Monteverde — a
Quaker settlement — and Santa Elena — a Tico village — are
set in a corridor of the mountains of Cordillera de Tilaran.
These are Costa Rica's premier travel destinations.
The history of these two settlements dates to the 1930s.
Santa Elena was settled by several Tico families who left
the gold mining industry. These families made a living from
logging and farming.
The Quakers arrived from the United States in the 1950s.
During the Korean War, several Quakers were jailed when
refusing to be drafted to Korea. Quakers are pacifists and
after their release, these men and their families headed to
Monteverde in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica had abolished it military which was appealing
to the Quakers. More importantly, the Quakers moved to an
isolated refuge to live a simple trouble-free life on dairy
farms where they produced cheese.
Selvatura
- Selvatura: A huge ecocomplex,
Selvatura is filled with
butterflies, hummingbirds and a canopy tour. There are a
series of hanging bridges and an exhibit featuring Jewels
of the Rainforest. This collection has a stunning number of
insects and the exhibits are displayed using art, video and
music.
Costa Rica has a private reserve —
Santa Elena Reserve — which is a local preservation
initiative just north of
Monteverde Cloud Forest. It is only 5-km (3 mi)
northeast of Monteverde and is comprised of 310-hectares
(760-acres) of mixed montane and elfin forest. It was
created in 1992 as a local high school project and includes
a visitor center and several kilometers of well-kept paths.
Canopy tours are an exciting and fun way to explore this
reserve. Tours are available and are cheaper than
Monteverde. The flora and fauna are equally impressive as
Monteverde which makes this reserve a potential alternative
to Monteverde or an addition.
Hiking in Monteverde and area
- More than 12-km (7.5 mi) of trails are open for hiking.
Rubber boots are available for rent at the entrance.
Canas Guanancaste
Located on the Interamericana Highway just south of Liberia, Canas appears to
be uninteresting, as local cowboys ride by on their horses. However there are
several tourist sights & activities of interest:
- Palo Verde National Park is nearby
and is a 18,417- hectare (45,500-acre) wetland sanctuary in Costa Rica's driest
province — Guanacaste.
- Rio Corobici offers gentle rafting trips on class I and II rapids where
wildlife viewing is the emphasis. This is a perfect trip for families and nature
lovers.
- Las Pumas, located behind the rafting
office, is a wild-animal shelter started by a Swiss woman in the 1960s. Orphaned
or injured animals such as pumas, jaguars, ocelots,
margays and a few peccaries and birds are taken
care of here. This shelter is not officially funded and contributions help it to
operate.
- Silvestre Cipanci Refuge was opened in 2001 and is at the confluence of the
Rios Tempisque and Bebedero and is great for birding and fishing.
- A paved road 6-km (3.5 mi) northwest of Canas leads to the Tenorio Volcano
National Park where there are some beautiful blue waterfalls and boiling mud
pots.
The Las Pumas Rescue Center is 5-km (3
mi) north of Canas. Founded by a Swiss-born environmentalist, Lilly Bodmer who
is diseased. This facility has six species of cats. It saves and raises ocelots,
jaguars, cougars, margays, jaguarundis and "tiger" cats. Most of the cats in
this facility have been rescued from injury or were orphaned.
The rescue center is 100m behind Safari Corobici.
Tenorio Volcano National Park
An easy day trip from either Liberia or Canas, this newest national park has
a fine trail system of short hikes and highlights things like the blue river
waters, which are created by minerals dissolved in the waters of the Rio
Celeste. The waterfalls are also impossibly blue and look as if heavy beam is
being poured into a jug. There are thermal headwaters and visitors can hike
further along the trail to the confluence of the rivers.
Another 3-km ( 2 mi) hike takes visitors through a cloud forest to a series
of hot springs and boiling mud pots. It's possible to hike to the crater on a
two-day trek. The trails are unmarked and rugged. It's best to hire a local
guide.
Miravalles Volcano is the highest volcano in the Cordillera de Guanacaste.
The crater is dormant but there is geothermal activity under the ground making
this a fabulous hot springs destination.
There are several options for soaking and include:
- Thermo Mania has
seven developed springs of different temperatures connected by waterslides,
heated rivers, waterfalls, etc. This spot offers kids a playground, go-cart
racing and some cabinas.
- Yoko Hot Springs offers
four attractively landscaped springs with waterslide and waterfall. There are
very nice cabinas at Yoko.
- Miravelles Thermales is a Tico destination where visitors will find Ticos
barbequing and kids swimming in the hot and cold pools.
