HIGHLIGHTS

Arenal
An active volcano rising 1,633 meters on the horizon, cloud forests, and an incredibly diverse population of wildlife is what you will find in this area of Costa Rica. Heading northwest from the volcano, you will wind through countryside with rolling hills and green pastures on one side and the sparkling blue waters of Lake Arenal on the other. Lake Arenal is a man-made lake that has a reputation worldwide for being one of the fastest lakes for windsurfing. Arenal is mainly known for its active volcano and the natural hot tubs at Tabacon Hot Springs, whose waters are heated by the nearby volcanic activity. Activities in Arenal include hiking excursions to the base of the volcano, horseback riding, canopy tours, rafting on the Sarapiqui River and day trips to Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. Arenal is three hours by car from San Jose.

Guanacaste
Striking scenery and a wide diversity of activities are quite easily found in the largest province of Costa Rica’s North Pacific. Guanacaste, fittingly described as the “gateway to the sun”, is an area bordered by the Tilaran Range and the Guanacaste Range. Perhaps the most remote and least populated province in Costa Rica, Guanacaste boasts a dry topography, even during the country's famed green or rainy season (May to October). Cattle grazing and cowboys mark the landscape, which has quickly become a major tourist destination, thanks to some 100 miles of beautiful beaches, several exotic, sprawling national parks and a brand-new international airport in Liberia. There are also small airports in Carrillo, Tamarindo, and Punta Islita with daily flights to San Jose. Activities in the area include snorkeling, diving, surfing, fishing, canopy tours, excursions to national parks, and wildlife observation (turtle nesting tours). Guanacaste is four to five hours by car from San Jose or 45 minutes by air.

Monteverde
Monteverde Cloud Forest spreads over 10,500 hectares of land that harbor six different life zones. The climate and terrain of the preserve produce an incredible bio-diversity. More than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, and 120 species of amphibians and reptiles live within the boundaries of Monteverde. The main community in the area is Santa Elena. Monteverde is specially recommended for birdwatchers and people who enjoy hikes in the forest and a relaxed vacation. Activities in the area include guided tours of the famous Monteverde Reserve, hiking, canopy tours, the “sky walk”, horseback riding, bird watching, and the butterfly garden. Monteverde is three to four hours by car from San Jose and three hours from Arenal.

Osa Peninsula
The most adventurous area of Costa Rica, Osa Peninsula extends into the bright blue Pacific Ocean in the southwestern part of the country. A remote land of jungle forests and wild beaches, the Peninsula stands as the last remaining virgin forest in Central America. Offshore, large reefs provide home to a myriad of colorful fish and other marine creatures. Snorkeling and diving in Cano Island, and horseback riding and treks in Corcovado National Park are all very popular activities in the area. Local resorts offer all-inclusive packages including transportation from San Jose, lodging, meals, and excursions. Flying time from San Jose to either of the two airports in the Osa Peninsula--Puerto Jimenez and Palmar Sur--is about 45 minutes.

Quepos
Quepos is a sleepy fishing village located in the mid Pacific area, very close to one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful national parks: Manuel Antonio. The park runs along spectacular white-sand beaches, considered to be some of the best in the country, with large stony islands offshore serving as sanctuaries to several species of marine birds. A thick tropical jungle runs along the beaches. For active travelers, sport fishing, sea kayaking, snorkeling, river rafting, jungle hikes, horseback riding, sunset sailing cruises, and birding at Manuel Antonio are all available. Quepos is three hours by car from San Jose or 30 minutes by air.

Tambor
The Tambor area is located at the southwestern tip of Nicoya Peninsula. You may reach Tambor by air (daily schedules from San Jose) or crossing the Gulf of Nicoya by ferry from the town of Puntarenas. The ferry operates three times per day although schedules are very unreliable and often change without notice. The crossing service takes between one and two hours. The area is famous for its long, tranquil beaches dotted with jutting rocks, and silhouetted against a backdrop of wild jungles and forests. Horseback riding on the beach, boat tours to Tortuga Island, visits to Curu Wildlife Refuge, snorkeling, and mountain biking are all popular activities here. Tambor is located three hours by car/ferry from San Jose or 30 minutes by air.

Turrialba
The town of Turrialba lies one hour northeast of San Jose and is the center of a fertile agricultural region of vast plantations of coffee, macadamia nuts, and sugar cane. The area is known as the rafting capital of Costa Rica due to its privileged location between the Pacuare and Reventazon Rivers. Other activities of interest include ballooning, mountain biking, horseback riding, bird watching and visits to the archaeological site of Guayabo.

