Costa Rica’s sprawling Pacific Coast comprises pristine beaches and spectacular coral reefs, with lush rainforests and mangroves providing a habitat for countless bird species and mammals including everyone’s favourite, the sloth. Throw in some bustling seaside towns, hiking trails and those vivid west coast sunsets and you have the perfect recipe for any outdoor enthusiast.
The undoubted jewel of the region is Manuel Antonio National Park and the neighbouring popular resort town of Manuel Antonio is a great base from which to explore the park and nearby, pristine beaches. With swimming, snorkelling, and surfing or, sloth-like relaxation, this a popular place to hang out.
For the full experience, don’t skip the prolific birdlife of Carara National Park.
It’s not just about where you go, but how you experience it. I’m here to turn that trip into an adventure you’ll cherish.
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Highlights
Manuel Antonio National Park
With its verdant rainforests, mangroves, lagoons, dazzling white beaches and colourful coral reefs, Costa Rica’s smallest national park punches well above its weight in terms of biodiversity. Over 100 mammal species and twice as many bird species fill the park. Abundant wildlife in such tends to reward visitors with sightings of sloths, monkeys, iguanas, butterflies and crabs, while a flash of colour overhead could be a toucan or kingfisher.
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Highlights
Playa Esterillos
This long sandy stretch of beach is just 45 minutes north of Manuel Antonio and only a couple of hours drive from San Jose. A renowned surf-spot, this quiet yet beautiful beach is fringed by lush green coconut and almond trees and is the perfect spot for lounging in a hammock as the sun goes down.
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Highlights
Carara National Park
Carara translates to ‘river of lizards’ in the indigenous Huetar language, a nod to the crocodiles that lurk in the Tarcoles River at the northern edge of the park. Yet it’s the birdlife that’s the biggest draw here. Carara is uniquely located in the transition zone between the northern tropical dry and southern tropical rainforests, offering a diverse crossover of flora and fauna. A highlight is spotting the beautiful though sadly endangered scarlet macaw soaring overhead – dawn and dusk are the best time to see them.
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Highlights
San Gerardo De Dota & the Rio Savegre
The Central Highlands are blanketed with pristine cloud forests teeming with birdlife. In Los Quetzales National Park, you stand an excellent chance of witnessing the magnificent quetzal with its vivid red and green plumage. A wealth of other species can be spotted across the orchid-fringed Savegre basin, including hummingbirds, parakeets and tanagers. San Gerardo de Dota and the surrounding area are also packed with rustic lodges and scenic hiking trails, ideal for exploring.
Trip ideas
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New
Classic Costa Rica
Costa Rica EscortedExplore the emerald landscapes of Costa Rica on this 15-day escorted tour and see for yourself why it’s called the ‘rich coast’!
From £1895 Excluding Flights
14 Nights
Year Round
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New
Hike and Drive Costa Rica
Costa Rica Self DriveLace up your boots and put your best foot forward on this active adventure through some of Costa Rica's most stunning and remote spots.
From £2460 Excluding Flights
12 Nights
Year Round
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New
Costa Rican Family Adventure
Costa Rica Independent Self DriveCosta Rica's unique blend of adventure, nature and culture promises unforgettable memories for every generation.
From £4360 Excluding Flights
13 Nights
Year Round
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New
Birdwatching Costa Rica
Costa Rica Self DriveStay in seven of our favourite birding hot spots, each with its own unique ecosystem revealing a staggering variety of birds and other wildlife.
From £3232 Excluding Flights
13 Nights
Year Round
Trip experiences
Other Costa Rica regions
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Arenal and the North
It’s like the dramatic terrain of this region was custom-built for adventure. Volcanoes, mountains, thunderous waterfalls, natural hot springs and raging rivers that stretch all the way north to the Nicaraguan border.
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Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula
Picture palm-fringed beaches lapped by the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean, stunning wetlands, one of the world's last tropical dry forests, and spectacular volcanic backdrops... Costa Rica’s northwest really is the quintessential tropical paradise.
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Monteverde Cloud Forest
Perched upon the continental divide amid the peaks of the Tilaran Cordillera, towering trees reach high into the mist. Draped in moss, ferns and epiphytes, the atmosphere feels almost prehistoric.
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Osa Peninsula and South Pacific Coast
Breathtakingly beautiful and brimming with wildlife of all shapes and sizes, the Osa Peninsula forms one of Costa Rica’s most important ecosystems.
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San Jose and Central Valley
In the heart of Costa Rica, bustling capital city, San Jose, is surrounded by the pretty hillsides of the Central Valley. Scattered with lively towns, characterful villages, coffee plantations and fincas, almost 70% of the country’s population live here.
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Tortuguero and Caribbean Coast
Costa Rica’s east coast is a spectacular blend of golden beaches, swaying palm trees and the warm waters of the Caribbean from Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo.
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