NORTHERN PLAINS
It´s the largest parish, occuping 6.5% of all the nacional territory.Agriculture zone with huge pineapple plantations and many other cultivations.
Located in the an Jose Mountain Range, near Juan Castro Blanco National Park and it har hours hot water springs, rivers, and creeks, along with flourishing geographic sites such as boilers and volcanoes, and a diversified amount of plant and animal wild life. Map
Located in this area is the Arenal Volcano National Park, which is agreat tourist attraction, because of its variety of plants and animals like loras, sargentos, oropéndolas, urraca parda, parrots, humming birds, campana birds, quetzals,tepezcuintle, danta, deer, jaguar, sahinos, pizotes, congo monkies, colorado and cariblanca, snakes, species of palms, heliconias, orchids, helechos and bromelias. Besides, its great volcanic activity where you can witness great lava and ash explotions that guarantee a great spectacle of colors that can be seen anywhere in La Fortuna.
This zone has spring the natural waters coming from the volcano, you can also find masotherapy centers, hidromassages and Turkish baths which are pretty used to heal pains and spinal ploblems, severe stress, recovery of injured bones and general improvement of the circulatory system among others. MapLa zona cuenta con aguas termales naturales provenientes del Volcán, podrá encontrar centros de masoterapia, hidromasajes y baño turco, muy utilizado con dolencias relacionadas con afecciones de columna vertebral, estado de estrés agudo, recuperación de lesiones en hueso y mejoramiento general del sistema circulatorio, entre otros.
It is one of the most charming and hidden places that preserves one of the most important humid zones of our territory. It is considered of great international importance for hosting a big amount of migratory species, and species in danger of extinction. Some of the most coldful aquatic birds is Pato aguja, espatula rosada, el ibis blanco, el gallito de agua, el cigueñon, el piche, and galan sin ventura, la colonia de patos chanchos, el caiman, el cocodrilo among others. MapLocated between two magnificent places, Tenorio Volcano National Park,which has primary woods, mammals like bandera danta, flora like Jicaro Danto tree that is a unique specie of Guanacaste chain of mountains. There are also more common trees such as aguacatillos, cucaracho, pilón, zapotillo, caobilla, cedro maría. Among the most representative fauna tha following animals are the most attractive: the jaguar, puma, manigordo, causel, danta, sahino, cabro de monte, tepezcuintle, guatusa, pajaro sombrilla, pavas, tucanes, terciopelo, mano de piedra.
This National Park also has eye catching places like Río CelesteWaterfalls, the blue lagoon, Los teñideros and spring waters among others. It also includes the so called Protected Miravalles Zone, where Miravalles Volcano is located. This volcano is not active and has a semi-destroyed crater. However, it is possible to see at Hornillas and Guayabo the way lava goes down. It flowed approximately one million years ago and it at the same time works as a refugee for felines, deer and coyotes, tepezcuintles, sahinos and cariblanca monkeys, among others.
Inside Miravalles zone, you are able to find spring waters, rivers, waterfallsand the cleanest river Guanacaste - Cuipilapa.
Besides, there are sightings to Nicaragua lake and hanging bridges. MapInside Monteverde you can find Monteverde Conservationalist privatereserve which has more than 22.500 hectares of primary and secondary forest and also regenerated areas. This reserve has achieved to preserve itself thanks to the effort of children, grown-ups, schools and other organizations from over 40 countries around the world.
60 species of amphibians have been registered, 101 species of reptiles,425 species of birds and 121 species of mammal which represent 50.5% of terrestrial vertebrates of Costa Rica, pajaro sombrilla, y el pajaro campaña, habitats are protected and also unique amphibian species from our country. The danta is the biggest terrestrial mammal of Costa Rica and there are plenty of them in our forest.
There is a spectacular view of Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lagoon, plus, thereis rain forest full of life with two waterfalls, paths and research centers.
