Costa Rica : Adventure Tour

San Jose, affectionately known to its residents as 'Chepe', lies in the heart of Costa Rica and is home to almost two-thirds of the country’s population. With few buildings over 100 years old, the mountainous capital is relatively modern compared to its Latin American counterparts, but still has a significant amount of culture, art and history for visitors to discover. With a number of theatres full of Costa Rican culture, museums that include the largest collection of American jade in the world, and streets full of bright murals and painted buses, San Jose is an eclectic city waiting to be experienced.

Named after one of three volcanoes in the reserve, Rincon de la Vieja National Park offers a heady mix of rolling green hills, gushing waterfalls and lush cloud forest. The park attracts travellers year round who come to explore its volcanoes, hot springs and numerous picture perfect waterfalls. Rincon de la Vieja means "The Old Woman's Corner" and was named after a local legend, which tells of a girl’s lover who was thrown into the volcano by her father. It’s said the woman became a recluse and developed healing powers, living out her days on the slopes of Rincon de la Vieja.

The horse shoe bay of Tamarindo, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, offers three and a half kilometres of white sand and azure waters. Five-star resorts are strung along the beachfront with charming restaurants, bars and shops clustered further back from the beach, under the lush vegetation that blankets this laid back town. Surfing, diving, estuary trips, fishing and a weekly farmers market are just some of the activities on offer in Tamarindo. For a rare opportunity to witness turtles nesting, travel to National Park Las Baulas just outside town.

Located in central Costa Rica, the Central Valley is home to over 70% of the country’s population. This remarkably beautiful area makes up most of Costa Rica’s interior and boasts many coffee plantations blanketing the hillsides and is fringed by rugged mountains and two active volcanoes, Irazu and Poas. Visitors can look forward to a number of wonderful attractions such as: the Iglesia de San Jose Orosi, built in 1734, it is the oldest church in Costa Rica; the famous town of Cartago, the country’s oldest town; as well as Poas Volcano National Park, home to the most active volcano in the country and Irazu National Park, home to the largest and highest active volcano in Costa Rica.

Located just 2-hours drive northwest of the capital of San Jose, the little Costa Rican town of La Fortuna rests at the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna provides an excellent base for visitors to explore the beautiful surrounding area and serves as the gateway to the scenic Arenal Volcano National Park. Visitors can enjoy a comfortable stay at a host of guesthouses offering magnificent views of the volcano towering over the town, soak up some spectacularly scenic sights from numerous well-situated viewpoints and along hiking trails through the rainforest, or enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs. Don’t miss the beautiful La Fortuna waterfall and natural pool, the glistening Arenal Lake and the forest-covered slopes of the Chato Volcano. La Fortuna is known for its wonderful combination of adventure and nature and will no doubt keep visitors enthralled.

Located in central Costa Rica, the Arenal Volcano National Park lies within the Arenal Tilaran Conservation Area and encompasses eight of the country’s 12 protected life zones. The park is home to the majority of Costa Rica’s 850 bird species, and an array of exotic creatures such as capuchin monkeys, parrot snakes, jaguars and deer, and its diverse landscapes include grasslands and volcanic badlands. Overlooking the park is the magnificent Arenal Volcano as well as the Chato Volcano, complete with a stunning lagoon. Experience this exciting region by hiking through lava fields and rainforests, spotting birds and animals, and taking a dip in the hot springs.

The Nicoya Peninsula is one of Costa Rica’s ‘off-the beaten-track’ destinations, separated from the country’s mainland by the the Gulf of Nicoya and the Tempisque estuary. Visitors who venture here will find it well worth the effort – Nicoya’s idyllic sand beaches, aquamarine bays, charming local hamlets and excellent eco-tourism opportunities combine to make it an unforgettable travel experience. Popular pursuits here include sport-fishing, fishing, snorkelling, diving, surfing, or simply soaking up the sun on the peninsula’s array of magnificent beaches, as well as bird-watching and wildlife viewing in its various nature reserves.