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

Compared with the vast distances separating the highlights in South America, the geographical entity of Central America ?that neck of land joining Mexico to the southern land mass?is small and compact. There's a decent road and air network throughout nowadays, so it's tempting to cross the border from Costa Rica to any of her neighbours.Costa Rica is a superb country for nature lovers, active adventurers and those seeking a relaxing beach break. Human culture has made less of an impact here; the indigenous population was wiped out and there isn't much in the way of Spanish colonial heritage. For an experience of how history and culture have moulded the landscape, you can visit Panama's epic canal, or spend time among the Kuna Indians on the barefoot San Blas islands (p47).You might take a short flight from San José to Granada, the most impressive of Nicaragua's cobblestone towns, where the graceful colonial architecture remains intact (p49 and below).See our Isthmus crossing journey for more ideas of how to combine a visit to several Central American countries on one holiday (p173).Costa Rica and Central America 40 Costa Rica lapa rios If you want a rich wildlife experience, you can't do better than to stay at the eco-lodge Lapa Rios(right), which has luxurious thatched bungalows, a network of private trails that snake past clear water pools, rivers and cascades; sandy beaches and a sunken pool. A plethora of birds, monkeys, frogs, lizards and sloths reside in the surrounding forest. Here, trained guides lead all excursions ranging from mangrove kayaking and surfing to night walks and trekking. It's a gorgeous place where guests' serenity and privacy are top priorities. Lapa Rios is quite possibly the best place we have ever stayed! Location, facilities, staff, everything?magical. MS, WokingALFREDO MAQUIZ / IPATSHUTTERSTOCK.COM