The National Theatre of Costa Rica, San José


Carara National Park is a great place for spotting a scarlet macaw


forest and wet forest all within Carara National Park – just a two-hour drive west of San José – birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike won’t want to miss this varied natural landscape. Its proximity to the capital, along with a universal access path, also means the park is accessible and suitable for all visitors to the area. It’s a favourite with birdwatchers thanks to its different habitats, which are host to hundreds of types of birds and draw twitchers from around the world for just a glimpse of the rare species. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the bright plumage of the scarlet macaw – the park is one of the best places in the world to spot this endangered species. But it’s the Tarcoles River Bridge, also known as ‘Crocodile Bridge’, that really puts this park on the map. Visitors can (if they dare) peer over the sides of the bridge to see a mass of crocodiles lurking underneath. It’s not one for the faint-hearted!


Los Quetzales National Park: Forest in the clouds


Less than two hours from San José lies Los Quetzales National Park. While it’s often overshadowed in the guidebooks by parks with a flatter terrain, it’s well worth a spot of hiking to experience the distinctive cloud forest high up in the mountains. Choose from several trails of varying difficulty and length. The climate here is unlike any other in the country, with the mist in the forest making the temperature cool and the atmosphere fresh. The altitude (2,000m to 3,000m) and park conditions also mean that Los Quetzales is home to a wide range of flora and fauna that can’t be found at lower altitudes. A staple sight is the resplendent quetzal, a vibrantly coloured crimson and green bird that gives the park its name.


Coffee plantations: Bean there Coffee often comes to mind when talking about the central region of Costa Rica, and this area is where


For the best visibility at Los Quetzales National Park, head there in the morning before the clouds roll in and obstruct the view


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some of the world’s best coffee is produced. Costa Rica is separated into eight coffee regions, and the products of each have their own flavours drawn from the differences in altitude, soil and climate. The Central Valley, for example,


produces well-cultivated coffee cherries with chocolatey and fruity notes. Visitors can tour some of the plantations across the Central region and learn about the journey the coffee beans take. Be sure to squeeze in a glimpse of the roasting room and sample a few of the brews – that way you’ll go home a true coffee connoisseur.


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