NATIONAL PARKS

Braulio Carrillo National Park
Located in one of the most rugged landscapes of the country (a 45-minute drive east of San Jose on the way to Limon), Braulio Carrillo contains two extinct volcanoes – Cacho Negro, visible because of its conic shape, and Barva, which has several craters. Five representative forests are found within the park boundaries. Several watersheds are also protected. Bird life is abundant with numerous outstanding species represented (Over 347 species of birds have been identified in the park). Trails are available but unmarked. Jaguar, pumas, deer, ocelot and Baird’s tapir are found in the park. The park houses the popular Aerial Tram, a half-day tour from San Jose.

Cahuita National Park
Cahuita, located south of Limon, has one of three living coral reefs on the Caribbean coast. There is great diversity of both flora and fauna. The vegetation within the park is typical of humid tropical forests. There are numerous Howler and White-faced monkeys. The rich marine fauna includes elkhorn, staghorn and brain corals with more than 30 other species represented and over 500 species of fish. Guided walks through the forest are conducted in a daily basis. Tours to the reef are also available. Skin diving is permitted but spear fishing is prohibited. Diving equipment is not available since the nearest tank compressor is in Limon. Facilities are well maintained.

Caño Island Biological Reserve
This island reserve is located less than 30 miles off the Pacific coast of southwest Costa Rica. The 790-acre reserve is one of the most valuable archaeological sites in the country. It is protected under the administrative jurisdiction of Corcovado National Park. Officials at Corcovado must be notified of any intentional visits so that island rangers can be notified. The entire reserve is a sanctuary for marine and migratory birds. Small rodents, amphibians, and reptiles make up the majority of the fauna. Tourist attractions include great snorkeling and diving and an old Indian cemetery. Caño Island is often included as a full day tour from lodges in the Osa Peninsula.

Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge
Caño Negro is located in the Arenal Conservation Area, bordering Nicaragua and only two hours from the town of La Fortuna. The lake is the central focal point of the refuge because it creates the core of the activity during migratory bird movements on the central flyway. Three habitats surround the lake, herbaceous vegetation, mixed seasonal swamp forest, and mixed palm forest. The lake harbors the only population of the Nicaragua grackle. Caño Negro is also home to several bird species and mammals that can be observed during a regular tour. Day trips are offered from most lodges in the Arenal area.

Corcovado National Park
Corcovado is located in the Osa Peninsula Conservation Area. It is the last remaining virgin rain forest in all of Central America. Nearly 300 species of birds, 139 species of mammals and 116 species of amphibians and reptiles are found within the park boundaries. The area contains many species of birds and mammals that are on worldwide endangered species lists, including the ocelot, puma or cougar, Baird’s tapir, and the jaguar. Trails are well defined and campsites are clean and well planned. More than 100 species of trees can be found on one acre of park land.

Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge
Gandoca-Manzanillo is located on the Caribbean side, along the border with Panama. With the continued destruction of Cahuita Reef, this refuge holds the only two living coral reefs in the country. The five sq. km reef runs about 200 yards off the shoreline and provides shelter to more than 60 species of tropical fish. Holillo Palms and Sajo make up the interior forests near the coast, which is fringed with coconut palms. Up to date 153 species of birds have been classified in the area.

Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio is located just south of the town of Quepos. Small in size (1,685 acres), it is one of the most popular parks in the country mainly due to its miles of sandy white beaches. It is one of the best areas in the country to view migrating marine birds. Squirrel and howler monkeys and three-toed sloth hide among the lush vegetation that grows to the edge of the beaches. Marked trails lead hikers to campsites and other park facilities. The waters are crystal clear and have become a popular destination for snorkelers. Guided hiking tours within the park boundaries are popular and highly recommendable.

Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Located in the Guanacaste Conservation Area, Rincon de la Vieja is an active volcano with nine identified craters on the summit. At the foot of the ridge, in the Las Pailas area, mud gupers, hot springs, and steam vents can be observed. The park protects an important watershed. Wildlife is abundant with three species of monkeys and more than 200 species of birds. One of the most popular canopy tours in Costa Rica is located in the park.

Tortuguero
One of Costa Rica’s most popular eco-tourism destinations, Tortuguero National Park is located about 50 miles north of San Jose. No roads are extended to this area, so the park and the small town of Tortuguero can only be accessed by boat or aircraft. Beyond the opportunity of observing tropical rainforest and aquatic species in the park, the 22-mile stretch of beach is a principal nesting site for green, hawksbill, loggerhead, and leatherback sea turtles (July through October). However it is not recommended to swim at the beach due to strong rip currents and the presence of numerous sharks. There are two airstrips in Tortuguero and Barra del Colorado with daily flights to San Jose. Tourist activities include hikes in the jungle, kayaking, boat trips in the canals, and night tours to watch the turtles during nesting season. Tortuguero is located four hours by car/boat from San Jose or 30 minutes by air.