There are optional activities such as rapel, snake sightings, canaries, canopy, and cable cars. Where you can see all of the scenic beauty Monteverde has. MapGUANACASTE
It is located in Rincon de la Vieja National Park, between the provinces ofGuanacaste and Alajuela. It has diversity of ecosystems and association of vegetables due to altitudinal differences, precipitation, and the effect of volcanic eruptions, it is also the refugee of national flower of CostaRica Guaria Morada. There are trees such as Laurel, Guanacaste, Cedro Amargo, Indio desnudo, and el copey, birds like the Pavón, el pajaro bobo, el jilguero de montaña, and el tucancillo.
In this zone 32 river are born for instance Colorado and Blanco Rivers, plus, there are 16 ravines. MapIt is 38,674 hectares long. You can find historical Santa Rosa Museumwhere the most important battle ever between v.s. citizens, and Costaricans took place. The so called “Filibusteros”, ( v.s. citizens) came from Nicaragua and were leadned by William Walker. The most important sample of dry conserved in there. This includes forest species like Guanacaste tree, Pochote, Guapinol, Indio Desnudo and the Caoba.
Right on the coast side the “Mangle Rojo” stands out. Besides, there are115 species of mammals, the most eye-catching animals are the white-tail deer, Congos, Cariblanca monkeys, and Pizotes.
As to birds, the magpie predominates; the most representative reptiles are Lora turtle, rattle snake and Garrobo. In its surroundings, the following beaches can be found: Junquillal, Blanca, Cabo Santa Elena, Penca, Nancite, Naranjo, Cabuyal, Nacascolito, Vibrador, Monte del Barco and Chorotega Panamá. MapaBARRA HONDA: It is 2295 hectares long. It represents thousands of years of geological history which have come up with results of wide system of caverns independents from each other and with formations of stalactites.
This area has Barra Honda National Park that includes dry tropical forest and formation of cavern systems.
Barra Honda´s hills have an amazingly geographical history of 60 million years. It is linked to coral reef formations that emerged from the button of the sea during the geological formation of our country. It is possible to see birds like macaws, humming birds, toledos, hawks, and mammals like the monkeys, pizotes, armadillos and squirrels.
The main attraction of the park is the caverns, 42 paths have been discovered you are able to get to terciopelo cavern, enjoying both adventure and beauty. You can also get to the caverns through different trials and get an amazing view of Nicoya Gulf and Chira Island. MapHOJANCHA: Montealto Reserve, which is located in Monte Alto, is administered together with the community.
Just an hour away from Monte Alto, you can easily find attractive and important places such as agro forest areas, el Salto del Calvo, Carrillo and Samara Beach, Barra Honda National Park, Cerros de Jesus, Nicoya Gulf and its islands as well as Ostional Beach which the second most important place where turtles lay their eggs during July and November. MapKaren Mogensen Reserve is located in the Peninsula of Nicoya.
It is surrounded by the Gulf of Nicoya and the Pacifíc Ocean. It is both a dry and humid weather zone and the mountains cover also 23.000 hectares of the surface. The reserve covers 900 hectares and protects one of the richest ecological zones of the Península . Among the attractions, we can mention the flora and fauna of this zona, the beauty of the views, clear water waterfalls like “Velo de Novia” (bride’s veil)
Some of the most significant species of trees are tempisque, cachimbo, ronron, nispero, cocobolo,guapinol,ojoche,guayabon,caoba y cedro. besides, there are hundreds of empaveles,guanacastes, cenizaros, guacimos among others.
These are the most important trees because they offer refugee and food to mammals and birds in danger of extinction.
Also you can find many species of orchids, epifitas and Palm trees.
This reserve is close to the following protected areas: Absoluta Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve, Curú Wild Life Refugee (57 away), Barra Honda National Park (50km away) and Monte Alto Reserve (50km away). Mapa
LITORAL
SAN VICENTE DE NICOYA:This trip offers one of the best chances to deeply know historical places from Guanacaste, its culture and handcraft Chorotega products.
There are so many attractive places like Barra Honda National Park, Tempisque River, from Palo Verde National Park, the nice viexs of the north hills of Diria National Park, Las Baulas National Park, Tamarindo, Langosta and Avellanas. Map
It is the located right in the middle of the golden coast.
