.....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

COSTA RICA TOURIST BOARDNational parks and Pacific beaches The southern end of Costa Rica's Pacific coastline, the Osa Peninsula's coastalrainforest vegetation contrasts with the open pastures of the northern NicoyaPeninsula. There are wildlife and national parks throughout the coastal region. In the lowlands between the two peninsulas sweeping beaches defined by palm groves and rocky headlands harbour a range of accommodation choices.The Osa Peninsula (left) hosts a choice of properties from which to observe the wildlife or just relax. One of the best permanent camps is La Leona, a laid-back family-run tent camp on a densely forested private reserve adjoining Corcovado National Park. At the other end of the scale is the luxurious eco-lodge Lapa Rios (p40), great for honeymooners. At La Paloma Lodge set on a bluff overlooking Drakes Bay with private balconies and breathtaking views; tropical bird sounds, from scarlet macaws to hummingbirds, pierce the air. Follow walks on the trails of Corcovado National Park, snorkel around Cano Island or go dolphin spotting.Halfway down the coast is Manuel Antonio National Park, a tropical fairy-land of palms, creepers and mangrove swamps, where monkeys scamper down to the sweep of ochre beach at sunset. There are several up-market hotels scattered over the hills and along the shady shoreline that leads to the national park, we especially like Tulemar Bungalows and Arenas del Mar.Inland from the north coast is Monteverde Reserve, a lush environment of humid cloud forest so rich in wildlife that it has become a base for naturalists worldwide (see Imagine, facing page).On the remote Nicoya Peninsula we recommend Punta Islita, an exclusive property with its own airstrip on a wooded hillside: walk down a steep path to a palm-shaded sandy stretch of beach with a pool and lawn dotted with hammocks. The thatched bungalows at Capitán Suizo sit on a lovely beach near the village of Tamarindo. Punta Islita was amazing ?best hotel we've ever stayed in. EH, Bath36 Costa Rica