CLASSICAL COSTA RICA

 

Costa Rica is blessed with lush rainforests, unspoiled beaches, and abundant wildlife, from toucans to monkeys to jaguars in the lushest and most dramatic of settings. Where else can you hike active volcanoes, zip line through cloud-covered rainforests, and surf warm turquoise waters within the span of just a few days? In this compact but diverse tropical paradise, exhilarating outdoor activities are abundant. Nature-seekers can roam thick jungles while beachgoers can relax on the coastline sands. It's hard not to admire all the splendors that the "Rich Coast" has to offer on this Classical Costa Rica trip.

 

Costa Rica Beach

Heredia

Heredia, near San Jose, Costa Rica,  is locally known as the Ciudad de las Flores (city of flowers). This affectionate nickname came from the cultivation of beautiful flowers in its high mountains. Heredia is close to San Jose yet is much more laid back, with close access to the main activities of the capital. Heredia itself has many options such as a visit to El Fortin, Heredia’s National Monument, and the most well-known landmarks. It’s a fort tower made of brick in 1876. You can visit the Toucan Rescue Ranch, an animal rescue and sanctuary up in the hills of Heredia. You can even stay overnight on their property for an exclusive experience!  Close by is Braulio Carrillo National Park, The Barva Volcano, and the Poas Volcano National Park, just 1 hour away from Heredia downtown. This national park is home to Poas Volcano, one of the biggest volcano craters in the world. 

 

Toucan in The Toucan Santuary, Heredia

Tortuguero

Tortuguero is often called the Amazon of Central America. It is a protected and very important national park that offers incredible nature and biodiversity, adventurous tours, and stunning beaches. Tortuguero is home to an incredible biodiversity of plants and animals, with more than 60 species of mammals, including jaguars, sloths, howlers, and spider monkeys, 111 species of reptiles, including crocodiles, caimans, and iguanas, and more than 300 species of birds. If you visit the Tortuguero Coast between July and October, you will get the chance to see the turtles nesting on the beach. There are several different species of turtles nesting here including the impressive Leatherback Turtles, which reach up to 2 meters long.

 

Tortuguero

 

Arenal

The Arenal Volcano is a symmetrical cone-shaped volcano that dominates the fertile landscape of Arenal Volcano National Park. Until recently, it was the country's most active volcano with an average of 41 eruptions per day. The Arenal Volcano National Park provides great bird-watching opportunities year-round, with resident and migratory species between January and April, and mainly resident species between May and December. The Arenal Volcano National Park provides a few volcano viewpoints, one of which invites you to climb over a hill of lava rocks. Arenal is perfect for the exploration of rainforest ecosystems.

 

Arenal Volcano

 

Monteverde

The Monteverde Cloud Forest, a cool misty forest shrouded in greenery, has a truly majestic quality about it. Without a beach or volcano, it’s an easy destination to overlook, in favor of other National Parks. In Monteverde, you can cross hanging bridges and discover the interconnected web of the forest and wildlife. The reserve is also a wonderland for birding. The rare Resplendent Quetzal can be found in these forests. The vegetation in the cloud forest is especially captivating because so much of it can only be found in this cool, tropical climate. Monteverde is perfect to cool down from the otherwise steamy and tropical Costa Rica cities.

 

Quetzal in Monteverde

 

Manuel Antonio

The smallest yet most-visited of Costa Rica's much-admired national parks, a single day in Manuel Antonio brings you directly to the abundance of the natural elements which convinced you to travel to the country in the first place. Consisting of a tropical forest, with monkeys, hiking trails, paradisical beaches, birds, reptiles, mangroves, butterflies, the ocean, and of course, a very good chance of seeing a sloth! This is one of the most biodiverse places in Costa Rica with all animals being wild, free, and protected. Learn about the history of the Quepos Indigenous people and Costa Rica’s past as you contemplate ways to help preserve this precious ecosystem and national treasure for generations to come. Manuel Antonio National Park is where you can enjoy an unequivocally unique experience, leaving you with a new perspective on nature. 

 

Manuel Antonio

 

Tocori Waterfall

Allow Don Gilberto and his family to show you the true Costa Rica on horseback. You will begin the adventure into Costa Rican history and nature, starting with the Quepos Indigenous people and gaining insight into the changes of Manuel Antonio today. Learn all about Costa Rica’s exotic plants and rare wildlife as you ride through the tropical jungle and private ecological reserve at Tocori, just minutes away from Manuel Antonio. After a relaxing hour-long ride on horseback through the tropical rain forest, you will leave your horses on the trail as Don Gilberto or his daughter Dyala guide you through the exotic plant and animal life on a nature walk. They will let you observe, touch, smell, and even taste the real Costa Rican jungle firsthand. After indulging your mind and spirit with expert knowledge, take a refreshing dip in pristine natural mountain waters, as you cool off in the stunning Tocori waterfall. 

 

Tocori Waterfall

 

Book this Classical Costa Rica tour with Va Expeditions here!