- Las Hornillas is located on the southern slopes
of Miravalles and is the center of volcanic activity in the area. Visitors can
soak in thermal pools, mud pools and hike through this property.
Adventure Travel Center
- Near the base of the volcano is an adventure center offering canopy
tours, rappelling, horseback riding and a guided tour through a
macadamia-nut farm. There are cabinas for rent.
Miravalles in 27-km (17 mi) northeast of Bagaces and can be approached
through the communities of Salitral and Torno where the road splits.
Las Hornillas Volcanic Activity Center
is a fabulous facility for enjoying volcanic activity. Boardwalks lead visitors
through the crater and geothermal plant. Visitors can walk around and take a
therapeutic bath in warm mud. Guided tours last two hours and include a
horseback ride to waterfalls.
Palo Verde National Park is one of Central America's largest protected
wildlife areas covering 18,417-hectares (45,000-acres) of wetland in the
incredibly dry province of Nicoya. Here the visitor will find marshes, evergreen
forests, grassy savannahs, woodlands and mangrove swamps. The major rivers of
the region drain into two basins and there are lagoons. Combined, these sources
of water offer rich habitat for
wildlife.
Named for the green tree (palo verde), the park is filled with this small
shrub that is green all year round. This park is part of a larger preservation
area and joins onto a wildlife refuge, a reserve and
Barra Honda National Park to form a mega conservation park.
There are 300 different species of birds
including waterfowl and shorebirds in this park. The waterfowl migrate through
this sanctuary. Frequently sighted birds include the herons, storks, spoonbills,
egrets, ibis, grebes, anhingas, ducks, scarlet macaws, curassows, toucans, and
parrots.
Mammals sighted in Palo Verde National Park include
monkeys, armadillos,
peccaries, jaguarundi, deer, and coatis.
There are numerous reptiles including crocodiles
- some as long as 5m (16 ft)— and iguanas are found in this park.
From this park, it is possible to charter a boat or hire a guide.
Lomas de Barbudal Reserve
Lomas de Barbudal Reserve forms a cohesive unit with neighboring
Palo Verde National Park. This 2,6460-hectare (6,500-acres) reserve protects
several species of endangered trees including mahogany and rosewood.
Nearly 70% of the trees are deciduous and during the dry season, they shed
their leaves. This is a tropical dry forest. This forest was common in Central
America but is now endangered.
This reserve is also known for wasps, butterflies,
moths and bees. There are 250 species of bees on this reserve.
There are also 200 species of birds including the king vulture, scarlet
macaw, jabiru stork and great curassow. Many of
Costa Rica's mammals reside here, as does the crocodile which grows to be
quite large.
Liberia Guanancaste
Tourism has grown significantly in Liberia as a result of the relatively new
international airport. Liberia is a much safer and more pleasant airport to
arrive at than in San Jose. Although the historic sights are a little rough, the
town is generally pleasant and there are a good range of services and
accommodations targeted at travelers.
Travel services in Liberia
- Internet access at several spots including Cybermania and Planet Internet.
- A hospital at the outskirts of town.
- Money exchange and ATM machines at several banks in town.
- Tourist information at two spots in town, although the Sabenero & Tourist
Information Center has more reliable operating hours.
Travel sights & activities in Liberia
- Concepcion de Maria Church located in the Parque Central.
- Museum about local ranching and cattle at the tourist office.
- The old municipal building on the corner of Av Central and Calle Central.
- La Agonia is located six blocks northeast of the park and is the oldest
church in town.
Day trips from Liberia
- Palo Verde National Park where
you can observe 5m (16 ft) long crocs and hire a chartered boat for a tour.
- Rincon de la Vieja is a great destination for
the self-sufficient backcountry buff, as hikers can climb to the summit — a
16-km (10 mi) round trip or stroll for the day.
- Playa del Coco is nearby and offers a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.
- Miravalles Volcano is a great destination
offering hot springs.
- Tenorio Volcano offers the most impossibly blue waterfall most visitors have
ever seen.
Deriving from an old legend about a woman living on a slope, this park refers
to an old woman's corner. With about 14,000-hectares (34,500-acres) of parkland
where there are four ecosystems and a range of volcanoes, Rincon de la Vieja
National Park was established in 1973.
There is a variety of different habitat in this park but most are from a dry
tropical forest. This park has hot springs where monkey howl nearby.
Wildlife watching includes nearly 300
species of birds such as quetzals,
toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, eagles, owls and woodpeckers. There are tapirs,
deer, armadillos, peccaries,
coatis, monkeys, jaguars,
pumas, ocelots and margays. To see a wildcat would be a relatively lucky
occasion.
