Things to do in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is small, with two coasts and a spine of volcanoes. San José, the capital, is in the middle. Roads are slow, so tours in Costa Rica work best from one or two bases.

Where to base

• San José and the highlands. Irazú volcano near Cartago and the Poás crater are day trips from the capital.
• La Fortuna. Arenal volcano and the Baldi hot springs, with hanging bridges, canopy lines and Balsa river rafting. About three hours from San José.
• Monteverde. Cloud forest at altitude, with hanging bridges, hummingbirds, night walks and, in season, the resplendent quetzal. A little over three hours from the capital.
• The central Pacific. Jacó for tandem paragliding, 15 to 20 minutes with a pilot, and Quepos with Manuel Antonio for kayaks, paddleboards, Savegre mangroves and the Nauyaca waterfall. Manuel Antonio is about three hours from San José.
• Guanacaste. Diving in Papagayo Bay and at the Catalina Islands, where sharks, turtles and manta rays are seen.
• The Caribbean. Limón and Cahuita, with the national park and its coral reef. Cahuita is three and a half hours from San José.

Moving between bases

Private transfers link San José with La Fortuna, Monteverde, Cahuita and Limón. Some add two stops, such as Irazú or the Poás crater. The stops are part of the ride.

What the days are made of

Most days pair a guide with a habitat. In the cloud forest it is a naturalist and a spotting scope. On the coast it is a kayak, a board or a tank of air.

Practical

• Weather. San José, at about 1,170 metres, stays near 26C by day all year. The Pacific lowlands pass 32C in the dry season, December to April. May to November is the green season, with heavy showers, often in the afternoon.
• Layers. Monteverde is cool and damp. Take a rain jacket, a hat and shoes that grip wet trails.
• Tipping. Restaurant bills already carry a 10 per cent service charge and 13 per cent tax. A tip for a guide or driver is usual.
• Entry fees. Some cloud forest and park tickets are paid on top of the tour, so check what is included.
• Age limits. Kayak trips start at 8, and paragliding at 6.