10 Days of Highlights in Costa Rica

About the destination: San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, has a very different vibe than most of Latin America with a lot more American influenced architecture and a Mediterranean climate. San Jose is a town in the middle of nature. Located in the Central Valley, the city is surrounded by the most varied forms of wildlife as well as the volcanos, Poás and Irazú. It is also the central point from where you can reach the country’s rich National Parks, its gorgeous beaches, its amazing rivers and its pristine mountains.San José has certain attraction on its own like the National Theatre, the Central Market, the National Museum or the Metropolitan Cathedral. Moreover, its friendly people give a lively vibe to the city, something you can appreciate in the city’s many restaurants and bars. Some museums and buildings give away their colonial past and European artistic influences. San Jose also has much to offer and it is a city of great historical and cultural significance.

About the destination: Poás Volcano National Park, in Spanish Parque Nacional Volcán Poás, is a National Park in Costa Rica that covers an area of approximately 65 square kilometres (16,000 acres); the summit is 2,700 metres (8,900 ft). It was established on 25 January 1971. Depending on conditions, visitors can walk all the way to the edge of the main crater, but on 13 April 2017 the park was closed to visitors due to an explosive eruption on the evening of 12 April. Still further eruptions, including on Easter, 16 April, caused the park to be closed until August 2018. Over the years, the park has been frequently closed to visitors due to precautions because of water vapor and sulphuric gas emissions. The status of the park being subject to change, potential visitors should check the current conditions at the park. Poas Volcano erupted twice briefly in September 2019. The volcano is located in the Central Conservation Area located in the Alajuela Province near the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, which encompasses the area around the Poás Volcano. The main crater is 290 metres (950 ft) wide and is quite active with frequent small geyser and lava eruptions, however the last major eruptions were during 1952–54. Two more craters make up parts of the park, the extinct Von Frantzuis crater and the Botos crater. Lake Botos is a beautiful cold, green water crater lake with a diameter of 370 metres (1,200 ft). The Botos crater has not erupted for about 7,500 years. Well-marked trails lead to the two inactive craters, conditions permitting.

About the destination: Arenal is situated north of San Jose. An active volcano, waterfalls, hot springs, and a big lake is what makes Arenal an interesting place to visit. The volcano is visible from all parts of the Arenal area and you can actually feel the volcano too, there are tremors and small eruptions constantly. There is a very nice, safe path through the rain forest. The scenery is beautiful along with all the animals and nature. It is relaxing just taking in the sights. The volcano is the area’s main draw, but there are plenty of things to do around the Volcano. Enjoying the beauty of the hot springs, water rafting, visiting the Arenal Butterfly Conservatory and going on one of the many hiking tours, which display all the natural beauty and wildlife. In one of the hiking tours you can go unguided and follow the path which leads to a beautiful waterfall. It is quite lovely to cool off in the waterfall after that long hike.

About the destination: Monteverde is located in the northern central part of Costa Rica and famous for its cloud forests, which are one of Costa Rica’s premier destinations. Beautiful cloud forests and rainforests are surrounded by green mountains.Monteverde reserve encompasses everyone's idea of a rain forest. It contains more than 100 species of mammals including 5 species of cats, over 400 species of birds including 30 kinds of hummingbirds, tens of thousands of insect species and 2,500 species of plants. The area is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics. There are many activities to do. Rafting, zip-lining, canopy tours, coffee tours, and you can visit a frog museum and Insectarium.Monteverde and Santa Elena settlements are separated by a muddy road but neither has a clear downtown. Shops, restaurants, tours and hotels are sown along the road. In Monteverde region you will experience a unique and beautiful nature.

About the destination: Tamarindo is a beach town in Costa Rica. Located on the Pacific Coast in the province of Guanacaste, Playa Tamarindo is a popular destination for couples and families looking for a good time. The town itself is a small main street about a mile long, with hotels, bars, restaurants, and shops.Tamarindo with three and half kilometres of white beach flanked by the rolling neon-blue waves of the Pacific Ocean serves as a popular base for surfing. Best surfing spots are the nearby Playas Grande, Langosta, Avellanas, and Negra. With a spectacular beach, a saltwater estuary, many surf spots, lively nightlife and the best selection of restaurants of the country, Tamarindo is the epitome of everything that Costa Rica prides itself on.