It is well-know fur having one of the best waves for surfing and it is also an important part of Marino Baulas National Park .
Which is at the same time one of the best beaches from Guanacaste due to its blue sea.
It is located in Nicoya Peninsula and it is home of the Leatherback turtle which is in danger of extinction and arrives to this beach to lay eggs.
Playa Grande became part of the National Park int the 1900’s and it is just open during the “ARRIBADAS” (arrivals of the turtle to lay eggs).At night if there are people hunting both turtles and their eggs and also too enthusiastic turists who become a threat for the huge eggs.
The laying eggs season is from Octuber until May and it is definitely worth it to witness it. MapPACIFIC
It is well-know as one of the best places to have a clear view of the Quetzal. Which is considered one of the most colorful birds around the world. It lives in foggy woods anda can be see throughout the year. However, they can be seen more easily during April and May which are the months they mate. Besides the Quetzal, there is a big amount of birds that can be seen here like pecaries, woodpeckers and humming birds. They all make this region a bird-watching place.
San Gerardo de Dota is a paradise for the ones who love nature, it is a small community of farmers that is located in the wide Valley of Savegre River. It’s an excellent place for fishing trouts. Also, this place offers tourist some fresh air coming from the mountains, wonderful foggy forest to make their trip unforgettable. Map
UVITA – MARINO BALLENA NATIONAL PARK.
It protects varied environments like Sandy beaches, Stony beaches, islands, rocky reefs, organic reefs and el tombolo of Punta Uvita.
Marino Ballena National Park is immersed in a region of astonishing views plus the scientific valve. This strongly contributes to environmental education and the tourist development. One of the most important marine environments of the area are the organic reefs, commonly called coral reefs. All year long you can see dolphins and from august to September you can observe the “jorobadas” whales immigration coming from South America and from January to march the ones from North America. You can do different activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, go to the caves and whale and dolphin sight whale and dolphin sight. You can watch the hunchback whale, bryde whale, piloto whale, spotted dolphin, bottle nose dolphin, screw dolphin among others. Map
It is an important town because it works as the main entrance to the biggest reserve of manglares latin america. the national wetland térraba-sierpe is located where the mouths of sierpe and terraba river get together and they have some of the biggest manglares of the world.
It constitutes one huge habit of animals, birds, reptiles that include turtles, cocodriles, long tailed monkey, alligators, toads and many more. Besides the reserve of manglares Sierpe offers travelers all year long the best chance for fishing in Costa Rica and craftsmanship basically of wooden masks you can perform activities like sportfishing, to visit manglares, snorkeling, among others. There are also places of interest like National Park Corcovado, Dulce Gulf, Drake Bay, Caño Island, Marino Ballena National Park, Ventana Beach, Tortuga Beach. Map
It was called like this due to the arrival of Drake the pirate. This beach is made of rock parts and caletas of great scenic beauty; it has a Tropical Humid Forest, from Drake many sport fishing and diving tours leave to Caño Island and also to Corcovado National Park. Plus, you can sail through the wetlands of Sierpe where you can observe monkeys, cocodriles, snakes and birds. You can also hike and ride to close places. Every year in February people celebrate officially the arrival of Drake the pirate to this place with great activities.
We invite you to come and celebrate. Map
More than 500 species are found in here, 140 mammals, 370 species of birds, 150 species of orchids, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians and more than 6.000 types of insects
You just can’t deny that Corcovado National Park is a beautiful place. It is considered one of the most important natural reserves of America. This virgin forest attracts visitors from all over the world. At least 13 different classes of vegetation are found in its surroundings including manglares, swamps and swampy forests which makes this park the dream of any botanical.
Jaguars, huge anteaters, hundreds of pecaries, tapirs and many more weird animals that live in this park. Right in the middle we can find a lagoon full of cocodriles. The cautivating beauty of its woods, its coast with precious unhabitated beaches and roaring cascades. It attracts visitors from all over the world. The sea that surrounds the park is a place for the hunchback whales to reproduce Corcovado National Park has been called by National Geographic “the most intense place of the world biologically speaking”. Map
This is a place of great archeological importance. This island was used by the prec-colombino inhabitants as a cemetery and sacred place where you can appreciate a clear South American influence in certain perfectly rounded spheres made by the natives of these lands. The island is surrounded by 5 plattaforms of coral reefs and it is 110 meters above the sea level.
