Costa Rica Main Attractions

Volcanoes, Cloud Forests and wild coastline; Costa Rica has it all to offer - the ultimate wildlife destination

Monteverde & Santa Elena cloud forest reserves: Frogs croak, butterflies flit and you may catch a glimpse of the ruby and emerald plumage of the Resplendent Quetzal in these biodiverse reserves, models for environmental sustainability and eco-tourism. Packed with plants, insects, birds, reptiles and mammals, these forests can be explored on foot, on horseback or by 4WD, accompanied by your binoculars and naturalist guide. Join the birds in the canopy on a zip lining adventure or take a night trail from your lodge to spot nocturnal species including the sloth.

Arenal volcano: Usually combined, because of its location, with the cloud forest reserves of Monteverde or Santa Elena, Arenal is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Beyond its lava fields, the surrounding rainforest national park is lush and excellent for hiking, with the perfect cone always visible, and often smoking. Soak in volcanic hot springs, listen out for gas eruptions and, as darkness falls, watch the naturally occurring sound and light show from the comfort of your lodge or hotel.

Pacific Coast: As you’d expect, the beaches on the Pacific side of Costa Rica are very different from those on the northerly Caribbean coastline. Surfers throng to the long rugged stretches of sand at Manuel Antonio National Park and further north on the Nicoya Peninsula, where the dramatic rolling waves require a certain level of surfing expertise. In the country’s southern tip, Corcovado National Park sits on the Osa Peninsula and is home to myriad bird species including the scarlet macaw. Some excellent eco lodges nestle in pristine rainforest and the beaches here are wild and wonderful. 

Tortuguero National Park: Visit Tortuguero National Park on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast between July and October and you’ll have the privilege of coinciding with the nesting season for the endangered Green sea turtle. Virtually hunted to extinction for the production of turtle soup, these gentle giants make their way up the beach at night to lay their eggs, and it’s possible to get remarkably close to them on guided night time trips. Tortuguero is such an important breeding ground for this particular species of turtle that the majority of the population within the entire Caribbean region come from just a few beaches here. Giant leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles also use Tortuguero’s coast as a nesting ground.