Essence of Costa Rica: Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo, Arenal, Manuel Antonio and Playa Dominical

San José è la capitale della Costa Rica e la provincia dove si concentra la maggior parte delle attività economiche ed educative del Paese. San Josè è il luogo in cui si concentrano gastronomia e cultura e dove, nelle vicinanze, si possono incontrare interessanti attrazioni. È la migliore città per chi ama l'arte, la musica e la storia. Una delle principali attrazioni è il Teatro Nazionale, un importante pezzo di patrimonio culturale. Inoltre, si possono visitare il Museo Nazionale e i Musei dell'Oro e della Giada. Il mercato centrale è una tappa obbligata se si vuole provare cibo tipico, entrare in contatto con la gente del posto o acquistare un autentico souvenir. Camminando per la città si possono scoprire l'architettura coloniale, i parchi colorati e i giardini pubblici.

Tortuguero National Park, established in 1975, is one of Costa Rica's most biologically diverse wilderness areas and offers one of the country's most exuberant landscapes. It covers an area of 26,156 hectares and was created with the main purpose of protecting the most important nesting area for green turtles in the western Caribbean. Tortuguero has a very humid tropical forest because it rains between 5,000 and 6,000 millimeters per year. These climatic conditions favor the existence of just over 400 species of trees and about 2,200 species of other plants, as well as more than 400 species of birds, 60 species of amphibians, 30 species of freshwater fish, and several endangered mammals: tapirs, monkeys, leopards, jaguars, manatees, sloths, and others.

The Arenal volcano is the third volcano in the world with a perfect conical shape, but it is the youngest in Costa Rica, less than 7,500 years old. A stay in this region offers the opportunity to visit other attractions such as Lake Arenal, a very picturesque artificial lake where you can practice sports or simply cross it to reach Monteverde; La Fortuna waterfall; Caño Negro, a perfect option for birdwatchers; and, last but not least, the hot springs. The area offers a variety of activities to enjoy the flora and fauna, adventure, culture, and ecotourism.

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most popular in the country thanks to its wide variety of flora and fauna: it is home to three of the four species of monkeys found in Costa Rica. The lush vegetation allows you to get in touch with nature and wildlife while exploring the area and enjoying activities such as canopy tours, rafting, horseback riding, waterfall rappelling, kayaking, and snorkeling. You can also enjoy the incredible white sand beaches nearby, most of which are secluded and small but incomparably beautiful.