There are hikes in the park including a 16-km (10 mi) round trip to the
summit of Rincon de la Vieja. Visitors can camp inside the park but need to be
self-sufficient. This can be a windy and cloudy place.
An 8-km (5 mi) circular trail east of Las Pailas takes visitors to boiling
mud pools and a miniature volcano.
Just past the ranger station, the Sender Cangreja offers a swimming hole
which is great for cooling down after soaking in the hot mud pools. Catarata La
Cangreja is 5-km (3 mi) west of the swimming pool and offers a 40m (130 ft)
waterfall. The cliff drops into a small lagoon with a swimming hole at the
bottom. The trail continues through an open grassland on the volcano's edge and
has great views as far as Golfo de Nicoya.
Santa Rosa National Park was the site of battles between Costa Rica and
Nicaragua in 1919 and 1955. This park was established for historical and
patriotic reasons but has it has become an important park because of its tree
and plant species.
Established in 1971, this national park offers a system of trails and a
diverse opportunity for wildlife viewing. The park contains 38,764-hectares
(96,000-acres) and has deciduous tropical hardwoods, arid mountains and deserts
of cactus and thorny shrubs. This is one of the last remaining tropical dry
forests in Central America.
Santa Rosa's wildlife includes monkeys, peccaries, deer, coatis, armadillos,
coyotes, raccoons, birds, butterflies,
bats, turtles, lizards,
snakes, crocodiles, and iguanas.
There is a short path called Naked Indian Path and
Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting sites can be found at Playa Nancite.
Playa Nancite has some 8,000 Olive Ridley sea turtles nest on its beach
during the months of September and October. Playa Nancite is strictly protected.
Entry to watch the turtles can be obtained from park headquarters.
There are several hiking trails in Santa Rosa:
- El Sender Indio Desnudo is an interpretive 1-km (0.6 mi) trail where the
province's national tree can be found — the guanancaste.
- From the southern end of Playa Naranjo, there are two hiking trails, Sendero
Carbonal and Aceituno — these are 20-km (12 mi) and 13-km (8 mi) respectively in
length.
- A 4-km (2 mi) trail leads to the Monumento a Los Heroes and a lookout
platform where the view of Playa Naranjo are spectacular.
- For experience hikers only, there is the opportunity to for long-distance
beach hiking but be self-sufficient and prepared to carry water and food. It is
possible to arrange a boat from Playa del Coco.
Playa Naranjo offers a near-perfect beach break for
surfing and there are other well-known sites such as
Witch's Rock and Ollie's Point.
Silvestre Bahia Junquillal National Refuge
This 505-hecatre (1,200-acre) wildlife refuge is part of a greater protected
area around Santa Rosa National Park and is
administered from the ranger station of this park.
There's a quiet bay and beach perfect for swimming, boating and snorkeling.
Several short trails take visitors to lookouts and to mangroves.
Guanacaste National Park
Created in 1989, the Guanacaste National Park was created with foreign funds
donated to Costa Rica. It has about 34,000-hectares (84,000-acres) of land.
The habitat in Guanacaste National Park ranges from mangrove swamps to
beaches rain-and-cloud forest and vast dry tropical forests. The forests have
been largely cleared for grazing and farming.
It is hoped that now that the region is a national park, it will be
reforested and that the large populations of animal species will find refuge in
this drought tolerant forest.
This is among the least-visited parks in Costa Rica and has great spots for
wildlife observation.
Hiking trails are not well-developed but visitors can climb Volcan Cacao with
a hired guide.
Starting in Ciudad Quesada and winding through to La Fortuna, this route is
named for
Arenal Volcano. It was a region that farmed and ranched but is slowly
becoming a baby boom retirement resort.
Ciudad Quesada
Ciudad Quesada offers Internet services, accommodations, ATMs and a private
thermal hot spring. The springs are located on the outskirts of town.
La Fortuna
A relaxing town with a number of interesting natural
wonders including Volcano Arenal,
this is a great sleepy agricultural town to base oneself and
explore.
Although an influx of tourists is changing this town, it
still has a Tico flavor and a distinct charm. Some of the
local sights include:
La Fortunal Travel Sights
- Tabacon Hot Springs
is 13-km (8 mi) west of La Fortuna with a lovely
orchid and incredibly warm waterfall, this spring is located
on a spot where the volcanic eruption passed through in
1975.
