A country of towering
Costa Rica : volcanoes, Sandy beaches, virgin forests, abundant wildlife, friendly people and much, much more. These are several of the contrasts in the biological diversity. Few places in the world present such natural variety in such a small territory
Costa Rica is located in Central America, bordered to the north by Nicaragua and to the south by Panama, it has both a Pacific and a Caribbean Coast.
In the heart of Costa Rica,
there is a jagged mountainous spine that runs from the northwest to the
southeast corner of the country, forming the Pacific and Caribbean slopes.
The volcanic mountain ranges (Guanacaste, Tilaran & Central) remain
separate from each other by relative low passes and valleys. The Talamanca
range cuts across the southern part of Costa Rica and continues into
Panama, these are the highest peaks in the Country. In the Central range
the heart of Costa Rica
Geographically, Costa Rica presents a great variety of areas that allow for the wonderful biological, geological and human diversity and richness.
Costa Rica has an exceptional national parks system, 24.6 % of the territory is protected under one of the categories provided for in the system, as national park, biological reserve, forestry reserve, wild life refuge and this reflects the strong national commitment towards the preservation of nature. These outstanding wilderness areas provide shelter for almost all the 120,000 varieties of plants, 237 species of mammals, 848 species of birds and 361 different amphibians and reptiles, which are natives of this country.
The geography, topography and weather allow for the existence of the great variety of environments including: deciduous forests, mangrove swamps, rain forests, marshes, paramus, cloud forests and coral reefs.
Costa Rica, located just ten degrees north of the Ecuator, enjoys the advantages of the perfect tropical climate. With only two seasons all year round: the rainy season and the dry season.
The averages temperatures change little between the seasons, the most important factor that affects the temperature is the changes in the altitude.
This is the heart of Costa Rica, San jose and the Central Valley, surrounded by beautiful mountains and volcanoes where it is easy to find coffee plantations - best known as a " the Golden Grain". It boasts a nearly perfect climate, excellent museums, a wide selection of restaurants and other services.
The city of San jose is located in the Central Valley, at 1149 meters above sea level (3769 feet). It has an idyllic climate, with temperatures that vary from the 24° a 16°C (75.2° - 60.8°F) during the two seasons.
San jose offers visitors a wide variety of activities, including tours to some impressive museums. Underground, at the Plaza de la Cultura, a fantastic collection of gold gleams inside the enormous vault of the Gold Museum. The Jade Museum with the largest collection of pre Columbian jade in the Americas, also includes some fine polychrome ceramics and a fascinating collection of grinding stones. The National Museum, has excellent historical and archaeological exhibits. San jose also boasts two art museums, an entomology museum, a natural history museum, a butterfly park and a zoo.
Thehotels are located close to or on the central pedestrian walkway as it meanders through the city center, past shops, coffee shops and restaurants,
During your stay in San jose you will be able to visit nearby attractions such as :
The Poas Volcanolocated in the Alajuela Province, 2708 meters above sea level (8884 feet). It is one of the most spectacular volcanoes in the country. It is an active volcano, the crater is a huge depression that measures 1.5 km in diameter and 300 meters in depth and has a sulfuric and acid hot water lake with a slow effusive activity. There are also cinder cones that rise about 40 meters above the lake and there are some very active fumaroles. The second crater is the site for the Botos lagoon, it has a cold water lake.
The Irazú Volcanolocated just 32 Km northwest of the City of Cartago, 3432 meters above the sea level (11260 feet). It is an active volcano with a long history of violent eruptions. Its altitude (the highest in the country) and location allow you to enjoy a magnificent view of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans from the top of its Alto Grande peak on clear days, together with a large area of the mainland. At the summit there are 4 craters: the main one, Diego de la Haya is the most important place to visit, there is a permanent lake at the bottom with yellow - green water.
White Water Rafting: For those who want to enjoy more adventure, white water rafting is an ideal experience on the rivers Reventazon, Pacuare or Sarapiquí where it is nice to enjoy the crystalline water and the beautiful tropical vegetation.
Costa Rica's Atlantic region, filled with pristine untouched nature, is home to several of the countries most notables National Parks, including Tortuguero, Cahuita, Braulio Carrillo, Chirripo and La Amistad. In addition, several Biological Reserves also share this fertile coastal habitat: Hitoy - Cerere and Gandoca - Manzanillo.