It is basically formed by white sand beaches.Some of them disappear when the tide is high.
The biggest attraction is down there because you can see the xhite fin shark that domains the territory and other animals like turtles, eels, dolphins, rays and others.Volcanic rock formations provide the bases for the coral colonies xhich at the same time host little mollusks, crustaceous, and endless amounts of fish.
Among the activities to carry out, we can mention diving, hiking through natural paths within the island to visit the indigenous cemetery and snorkeling Map
You will experience real indigenous way of living in Terraba town. You can bathe in fresh natural xaters. There are 3 indigenous towns: Salitre, Ujarrás and Cabagra. Amazing cave-like waterfalls where indigenous people lived.
There are natural paths where you will the secrets of the trees and medical plants, trees and plants, you will know the harmony that exists between the indigenous culture Terraba and the forest that borders on International Park and Biosphere La Amistad Reserve. MapCARIBE
Limón is the Caribbean pearl of Costa Rica. It has lots of great cultural diversity . Most of the citizens are black and some of them have traces of indigenous Afro-Caribbean, white and Chinese people. This is the area where the most cultural groups stay together.
The weather is hot and humid which is typical of the coasts. The average temperature in a year is 25,5o C. Coral reefs stand out, black, yellow, white and gray sand beaches coast vegetation and forest. It is the most important banana plantation area in Costa Rica and it is the main Caribbean harbor where cru ices arrive. Map
Cahuita means “Misquitos” (place where the “sanguillos grow”) in Indian language . The so called “sangrillos” are species of trees that have yellow flowers.They are very common in this zone. Cahuita is the most representative toxn of the Afro-Caribbean culture.
Cahuita National Park protects one of the best well-developed coral reefs from the caribean coast and one of the most important of Costa Rica.
It also protects a sample of swampy forest with bunches of pure Yolillos and Sangrillos. It also conserves white sand beaches of great scenic beauty. This national park got the “Blue Ecological Flag” award.
Its fauna varies. It is common to see conges, raccoons (mapachin comun and cangrejo) and pizotes. it is frequent to see several species of forest birds, swampy forest birds. like ibis verde, matin pescador verdi rojizo, acuatic insects night heron whose main food is crabs and chocuaco. These are seen frequently during the day in colonies of 50 or more close, to riverbank, trees or lagoons. There are also lots of crabs 4 species of them have been discovered el ermitaño terrestre that lives in the woods and shores, the black one which is dark red color and its diet consists of some mammals like raccoons, pizotes, otters, the white one which is blue-gray color and the ground crab that lives close to water formations.
You can also enjoy typical dishes in Cahuita such as Rice and Beans, Rondon, Patty , or enjoy the sounds of Calypso and Reggae Music and observe typical Caribbean constructions close to Cahuita you can reach Blanca Beach, Negra Beach, Puerto Vargas, Puerto Viejo, Punta Cocles, Punta Uva and Gandoca Manzanillo Reserve. Map
This is an Indian community located in the river that has the same name.
Right in front you can see Panamenian seas. This is one of the few Costa Rican communities that keeps on using organic processes. This project allows to share with its visitors ancient indigenous techniques in agriculture and crafmanship. Map
In this area, where the National Park is lived indigenous people called Quepoa.That’s why Quepos city got that name.This is one of the National Parks with more scenic beauty of the country.
The park is located in a transitional zone of Humid Tropical forest to too Humid Tropical Forest with primary, secondary woods and the mangle. The average temperature by year is 31oC the highest, 22.6 oC the lowest, and 26,8 oC the medium average. 352 species of birds, 109 species of mammals, varied sea fauna, and 346 species of vegetables have been registered.
