Costa Rica Travel Specialist

Tucan: Costa Rica

Costa Rica has sun-drenched beaches and lush rainforests full of stunning natural beauty and lots of adventure! Enjoy swimming, surfing, paddleboarding and lounging at the beach. Wake up to hear and see howler monkeys. Hike through lava fields at Arenal Volcano National Park, raft down the Rio Celeste in Guanacaste, soar above the jungle in Monteverde and experience the longest zipline in Latin America.

Next stop, kayak through mangroves on the Osa Peninsula, where you can, spot wildlife, or a trip to a cacao farm to see how chocolate is made. When you are ready to relax, go to the Nicoya Peninsula and start your morning with yoga and a swim or go surfing or kick back on a secluded beach.

For an active adventure go by horseback through the Arenal Volcano National Park through the jungle to La Fortuna Waterfall. The falls, open for swimming, are part of a 210-acre bio reserve inside the national park. Then take a whitewater raft down the Sarapiqui River. The rapids range from class II to IV, but you can book a tour of only class II and III, which will take you over some heart-pounding rapids with stretches of calmer river so you’re able to also take in the surrounding wildlife and lush tropical forest. (Note this sort of tour may have age restrictions). If you are with your children, Lake Arenal is a wonderful way to get out on the water and explore the country’s biggest lake and glide around taking in dramatic views of the volcano and shoreline. If you like, kayak part of the 33-square-mile lake.

A huge draw to Costa Rica is the rich biodiversity that includes iguanas, monkeys (white-faced capuchin and howler), and plenty of birds like osprey, heron, and toucans.

Look for frogs on a night trek! Walk through the rainforest with a naturalist guide to see and hear some of its 28 species of frogs. On the guided tour, you'll get the use of a flashlight. (Don't forget biodiversity includes insects so wear long pants and sneakers. Your night experience in the jungle after dark has its own thrills like poisonous species of frogs for your memorable trip!