COSTA RICA COAST TO COAST: From Caribbean to Pacific

From San José, venture into the heart of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast to discover Tortuguero, one of the country’s most extraordinary destinations. This remote region, accessible only by boat or plane, offers an authentic jungle experience unlike anywhere else in Central America.

Tortuguero Canals: Embark on an enchanting boat tour through Tortuguero’s intricate network of natural canals. These waterways, often compared to the Amazon, meander through dense tropical rainforest, creating a magical maze of aquatic corridors. As your boat glides silently through these channels, you’ll be surrounded by the sounds of the jungle—howler monkeys calling from the canopy, the splash of river otters, and the calls of countless bird species.

The canal system is one of the best places in Costa Rica for wildlife observation. During your explorations, you’re likely to encounter three species of monkeys swinging through the trees, green iguanas basking on branches, caimans lurking in the water, and an incredible variety of birds including toucans, parrots, herons, and the prehistoric-looking anhinga. Keep your camera ready and your eyes peeled—every turn of the canal brings new surprises.

Tortuguero National Park: Explore this remarkable national park, one of the Western Hemisphere’s most important sea turtle nesting sites. The park protects 19 miles of beach where green sea turtles, leatherbacks, hawksbills, and loggerheads come ashore to lay their eggs (depending on the season). Beyond the beaches, the park encompasses 47,000 acres of rainforest, swamps, and waterways, creating a biodiversity hotspot that supports jaguars, manatees, tapirs, and over 400 species of birds.

Walking the park’s trails offers a different perspective than the canal tours, allowing you to immerse yourself in the dense jungle environment. Your naturalist guide will help you spot camouflaged creatures and explain the complex rainforest ecosystem that makes Tortuguero so special.

Leaving the Caribbean behind, you’ll journey to the legendary Arenal region, dominated by the majestic Arenal Volcano. This area perfectly combines natural wonders with adventure activities, making it Costa Rica’s most popular destination for good reason.

Arenal Volcano National Park: Discover the trails that wind through this spectacular national park, home to the iconic cone-shaped Arenal Volcano. Though currently in a resting phase after decades of almost constant activity, the volcano remains an awe-inspiring sight. Hike through sections of the park where old lava flows have created lunar-like landscapes now being reclaimed by pioneering plant species.

The park’s trails offer varying difficulty levels, all providing opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat. White-faced capuchin monkeys, coatis, agoutis, and numerous bird species are commonly spotted. The views of the volcano, Lake Arenal, and the surrounding mountains are absolutely breathtaking, especially when clouds part to reveal the perfect volcanic cone.

Natural Hot Springs: After days of exploration, treat yourself to one of life’s greatest pleasures—soaking in Arenal’s famous volcanic hot springs. These naturally heated waters emerge from deep within the earth, warmed by the volcano’s geothermal activity, and flow into a series of beautifully designed pools.

Multiple hot spring resorts in the area offer different experiences, from intimate garden settings to elaborate thermal complexes with waterfalls, swim-up bars, and infinity pools overlooking the volcano. The mineral-rich waters, ranging from warm to hot, provide therapeutic benefits while you relax under the stars with the silhouette of Arenal Volcano in the background. It’s the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

Hanging Bridges at Místico Park: Experience the rainforest from a completely different perspective at Místico Park’s hanging bridges. This innovative trail system combines ground-level paths with suspension bridges that carry you high into the forest canopy, some reaching heights of 150 feet above the forest floor.

The approximately 2-mile trail features six hanging bridges that sway gently as you cross, creating an exciting yet safe adventure. This elevated vantage point is ideal for observing wildlife, particularly birds, sloths, and monkeys that spend most of their lives in the upper canopy. Your guide will point out fascinating details about the forest’s ecology, from strangler figs to epiphytes, helping you understand the complex relationships that make tropical rainforests so diverse.

Complete your coast-to-coast journey at Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste, where the Pacific Ocean’s turquoise waters meet pristine white sand beaches. This final destination offers the perfect opportunity to relax and reflect on your adventures while enjoying the laid-back beach atmosphere that makes Costa Rica’s Pacific coast so appealing.

Snorkeling Adventure: Dive into the vibrant underwater world of the Pacific on an exciting snorkeling excursion. The warm Pacific waters off Playa Hermosa teem with marine life, offering excellent visibility and diverse ecosystems to explore. Depending on your tour, you might visit rocky outcroppings, coral formations, or nearby islands where the underwater scenery is most spectacular.

As you snorkel through these crystal-clear waters, you’ll encounter colorful tropical fish including parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, and sergeant majors. Keep an eye out for larger creatures like sea turtles gracefully gliding through the water, spotted eagle rays soaring beneath you, and even occasional dolphins or manta rays. The experience of floating weightlessly while observing this underwater paradise is simply magical.

Many snorkeling tours also include opportunities to spot marine life from the boat itself—dolphins often accompany boats, riding the bow wake and performing acrobatic displays. During certain seasons, you might even witness humpback whales breaching in the distance.

Beyond snorkeling, Playa Hermosa offers stunning sunsets, excellent swimming conditions, beachfront dining, and a relaxed atmosphere that epitomizes the Pacific beach lifestyle. It’s the perfect place to unwind before your departure from nearby Liberia.