Tourist Attractions & Monuments Costa Rica

The Hitoy-Lamartine biological Reserve is little known, accessible and therefore little visited. His situation makes it very interesting. It is certainly one of Costa Rica's most humid places - Hitoy ("wool" in Bribri Indian language, due to mosses covering stones) and Lamartine ("clear waters"). The reserve has the particularity of sheltering a very rich and slightly less timid fauna than in other parks more visited. But arm yourself with patience, the most incredible specimens live in the forest heights and remain difficult to observe.

Access by car. Turn right (from Limón) just after the village of Penshurst and the bridge in curve that crosses the river. The road, in good condition, runs through huge banana plantations and pineapple plantations. A bus also leaves Limón on a street north of the Mercado Central: several departures per day, find out about timetables in the nearby soda. Once in Pandora, all-terrain taxis travel over the remaining 15 km.

Several outings are proposed but the star remains the visit of the Corcovado National Park. On more than 40 000 ha, it shelters one of the richest ecosystems of Central America. From Sierpe, you can go to the La Sirena or San Pedrillo stations, and the advantage is that the boat trip allows you to observe the mangrove and its crocodiles, then the marine mammals that inhabit the ocean. During the trip, the guides, passionate and very professional, have a very good eye for spotting the absolutely incredible local wildlife! An unforgettable experience!

5 013 ha land, 4 436 ha marine. The white sandy beaches summarize our tropical dreams with their sloping palms towards the écumeuses fringes of the waves. Behind coconut trees, a primary forest is home to rare specimens, some of which are endangered. The fauna is mainly that of freshwater water and seawater habitats. Important mangroves.

Precipitation: 2 300 mm.

Average temperature: 26 ° C.

Practice: hotels, guesthouses and restaurants in Puerto Viejo and surrounding areas. Trails.

9 154 ha. This park, situated on the foothills of Talamanca mountain in the south-east of the Las Estrellas valley, is criss-crossed by a multitude of fast alternating caillouteuses rivers and waterfalls. Moreover, the place is so wet that Hitoy ("wool" in bribri, because of mosses covering stones) and Lamartine ("clear waters") gave her his name. The fauna, very rich and more timid than in other parks more visited, lives mainly in the heights of the forest and remains, therefore, difficult to observe.

Precipitation: 3 700 mm.

Average temperature: 24 ° C.

Practice: no camping. Sentiers trails.

In front of Puerto Viejo, in the centre, the beach is occupied by fishermen's boats and others. It is grey sand, black on the north side. It is a peaceful beach that is protected from waves by flat rocks in front of the harbour.

2 km from Playa Cocles, this 4 km long beach is ideal for sportsmen and bathing. On each side of the road, there are signs of hotels, restaurants, bars, rental rooms, a food store, a bicycle hire, etc. We have an embarrassment of choice and the names are more surprising than the others. It is a mini-village that has created itself by the roadside with a particularly romantic atmosphere in the evening.

It's the surfers beach, which occupies all the rooms to rent around. If you don't surf, choose Playa Chiquita or Playa Punta Uva.

Between two rocky cliffs in the immediate vicinity of Puerto Viejo, this beach stretches over 2 km of grey-brown sand. Swimming there is easy and the beach is monitored by the rescuers. Beach break for surfers.

It is probably the most beautiful waterfall in Costa Rica, because it is located in a crater with dense vegetation. It is part of a private reservation held by a German and its Costa Rican wife, where it is also possible to spend the night. Very impressive from the top of its 400 steps, this waterfall is the largest in the country with its 180 m high. You can then get down to get closer to it. There are two trails, one in the forest and another classic, with real steps. Before you leave, turn on the garden of des.

For lovers of architecture and culture, here is a place to discover in Cahuita. This is the house of an Italian atypical character: Kike is 85 years old and speaks 11 languages fluently. He has the largest private collection in the country, including books signed by the greatest authors. His library is an integral part of the scene. His son, the architect Gianni Botsford, was responsible for this construction. Kike is age, but for the person who has the chance to cross it, it is a unique encounter and a surprising place.

The search for Quetzal Granados Romero's quetzal was recommended to us. This guide only speaks Spanish and English; there is still no francophone guide in the San Gerardo region.

This appellation includes several sites that claim the best towers in Costa Rica.

A real leisure centre in which you have to pay the various activities (canopy or horse) in addition to the right of entry which gives access only to the gardens. Basically, to have fun, count at least $ 80 to US $ 90 per person (adult) and US $ 60 per child…

At the bottom of Fila Chonta's chain, which highlights the central Pacific coast, the reserve was created in 1993 to protect a piece of primary forest. Today, there is a canopy tower that is actually a network of six stretched bridges at the height of tree head. The morning circuit is recommended to observe birds and the night circuit to search for amphibians and reptiles.

Genesis II, small private reserve (38 ha) east of Cañón, deserves a detour. Its exceptional situation (2 360 m above sea level) allows the development of a forest composed of oak trees and persistent leaves, covered with epiphytes epiphytes, mosses, lichens or ferns, which give this somewhat magical aspect to forests of mountainous humid tropical type. There were 200 bird species listed there (including the quetzal, a magnificent bird tousled with a surprising émeraude mixture). 20 km of trails are built, but remember that it can rain at any time and that it is still a little cold under such dense voûte.

Free tour of a coffee plantation.

Discovery of organic farm and medicinal plants. For students, accommodation, meals and Spanish courses. It is also a learning centre for organic culture and the use of medicinal plants grown locally.