Costa Rica

Costa Rica has an incredibly diverse landscape.  Within its borders you will find volcanoes, rainforests, dry forests, mangroves, wetlands, coral reefs and sandy beaches. It has a range of excellent accommodation, many with good eco credentials – it is a world leader in sustainable tourism. Highlights include:

• The lush foliage and swirling mists of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, home to over 400 bird species including 30 types of hummingbird and over 420 species of orchids.  Activities here include hiking, canopy tours on suspended walkways, biplane canopy tours, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, horse trekking and nocturnal forest tours.
• Hike the slopes of the iconic Arenal Volcano, dormant since 1968.  Relax in its hot springs, or for the more active, go whitewater rafting or canyoning.  
• Take a boat and explore the lagoons, wetlands, beaches and canals of the Tortuguero National Park.  Spot caiman, river otters, spiders and howler monkeys. In July and August watch turtles laying their eggs on the protected beaches.
• Visit Corcovado National park on the Osa Peninsula on the Pacific coast.  It has 13 separate ecosystems, 1000 species of trees, 400 species of birds, tapirs and elusive jaguars.  Among the coral reefs glimpse dolphins and maybe even a whale.  
• Relax in the surfing villages of Nosara and Santa Teresa on the Nicoya  Peninsula.  Between July and December visit the nesting grounds of the Olive Ridley turtle.  

Walking

It’s hard not to go walking on a trip to Costa Rica.  After all it is the best way to see the wildlife and landscape.  All the national parks, with their different characters, are criss-crossed with walking trails. For some of them you can self guide, for others you will need a guide.  Either way Costa Rica has walks to suit all tastes.  From the well marked trails up to the top of the Arenal volcano to the walk through Tenorio Volcano National Park to the Rio Celeste where sulphur carbonate from the volcano has turned the water a luminous blue.  From the trail walks over suspended bridges in the Monteverde cloud forest to a strenuous hike in Corcovado National Park or to the crater summit in Rincon de la Vieja – the Yellowstone Park of Costa Rica.   We can organise guides for you and accommodation to the make the most of the walking possibilities.