You name the guidebook and this is the oldest loop in the book. There are several good reasons for it.

A mix of ecotourism and relaxation with visits to both Caribbean and Pacific slope tropical rainforests as well as the cloud forests of Monteverde combined with the spectacle of Arenal from a seat in a hot spring pool and pristine beaches make this a great introduction to the natural wonders of Costa Rica.

 

 

San José

San José is the capital of Costa Rica and home to the National Theater, Planetarium, a number of beautiful parks, as well as world class hotels, casinos and restaurants.

The mercado central, and museums of Jade and Gold are all worth a visit. Popular day trips to local coffee farms, whitewater rafting rivers, and canopy tours through the rainforest treetops can be arranged through most hotel tour desks.

Several National Parks and Reserves are within easy reach of the capital including Poás and Irazú volcanoes, the Lankester Botanical Gardens, and Braulio Carrillo rainforest.

Because of it’s central location San José is a transportation hub and most roads and domestic flights pass through. Juan Santamaría is Costa Rica’s main international airport located approximately 18 km west from the city center.
In the Region

 

Arenal Volcano

Although the lava isn’t flowing Arenal is still impressive and one of the premire destinations for canopy tours, horseback riding, mountain biking, hotsprings, waterfall hikes and ATV trails surrounding the National Park in the shadow of the volcano. The huge warm water lake offers excellent sport fishing and world class windsurfing.

Popular day trips to Caño Negro wetlands for bird and wildlife cruises and to Venado Caverns for a little spelunking round out the region’s offerings.
In the Region

 

Monteverde Cloud Forest

The high mountains of the Cordillera de Tilarán literally scrape moisture out of the clouds at Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloudforest reserves.

The best known canopy tours and some of the most popular day hikes in Costa Rica are in this region. The cloud forest is also home to the most famous avian resident, the resplendent quetzal and a majority of the hummingbirds as well as the largest concentrations and varieties of epiphytes including orchids.
In the Region

 

Manuel Antonio Rain Forest

The town of Quepos is the nearest population center, bus terminal, airfield and banking while the string of restaurants, hotels, homes, and lodges extending south 5 km to the park entrance are commonly referred to as Manuel Antonio.

Manuel Antonio National Park protects one of the last remaining stands of virgin rainforest on the Pacific Coast of Central America (see Corcovado for the other).
In the Region

 

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