to the butterfly garden, the serpentarium, the cheese factory, and more.

Papagayo Gulf

The extraordinarily beautiful warm-water beaches of the Papagayo Gulf will make of your visit a wonderful experience. Papagayo Gulf is part of Guanacaste, at the Península de Nicoya. Some of its marvelous beaches are: the friendly Panamá Beach in Culebra Bay -which is one of the best swimming places of the area, the gently curving, quieter Hermosa Beach, the scuba diving center Del Coco Beach -that has more nightlife than most beaches on the peninsula, and the small Ocotal Beach -which is the quietest.

These beaches are facing the tropical dry forest -located around 296 Km. northeast from San José, 5 hours by car-. The marine life of these places is abundant: manta rays with 4 to 6m fin spans, other rays, huge schools of fish, and plenty of coral reef life among others. Towns surrounding the area: Nacascolo, Comunidad, Sardinal, and El Coco. Activities you may perform: scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, sport fishing, visit to Catalina Island, and visit to Murciélago Island, among others.

Quepos & Manuel Antonio

This is the destination where sun, beach, and forest converge to shape an unforgettable vacation. Manuel Antonio National Park was created in 1972 being the smallest park in Costa Rica: 683 hectares. But it is also one of the most popular ones due to its lovely forest-backed tropical beaches, impressive rocky headlands with ocean and island views, and vibrant wildlife. A well-maintained trail network allows visitors to witness the unspoiled primary forest that grows along the high tide mark.

>The average daily temperature is 27º C (around 80º F), and the average annual rainfall is 3800mm. Over 350 species of birds are reported in the park and surrounded area, and a variety of lizards, snakes, iguanas, monkeys, sloth, butterflies and other animals might be observed. Towns near the park are: Manuel Antonio Beaches, Quepos, Paquita, Finca Bartolo, Pastora and Dominical Beach at the South. Activities you may perform around: canopy, bird watching, hiking, river rafting, sunset sailing, fishing, and snorkeling among others.

Southern Caribbean

An exquisite place that captures the Caribbean atmosphere of Costa Rica surrounded by the lush jungle and marine wilderness. Within an accessible and relatively small area you will find the Cahuita National Park famous for its living coral reef and marine species, and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Biological Reserve. The vegetation of this area is exuberant in this Tropical Rainforest, ideal for ecological tourism. Some species you will find: sloth, congos, white-faced monkeys, raccoons, a number of marine turtles, crabs, iguanas, birds, toucans, frogs, yolillo palm trees, ceibas, heliconias, orchids, cinnamon trees, and others.

The Southern Caribbean shows impressive cultural diversity where blacks, indigenous, and Europeans have created a very relaxed way of living. For instance, you are able to buy Bribri handicrafts, eat delicious Italian food, listen to reggae and calypso music, and talk to the old timers. You will discover this friendly and easy environment. Towns and beaches: Cahuita, Puerto Vargas, Pirikikí Beach, Chiquita Beach, Cocles Beach, Uva Beach, and Manzanillo Beach. Activities you may perform: diving, surfing, hiking, sport fishing, dolphin tour, tour to Kekoldi Native Reserves, horseback riding, bird watching, and more.

Tambor Beach

Ideal for families, couples, or lonely travelers who look for ocean and sand, combining them either with adventure and party nights, or privacy and peace.

Located in Bahía Ballena (Whale Bay), the largest bay on the southern peninsula coastline, the 6 Km black beach of Tambor is surrounded by waterfalls, woods and parks. The 84-hectare Curú National Wildlife Refuge nests large forest trees, five different kinds of mangrove, deer, monkeys, agoutis, pacas, cats, iguanas, crabs, lobsters, chitons, shellfish, sea turtles, and more of 200 bird species. The area nature inspired the writing of the book "Jurassic Park". The calm beach is safe for swimming; sometimes whales are sighted in the bay. Towns and beaches near: Paquera, Curú, Pochote Beach, Cocalito Beach, Cocal Beach, Tacotales, Cóbano and Montezuma Beach. Activities: horseback riding, sport fishing, scuba diving, hiking, tour to Tortuga Island, visit to the butterfly garden, visit to the serpentarium, and visit to Curú National Wildlife Refuge among others.