- Las Fuentes Termales is a hot bath without the glamour of the
above-mentioned springs.
- Baldi Thermae Hot Springs is 5-km (3 mi) west of La Fortuna and has 10
thermal pools where a admission fees are high.
- Eco-Termales is a by-appointment-only hot spring where minimalism is the
theme. Only 100 visitors per four-hour slot are admitted (10am, 1pm and 5pm).
Call for reservations at 479-8484
- Masajes Serenity day spa specializes in treating weary muscles with a
variety of massages and offers facials and other spa treatments. It's located
about 50m (165 ft) from the Parque Central.
- Herrera Day Spa offers European atmosphere and homemade products.
- Waterfalls at La Catarata de la Fortuna has a sparkling 70m (230 ft) fall
but is dangerous for diving. There is an entry fee. It's possible to hike to
these falls via San Ramon and it's about 7-km (4 mi) through pastureland and
papaya trees.
- Catarata de la Fortuna waterfalls are also the trailhead for a 5-hour climb
to Cerro Chato, which is a strenuous trek to a lake-filled volcanic crater.
- Ecocentro Denaus is a well-developed trail system good for birding and
sighting sloths, coatis and
howler monkeys. The price of admission includes a visit to a butterfly
garden and ranarium featuring poison-dart frogs.
- Valle Cocodrilo is a conservation program and tourist attraction where
visitors can peer at crocodiles through fences.
- Arenal Rainforest Reserve offers
zip lines, aerial trams, hanging bridges and fabulous views of the volcano.
Arenal Travel Activities
- Fourtrax
Adventures offer atving and is located on the edge of
town.
- Canoa Adventura offers canoe trips to Arenal and is mostly geared toward
wildlife watching, especially birds. This tour comes highly recommended.
- PureTrek Canyoning takes visitors on
guided rappels of four nearby waterfalls; one is 50m (165 ft) in height
- Desafio Adventure Company
leads visitors on horseback rides. Located behind the church can take visitors
to La Fortuna waterfall or on multi-day trips.
- Laguna de Arenal offers kitesurfing and windsurfing. This is Costa Rica's
capital for these sports.
- White water rafting and kayaking in class I through IV rapids is offered by
Desafio Adventure Company.
- Learning Spanish at the
Adventure Education Center is combined with courses on wilderness training,
such as learning to be a hiking guide.
Arenal Festivals & Events
- Fiestas de la Fortuna is a big annual party held in
mid-February and features two weeks of bullfights, colorful
carnival rides , craft stands and gambling.
El Castillo
Very near Arenal Volcano,
this tiny mountain village — El Castillo — is a wonderful
alternative for visitors to
use as a base. It offers an
alternative to La Fortuna. Offering some terrific
accommodations, this town also has had some serious
ecotourism accomplishments.
El Castillo Travel Sights
- Arenal Rainforest
Reserve is a new ecocenter featuring an aerial tram and
a dead-on view of the volcano. It also has a canopy tour,
hanging bridges and hiking trails.
- El Castillo-Arenal Butterfly Conservatory
is a conservation project run by an American ex-pat who has built an magnificent
conservatory. There are seven different gardens pertaining to each habitat and a
ranarium, an insect museum and a medicinal herb garden.
- Jardin Zoologico de Serpientes de Arenal is next door the butterfly
conservatory and has 35 species of snakes, four species
of turtles, six species of frogs and lizards and iguanas
Lake Arenal | Laguna de Arenal
Located 18-km (11 mi) west of La Fortuna is Laguna de Arenal. This lake
supplies water and hydroelectricity for the region. There are a number of steel
windmills which capitalize on the high winds.
This is one of the premier road trips in Costa Rica. However, you'll need
your own car or bike to get it done. The road is lined with odd and elegant
businesses and many are foreign owned. There are scenic views of the lake and
volcano which make the road romantic and charming.
Lake Arenal Travel Sights
- Dam to Nuevo Arenal is a beautiful stretch of road lined by cloud forest and
offers some great accommodation options.
- Hotel Los Heroes is an alpine chalet 14-km (8.5 mi) west of the dam and has
charming accommodation but also a miniature train that brings visitors up a hill
to an underground station beneath a restaurant. There's also a hiking trail
leading to the restaurant.
- Nuevo Arenal is located 29-km (18 mi) west of the dam and is the only
good-sized town between La Fortuna and Tilaran.
- Tilaran is located at the southwestern end of Laguna de Arenal and is the
regional ranching center. A pit-stop, one can look at the windmills or relax at
the local cafe.
