Costa Rica is a tropical choose-your-own-adventure land according to the guide book. It sounds an amazing place with "world class infrastructure, visionary sustainability initiatives and no standing the army! Apparently more than one third of it has some form of environmental protection. Fantastic wildlife spotting opportunities, wonderful views and perfect beaches - we can't wait to get there!
1. Bosque Nuboso Monteverde
A pristine expanse of virginal forest totalling 105 sq kms, Monteverde Cloud Forest owes much of its impressive natural beauty to Quaker expats, who left the US in the 1950s to protest the Korean War and helped foster conservationist principles with Ticos of the region. But as fascinating as the history is, the rela romance of Monteverde is in nature itself; a mysterious Neverland dripping with mist, dangling with mossy vines, sprouting with ferns and bromeliads, gushing with creeks, blooming with life and nurturing rivulets of evolution.
2. Volcano Arenala and Hot Springs
While the molten night views are gone, this mighty, perfectly conical giant is still considered active and worthy of a pilgrimage. There are several beautiful trails to explore, especially the magnificent climb to Cerro Chato. At its base you are just a short drive away from the area's many hot springs. Some of these springs are free, and any local can point the way. Others are, shall we say, embellished, dressed up, luxuriated - dip your toes into the romantic Eco-Termales, for starters.
7. Parque Nacional Tortuguero
Canoeing the canals of Parque Nacional Tortuguero is a boat borne safari, where thick jungle meets the water and you can get up close with shy caimans,s river turtles, crowned night herons, monkeys and sloths. Sandwiched between extravagantly green wetlands and the wild Caribbean Sea, this is among the premier places in Costa Rica to watch wildlife.
10. Wildlife Watching
Monkeys, crocs, toucans and iguanas: Costa Rica's menagerie is a thrill for wildlife enthusiasts. With world-class parks, long-standing dedication to environmental protection, and mind boggling diversity, the country is hoe to scores of rare and endangered species. Simply put, it's one of the globe's best wildlife-watching destinations. In fact, visitors hardly have to make an effort; no matter where you travel, the branches overhead are alive with critters, from lazy sloths and mischievous monkeys to a brilliant spectrum of tropical birds.
11. Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
Although droves of visitors pack Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio - the country's most popular (and smallest) national park - it remains an absolute gem. Capuchin monkeys scurry across idyllic beaches, brown pelicans dive-bomb clear waters and sloths watch over trails. It's a perfect place to introduce youngsters to the rainforest and splashing around in the waves you'll feel like a kid yourself. There's not much by way of privacy, but it's so lovely you won't mind sharing.
13. San Jose
The heart of Tico culture lives in San Jose as do university students, intellectuals, artists and policitians. While not the most attractive capital in Central America, it does have some graceful neoclassical and Spanish colonial architecture, leafy neighbourhoods museums housing preColumbian jade and gold, nightlife that goes on until dawn, and some of the most sophisticated restaurants in the country. Street art - of both officially sanctioned and guerrilla varieties - add unexpected pops of colour and public discourse to the cityscape.
With so much to see and do in Costa Rica, our itinerary takes in six of the recommended top 20 things to do........
1. Bosque Nuboso Monteverde
A pristine expanse of virginal forest totalling 105 sq kms, Monteverde Cloud Forest owes much of its impressive natural beauty to Quaker expats, who left the US in the 1950s to protest the Korean War and helped foster conservationist principles with Ticos of the region. But as fascinating as the history is, the rela romance of Monteverde is in nature itself; a mysterious Neverland dripping with mist, dangling with mossy vines, sprouting with ferns and bromeliads, gushing with creeks, blooming with life and nurturing rivulets of evolution.
2. Volcano Arenala and Hot Springs
While the molten night views are gone, this mighty, perfectly conical giant is still considered active and worthy of a pilgrimage. There are several beautiful trails to explore, especially the magnificent climb to Cerro Chato. At its base you are just a short drive away from the area's many hot springs. Some of these springs are free, and any local can point the way. Others are, shall we say, embellished, dressed up, luxuriated - dip your toes into the romantic Eco-Termales, for starters.
7. Parque Nacional Tortuguero
Canoeing the canals of Parque Nacional Tortuguero is a boat borne safari, where thick jungle meets the water and you can get up close with shy caimans,s river turtles, crowned night herons, monkeys and sloths. Sandwiched between extravagantly green wetlands and the wild Caribbean Sea, this is among the premier places in Costa Rica to watch wildlife.
10. Wildlife Watching
Monkeys, crocs, toucans and iguanas: Costa Rica's menagerie is a thrill for wildlife enthusiasts. With world-class parks, long-standing dedication to environmental protection, and mind boggling diversity, the country is hoe to scores of rare and endangered species. Simply put, it's one of the globe's best wildlife-watching destinations. In fact, visitors hardly have to make an effort; no matter where you travel, the branches overhead are alive with critters, from lazy sloths and mischievous monkeys to a brilliant spectrum of tropical birds.
11. Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
Although droves of visitors pack Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio - the country's most popular (and smallest) national park - it remains an absolute gem. Capuchin monkeys scurry across idyllic beaches, brown pelicans dive-bomb clear waters and sloths watch over trails. It's a perfect place to introduce youngsters to the rainforest and splashing around in the waves you'll feel like a kid yourself. There's not much by way of privacy, but it's so lovely you won't mind sharing.
13. San Jose
The heart of Tico culture lives in San Jose as do university students, intellectuals, artists and policitians. While not the most attractive capital in Central America, it does have some graceful neoclassical and Spanish colonial architecture, leafy neighbourhoods museums housing preColumbian jade and gold, nightlife that goes on until dawn, and some of the most sophisticated restaurants in the country. Street art - of both officially sanctioned and guerrilla varieties - add unexpected pops of colour and public discourse to the cityscape.
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