Things to do

Visit the lush Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park, where you'll find hot springs, howler monkeys, bubbling mud pits, and of course, the steams and sparks of the active volcano! Try exhilarating white water rafting in the Sarapiqui river, or hang high above the treetops on a canopy tour, where you can slide through the trees suspended on a harness. Admire the stunning volcano views from the amazing Hanging Bridges of Arinal.

Explore your destination

Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs and Rainforest
Explore the depths of the rainforest, where you'll meet a tribe, swim in hot springs and admire the steamy main attraction, Arenal Volcano, on a jam-packed adventure tour. You'll come across lush tropical plants and stunning scenery on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Prices from approx. £63-74pp (adult/daytime); £54pp (adult/night-time)
Prices from approx. £48-56pp (child/daytime); £41pp (child/night-time)

Monteverde Cloud Forest
High in the mountains, uncover the misty magic of this cloud forest, followed by a SkyWalk over bridges suspended along the treetops. With the chance to see rare wildlife and walk among the clouds, this is a truly fantastic day out.
Prices from approx. £74pp (adult); £56pp (child)

Corobici River Rafting
Get back to nature and float gently down the Corobici River on this rafting adventure, ideal for nature lovers and bird watchers. Passing through lush green landscapes, you'll have the chance to see brightly coloured birds, luminous iguanas and noisy howler monkeys.
Prices from approx. £45pp (adult); £34pp (child)

Canopy Tour
See the jungle from a bird's-eye view on an adrenaline-fuelled canopy tour, where you'll fly through the treetops, safely suspended in a harness. Moving from platform to platform, you'll see something new with every swing!
Prices from approx. £20-37pp (adult); £15-28pp (child)

Please note: for further details, please speak to your Representative in resort. This is an example guide only and excursions and prices will be subject to change according to season, availability and demand.

Highlights

• Covering yourself in bubbling volcanic mud in the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, then rinsing off under a cascading waterfall
• Getting back to nature in Costa Rica’s incredible tropical forests, home to an abundance of fascinating wildlife, from colourful butterflies to exotic birds
• Hanging high in the treetops on a canopy tour, an amazing trip letting you glide through the trees like Tarzan, safely suspended in a harness
• Bathing in the famous Tabacón Hot Springs in Arenal, a truly relaxing experience to enjoy on your holiday in Costa Rica
• Whizzing down a zip wire, with the sights and sounds of a tropical rainforest all around you
• Getting an adrenaline rush, tubing down the waters of Rio Negro
• White water rafting on the Coribici River
• Treading carefully as you watch endangered leatherback and green turtles nesting on Costa Rica’s sandy shores
• Catching a wave in the surfers’ paradise of Tamarindo, where you can rent a board, take a lesson and soak up the laid-back beach vibe
• Seeing the sights on horseback, whether you’re riding across the beach or trekking through the rainforest
• Soaking up the hustle and bustle of San José, Costa Rica’s vibrant capital city

Food and drink

Costa Ricans love their rice and beans, especially served with sour cream, but you can also try spicy coconut milk stew, fried chicken and garlic potatoes.

Feast on fresh exotic fruit, including papaya, sweet mangoes and the Tamarindo fruit, or have them all in a smoothie.

Make sure you try the delicious local coffee but, for a more adventurous night-time tipple, brave the potent national drink 'guaro', a clear alcohol derived from sugar cane.

Evening Flavour

Tamarindo is the place to party: you can enjoy live street entertainment, dance the night away in clubs and sip cocktails in Ibiza-style chill-out bars on the beach.

In quieter resorts, nightlife is based within the hotel casinos and bars, but sometimes there’s nothing better than spending an evening unwinding on your balcony.

In Playa Conchal or the Gulf of Papagayo, you can take an evening stroll and gaze at glorious sunsets, hearing pulsating music.

Shopping

Costa Rica is famous for its flavoursome coffee; you can take home gourmet coffee beans, coffee liqueur and chocolate coffee sweets.

Pick up local handicrafts like leather goods, ceramics and colourful woodwork, or shop for gold and silver jewellery, made with semi-precious stones, which makes a great gift for someone special, or an excellent way to treat yourself.

Wander around Tamarindo’s craft stalls and shops, where you’ll find clothes, flip-flops, surf goods and souvenirs to remind you of your holiday in Costa Rica.

Dates for the Diary

Costa Ricans celebrate Independence Day on 15 September: expect colourful parades, marching bands and children carrying glowing homemade lanterns.

For the Family

• Having the best nature lesson of your life in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, with a guide to help you spot native insects, animals and birds
• Learning all about butterflies at Monteverde Butterfly Garden, where you can walk through different habitats with Costa Rica’s colourful butterflies fluttering by
• Meeting the brightly coloured frogs and toads at Ranario Frog Pond in Monteverde
• Getting close, but not too close, to Costa Rica’s snakes at Serpentario in San José, where you’ll find the deadly coral snake and bushmaster as well as poison dart frogs and iguanas

Local weather

Information

Language: Spanish
Currency: Costa Rican Colón
Standard GMT: - 6 hrs
Costa Rican Embassy: Flat 1, 14 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3LH.
Tel: (020) 7706 8844
www.visitcostarica.com

Travel money

Colón

You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.