Conchal Beach & Flamingo Beach

Paradisiacal white-sand beaches make true your most inner dreams of romanticism, comfort and contentment. This is an internationally famous destination because of its great beauty. Conchal Beach is called that way for its many shells (conchas) that pile up on the beach. Its clear water and calm sea is nice for snorkeling and swimming. The breathtaking Flamingo Beach is located around 4 Km. North from Brasilito. A marine has been developed for sport fishing and boat tours, and is one of the better-known beaches in Costa Rica. Other beaches and towns nearby: Brasilito, Potrero Bay, Sugar Beach, La Penca Beach, and Real Beach. Activities to do around: sport fishing, golf, diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, boogie boards and kayak rentals, sailing and others.

Tortuguero Canals

A peaceful place in the exuberant rainforest crossed by a natural network of scenic navigable lakes and channels. Tortuguero National Park is the most important breeding ground for the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the western half of the Caribbean. In no other part of the world green turtles arrive in such numbers, so regularly every year. There are eight species of marine turtles in the world; six nests in Costa Rica, and of those, four are in Tortuguero. This explains why the place got its name: "Tortuguero" means "the land of many turtles". The park has 19,211 - hectare coastal territory plus about 52,000 hectares of marine area. It is one of the wettest areas of the country. The average temperature is 26º C / around 79º F. Although the beaches are extensive, they are not suitable for swimming.

The surf is very rough and the currents strong. The national park offers great wildlife viewing and birding opportunities: three species of monkeys, sloth, anteaters, kinkajous, manatees, peccaries, tapirs, lizards, caimans, crocodiles, snakes, frogs, toads, 400 species of birds, 400 species of trees, and at least 2200 species of other plants have been recorded. Towns: Tortuguero. Activities to do: Boat tours, hiking, turtle-watching, bird watching, canoeing, kayaking, and others.

Guanacaste Beach

On Tamarindo Beach, you will have more than 2 Km. of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica under your feet. Just North of Tamarindo village, you will find Las Baulas de Guanacaste Marine National Park that was created in 1991 and covers about 22,000 hectares of ocean and 420 hectares of land. Most of its land contains all six of the mangrove species found in Costa Rica: two species of black mangrove, tea, white, red, and buttonwood. This creates a great habitat for bird species including the beautiful roseate spoonbill as well as for caimans and crocodiles.

Grande Beach, inside the park, is the most important nesting site for the leatherback turtle (baula) in Costa Rica. It is seen from October to March and mostly from November to January. More than 100 reptiles lay their eggs on Playa Grande during the course of a night, creating about 2,500 nests each season. Allow yourself special pleasures in the almost uninhabited Langosta Beach, located 2 Km. South from Tamarindo. Towns and beaches nearby: Avellana Beach, Grande Beach, Huacas, Matapalo, Salinas, and Villarreal. Activities to do: surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba, boat tours, turtle-watching tours in season, bike and water sports equipment rentals, full day cruises, and more.

Central Pacific Jaco Beach Area

This is the place where you will fulfill your desires for fun and adventure. The Central Pacific area is located from Puntarenas (a 100,000 inhabitant's town) to Quepos. Going south you will find Doña Ana Beach, Mata Limón Beach, Tárcoles Beach, Punta Leona Beach- which has white sand -, Herradura Beach - that homes a marina and luxury hotel and condominium complex- and Jacó Beach- only two hours from San José and popular among young people.

Carara Biological Reserve is at the mouth of Río Tárcoles, around 50 km southeast of Puntarenas by road. It has 4,700 hectares, and it is the northern most tropical wet forest on the Pacific coast, in the transition zone to the tropical dry forest farther north, and five Holdridge Life Zones occur within the park. Some animals to see: scarlet macaws, iguanas, trogons, toucans, marmots, monkeys, squirrels, sloth, and agoutis among others. The average temperature is 27° C/80°F. , and the rainfall is almost 3000mm annually. Activities to do in the area: golfing, sport fishing, scuba diving, ocean kayaks, surfing, windsurfing, jet skis, body boards, snorkeling, boat charters to various destinations available, tour to Tortuga Island, wildlife watching, bike rental, and horseback riding among others.