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Costa Rica

An unspoilt natural world

Costa Rica tailor-made holidays

Introduction

Few places boast the range of natural attractions available in Costa Rica and a holiday here will guarantee you some extraordinary experiences, with both the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts vying for attention alongside still-active volcanoes and national parks teeming with wildlife. Also, not to be overlooked, the capital San José is a fascinating mix of traditional and Spanish architecture.

Natural wonders in Costa Rica

Close to the capital is the crater of Irazú; the surreal lunar landscape is one of Costa Rica's most stirring sights. Arenal is one of eight active volcanoes in the country; night-time eruptions are the most spectacular. The thermal springs and mud pools of Volcán Rincón de la Vieja are best explored on horseback or on foot. Trekkers should scale Cerro Chirripó, the country's highest summit.


Costa Rica's wildlife

People looking to spot wildlife should travel to Santa Rosa National Park, which has ten different habitats, or Tortuguero National Park to explore the lush rainforests, long beaches, swamps and lagoons home to nesting turtles. Parque Nacional Corcovado is considered one of the most biologically diverse places in the world, whilst Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio is perfect for primates including howler monkeys and capuchins.


A pristine coastline

And, to bookend your holiday, there are also some stunning beaches to choose from too, with the glistening sands of Playa Conchal – arguably Costa Rica's best beach – contrasting against rolling surf of wild Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. And, away from the mainland, in the Pacific's deep blue, there's the island of San Lucas with its fascinating, penal-colony past, and national-park Isla del Coco whose soaring cliffs and golden bays tumble down to waters rich in marine life.


 

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At a glance

Flying time from UK
11 hours

Time zone
GMT -6

Currency
Costa Rican colón (CRC) = 100 centimes

Language
Spanish

Travel advice
Check the FCDO for visa & travel advice

See Costa Rica travel guide

Top itineraries in Costa Rica

Beach in Manuel Antonio

Birds & Beaches of Costa Rica

10-day tailor-made journey from £3,890 pp incl. flights

Take in the best of Costa Rica's beaches, birdlife and wildlife-viewing hotspots as you travel to the beautiful Turrialba Valley and on to San Gerardo de Dota – one of the world's great bird-watching destinations – ending with the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park.

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Costa Rica Classic

13-day tailor-made holiday from £4,765 pp incl. flights

Costa Rica is a land of spectacular volcanoes, wildlife-filled cloud forests, fast-flowing jungle rivers and tropical jungles. Explore its natural-world highlights in Arenal and Monteverde before kicking back on the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park or Guanacaste.

Cabin, Amor Arenal, Costa Rica

Boutique Costa Rica in Style

14-day tailor-made holiday from £7,990 pp incl. flights

Explore the nature of one of the world’s most complex and diverse ecosystems through the comfort of specially selected, luxury boutique hotels, chosen to showcase the very best of Costa Rican hospitality.

Scarlet Macaw Couple, Osa Peninsula

Costa Rica: Sarapiqui and the Osa Peninsula

11-day tailor-made holiday from £5,050 pp incl. flights

Let expert guides introduce you to two Costa Rican gems – the rainforest of Sarapiqui and towering Arenal Volcano. You'll then enjoy a full-board stay at the Lapa Rios Ecolodge, hidden among the wildlife-filled rainforests of the Osa Peninsula.

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Top places to stay in Costa Rica

Parador Resort & Spa

Parador Resort & Spa, Manuel Antonio

Contemporary hotel

In an exceptional location on the doorstep of Manuel Antonio Park, this hotel offers eco-tourism on a luxury scale, with several swimming pools and restaurants making it ideal for both families and honeymooners.

Lapa Rios Ecolodge

Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Osa Peninsula

Contemporary eco-accommodation

This luxury eco-lodge is located in the remote Osa Peninsula deep in the rainforest, offering open air bungalows and ocean views for guests to truly immerse themselves in nature.

