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For tailor-made itineraries including Costa Rica please contact us on info@latinamerica.co.uk Costa Rica Highlights

Costa Rica
General Information

The tiny republic of Costa Rica lies between the Pacific and the Caribbean near the narrowest point of the Central American isthmus. Despite its size, it is one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, a nature lover’s paradise with an amazing abundance of plant and animal life including 800 species of birds and 1,200 species of orchids. One of the world’s prime eco-tourism destinations, with an extensive network of national parks and other designated protected areas, Costa Rica is a beautiful land of spectacular volcanoes, million-year-old tropical rainforests and stunning palm-lined beaches – the ideal holiday destination for both adventure and relaxation.

LAND OF VOLCANOES

The mountainous spine of the country is defined by a string of active volcanoes which offer visitors a vivid reminder of the awesome forces that shaped the earth. One of the most accessible is the towering Poas Volcano with its twin craters which can be viewed by a series of scenic lookouts set amongst lush cloud forest. Irazú Volcano is a place of moon-like desolation with an immense crater caused by violent eruptions, while Rincón del la Vieja, near the border with Nicaragua, offers bubbling sulphur springs and pools of hot mud amidst a beautifully dry landscape. Costa Rica's most active volcano is the perfectly conical Arenal whose awe-inspiring and spectacular eruptions light up the night sky.

PROTECTED FORESTS AND NATIONAL PARKS

No trip to Costa Rica would be complete without a visit to one of its protected areas which range from the mist-draped summits of its mountains and volcanoes with their wealth of mosses, orchids and bromeliads to the biologically rich lowland rainforests. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is home to the emerald-coloured Resplendent Quetzal, considered to be the world’s most beautiful bird, while on the Caribbean Coast, the Tortuguero National Park has a network of tranquil canals where experienced guides will take you by boat to palm-lined beaches that are an important nesting spot for sea turtles. On the Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio and Corcovado National Parks offer the abundant flora and fauna of the rainforest combined with beautiful beaches for relaxation.

NATURE AND ADVENTURE

Costa Rica's beautiful and diverse protected areas are a paradise for photographers and naturalists. The more adventurous will find the country's many parks ideal for hiking, white-water rafting and horseback riding.

SUN AND BEACHES

From the sun-drenched sands of Guanacaste in the northwest to the lovely coves of Manuel Antonio on the Central Pacific Coast or the beautiful palm-lined beaches of the Caribbean, Costa Rica's coastal retreats are the perfect place to relax, unwind and forget about the rest of the world.

Austral Tours Ltd: 20 Upper Tachbrook Street
London SW1V 1SH - United Kingdom
Tel. +44(0)20-7233 5384 / Fax +44(0)20-7233 5385
Email: info@latinamerica.co.uk

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