Here are nature's great migrations. Within the Central American countrys relatively small borders, visitors will find28 national parks, in addition to dozens of other refuges, reserves and conservation regions. Roughly 28% of the land in Costa Rica is a park or reserve in an effort to maintain the integrity of the countrys lush landscape and thriving animal population. Several miles of hiking trails wind through the forests; boat tours (just outside the park) are an excellent way to visit the wetlands. You can walk along the famous, sandy whales tail at low tide only; at high tide much of the beach is covered. Best National Parks to see in Costa Rica: Pure life and nature The good news is that you can often see amazing sights on relatively easy day hikes. The lodge backs right up to the park! Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Viento Fresco is a series of five cascades, including the spectacular Arco Iris (Rainbow Falls), which drops 75m (246ft) into a refreshing shallow pool thats perfect for swimming. Selvatura Park. If you love to be outdoors and love adventurous activities outdoors, this is the adventure park in Costa Rica for you. A tour of Costa Rica offers a breathtaking array of sights and adventures with lush rain forests, pristine beaches, and a plethora of wildlife like sea turtles and howler monkeys. Part of the Area de Conservacin Arenal, the park is rugged and varied, with about 15km (9.3 mi) of well-marked trails that follow old lava flows. The worlds an unfair place and rarely is this more obvious than in Costa Rica. Sky Adventures Monteverde: The priciest park in the area This is one of the most famous adventure parks in Arenal or Monteverde, Costa Rica. Though beautiful, it can be a challenging hike, only 16km in distance but with more than 2500m of climbing. Costa Rica The top national parks in Costa Rica for hiking, volcanoes, wildlife and more Save Meghan O'Dea Apr 27, 2022 11 min read At Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, explore sloth-filled forests - then lie out on the beach John Seaton Callahan / Getty Images Costa Rica 's famously rich landscapes and abundant wildlife showcase pura vida. Advance booking on the website is essential or you may be turned away at the gate. You really cannot go wrong when surrounded by majestic volcanoes and soothing hot springs, but with the backdrop of the Arenal Volcano the Los Caones Canopy tour is an experience youll talk about for years to come. Nicoya Peninsula West Coast Trail Not an official bike trail but certainly a very titillating itinerary, the Nicoya Peninsula's western coast offers an incredibly adventurous option to those who wish to tackle a multi-day biking and even multi-activity vacation. All rights reserved. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 100% of the proceeds from entrance fees go towards education and research programs. Call us! Trail running is a growing sport here and, over six days each February, the Coastal Challenge takes runners on 240km of trails, up and down mountains, through jungles and along beaches in the countrys southwest, including Dominical and Baha Drake. Other prime areas for fish-bothering are the impressive coral reefs at Baha Ballena and Manzanilla. A stay at Crestones Base Lodgegets you to the summit for the next days dawn. Here are 10natural wonders that make this Central American gem one of the most popular destinations in the world. In a country with 11 times more marine territory than land, Costa Ricas Ballena Marine National Park is dedicated to conserving the rich marine ecosystem of the area. These 200 foot giants used to stand guard over the ancient tribes peoples deceased, the trees being so tall that they were that much closer to heaven and would therefore readily facilitate the transition of the soul. Located in the Guanacaste region, Tenorio Volcano National Park is probably best known for Rio Celeste Waterfall within the park, a light blue waterfall naturally colored by minerals in two converging rivers. This really is a wild place. At the end of the tail are rock pools, where kids will enjoy searching for small marine animals. Rubber boots, headlamps and helmets plus a shower afterwards are provided. Come during the driest months for greater concentrations of birds and animals and fewer mosquitoes. Advance bookings are essential. CorcovadoParque Nacional Corcovado in the south is home to an incredible 2.5% of the worlds total biodiversity. Home This 23 sq km (247 acres) national park protects a system of 42 caverns. Some national parks offer opportunities for even longer-term hiking, especially in Chirrip, Corcovado and even La Amistad International Park, the largest and most remote park in the country. The rare birds that you'll find here include pavn, jilguero de montaa, tucancillo and el pjaro bobo bird. Mountaineers wont want to miss this national park. The arrival of cruise ships and weekenders detracts from the tranquility: plan accordingly, and arrive early if possible. Reserva Biolgica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde came into being in 1972, when the Quaker community (which had already set aside a third of its property for preservation), spurred on by the threat of encroaching squatters, joined forces with environmental and wildlife organizations to purchase and protect an extra 328 hectares (811 acres) of land. Therangers officeat the park entrance has maps and info on each path. Ever ridden a colossal swing? Covering 290 square miles, the conservation area covers eight of the 12 life zones in Costa Rica and is a popular destination for all kinds of travelers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! Book Now. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Costa Rica Tortuguero Adventure. While the fiery night views are gone for now, this mighty mountain is still a worthy destination. In the green season (from June through November), the park marshes swell and attract wildlife increasing your odds of sightings. Tailored Travel Every trip is designed for you. It's not just wildebeest and humpback whales that make huge journeys. Here are nature's great migrations. Tamarindo Beach. They are accessible by dirt road, boat, or charter flight (Sirena Ranger Station only). The park enjoys unique geographical conditions: humid trade winds from the Caribbean rush up wooded slopes to cool and condense into clouds loitering above the trees, creating a marvellously misty netherworld. With your own bike, the two-day Vuelta al Lago is an exciting annual mountain-bike ride around Lago de Arenal. Arenal is the adventure capital of Costa Rica. La Paz Waterfall Gardens: a truly wild menagerie. Ziplines, canyoning, bird watching, hiking, canyoning and even an orchid nursery can all be found here at the San Lorenzo Adventure Park, along with a dedicated pet hotel for your furry one. This place is packed full of fun and Hacienda Guachipelin is just as stunning as it is fun. Its common for the volcano to be submerged in cloud cover so its best to go in the morning. Tamarindo Beach. However, ferocious waves break at the end of the tail, so its not suitable for swimming be sure to keep the kids well away from the water. Park headquarters is atCuatro Esquinas, just south of Tortuguero village. The extra oxygen has helped foment potent biodiversity among the reserves fecund flora, where orchids and bromeliads bloom. 8 Costa Rica activities for adventure seekers - Lonely Planet Travel Stories Costa Rica Surfing, hiking, diving, kayaking and more: Costa Rica's best adventure activities Save Jan 29, 2020 7 min read Costa Rica is the Central American capital of adventure activities Max Illy / EyeEm / Getty Images It is wise to consider traveling during the months of December to May. Caimans and crocodiles can be seen lounging on riverbanks, while freshwater turtles bask on logs. Outdoor activities in Costa Rica. From beaches to volcanoes to waterfall-strewn forests full of capuchin monkeys, hummingbirds, parrots and other wildlife, Costa Ricas national parks are simply treasures. Build your ideal Costa Rica trip. On the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula remains one of the countrys most remote destinations, and this wild region is worth a trip. But also a great place to come and do plenty. 15 Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Costa Rica - Klarna Trips And thanks to very reasonable room rates, a world class spa, two unique restaurants and a swim up bar nestled right into a hot spring, you may never want to leave! With 1.7 miles of cables varying in length from 50 to 500 meters, this is the longest canopy tour anywhere in the area. Costa Rica's Best National Parks (PHOTOS!) James Kaiser Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, Piedras Blancas National Parkis located in the southern zone of Costa Rica just off theOsa Peninsula. 4.78. Of the seven species of marine turtle in the world, six nest in Costa Rica, and four nest in Tortuguero. From water sports and mountain hikes to rainforest wildlife watching and cloud-forest birding, these are the best things to do in Costa Rica. Amusement & Theme Parks. (The best times of year for whale spotting are from December to April and July to November.) Know before you gothats our motto! In this fine establishment you are encouraged to hurl yourself off platforms, fly through trees, swing like Tarzan, and get muddy with the best of them! 1. Hiking, ATV tours, zip-lining and rappelling, not to mention the longest double-cabled superman line in all of Costa Rica! If youre looking for something a little more traditional extreme, a good old-fashioned bungee jump is just the ticket! During the wet months, large portions of the area are flooded, and access may be limited. The only cave with regular public access is the 41m-deep (135ft) La Terciopelo, which features incredible speleothems (calcite figures that rise and fall in the caves interior). The parks shallow permanent lagoons are gathering points for wildlife, including the greatest concentrations of waterfowl and shorebirds in Central America. Costa Rica Adventure Vacations | Austin Adventures The secluded jungle beach of Playa Pavones, in the far southwest, is similarly renowned in surf circles and populated by more serious surfers who brave one of the longest rides in the world, the notorious three-minute left point break. Despite increased conservation efforts, fewer leatherbacks are nesting on Playa Grande each year. Where can you glimpse whales in the Pacific, spy stalking jaguars in the jungle, and swim coral reefs? Great way to move across the country! Arenal Volcano within Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the most recognized attractionsin the country. This is a must-visit for birdwatchers and wildlife lovers. With 26 national parks protecting rainforests, cloud forests, beaches, volcanoes and more, Costa Rica has some of the world's most incredible natural landscapes. All Rights Reserved. Despite being one of the smallest national parks in Costa Rica, the Manuel Antonio National Park is still one of the most popular due to its stunning scenery. Related Article: Carara National Park Guide. The dry season (December to March) is the best time to visit; flocks of birds tend to congregate in the remaining lakes and marshes, and trees lose their leaves, allowing for clearer viewing.

535 Godwin Ave, Midland Park, Hvac Contractor Exam Prep, Safest Countries For Black Solo Female Travelers, Latin Mass Near Fort Worth, Tx, Articles B