Costa RIca Travel Planner - (Page 4)

S COSTA RICA TOURISM BOARD Rainforest Rambles Puente Vigas Canyon. Most travelers come to Costa Rica to experience the country s 19 national parks. It s where the wild things are, where the biodiversity is the richest and where a solid core of expert guides is on hand to lead the way. Wonderful little hotels, inns and lodges in magical locations, combining a strong conservation ethic with state-of-the-art jungle comforts, are all additional reasons that Costa Rica s visitors respond again and again to her natural wonders. Let s take a look at a quintet of the most sought-after national parks and reserves. ful world of bugs and butterflies, others on frogs or bats; visit a coffee plantation; and explore the smaller, but naturally grand, Santa Elena Reserve and other neighboring private reserves. Locator-Northern Highlands: Monteverde is a 104-mile drive from San Jose, 51 miles from Puntarenas; there is also a scenically splendid route here from Arenal Volcano National Park; the lodges of Monteverde couldn t be lovelier, and most have fireplaces to warm the highland cloud forest guest. Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve Arenal Volcano National Park This private reserve in the Northern Highlands may be the most famous patch of forest in Costa Rica. Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Reserve covers some 25,000 acres of primary forest with a rich variety of flora and fauna: more than 450 types of orchids, 400 species of birds and 100 species of mammals. The most famous resident here is the resplendent quetzal living high in a forested world of ferns, orchids and bromeliads. The park boasts not only a well-maintained trail system, but some of the most experienced guides in the country to show visitors around. Stop to see some of the excellent nature exhibits one focusing on the wonder- Also in the Northern Highlands is the majestic Arenal Volcano, the largest and most active volcano in Mesoamerica, as well as the centerpiece of the national park. Travelers can explore the park on guided hikes along trails, by mountain bike and horseback, and enjoy such special attractions as aerial trams, canopy tours, canyoning and a Sky Walk for a special perspective on the rain and cloud forests. Bathing in thermal hot springs is the fringe benefit of staying in this volcanic wonderland. Locator-Northern Highlands: A 3-hour drive from San Jose, the Arenal National Park area has a concentration of excellent hotels and lodges (many with great volcano views, spas and natural hot springs). It makes a nice vacation combination with the nearby Rio Sarapiqui region, while birding clients will particularly enjoy a day trip to Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge. THE MOST-REMOTE-OF-ALL-PARKS AWARD Corcovado National Park is often said to be the most remote of Costa Rica s national parks, however, the mostremote prize goes to La Amistad International Park, an enormous area (675 sq. miles) that is linked to and jointly administered with neighboring Panama (whose park area is three times larger). Encompassing the highest peaks of the Talamanca Mountain range, there are no villages in the park, nor even any roads to speak of. What one does find is diverse wildlife, including five cat species and the endangered harpy eagle. The Altamira ranger station is the recommended point of entry for experienced hikers who can take a 2-hour circuit from there; a longer 3-day trek requires a local guide. Manuel Antonio National Park Though relatively small, Manuel Antonio National Park is the most popular national park in the country. It is home to the largest number of hotels and resorts, as well as activities ranging from horseback riding to mountain biking, aerial tram rides, ziplining through the canopy, kayaking and rafting. This lowland rainforest is home to a healthy monkey population, white-faced are the most common, but the endangered squirrel monkey is here too. The park, closed on Mondays, has three major trails. Locator-Mid-Pacific Coast: Located near uepos (with air service from San Jose) on the Central Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio is sought after for its seaside assets: crescents of white-sand beaches and offshore, world-class deep-sea fishing. 4 visitcostarica.com 4-5 WildThings.indd 4 1/21/14 1:27 PM http://www.visitcostarica.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Costa RIca Travel Planner

Going Green
Rainforest Rambles
Beach Bound
Best of Both Worlds
Family Holidays
Romantico
A Natural Playground
48 Hours in San Jose
Ahhhh, the Spa
Costa Rica in Brief
Getting There & Around

Costa RIca Travel Planner