On this part of Tropical Island Vacation, we list down four of the top destinations that Costa Rica has to offer—from its national parks to its pristine beaches.
I. Arenal National Park
Arenal National Park is home to Costa Rica’s most active volcano and one of the parks main attractions is the Tabacon Hot Springs. Only Tabacon Hot Springs can get away with being a touristy area yet still a refreshing and relaxing place. (Photo by jnewland)
Set amidst the rainforest with the Arenal Volcano as a backdrop, this is one place in Costa Rica where relaxing
is a must! People go here for its pools kept warm by the nearby Arenal Volcano. Other things you can do in the area are:
- Relax with a massage or mud pack spa
- The place offers a most amazing place at night. Try to book one of the night tours which is a good time to see the mini-eruptions artistically illuminating the dark evening sky.
- canopy tours, rafting, Hiking
II. Tortuguero National Park
This national attraction in Costa Rica is full of navigable lagoons and canals which are usually the highlight of a trip to this part of the country.
Located on the Caribbean Coast, it is most popular for its different species of turtles. Some of the things that you can do here include:
- Night tours to observe the nesting of turtles
- Rent kayaks, canoes or motorized boats and explore the many lagoons and canals that meander through the park
- Inasmuch as most explore the area using its waterway system, there are several hiking trails within the park for those who are interested. Some of these trail gives you access of the beach and the rainforest.
- The park also offers great fishing opportunities
III. Manuel Antonio National Park
This is the smallest park in Costa Rica but it attracts many tourists every year.
This is largely because of its close proximity to pristine unspoiled beaches.
This unique setting offers great romantic, relaxing and adventure opportunities for those who come to Costa Rica.
Some of the things you can do in this tourist attraction include the following:
- If you are traveling with kids, this is an ideal place to take them as there is a very popular kids program.
- Book a sailing trip. This sailing trip usually lasts for 3 hours ( more if you want) . Expect to see dolphins, whales and other marine animals ( depending on the season ). This also usually includes meals on board.
Some tours offer the option of a snorkeling or scuba diving trip.
- Like other national parks in Costa Rica, a visit to the Manuel Antonio National Park entails so many activities such as river rafting, canopy tours, horseback riding & birdwatching.
In the nearby beaches, you can also go surfing, snorkeling or diving.
IV. Corcovado National Park
Located in the Pacific Coast, Corcovado National Park is Costa Rica’s most spectacular national park. The park is the most ecologically diverse in the country and is bound to fully satisfy anyone who has the passion for wildlife. (Photo by Robabroad)
- Good place for those who want to go camping.
- Some of the activities that you can do in the park include horseback riding, deep sea fishing, canopy tour, snorkeling, ocean kayaking
- The parks beach is also one of the most pristine in Costa Rica
- Go to nearby Cano Island, especially if you fancy some scuba diving and snorkeling
Note:If you want to see many animals during your jungle tours, it can never be over emphasized that the best way to do this is to hire a guide. They are definitely worth it for this purpose.
V. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (Tropical Rainforest)
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a nature preserve established in 1972 with a rich amount of woodlands and biodiversity. The rainforest is home to over 3,000 species of animals and plants including jaguars, bare-necked umbrellabirds, and rare resplendent quetzals.
- Nearby Saturday morning farmer's market
- Numerous hiking trails with distances ranging from 0.1 to 1.2 miles
- Restaurants and bars in the town of Santa Elena
- Souvenier shop and art gallery
- Guided early morning bird watching tours
VI. Rincón de la Vieja National Park
The Rincón de la Vieja National Park is located in the northwest corner of Costa Rica. The park is home to a number of dormant mud pools and volcanoes. Waterfalls and freshwater swimming lakes are open for visitor use. A system of trails lead visitors around the 35,000 acre park. The 1,916 meter Santa Maria volcano features a twin cone with a 500 meter wide crater.
- Last major eruption occurred here 3,500 years ago.
- Six different volcanic peaks
- Thirty-two rivers and streams
- Boiling mud pits
- Hot springs
- Lagoons
- Home to spider monkeys, jaguars, and cougars
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