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Manuel Antonio National Park
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Chirripo National Park (Mount Chirripo)
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Tenorio Volcano National Park
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Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park was established in 1972 by Costa Rica to preserve the biodiversity of one of the most beautiful areas in the world. Its stunning beauty and diverse wildlife is unequaled. Walk through rainforests to expansive, sandy beaches - then take a dive to coral reefs under the sea. The forest is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare adorable squirrel monkeys and millions of colorful little crabs. The trail around Punta Catedral affords some spectacular views. The southern facing beach, Playa Manuel Antonio, is a picturesque half mile long, white sand crescent with deep green foliage on one side and a private, secluded cove on the other. Standing with your feet dug into the sand watching waves crash against rocks on either side of the lagoon, it is easy to believe you are a thousand miles from anywhere.
Corcovado National Park
Considered one the most virgin regions of the country, the south Pacific encompasses one of the areas of major biodiversity in Costa Rica, the Corcovado National Park. Nature in its maximum expression… alive, exuberant, greened in every detail of the jungle growth. This, and more, is offered in the region that extends from the Barú River to the Panamanian border, and from the Talamanca mountain range to the Pacific coast.
Puerto Jimenez
The sleepy town of Puerto Jimenez is a gateway to the Corcovado National Park. Located on the eastern coast of the Osa Peninsula, this town has relaxing beaches and diverse wildlife. Puerto Jimenez was once a gold mining and logging town. Today, it serves as a pit stop for travelers before their frontier adventure to their ocean or tropical excursion.
Chirripo National Park (Mount Chirripo)
The main attraction in Chirripo National Park, on the northwest corner of La Amistad International Park (60 mi/100 km southeast of San Jose), is Mount Chirripo. At 12,600 ft/3,840 m, it is Costa Rica's highest peak.
From Mount Chirripo's summit, you can see the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea at the same time. You'll also see lakes of glacial origin, cloud forests and paramo—an ecosystem of stunted shrubs and marshy alpine grasslands that are common to the Andes Mountains in South America.
The park can only be entered on foot, and it's a grueling hike—two days minimum to ascend, plus a third day for the descent—but it's phenomenal. There's a cozy mountaintop cabin where visitors can sleep and recuperate.
Entrance fees and cabin space must be prepaid at the MINAE office in San Gerardo de Rivas, which has plenty of simple accommodations as well as a luxury boutique hotel. If you're interested in visiting, be sure to confirm that the park is open before you go.
Tenorio Volcano National Park
The Tenorio Volcano National Park is best known for the Rio Celeste whose river illuminates vibrant blue water. This national park has been protected since 1995 and is home to the active Tenorio Volcano. There are multiple life zones and ecosystems making this national park a wildlife adventure! The rainforest is filled with innumerable flora, fauna, rivers, waterfalls, and thermal hot springs. Trails lead to the mouth of the Tenorio Volcano and Montezuma Volcano.
Rio Celeste (C.R.)
La Fortuna
La Fortuna is near Costa Rica's active volcano, Volcan Arenal. Driving into the park, plumes of smoke belching out of the volcano become ominiously closer. Arenal has been nearly contastantly active and attracts visitors from around the world. Experiencing first hand nature's awesome power is a humbling sight. Take a night trip to the volcano and see bright red lava spew forth. Tabacon Resort Hot Springs, located in Arenal, featuring stunning views of Arenal Volcano and offering the pleasurable experience of bathing in the volcano's byproduct - hot springs. Constant energy of Arenal volcano, warmth of flowing thermo mineral rivers and surrounding tropical rain forest provide a supreme experience. Let the hot water of a spectacular waterfall massage your neck and shoulders. Enjoy a large main pool with a swim-up bar, or other smaller pools hidden in the gardens with built-in lounges, little waterfalls, and cozy tubs. Spend a steamy afternoon here, or head to Iskandria Spa for a volcanic body wrap, using a mixture of ash as a skin mask.
Tortuguero
The small village of Tortuguero (translated as "Region of Turtles") lies on the northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, approximately 50 miles north of the principal Port of Limon. The village is comprised of a variety of cultures: Hispanic, Miskito Indian (Nicaragua), and Afro-Caribbean. Both Spanish and Creole English are spoken. The region surrounding Tortuguero is called the Tortuguero Plain, which is a vast low lying area of little topographic relief still covered by a large expanse of tropical rainforest.
San Jose (C.R.)
The sophisticated capital of Costa Rica, San Jose, has been endowed with a vibrant street life as well as a refined cultural life. You'll see contemporary structures of glass and steel, as well as colonial, Victorian, and classical architecture, exotic birds, giant butterflies, and picturesque scenery. Costa Rica offers some of the world's most thrilling sights to those who seek a new adventure.
