This one week tour is 50% wildlife spotting and 50% long travel days. Wildlife is colourful, diverse and fairly easy to spot, but the experiences were hindered by unseasonably cool and wet conditions – unexpected, but nonetheless possible in February. Walks were often spent sheltering under the hood of my waterproof jacket and an appreciation of the Costa Rican landscapes was limited. Road journeys between hotels were longer than expected, often due to heavy traffic. The optional excursions were OK, but not great value for money. Unfortunately, Costa Rica’s high end tourist industry has become expensive and quite commercialised.
Monteverde
Adventure Holidays to Monteverde
The Monteverde cloud forests, in the central highlands of Costa Rica, are a misty, verdant paradise, home to countless plant species and diverse wildlife, including the endangered resplendent quetzal bird.
Adding to Mother Nature’s fine work, the local reserves installed sky walk bridges and zip lines through the forest canopy – a truly exhilarating experience.
There are also miles of trails to help nature lovers discover this unique ecosystem. The lush reserves attract scientists, bird watchers, and wildlife lovers from all parts of the world but you can also visit the quaint town of Santa Elena and find cafes, restaurants, galleries, and views that will have you pinching yourself.
Monteverde Adventure Holidays
Ross Bishop Natural Highlights of Costa Rica
Grant Rossouw Natural Highlights of Costa RicaThis trip truly lives up to its name and was an unforgettable way to experience Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity. From lush rainforests and wildlife-rich national parks to volcanic landscapes and the coast, the itinerary felt perfectly balanced and thoughtfully paced, with each destination offering something new and exciting.
One of the real highlights was the wildlife. Seeing animals in their natural habitat was a daily occurrence, made even more special by the expertise of our local leader. Their knowledge, enthusiasm and ability to spot wildlife we would otherwise have missed added huge value to the experience and brought the landscapes to life.
The trip also offered a great mix of guided walks, scenic drives and time to simply take in the surroundings, making it feel immersive without ever being rushed. Early starts were well worth it for the rewarding wildlife encounters and peaceful moments in nature.
Overall, this adventure is ideal for anyone wanting to explore Costa Rica’s natural highlights in depth, with the reassurance of excellent organisation and an outstanding local leader. A truly memorable journey through one of the world’s most beautiful and biodiverse countries.
Benoit Pigeon Discover Costa RicaThe guide was amazing, the food and hotel were really good. I was expecting to hike in the forest and mountains but it was more of a bird watching tour. So it was zero walking and lots and lots of bird watching standing still for long periods of time. It was not what i was looking for.
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