Where to go for your autumn adventure
Autumn travel is for colour, culture and smaller crowds – as these six destinations prove. When Britain’s summertime ebbs away to autumn,
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The small country of Costa Rica is one of the most ecologically diverse places on Earth. A nature-lover’s paradise, Costa Rica’s landscapes range from smouldering volcanoes, cloud forests and coffee plantations to pristine rainforests and beautiful beaches on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
National parks and reserves protect more than a quarter of this small country’s territory and its incredible biodiversity, including thousands of plant varieties, numerous kinds of colourful butterflies and more than 800 bird species. The country’s relatively small size allows for easy explorations by road or using one of the domestic airlines that link the capital, San José, in the highlands to the often remote coastal areas.
An abundance of unspoilt beaches backed by tropical jungle enables a combination of various activities with relaxation.
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Costa Rica’s various habitats are home to more than 850 bird species, many of which are endemic, and offer rewarding birdwatching experiences. Besides the numerous cloud forest reserves and the pristine rainforests of the Osa peninsula, other important areas include the Frio river and the wetlands of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge with an impressive number of migratory birds, including Nicaraguan grackles. Waterfowl also abound in the fresh and saltwater lagoons of the Palo Verde wetlands, particularly from January to March. The lowland forests around La Selva Biological Station and Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí contain more than 400 bird species.
Tortuguero National Park is located on the remote northern Caribbean coast and is accessible only by boat or plane. Travel through banana plantations and take a boat through the network of waterways that penetrate the dense tropical forests, linking rivers and lagoons. Spot monkeys, sloths, caimans and toucans. Green turtles lay their eggs on the beaches here between July and September, while leatherbacks can be seen from March to June. The untamed coast further south has pristine beaches and an easy-going ambiance.
Costa Rica is home to six species of turtles including leatherbacks, the largest sea turtles. During the nesting season, watch adults laying eggs and baby turtles making their way to the sea. There are sites both on the Caribbean side (Tortuguero) and the Pacific coast (Tamarindo & Ostional) offering good possibilities of a sighting.
The Nicoya peninsula stretches down along the northern Pacific coastline offering some of Costa Rica’s finest beaches. In the beach town of Tamarindo, relax on the sandy beaches, explore the mangroves by boat or take an excursion to see nesting leatherback turtles. Meanwhile, palm-fringed Caño island (near the Osa Peninsula) is home to beautiful sandy beaches and excellent snorkelling opportunities.
See the top shrouded with clouds of ash and fumes during the day, watch the lava glow at night or soak in one of the numerous hot springs in the area.
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Find out more about what you can expect from travelling in Central America – from internal flights to accommodation standards and local transport.
Learn more about the airlines we use to fly to Central America, chosen for reliability and good service; as well as any available upgrade facilities.
Before travelling to Central America, please read more about the entry requirements for each country, as well as any general health advice.
Discover the temperatures and rainfall you can expect when visiting the main areas of Costa Rica, along with the best time to travel.
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© Cox & Kings 2021