It is quite common to observe species of birds like el tucancillo, el pelicano o bucho, el guaco, el gavilan pescado, el martin pescador verde y la chirincoca, iguanas, garrobos and snakes .Insects like butterflies, chicharras,mantis religiosa, purrujas, mosquitoes, ants and grass hoppers .Among the most outstanding mammals we can mention raccoons, el pizote,la guatusa, two finger sloths ,white face monkey, titi monkey.
There is exotic sea fauna like: morena, pez ángel, erizos y estrellas de mar.
In addition, in the Woods the following species stand out el guacimo colorado, el pilon , el cedro maria, el guapinol blanco, el sura, el guapinol negro, el lechoso, el cenizaro y el ceiba. As to vegetation these trees can be seen along the beach el manzanillo, el almendro, el robel sabana and coconut tree. All over the park, visitors can take walks and find all of variety in Flora and fauna described previously .We are waiting for you. Mapa
Manzanillo Reserve is a wild life Refugee in the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.
It has solid sand beaches, coral reefs that embellishes this paradise.These features make Manzanillo an attractive place for the ones who love nature and water sports. The most important ecosystems are the wetlands, swamps, lagoons, flooded forests, reefs, lechos de plantas fanerogamas bed of aquatic plants and seaweed. The habits protect animals in danger of extinction such as manati, tapirs, cocodriles, alligators , otters, sahino, el tepescuincle ,el mono colorado, el curre, el aguilucho, el loro, el pavon ,sea turtles baula, caguama verde y carey. Which lay eggs at the coast of the refugee. The wetlands and the forest around have a great diversity of species like cocodriles, alligators ,nutrias,bores salvajes, ocelotes, pumas, pacas, sloths, spider monkeys, conges, monos capuchinos de garganta blanca and numerous species of birds, reptiles and amphibians.
The biological richness has increased on the coast side of the refugee: coral reefs, sandy beaches, coral caves, manglares, sea grounds like ooze, sand, rock and coral. Map
It is considered the little Amazones for having the biggest sample of protected tropical humid forest. Tortuguero twon is located between two canals, the caribbean sea, and next to Tortuguero National Park.
It is weather is humid and hot. There is no dry season. It is the mos importat area where turttles lay eegs in the west caribean. We can find in there more than 400 species of trees and around 2,200 species of other plants, thanks to the great variety of environment. For instance typical vegetation of the caribean coast which has species like the beach grape and the so called “Icaco”. It is also common to see the coconut palm that is a specie from India.
Behind the sandy coast ribbon the woods grow up on flooded and swampy lands. It is quite common ti find trees like el sangrillo, el catito, el gavilan y el pochote. In flooded areas yolillo palm grows and it even creates pure woods called “yolillales”.
In place with deeper water, you can see floating vegetation basically the aquatic iris and aquatic beds. In the National Park there is a big amount of fauna like the jaguar, “manigordo”, Danta, (which is the biggest animal of tropical forest of America), manati, tolomuco, some of those mammals are in danger of extintion, sloths three species of monkeys among others.
Besides, there are 405 species of birds aproximately half of the ones from Costa Rica and more that could be found all over the european territory. One of the main attractions is the sea turttles, there are four different species and they arrive there to lay eggs. Their names are: giagantic “baula”, green turttle (second biggest and most abundant in the park) and carey turttlewhich is the smallest but its shell is very valuable especially for craft manship. Map
Its history dates from pre-colombine epoch in which Yori River was mentioned votos indians were known by this name. They inhibited these rich plains. According to the Costa Rican writer and historian Carlos Gagini its traslation is Sarapiquí. Its colonization was due to the spaniard desire and then of the country to build a way to access San Juan through the nort part of the country.