Punta Islita, Costa Rica

Hotel Punta Islita, Nicoya Peninsula

Contemporary eco-accommodation

This upmarket beach resort is built along the Pacific coastline of Guanacaste, with rugged eco-luxury and spectacular views of the coastline.

Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica

Pacuare Lodge, Costa Rica

Contemporary lodge

Hidden high amidst Costa Rica’s rainforest canopy, Pacuare Lodge is a haven of a hotel. It’s remote but refined, with just 20 suites overlooking the Pacuare River.

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Where to go in Costa Rica

Lapa Rios Ecolodge

Corcovado & Osa Peninsula

The Osa Peninsula is one of the best-kept secrets in Costa Rica. Described by National Geographic as 'the most biologically intense place on earth', it's unarguably the most pristine of all Costa Rica's ecosystems.

Beach in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio National Park

Don't be deceived by the size of Manuel Antonio National Park. Although one of the smallest of Costa Rica's national parks, it's also rated as one of its best.

Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Nicoya Peninsula

Hidden in the secluded coves of the Nicoya Peninsula you'll find some of Costa Rica's most stunning white-sand beaches. It's a magical setting for some serious down time, while nature-lovers are duly catered for with nesting turtles and wildlife-rich cloud forests.

Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Costa Rica's Pacific Coast

Costa Rica's sun-kissed west is a delightful blend of golden beaches and dense forests dotted with waterfalls. Relax on its sun-kissed shores, then go in search of wildlife in verdant forests and rolling Pacific swells.

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What to do in Costa Rica

Toucan

Wildlife Holidays

Deep within rainforests, under the sea or on the edges of volcanoes, Costa Rica is home to an abundance of wildlife. From jaguars and sloths to iguanas, toucans and monkeys, this region's vast variety of species are just waiting to be discovered.

Beach in Manuel Antonio

Luxury Honeymoons

Costa Rica is a spectacular honeymoon destination, with its vast biodiversity providing a wonderful setting for stays in luxury eco-lodges, spotting a vast range of wildlife, intimate dining in rainforest treetops and snorkelling in beach-framed tropical waters.

When to go to Costa Rica

Corcovado & Osa Peninsula
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Costa Rica has just two seasons, winter (wet) and summer (dry). These seasons are the opposite of those in the northern hemisphere with summer running from December to April, this is also known as the dry season and is the perfect time to visit the beautiful beaches of the Pacific coast. In the wet season (May to November) most of the rain falls on the country's vast rainforests and the weather can disrupt transport routes to the southeast and the Osa peninsula. In most places the rainfall is intense but brief. Some activities are actually better in the rainy season (rebranded as the Green Season by Costa Ricans), for instance whitewater …

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Costa Rica articles

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    Trip report: Costa Rica

    Join Wexas Latin America specialist Alison Nicolle as she travels to Costa Rica, finding everything from volcanoes and rainforests to jungle-fringed beaches teeming with wildlife.

  • Lagarta, Costa Rica

    The best luxury eco-lodges in Costa Rica

    Discover Costa Rica's finest accommodation, where luxurious indulgence and unique wildlife experiences go hand in hand.

  • Houseboat, Kerala backwaters

    Adventures beyond the beach

    If you prefer to combine culture or wildlife with your relaxing beach break, take a look at our favourite places on the planet for combining a beach holiday with adventures and expeditions.

  • Beach, Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road

    How to avoid high season crowds

    Lots of destinations around the world have a best time to visit or a high season, when the majority of travellers arrive. Whilst these periods can often be driven by good reasons, there are also ways in which a savvy traveller can get away around these months, escape the crowds and save money. We r…

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Meet our Costa Rica experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 0207 590 0697

Meet the team

Why book with Wexas Travel?

At Wexas, we specialise in bespoke travel experiences. Our itineraries are just samples of what we can arrange, and can be changed depending on your precise needs, finances and ideas by our experienced destination specialists.

Contact one of our consultants on 0207 590 0697 to discuss how we can tailor your holiday.

Learn why Wexas is the leader in creating luxury holidays. What is tailor-made travel?

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Every step of the way

Every step of the way

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