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Northern flatland & Monteverde

North of the central mountain range lies the fertile flatland, which spans all the way to the Rio San Juan on the Nicaraguan border. While livestock breeding and the growing of fruits and vegetables dominate this region, many nature reservoirs and wildlife sanctuaries protecting the biodiversity can also be found.

Sarapiquí

The small town of Puerto Viejo lies on the river Sarapiquí and is the starting point for boat tours to the border river Rio San Juan in the North. On the excursions, travelers can encounter monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and numerous bird species. Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast is located only 4-5 hours per boat from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí. The boat ride may be too expensive for those travelling alone, but for groups it presents a real alternative. For a short while, the boat navigates on Nicaraguan waters, which is why the border has to be crossed.

In Sarapiquí, travelers can visit the private rain forest reserve Tirimbina. On well groomed horses, the tropical rain forest can be directly experienced. A tip: A chocolate tour is offered where the process from the cocoa fruit to the finished chocolate can be observed and tasted. Sarapiquí is also an ideal place to get acquainted with the local population. The in-town cooperatives offer plantation and school visits, as well as cooking and dancing classes.

Caño Negro

The wildlife preserve Caño Negro lies near Los Chiles in the far north of the country. It is extremely popular for its bird watching, but crocodiles and large iguanas can also be discovered here.

Arenal volcano

An immensely diverse touristic infrastructure has formed around the active volcano Arenal, making the region one of Costa Rica’s highlights. The volcano Arenal awakened in 1968 and has been active ever since. Several times a day, visitors can observe eruptions. This is an amazing experience, especially at night. The region around the town La Fortuna also offers thermal baths, jungle hikes, riding and boat tours, rafting, mountain biking, canopy tours, animal watching on the hanging bridges in the jungle, and much, much more. The choice of hotels in La Fortuna is large, and the many clubs and bars make for a vibrant nightlife, especially on the weekends.

The Arenal water reservoir is located just north of the volcano. Boat tours are offered, and on the northern part of the lake, one can enjoy some of the world’s best windsurfing areas, often home to international competitions.

Monteverde

Monteverde is located about 1400m above the sea in the Cordillera de Tilaran, the mountain range that separates Costa Rica into a Pacific and a Caribbean side. The thick fog blankets that dominate this region perfectly match a European traveler’s vision of the jungle. The trees are covered in parasitic plants and moss, and the fight over the rare sunlight forces the plant world to perform incredible feats, which can best be described by a guide. In this region alone, over 350 different types of birds can be observed. The Monteverde reservoir offers a well-developed trail system for hikers, as does the Santa Elena reservoir. Popular and adventurous ways of discovering the jungle’s biodiversity are suspension bridges and canopy tours. In the lower altitudes around Monteverde, coffee plantations and the milk industry are cultivated. Monteverde is also known for its cheese production.