Destination:
Costa Rica

The Northwestern region of Costa Rica is renowned for its dramatic contrast in topography. Mountain ranges, volcanoes, lakes, rivers and fertile plains support numerous varieties of bird and wildlife, and each offers different types of activities. This variety of things to see and do is a big draw for the region and visitors come to hike, kayak, horse ride, fish and climb, among other things. The two Cordilleras, or mountain ranges, are very different from each other. The Cordillera Tilarán has rolling mountains that used to be covered in cloud forests; those remaining are protected reserves of which the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is the most popular with visitors, offering nature trails, horse riding and canopy tours. The Cordillera de Guanacaste is a rugged and impressive string of volcanoes, some protected within national parks. Between the ranges are Lake Arenal and the nearby active Arenal Volcano and surrounding hot springs. Further north, in the tropical humidity of the lowland plains, lies the remote wildlife refuge of Caño Negro, a vast wetlands area that is one of the best places in the Americas to see river wildlife, including numerous birds, mammals and reptiles. The fertile plains are dotted with a mixture of agricultural fields, cattle ranches and expanses of protected areas serviced by a maze of streams and rivers.

The Pacific is more developed for tourism than the Caribbean, but it still holds a good mixture of luxury resorts and deserted beaches. Some of the Costa Rica's best beaches are in this region. Costa Ricans use the perfectly suited phrase ' pura vida', meaning 'pure life', to describe the country and examples of this are evident everywhere along the Pacific coastline.

Strung along the coast are scores of seaside villages and picturesque towns, exotic beaches and several protected reserves or national parks. Visitors will find an abundance of accommodation, seafood and local souvenirs. Puntarenas is the largest town and was the main port, but is now mainly used as a base to catch ferries to the Nicoya Peninsula. Further south, the Tarcoles bridge is a renowned spot for watching the alligators in the river below. Package-holiday tourists stream to the beach resort town of Jacó, one of the best places to surf and with a reputation for being a party town. There is plenty of accommodation and restaurants as well as a lively night scene after a relaxing day on the beach.

There are many activities in the area including surfing, kayaking and swimming in the azure waters of the pacific. There is also hiking, birding and wildlife-spotting in the forests of the national parks as well as beach walks, volleyball and horseriding. Beautiful parks like Manuel Antonio National Park and Absoluta Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve have pristine white beaches as well as birds and animal life. The tiny fishing hamlet of Montezuma near the entrance to Cabo Blanco is surrounded by pretty coves and is a relaxed place to hang out for a few days.

The Caribbean has a cultural diversity that is different from the rest of the Costa Rica. With its beautiful beaches, great surfing conditions and pristine national parks the Caribbean coastline of the country is becoming one of the top attractions for the adventurous traveller. It is less developed than the Pacific side, with fewer roads and smaller settlements, and about half the area is set apart and protected in parks and wildlife refuges.

The capital of the region is the seedy port of Limon, which is generally avoided by tourists and used only as a transport hub, but is regaining popularity as a cruise port. Cahuita is a relaxed village neighbouring the Cahuita National Park, and here the Creole culture is particularly evident in the food and music. Further south is the even more tranquil hamlet of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, popular for its surfing and splendid coastline. In the north the coastal National Park of Tortuguero is one of the most important breeding and nesting sites of the green sea turtle.

The villages are laid back with an unhurried atmosphere common throughout the region. The majority of the people are extremely friendly, live close to the coast and speak a lively form of English. The people of the Caribbean delight in showing visitors the natural beauty of the area and are eager to share their culture with anyone willing to 'hang out' for a while. There is plenty to see and do, but things are relaxed so take time to experience this rewarding side of Costa Rica.

At first glance it may appear derelict and rather unsavoury, but this is mainly because Puerto Limon was badly affected by an earthquake in 1991 from which it has never recovered. The friendly, welcoming people of this Caribbean port city, however, are proud of what they still have to offer tourists who visit the city, not so much for its sights but for its proximity to some of Costa Rica's top natural attractions.

Many cruise liners lay over in the port to allow passengers the chance to take excursions, and independent travellers come here from San Jose, along the scenic Guapiles Highway, to use Puerto Limon as a base for exploring the coast.

It was once a port of some importance, exporting bananas and grain to various parts of the world, but today Puerto Limon is commercially a little bereft, the focus having moved to Moin, a port about four miles (6km) to the north. The city itself, however, still sports some pretty, if run-down, buildings. One of its biggest draws is the market in the centre of town, selling everything from woodcarvings to cashew nut wine.

Just south of the city is the popular and beautiful beach of Playa Bonita, easily accessible by taxi or bus, and inland there are myriad scenic excursions to be made to appreciate the volcanoes, lush valleys, tropical rainforests and national parks.

From Puerto Limon do-it-yourself tourists or cruise ship passengers can organize trips to ride an aerial tram across the rain forest canopy in the Braulio Carrillo National Park, or travel to Costa Rica's capital, San Jose, passing through some incredible, exotic scenery en route. The more active can opt for white-water rafting on the Reventazon River, or a horseback trek from a nearby ranch through the jungle. One of the most popular outings is a boat trip up the Tortuguero Canal, which runs parallel to the coastline from Puerto Limon to the Nicaraguan border, affording the chance to enjoy some spectacular scenery and get close to a variety of wildlife.

The capital of Costa Rica, San Jose loses many tourists to the beauty of the country's jungles and beaches. Those who venture to the urban heart of Costa Rica though, will find a lively city of more than 300,000 people that offers the best selection of shops, restaurants and nightlife in Costa Rica.

San Jose is a modern city, but tourists will want to head to pretty colonial areas like Barria Amon and the bustling Mercado Central for a sense of the city's culture and history. A number of museums dedicated to gold mining, pre-Colombian jade, contemporary art and even insects will teach visitors of all ages about Central America, and the large selection of restaurants serving delicious local cuisine will give you the energy to see them all.

Although there are plenty of things to see and do in San Jose, the city's location in the middle of the country makes it ideally situated as a base to explore the natural attractions of central Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio National Park, Fortuna, and the Tilarán mountain range are all within three to four hours' drive of the city. Public transport in Costa Rica also uses San Jose as a hub, making it a convenient stop on any holiday.