Costa Rica
RAINFORESTS: Red eyed tree frog
Sitting at the heart of Central America, Costa Rica stretches from the calm waters of the Caribbean to the exhilarating waves of the Pacific.
It is a peaceful and beautiful country with a population keen to keep it that way. The people, known as Ticos, take great pride in pointing out to visitors they have enjoyed more than 100 years of democracy and have no army. This peaceful regime seems to have extended to the land, for Costa Rica has one of the most enlightened conservation policies in the area, taking great care to look after its natural treasures, be they volcanoes and rainforests or sea-turtles and sloths.
Endless natural parks and biological reserves contribute to the country being one of the most bio-diverse in the world. The flora and fauna in the central area make it a naturalist’s delight with many flowers and insects seen nowhere else. Among the privileges the natural world offers here is the sight of green turtles nesting at Tortuguero National Park, the rare and colourful long-tailed quetzal hiding amid the forests, or the exquisite inlets and islands of the Osa Peninsula. The constant fireworks of Arenal volcano which spits out sparks, lava and rocks are one of the great sights of Costa Rica.
IWhile there is so much to see and do in this true tropical paradise it is essential that visitors take time to chill out and absorb the atmosphere, and enjoy at least one or two days relaxing on the beaches of the Pacific or Caribbean coast.
Flights & Facts:
Fly to: San Jose - daily via Miami.
Flying time: 12hrs.
Time difference: GMT - 6hrs.
Visas: Not required for UK passport holders.
Health requirements: No mandatory vaccinations required.
Best time to travel: Nov - Apr.
Weather:
Costa Rica’s dry season generally runs from November to April; the wet season lasts the remainder of the year. The highlands are cool but the Pacific and Caribbean coasts are hot throughout the year. Altitude affects temperatures more than seasonal variation. The humidity at low altitudes can sometimes be oppressive.
A&K Recommends
-
Central and South America | Costa Rica
Duration: 15 days
San José (2 nts) - Tortuguero (2 nts) - Turrialba (3 nts) – Osa Peninsula (3 nts) – Nicoya Peninsula (3 nts) - San José (1 nt)
• Unique wildlife
• History and culture
• Beautiful beaches
from £3,075 per person
-
Central and South America | Costa Rica
Duration: 11 days
San José (2 nts) - Arenal (1 nt) - Santa Teresa (3 nts) – Osa Peninsula (3 nts) – San José (1 nt)
• Abundant flora and fauna
• Unspoilt rainforest and beaches
• Arenal Volcano
Active | Culture | Wildlife
from £3,065 per person
-
Central and South America | Costa Rica | Turrialba
16 rooms
Located in the Turrialba Valley by the wild waters of the Reventazón River, Casa Turire is an elegant boutique hotel reminiscent of a colonial plantation home, surrounded by lush tropical ...
from £46 per person per night
-
Central and South America | Costa Rica | Nicoya Peninsula
11 rooms
Florblanca Resort is hidden among almond trees on seven acres of wild beach. 11 luxurious villas have a large living room, ocean facing verandah and outdoor bathroom. There is a ...
5mins From Beach
from £99 per person per night
-
Central and South America | Costa Rica | Papagayo Peninsula
153 rooms
Located on a slender peninsular with beaches either side, the Four Seasons is Costa Rica’s first true luxury resort and offers activities for all ages. 153 spacious guest rooms and ...
5mins From Beach | Family Friendly | Sporting Activities
from £155 per person per night
-
Central and South America | Costa Rica | Osa Peninsula
16 rooms
Stunning in its simple beauty, Lapa Rios hides in a private nature reserve in the remote rainforest of the Osa Peninsula. Romantic bungalows have private terraces looking out at the ...
5mins From Beach
from £153 per person per night
-
Central and South America | Costa Rica | Nicoya Peninsula
5 rooms
This new and luxurious tropical escape is located on one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches at Santa Teresa and offers a total of five individually decorated rooms. The main ...
5mins From Beach
from £78 per person per night
-
Central and South America | Costa Rica | Tortuguero
12 rooms
Hidden amongst the trees on the banks of Tortuguero’s principal canal, the newly built Manatus Lodge offers 12 well appointed, air-conditioned rooms, with private patios that overlook the wonderful jungle ...
from £94 per person per night
-
Central and South America | Costa Rica | Nicoya Peninsula
53 rooms
Overlooking the Pacific, the 53 rooms and suites of this ‘Small Luxury Hotel of the World’ nestle into a hill on the Nicoya Peninsula. All enjoy spectactular ocean cove views, ...
5mins From Beach
from £96 per person per night
-
Central and South America | Costa Rica | Corcovado
8 rooms
Scattered throughout 70 acres of verdant jungle, on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Villa Corcovado is a collection of eight luxury villas providing an exclusive retreat in the ...
5mins From Beach
from £120 per person per night