This small country is a nature and adventure lover’s paradise with mountains, volcanoes, waterfalls, rainforests and winding rivers from coast to coast.
Popular areas to explore include the area around the Arenal Volcano National Park which is only 90k from San Jose airport. As well as marveling at the spectacular volcano, you’ll find hot springs, hanging bridges, horse riding, waterfalls, white water rafting and more.
A few hours drive away, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve offers plenty of opportunities to meet wildlife and witness incredible views high up in the forest. Cloud forests take their name from their very literal nature. Often taking the form of fog, low-hanging clouds hover around the upper canopy of the forest before condensing onto the leaves of trees and dripping onto the plants below. The sky essentially comes down to the forest, enabling you to actually walk through the clouds — especially when you take a canopy tour on a suspension bridge.
Further south, a tropical paradise awaits in Manual Antonio. It’s one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica but one of the most popular. Visitors come to catch a glimpse of Capuchin, Howler, and Squirrel Monkeys, sloths, iguanas, agoutis, and hundreds of species of birds before hitting one of the park’s beautiful beaches.
On the Pacific Coast there are cool laid back beach towns aplenty and is a great option for surfers.
Costs Rica is easy to get around in by car, the roads are modern and perfectly safe. It’s a great place to explore for both adventure seekers and families.
The airfare is approximately US$550, via Miami, although Cayman travel agents frequently offer charter package tours over long weekends.