Manuel Antonio National Park was established in 1972 by Costa Rica to preserve the biodiversity of one of the most beautiful areas in the world. Its stunning beauty and diverse wildlife is unequaled. Walk through rainforests to expansive, sandy beaches - then take a dive to coral reefs under the sea. The forest is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare adorable squirrel monkeys and millions of colorful little crabs. The trail around Punta Catedral affords some spectacular views. The southern facing beach, Playa Manuel Antonio, is a picturesque half mile long, white sand crescent with deep green foliage on one side and a private, secluded cove on the other. Standing with your feet dug into the sand watching waves crash against rocks on either side of the lagoon, it is easy to believe you are a thousand miles from anywhere.
Considered one the most virgin regions of the country, the south Pacific encompasses one of the areas of major biodiversity in Costa Rica, the Corcovado National Park. Nature in its maximum expression… alive, exuberant, greened in every detail of the jungle growth. This, and more, is offered in the region that extends from the Barú River to the Panamanian border, and from the Talamanca mountain range to the Pacific coast.
The sleepy town of Puerto Jimenez is a gateway to the Corcovado National Park. Located on the eastern coast of the Osa Peninsula, this town has relaxing beaches and diverse wildlife. Puerto Jimenez was once a gold mining and logging town. Today, it serves as a pit stop for travelers before their frontier adventure to their ocean or tropical excursion.
The main attraction in Chirripo National Park, on the northwest corner of La Amistad International Park (60 mi/100 km southeast of San Jose), is Mount Chirripo. At 12,600 ft/3,840 m, it is Costa Rica's highest peak.
From Mount Chirripo's summit, you can see the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea at the same time. You'll also see lakes of glacial origin, cloud forests and paramo—an ecosystem of stunted shrubs and marshy alpine grasslands that are common to the Andes Mountains in South America.
The park can only be entered on foot, and it's a grueling hike—two days minimum to ascend, plus a third day for the descent—but it's phenomenal. There's a cozy mountaintop cabin where visitors can sleep and recuperate.
Entrance fees and cabin space must be prepaid at the MINAE office in San Gerardo de Rivas, which has plenty of simple accommodations as well as a luxury boutique hotel. If you're interested in visiting, be sure to confirm that the park is open before you go.
The Tenorio Volcano National Park is best known for the Rio Celeste whose river illuminates vibrant blue water. This national park has been protected since 1995 and is home to the active Tenorio Volcano. There are multiple life zones and ecosystems making this national park a wildlife adventure! The rainforest is filled with innumerable flora, fauna, rivers, waterfalls, and thermal hot springs. Trails lead to the mouth of the Tenorio Volcano and Montezuma Volcano.
La Fortuna is near Costa Rica's active volcano, Volcan Arenal. Driving into the park, plumes of smoke belching out of the volcano become ominiously closer. Arenal has been nearly contastantly active and attracts visitors from around the world. Experiencing first hand nature's awesome power is a humbling sight. Take a night trip to the volcano and see bright red lava spew forth. Tabacon Resort Hot Springs, located in Arenal, featuring stunning views of Arenal Volcano and offering the pleasurable experience of bathing in the volcano's byproduct - hot springs. Constant energy of Arenal volcano, warmth of flowing thermo mineral rivers and surrounding tropical rain forest provide a supreme experience. Let the hot water of a spectacular waterfall massage your neck and shoulders. Enjoy a large main pool with a swim-up bar, or other smaller pools hidden in the gardens with built-in lounges, little waterfalls, and cozy tubs. Spend a steamy afternoon here, or head to Iskandria Spa for a volcanic body wrap, using a mixture of ash as a skin mask.
The small village of Tortuguero (translated as "Region of Turtles") lies on the northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, approximately 50 miles north of the principal Port of Limon. The village is comprised of a variety of cultures: Hispanic, Miskito Indian (Nicaragua), and Afro-Caribbean. Both Spanish and Creole English are spoken. The region surrounding Tortuguero is called the Tortuguero Plain, which is a vast low lying area of little topographic relief still covered by a large expanse of tropical rainforest.
The sophisticated capital of Costa Rica, San Jose, has been endowed with a vibrant street life as well as a refined cultural life. You'll see contemporary structures of glass and steel, as well as colonial, Victorian, and classical architecture, exotic birds, giant butterflies, and picturesque scenery. Costa Rica offers some of the world's most thrilling sights to those who seek a new adventure.