This is a coast where the evergreen mountain range of the deep forest line s the long stretches of quiet, pristine sandy beaches. Year round, these long stretches of white or black sand beaches are ideal for leisure activities, such a horseback riding, sun bathing, snorkeling among the colorful coral reef, home to an infinite variety of under water sea life or the visit to the indigenous communities.Tortuguero: One of the most attractive ecological destination sites in Costa Rica: the canals, rivers and lakes of Tortuguero National Park are the place for studying the rain forest, freshwater and marine biology. The access to the area can be by boat or plane.
ilan ilan Hotel, is located on the strip of land between the Tortuguero Lagoon and the Penitencia Canal, which leads to Barra del Colorado. The hotel has eight hectares, seven of which belong to the Natural Biological Preserve created by the hotel, easy to visit because of the trails and you can be in direct contact with the Rainforest, contemplate the exuberant vegetation and admire the fauna, where howler monkeys, sloths, parrots, toucans, red frogs and much more are easy to find. The hotel was built with the idea of providing the necessary facilities for tourist exploration in an area with restricted accessibility, without harming its natural richness, so tourists will have the chance to appreciate a real tropical forest. The rooms have queen size and twin beds, private bathroom, ceiling fan, a family style restaurant, bar and rancho. The guided tours include the terrestrial and fluvial transportation, lodging, 7 meals, general tours and a special activity called "Let's plant a tree for Costa Rica". The hotel offers optional tours through small canals or night visits to the beach during the green turtles spawning season to see this amazing natural event.
Puerto Viejo - Cahuita: Cahuita National Park is located on the extended beaches of the South Caribbean coast, about one hour south from Limon. It has several miles of white sand beaches lined with palm trees and trails that leads from the beach into the rainforest. It is possible to practice some snorkeling in the coral reef, home to a great variety of under water sea life.
Gandoca - Manzanillo: Is without any doubt, one of the coastal regions with the most magnificent scenic beauty in the country. Beaches of dazzling white sand fringed with coconut palm trees and a sea of gently curling waves and of coral formations in shallow waters, make this wilderness area a paradise for nature lovers.
Continuing to the South, we will arriveat Puerto Viejo, an ideal place to rest a couple of days enjoying its white sandy beaches at Punta Cocles or Gandoca Manzanillo
Land of volcanoes, cloud and humid forest, waterfalls and trails surrounded by nature. One of the most attractive sites in the area is the flawless silhouette of the Arenal Volcano. It is a breathtaking sight, perfectly cone shaped and jetting out of the rain forest to approximately 5000 feet above sea level. Its loud rumblings and frequent explosions of lava and ash during the day or night when the red glow is dramatic and can be easily seen from several vintage points in the area.
Heading northwest from the volcano, you'll wind through countrysideon rolling hills and green pastures on one side and the sparkling blue waters of the Arenal Lake on the other. This man - made lake, more than 40 square miles of it, provides water for hydroelectric plants. Activities on the water are varied, but the most popular adventure sport practiced here is the windsurfing. Arenal's winds blow at incredible speeds (72 kms per hour). The spring water of the Tabacon River is another place to visit in the area at the Tabacon Resort. You can enjoy this natural spa surrounded by the fresh shadow of the forest and the quiet wildlife whispering. Celeste River, a place with great scenic beauty where you are able to go horseback riding through natural forest in the Río Celeste area, a river with a turquoise blue natural water.
Monteverde: The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has earned its fame as one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the New World tropics. Positioned at the start of the Continental Divide in western Costa Rica, this reserve extends down both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes. The resulting combination of climatic and geographic factors creates temperature and humidity gradients, that change dramatically over relatively short distances. The reserve supports six different vegetation communities. There are over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles and 2500 species of plants (among them 420 different kinds of orchids). Spectacular wildlife includes the jaguar, ocelot, tapir and the resplendent quetzal.
In the area you can enjoy some other activities like horseback riding and the canopy tour.
Volcan Rincon de la Vieja: Located in the Guanacaste Mountain Range just 27 km northeast of Liberia and at 1916 meters above sea level (6286 feet). On the summit, nine sites of volcanic activity have been identified, one of which is active and the rest inactive or in the process of degradation. At the foot of the volcano an area known as "Las Hornillas" ("Kitchen Stoves") is located which extends over 50 Ha. It is also a site where hot springs form small streams with very hot water: sulfate lagoons which fill small hollows in the ground and consist of constantly bubbling, muddy water. Its flora and fauna are abundant, this is the place with the largest population of Guaria morada (the national flower). In this area you are able to experience the Canopy tour, an amazing experience where it is possible to see the forest and its life from a different perspective.
The largest province of Costa Rica's
north Pacific region. The province is known primarily for its cattle
production. The Guanacaste region is very different from the rest of the
country, with a separate climate and cultural history. While most of Costa
Rica is either lowland rain forest or high mountain plateaus and valleys,
Guanacaste is an area of dry forest. Sporting a number of world class
beaches, numerous National Parks and Biological reserves. Guanacaste's
glistening white sandy beaches are lined with palm trees and lush
The entire coast has spectaculars beaches, some of them are far from the noisy and active life of the city, and that allows a complete relaxing experience. The are several ways to spend time in the region, several national parks, biological reserves, lined African palms join the travel parallel to the coast up to Quepos.
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most beautiful parks. It is especially attractive because of the white sandy beaches at Espadilla Sur and Manuel Antonio, which slope gently into undisturbed, crystal - clear water. The beaches are furthermore fringed by a tall evergreen forest, which grows right down to the high tide mark and provides pleasant shade.
TORTUGUERO Jungle adventure,
Manuel Antonio ,
Rincon de la Vieja