COSTA RICA TOURIST BOARDPHOTO ON PREVIOUS PAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM34 Costa RicaCosta Rica at a glance2CENTRAL HIGHLANDS AND VOLCANOESThis fertile, hilly region close to San José is noted for its coffee plantations and smoking volcanic cones. 3 hours' drive beyond Arenal is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This diverse area also supports outdoor activities such as white-water rafting and mountain-biking.3THE PACIFIC COASTThe broad Pacific beaches offer excellent surfing. The National Park of Manuel Antonio has rainforest-backed sands, rocky headlands and prolific wildlife. 1THE NICOYA PENINSULAOther beach destinations in the north include Tamarindo in the Guanacaste region of Nicoya and isolated bays and villages such as Nosara in the south of the peninsula.42531ISTOCKPHOTO.COMcentral American tourist association..CahuitaPunta Cocles.Tilarán.Santa Rosa National Park.Manuel AntonioPuerto Quepos..Punta LeonaBraulio Carrillo National parkIrazú VolcanoArenal VolcanoBarra del Colorado..Puerto LimónAguila de Osa..Puerto Jiménez.La Leona Tent CampLapa Rios.Carate..Monteverde.Tamarindo.Nosara.MalpaisSámara..Punta IslitaCOSTA RICAPACIFIC OCEANNICARAGUACARIBBEAN SEAGUANACASTENICOYAPENINSULASan José.Sarapiqui.TamborBajos del Toro..GolfitoSavegre..Palmar Sur.Liberia Chirripó National ParkRincón de la ViejaNational ParkPoás Volcano National ParkTortuguero National ParkCorcovado National Park OSA PENINSULA

.....San JoséManuel AntonioTortugueroMonteverde ArenalPoás VolcanoCOSTA RICABraulio CarrilloNational Park.35Essentials Climate Sub-tropical?cooler and more temperate in the highlands. Green season May?November.Festivals San Jose Carnival, December; Virgin of the Sea?Punta Arenas, July. Travelling from UK Time difference (GMT) -6hrs Travel time 15hrs Highlights of Costa Rica 14 days, 12 nightsSan José 2 nights, Tortuguero 2n, Monteverde 2n, Arenal 2n, Manuel Antonio 3n, San José 1n.Day 1 Depart from the UK, arriving at the capital San José same evening. Transfer to hotel in a quiet area of the city. Day 2 Optional excursion through lush coffee plantations to visit the active Poás Volcano; or try one of our river rafting trips (p38). Day 3 Drive through hazy cloud forest via Braulio Carrillo National Park to the Caribbean coast, then by riverboat for 3-4hrs to the wildlife reserve at Tortuguero (p38), inaccessible by road. Day 4 Explore Tortuguero by boat. Day 5 Return by air (30mins), or by road, to San José and drive on to Monteverde (p37). Day 6 Explore the well-laid trails through the cloud forest with expert guides. Days 7&8 Continue to Arenal (below) where startling red lava can be seen flowing from the almost perfect cone. Days 9-11 It's a 4-hour drive to the dramatic Pacific coast at Manuel Antonio. Spend 3 nights at a hotel close to the sweeping sandy beach and jungle-filled national park. Day 12 Return to San José by light aircraft. Day 13 Fly to the UK, arriving day 14. Prices from £1,767pp based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights. Daily from the UK 5THE OSA PENINSULARemote Corcovado National Park is a protected wilderness area, with the greatest bio-diversity in Costa Rica. There are shallow lagoons, mangrove swamps, rivers, rainforest and 46km of untouched coastline. 4THE CARIBBEAN COASTThe calm waters of the Caribbean lap the east coast's jungle-clad shores. The National Park of Tortuguero is famous for its protection of the nesting sites of the green and leatherback turtles. Lodges offer nature trails, canopy walks and boat trips to explore the area.020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information 10 Miles20 KMISTOCKPHOTO.COMSHUTTERSTOCK.COMISTOCKPHOTO.COMPANAMA