Five fabulous reasons to go to Costa Rica

Enchanting Costa Rica provides fantastic opportunities for wildlife-spotting and jungle adventures. There are certainly more than a few reasons to visit this fabulous destination. Here, we round up five of our favourites.

1. Awesome national parks

With more than 850 species of birds, 250 mammals and some 6 percent of the world’s total identified species, Costa Rica is a paradise for anyone who delights in the unspoiled natural world. With 26 national parks to choose from, the opportunities for wildlife-viewing can seem overwhelming. Visit the impressive Manuel Antonio National Park on Insight Guides' Beaches and Volcanoes trip and enjoy guided tours along numerous wilderness walks.  

2. Incredible wildlife-spotting

Spotting wildlife is a skill, and it’s worth doing some background reading before you head off into the jungle. Take a look at our tropical forest watcher’s guide which features do’s and don’ts for a visit to this captivating environment and explains which animal and bird species to look out for. While the highlight for many visitors is catching a glimpse of the shimmering crimson and green resplendent quetzal, another big draw is the plethora of weird and wonderful plant life, including over 1,200 species of orchid and a huge variety of epiphytes, or plants that grow on other plants. Guides will point out all the unusual and must-see species throughout nature walks on Insight Guides' Costa Rica's Wild South trip. 

Sloth in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. Photo: Shutterstock

3. Stunning coastline

No visit to Costa Rica is complete without a trip to its fabulous coastline and near idyllic beaches. But sun-bathing and surfing aren’t the only activities to be found here – there are important turtle nesting sites along both the Caribbean and Pacific shores where the battle to save the turtles continues. Tour the beaches from the Caribbean side to the Pacific side on Insight Guides' Costa Rica: Coast to Coast trip.   

Travellng on your own? Don't miss our guide to the benefits of traveling solo.

4. Adventure sports

From zip-lining and canopy tours to whitewater-rafting and parasailing, Costa Rica is a thrill-seeker’s paradise. Experience all the activities you could wish for on Insight Guides' Costa Rica Eco Adventure trip. Safety standards are high and there are activities on offer for novices and seasoned adrenaline-junkies alike. 

Zip-lining through the Monteverde cloud forest. Photo: Shutterstock

5. Exotic fruits and homegrown coffee

Sampling the dazzling array of exotic fruits on offer in Costa Rica is a treat not to be missed. Colourful fruits of all shapes and sizes can be enjoyed in both sweet and savoury dishes, pulped into juice or fresh off the tree. Try them all on Insight Guides' Tropical Costa Rica trip.  

And finally, nothing says Costa Rica like high-altitude coffee from the Central Valley. Coffee has been grown here since colonial times and a visit to a coffee plantation is a fascinating way to learn about the history and production methods of this stimulating beverage. 

Ready to take a trip to Costa Rica with Insight Guides?

If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, Insight Guides can help with the planning, organising and booking of your trip. Simply contact us with details of the length of your trip, budget and places you would like to visit and we will put you in touch with a local expert who will plan a personalised itinerary for you. Alternatively, browse our existing Costa Rica trips. Just remember that all these trips are fully customisation – you can add stops to one (or all!) of these beaches to all of our trips, all you need to do is ask!

This article was originally published on 17th April, 2016