COSTA RICA expeditionsHead southeast from San José and you descend from the coffee-growing highlands to the banana plantations of the sultry coastal plains fronting the Caribbean Sea. Long isolated from the Latin-influenced centre and Pacific coast, this region has maintained strong links with a predominately English speaking, Caribbean culture: a very informal, relaxed atmosphere pervades where you can find family run restaurants serving freshly caught lobster. The coast contrasts with the cliffs and rollers of the Pacific, here swamp and mangrove harbour a concentrated wealth of wildlife while the sheltered beaches at Cahuita and Puerto Viejo are becoming increasingly popular with visitors. It's a river-boat journey that takes you to the partly submerged Tortuguero National Park, with its network of canals, lagoons and swamps defined by a profusion of tangled tropical vegetation. It's alive with several species of monkey, iguana, sloth, river otter, poison dart frogs and hundreds of species of birds.Costa Rica is one of the continent's best destinations for river-rafting. On River Pacuare there's a dramatic perspective from the water of canyons with woodland clinging precariously from the rock-face and rainforest sheltering a wildlife community including jaguar, ocelot and monkeys; all enlivened by the chattering of tropical birds. You can camp on a two day rafting trip or stay at the extremely comfortable Pacuare Lodge (p41) which sits on the riverbank surrounded by rainforest.Caribbean Coast and Rainforest 38 Costa Rica

COSTA RICANICARAGUA....San JoséTurrialbaIrazúPuerto ViejoTortuguero National ParkWildlife and beaches of the Caribbean 13 days, 11 nightsSan José 1 night, Turrialba 2n, Tortuguero 2n, Puerto Viejo 5, San José 1n.Day 1 Fly to the capital San José, arriving the same evening. Overnight at Hotel Grano de Oro. Days 2&3 Drive to and tour Irazú, the highest active volcano in Costa Rica, where the national park presents an impressively bleak and barren landscape of volcanic ash and, deep craters. Stay at Casa Turire, in a broad fertile valley facing the pre-montane forests of Turialba; the perfect base for riding , hiking and rafting. Day 4 By road and boat to Tortuga Lodge in Tortuguero National Park (p38). Day 5 Guided excursions on the water through the creeks and channels to observe wildlife. Days 6-10 Fly back to San José and continue to Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast; a lazy surf town with volcanic sand beaches. Stay for 5 nights in a hardwood bungalow at the Hotel Cariblue set in richly vegetated tropical gardens behind the white sands of Cocles beach. There are plenty of optional adventures such as quad bike safaris, canopy tours, snorkelling and bird-watching. Optional upgrade to La Cameleon (below), a luxury boutique beach resort and spa with a contemporary flavour. Day 11 Return to San José. Day 12 Fly to the UK, arriving day 13. Prices from £1,274pp based on two sharing, excluding transatlantic flights. Upgrade to La Cameleon £186pp. Daily departures from the UK tortuga lodge Every exploration on which you'll venture from this, the best eco-lodge in the area and one of our all-time favourites, will reward with a theatrical display of wildlife. You won't come back disappointed from caiman spotting and turtle walks (green sea turtles nest here (Jul-Sep), as do huge leatherbacks (Mar-Jun). The enthusiastic English speaking guides ensure that this insight into the lives of these creatures will fire your imagination. The lodge itself, which has a swimming pool, is most accommodating with spacious rooms fronted with wide verandas overlooking the river. The food's great too. Tortuga Lodge?food, staff all excellent. Weather lovely so we got to see lots of wildlife. DA, Kettering 020 8747 8315 / journeylatinamerica.co.uk bookings, consultant advice and additional information 39Left It's believed that the lineage of sea turtles dates back 110 million years. Costa Rican conservationists and nauturalist guides work hard educating tourists and locals alike in order to save these magnificent creatures from extinction.LA CAMELEONCOSTA RICA tourist boardCOSTA RICA expeditions