Destination overview

Costa Rica occupies a privileged spot in the heart of Central America. While its territory of 19,652 square miles touches both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the country is surprisingly accessible - you can travel from coast to coast in just three hours by car (or 45 minutes by plane). The Caribbean region of Costa Rica stands out for its variety of aquatic eco-systems and its beautiful white and black sand beaches, providing an ideal setting for activities such as sport fishing, snorkelling and just relaxing in the sun.

Although the country is small and it covers only 0.03 per cent of the surface of the globe, it proudly shelters 5 per cent of the existing bio-diversity in the world. In fact, 25.58 per cent of the country is composed of conservation and natural protected territory.  This tiny country is packed with many delights. It has more bird species than America and Canada combined, the wildlife includes macaws, howler monkeys, toucans and quetzels and is both prolific and, often, easy to spot, the rivers rage, jungles beg to be explored and volcanoes rumble and steam.

The capital, San José, is chaotic, friendly and a colourful mix of old colonial, modern metropolis and South American culture. The markets are packed with handcrafts, the museums and galleries are interesting and worth a look, especially the artefacts from the lost city of Guayabo, and the nightlife is vibrantly exciting. Barrio Amón has some beautifully restored old coffee baron mansions, the Teatro Nacional is a must-see, and the night-time Plaza de la Democracia showcases the illuminated hills of the Central Valley.

Because of the country’s small size, there are an enormous number of day trips available. You can ride the white waters of the Reventazón and Pacuare rivers, hang out in the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, have a guide show you the fantastic flora and fauna in the rainforest at Braulio Carrillo National Park, or visit La Selva Biological Station for its wildlife. You can walk right to the edge of steaming craters at Irazú and Poás, which also has a beautiful crater lake and glimpse the Pacific from Turrialba.

Arenal’s perfect cone is further away, but the views of the lava flows at night are really impressive. Sit back in the Tabacón Hot Springs, admire the forest canopy from hanging bridges 20 storeys high or ride a zip-line, or spend a magical day admiring the lowland forest and plentiful waterfowl at the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.

Costa Rica’s beaches are more exotic than the regular tropical paradise - long and strikingly beautiful, great for sunning yourself and often lined with food and drink stalls. The difference is that the soft sand is dark and volcanic and the waves are every surfer’s dream. Beaches popular for surfing include Esterillos, Hermosa and Boca Barranca. In the Golfito region, near the Marino Ballena National Park, surfing fans can find the famous ‘long left-hander wave’. Jaco Beach, one of the closest to San José is almost as famous for its parties as it is for its waves. With lovely warm water it has consistently great year-round surf breaks.

The deep-sea sport fishing is also superb in Costa Rica and those who like to swim or just laze around usually head to the beaches north and south of town. Eco-tourists can go hiking or horse riding through the jungle, and adventure lovers can try their hand at kayaking or white water rafting. Very popular are wildlife canopy and volcano tours, and a visit to the Carara Biological Reserve, where stunning scarlet macaws nest, is a must.

Puerto Quepos offers the greatest variety of fish in the country. The jungles are lush and one of the best beaches borders the country’s famed National Park, Manuel Antonio. You can laze away your time on its beautiful white sandy beaches, float in its rocky coves, go snorkelling or meander along rainforest paths where you might see sloths, capuchin and rare squirrel monkeys, agoutis and some 200 bird species.

Quepos is also reputed to have the best beach seafood restaurants. Try it with the national dish of gallo pinto (rice and beans) or yucca chips. Also go to the Saturday Farmer’s Market, definitely go dolphin watching, visit colourful coral reefs or dive around Punta Gorda. Spanish colonial Heredia perches amongst verdant coffee plantations in the mountains north-east of the capital.

There are myriad National Parks filled with dense tropical forest, cascading waterfalls and rivers that make white-water rafters salivate. The best of the magnificent colonial buildings is the majestic church, Inmaculada Concepcion. Monte de la Cruz has the most spectacular views and the closest volcanoes are Poás and Barva, while the huge, marshy expanse of Río Frío is spectacular at its peak.

Wherever you end up, Costa Rica deserves to be enjoyed. Hire a car, hire your own driver or go on arranged tours. Just make sure you explore this breathtaking and, still, relatively untouched part of the world.