Check the weather city by city, starting with San José.
Despite covering just 0.03% of the Earth's surface, Costa Rica is home to 5% of the world's biodiversity. Monteverde's cloud forests, Arenal Volcano, Tortuguero's turtles, Manuel Antonio's sloths — plus 99% renewable electricity. The ultimate ecotourism destination.
Manuel Antonio National Park captures the magic of Costa Rica: capuchin and squirrel monkeys wandering along the beach, sloths sleeping in the trees, curious raccoons — and protected white-sand beaches with turquoise water. One of the country's most visited and most beautiful parks.
Highlights : Capuchin monkeys and sloths on the beach, Playa Espadilla — surfing and swimming, Snorkelling at Playa Biesanz, Raccoons & peccaries in the park.
Monteverde is Central America's most famous cloud forest: an ecosystem suspended in the clouds at 1,400 metres above sea level, home to the resplendent quetzal, 400 bird species and unique orchids. Hanging bridges and zip lines cut across the canopy.
Highlights : Zip line & canopy ride (Sky Walk), Resplendent quetzal (Jan–May), Selvatura hanging bridges — 8 bridges, Artisan cheese dairy — Monteverde cheese.
Arenal is Costa Rica's most famous active volcano (1,670 m), surrounded by natural hot springs (Tabacón) heated by volcanic activity and a turquoise lake. The surrounding rainforest is home to leaf-cutter ants, toucans and howler monkeys.
Highlights : Tabacón hot springs — cascading thermal pools, Lake Arenal — kayaking & windsurfing, Arenal hike — fossilised lava flows, La Fortuna Waterfall (70 m, swimming).
Tortuguero, accessible only by boat or plane, is the world's great sanctuary for green turtles: between July and October, thousands of females come ashore at night to lay their eggs on its black-sand beaches. The national park is also one of the most biodiverse in Costa Rica.
Highlights : Green turtle nesting (Jul–Oct, at night), Canoe safari — crocodiles & monkeys, Anoles, piranhas and manatees in the canals, Tortuguero black-sand beach.
Costa Rica is expensive for Central America — comparable to Southern Europe for some services. The Pura Vida lifestyle comes at a cost, but the nature experience is unmatched. National parks charge high entry fees for non-residents.