RAFTING IN COSTA RICA

There are few places in the world that offer the diverse opportunities for paddling in warm water on a variety of challenging streams as Costa Rica. The standard runs on the Pacuare, Reventazon, General, and Sarapiqui are supplemented by dozens of other commonly run streams and teams of paddlers continue to knock off challenging first descents every year. Following is a description of the most popular rivers in Costa Rica:

Corobici River
Departure city/area: Guanacaste
This classic float trip is perfect for any client, especially birdwatchers and nature lovers. The scenery and wildlife along the Corobici are legendary. As you leisurely raft along this tranquil river, you might spot one of the more than 300 species of birds from the nearby Palo Verde National Park. Among the more commonly seen birds are ospreys, kingfishers, cormorants, and blue, tiger and boat-billed herons. Other wildlife in the area includes otters, howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, iguanas and many other types of lizards. This is the calmest rafting trip in Costa Rica, suitable for everyone, from children to the elderly.

General River
Departure city/area: San Jose
Ambling from its source on Mount Chirripo, the General River offers exciting whitewater in a rich tropical environment. The General, which compares favorably to California's Toulumne and Idaho's famous Middle Fork of the Salmon, is one of the finest whitewater rivers in the world. A gradient of 50 feet/mile and flows up to 10,000 cubic meters per second produce more than 100 Class III and IV rapids in the first forty miles. Innumerable waterfalls cascade into the river and the beauty of the wide, tropical canyon and pasturelands is unsurpassed. There is a great variety of wildlife, from tropical birds to three-foot long multicolored iguanas sunning themselves on the rocks and trees.

Naranjo River
Departure city/area: Quepos
Exciting and refreshing, the Naranjo Canyon is a jewel of Costa Rica. Beginning in the coastal mountain range near Quepos, the Naranjo River has cut a canyon that is unmatched by any other river in Costa Rica. A class III/IV challenge suited for more experienced paddlers, the river drops steeply from the mountains above Quepos, through a beautiful jungle gorge and takes you on a wild ride to sea level by farmlands and palm plantations. Water levels can rise quickly, increasing the difficulty of the rapids, so rafters should be physically fit and adventurous.

Pacuare River
Departure city/area: San Jose; Turrialba.
The Pacuare River is one of the top five rafting rivers in the world for its scenery and rapids. This quintessential tropical river is a trip of pure magic, unsurpassed beauty, wildlife and exhilarating rapids. Located on Costa Rica's Atlantic slope, the Pacuare River borders the Talamanca mountain range, home to native Cabecar Indians and an incredible variety of wildlife. This river has been officially declared a Wild and Scenic River, and offers some of the finest white water in Latin America, winding deep inside of one of Costa Rica's most impressive primordial rainforests. It traverses 18 miles of remote and scenic waters that course through a wilderness of dense vegetation covering the sides of steep gorges that rise above the riverbanks. The thick undergrowth provides shelter for jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloth, and numerous other species of animals and birds.

Reventazon River
Departure city/area: San Jose; Turrialba.
The Reventazon is the embodiment of tropical rivers, a unique experience of powerful waters surrounded by lush rainforest filled with exotic wildlife. A perfect combination of thrilling rafting and spectacular jungle scenery. As you move along the river, you will spot multicolored exotic birds, river otters, sloth, iguanas and spider monkeys against a lush background of 200-foot-tall Ceiba trees, gigantic bromeliads, palm trees, orchids, and ferns. The river can be divided into three different sections: El Carmen (Class II); Florida (Class III) and the demanding Pascua (Class IV+).

Sarapiqui River
Departure city/area: Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui / San Jose / Arenal
Winding through the Caribbean basin region, the Sarapiqui offers some of Costa Rica's most lush and vibrant scenery. Free flowing, it has its origins in clear mountain streams that tumble down through thick rainforest, finally joining together in the crystal waters of the beautiful Sarapiquí. Verdant forest reaches right up to the river's sun-basked banks. This narrow, low-volume river is ideal for white-water novices, as well as families, all of whom will enjoy its moderately flowing rapids, interspersed with tranquil stretches. The journey is also excellent for bird-watchers and other nature lovers, as the river stretches its way through lush vegetation that is home to hummingbirds, toucans, woodpeckers, and scores of other native bird species.

Savegre River
Departure city/area: Quepos
Perfect for all experience levels, the river offers an exciting selection of class II, III, and IV rapids as well as pristine waterfalls, swimming holes, and a remarkable variety of birds including egrets, toucans, osprey, parrots, kingfishers, and cormorants.