Costa Rica packs a big punch

Tiny Costa Rica is bursting with natural wonders, an abundance of adventure and is the ecotourism capital of the world – so where better to get off the beaten track?

6 mins

Sandwiched between Nicaragua and Panama, and flanked by the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica exudes the spirit of adventure. Adrenaline junkies can zipline above rainforests filled with chattering primates, clamber up volatile volcanoes and spot riverside critters from a raft – to name just a few of the escapades on offer.

“Whatever a customer’s needs – whether it’s adventure, a spot of relaxing or a bit of both – our experts are so knowledgeable, and our trips flexible enough that we can plan their trip with ease,” explains Hayes and Jarvis Travel Designer Vanessa Linley.

A visit to Arenal volcano, one of the most active craters on the planet, is an essential on any itinerary. This unpredictable peak has a habit of erupting every three or four years, which should be enough to get any heart racing. To raise your pulse a little further, take to the rivers nearby: Costa Rica provides some truly blood-pumping whitewater rafting experiences and the fizzing waters around Arenal – the Peñas Blancas, Balsa and Toro – are no exception. You can pick a thrill level to satisfy your appetite for adventure.

The highs of the cloud forest are matched by the dazzling depths off the Costa Rican coasts, and getting underwater here is essential
 

Next up, take a walk on the wild side at Selvatura Park, deep within the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Its network of treetop walkways, platforms and hanging bridges, which extends over two kilometres through the forest, enables you to safely spot the wildlife that abounds in the jungle below and the canopy above. Keep an eye out for Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth, kinkajou and over 30 species of hummingbird.

If it’s birds that set you aflutter, head for the Tirimbina Reserve. It is home to 300 species of avifauna – including white-necked puffbirds, sunbitterns and the rare snowy contingas – making this rainforest a birdwatching nirvana.

The highs of the cloud forest are matched by the dazzling depths off the Costa Rican coasts, and getting underwater here is essential – not least because of the vast numbers of sea turtles that pay a visit. Head for the Ostional Wildlife Refuge on the Nicoya Peninsula up in the north-west. The sanctuary offers a safe nesting site for olive ridley, leatherback and green turtles. They nest throughout the year here, so the chances of spotting females as they come ashore to lay their eggs in the black, volcanic sands are high. Alternatively, our Costa Rica experts would suggest a visit to Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast. Accessible only by plane or boat, it’s one of the world’s key sea turtle nesting beaches.

Then there’s Corcovado National Park, often described as the most biologically intense place on earth. Here you can spot all four types of monkey that live in Costa Rica – howler, squirrel, spider, white-faced capuchin – as well as crocodiles, jaguars, giant anteaters, Baird’s tapir, scarlet macaws and toucans, to name just a few. With its natural rock formations, waterfalls, beaches and rivers, Corcovado is adventurous Costa Rica in microcosm: as beautiful as it is wild and diverse.

Insider secret

"Head for Puerto Viejo de Talamanca to see a more laidback side to Costa Rica. Reggae fills the streets of this fun-loving town on the Caribbean coast, also home to the coconut tree-lined Cocles Beach and the black sands of Playa Negra" Robert Burgess, Travel Designer

Practical information

WHEN TO GO: December to April is the drier season on the Pacific coast (although still expect a fair amount of rain). The Caribbean coast is drier between August and October.
VISAS: Not required by UK nationals but there is a US$29 departure tax, payable when you leave the country in US dollars, Costa Rican colóns or by credit/debit card.
FLIGHT TIME: Around 14 hours via the USA.
TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT-6
MONEY: Costa Rican colón (CRC), currently around 900CRC to the UK£.


Speak to the expert

Embark on a ‘Costa Rican Adventure’ to discover spectacular scenery and incredible wildlife. Go swimming, birdwatching, cruising through canals and hiking past volcanic peaks. A nine-day tour departing in June 2015 costs £1,499 per person. To fi nd out more, please give us a call on 01293 738041 to speak to our Costa Rica experts, or visit: www.hayesandjarvis.co.uk/discover



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