It became an important way because through the river ships coming from Europe got in the country. In 1856, william Walker and his “Filibusteros” got in the country through this river and they were stopped in the battle of Sardinal. That is why it was declared historic National Monument. It borders Cordillera Volcanica Central Forestal Reserve, which part of it is in the canton. Also, it borders fauna silvestre Barra del Colorado National Park and La Selva Biological Reserve. The main attractions are first Sarapiquí River. It is 85 kms long. It is born in Poas Volcano crater where it starts its way down, facing other rivers like sucio River, Puerto Viejo River. The climate is tropical, with dry and rainy season. The average temperature is 26º to 28º C. MapCENTRAL VALLEY
TURRIALBA: Turrialba Volcano National Parkis located in this area. Its hight is around 3340 mts above sea level. This volcano has gas activity and water steam with sulfur deposits. Pacuare River is located in this same district and it is one of the five best rivers to practice white water rafting and other extreme sports. This river goes across and also borders protected areas like Macho River Reserve, Barbilla National Park, Pacuare Forestal Reserve, cuenca del Rio Tuis Protected Zone and Siquirres Protected Zone. Pacuare territory shelters Barbilla-Dantas an Chirripo indigenous reserves.
Turrialba you can not forget visiting the Basilica de Nuestra Señora delos Angeles, known as La Negrita who is the so called “patrona” of Costa Rica. This church has a fine structure that mixes Roman, Arabic and gothic shapes. Its floors are italian and has 32 German stained-glass windows. Map
OROSI- CARTAGO: this is one of the oldest communities of Costa Rica and the colonial temple stands out. It´s been used since 1743 and it is now a National Monument, next to the church, you can see the religious art Museum of San José, Orosi in an old convent of Franciscan Fathers which construction dates from year 1743 (the oldest of the country). Indigeneus people were “evangelizados” by the Franciscans the conquest and evangelization of orosi Valley was carried out through two stages: from 1561 until 1699 and second stage from 1743 until 1996. the main economic income was provided by the coffee tradition that is mora than a hundred years old. This is a deep and humid valleysorrounded by hills and exuberant vegetation 1051 meters over the sea level. Among its attractions we can mention Turrialba Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Rio MachoForestal Reserve (the biggest one of Costa Rica 99.105 hectares) and Tapantí National Park. As to its weather, it has influence from both Atlantic and Pacific the rainy season is from may until November and the dry season from December until April. Map
ALAJUELA: Also know as “La Ciudad de los Mangos” (the city of the maangoes) and it is the second biggest province of Costa Rica Juan Santamaria, which is the national airport is located in this provice regarding coffee and sugar cane production it gets the first place award.
Among its touristic attractions, we can mention Poas Volcano NationalPark with an extention of 5600 hectares. It has several types of habitats like the “achaparrado” forest, areas that lack vegetation, the area of the “arrayanes” and the foggy forest where lots of epifitas plants live such as moss beds, “bromelias” and orchids that grow on the tree trunks. Poas Volcano is 2708 meters high and it is one or the most spectacular volcanoes of the country. Its top, there are of scenic beauty. On its top, there are two craters. The main crater is 1.5 km long and 300 mts deep. At the bottom of the crater, there is a rounded shape hot lagoon which is 350 mts long and a cone of slags or “domica” structure that is 40 mts over the lagoon and it at the same time has very active fumarolas, the second crater is part of Botos lagoon which has cold water and is from the rain. Its drains towards the caribean through Angel River that flows into Sarapiqui River. Map
SARCHI: It is part or Alajuela city and id is well-known as the land of craftmen. It is considered Costa Rican craftmanship spot due to its numerous workshop where fine wood is manipulated to create luxurious furniture. The typical Costa Rican oxcart is produced in there too. Map
SAN JOSE: This is both the main province and capital of Costa Rica. It is located within the central Valley Region where Cordillera Volcanica Central Conservational Area is located. It covers almost the whole central valley where volcanic plateaus stand out. It is 642 000 hectares long and it represents 12.5% of the national territory of within a protected wild area the average temperature is around 19 and 22 degrees during most of the year. San Jose offers most of the facilities and services big cities do.
Among its attractions we can mention museums, theaters, nationalmonument, national parks, fun centers, and a walk through central avenue. One of the most fascinating places to visit is the Gold Museum, National Jade Museum, Costa Rican Art Museum, Children Museum or the “Filatelico” and “Numismatico” Museum among other buildings declared National Monuments of great cultural interest like the Post Office building and the National Teather built in 1890-1897 or Melico Salazar Teather among other wonderful places of the Central Valley. Map
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