FRANCE
EUROPE
AFRICA
MIDDLE EAST
NORTH AMERICA
SOUTH AMERICA
ASIA
CARIBBEAN
OCEANIA
Set off for a place where nature isn’t just present—it shapes everything. Here, every path leads into a landscape still breathing with life, untouched in places, restless in others. With the insight of local Costa Rica guides, the trails deepen. They don’t just take you forward—they open what’s around. Species, sounds, textures. It’s no longer a visit; it’s a shift.
Across the country, the journey bends from west to east. On one side, the Tamarindo coastline stretches out with wide beaches and long hours of light. On the other, the Caribbean’s rhythm changes the air. Inland, everything climbs—ridges, rivers, and the steps of old forest paths.
Scattered throughout the land, over a hundred volcanoes mark the earth. Some still murmur—like Arenal, Poas, or Irazu with its layered craters. The forests, shaped by altitude and rainfall, are wildly varied. In Corcovado National Park, one of the wettest regions, the wildlife turns unfamiliar—spider monkeys, tapirs, silent cats. For those hoping to spot sloths, Carara Park is the place where trees shift slowly, and time follows.
Corcovado Park is located in the Osa region, on the Pacific Ocean coast. Its access is rather difficult and is mostly done by boat from Drake Bay. This makes it an asset, because it is less frequented and especially one of the last parks in the world where nature has remained intact and protected from the destruction of modern man.
Your excursions will be accompanied by a guide and only on foot, because there are no roads, only paths.
– The San Pedrillo trail to observe the tropical forest with more than 500 different species of trees.
– The Sirena trail where you can admire the diverse fauna and its multitude of bird species.
The Tenorio Park contains one of the natural pearls of Costa Rica. The clear blue river of Rio Celeste is not to be missed. The marked route is six kilometers long and has some very interesting stops such as the 30 meter high waterfall and, a little further, at the Mirador, a panoramic view of the entire rainforest.
We continue our walk towards the very soothing Laguna Azul pool before reaching the hot bubbling waters that can reach 90° (let’s not forget: the volcano is very close). Once you reach the small monkey bridge, you will reach the point called Teñidero, where the two small rivers Quebrada Agria and Río Buena Vista join, changing clearly from one color to another in an impressive way.
For the perfect mix of trekking, local wildlife viewing and lounging by the water, head to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast at the small Manuel Antonio Park near the town of Quepos.
You will wander through a tropical forest and observe sloths, iguanas, or monkeys by the hundreds letting themselves be approached. Without forgetting, of course, the typical species of multicolored birds of the country: toucans, parrots and other Quetzals.
The number of visitors is limited, however, you are likely to see a lot of people, so it is better to get up early and then go stroll on the beaches of Playa Manuel Antonio, Playa Espadilla Sur or Playa Puerto Escondida. To have another vision of the park, it is possible to go along the different rivers by renting kayaks or to go on a boat trip with a Costa Rica tour guide.
Nestled on the north coast, on the Caribbean side, is the small village of Tortuguero, in the province of Limón. It can be reached by boat via the Pavona pier. Its name means “Land of the Turtles”, because every year, the very protected marine turtles come here by the thousands to lay their eggs from July to October depending on the species.
The whole area is a tangle of canals that run through the forest. Boat tours allow you to better observe the flora and fauna abundant in many birds and wild animals.
There are several land walks that allow you to see the local biodiversity in a different way. A famous trek for this is the one that takes you to the top of the Cerro Tortuguero hill. Far from the hustle and bustle of civilization, you will have another vision of Costa Rica in its most natural form.
The small village of Uvita, located in the middle of the Marino Ballena National Park, at the end of the province of Puntaneras, is a true condensation of Costa Rica. Its small area ends on its black sand beaches forming an astonishing drawing resembling a whale tail at low tide.
You can come and admire the cetaceans from July to October. In the Terraba Sierpe reserve, board a kayak for a trip through the mangrove vegetation and admire the fauna, including a large variety of endemic birds. Because of its waterways and the proximity of small mountains, there are beautiful waterfalls, Pavon or Nauyaca near Playa Dominical, where you can swim.
Every year, towards the end of February, the Envision Festival takes place where thousands of people from all over the world meet for meditation and awakening of the being.
San José
Spanish
51,100 km²
September 15
5 million
Costa Rican Colón (CRC)
CST (UTC-6)
Tropical
+506
120 V, Type A & B
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