Fall in love with COSTA RICA
From slumbering sloths to high-octane adventures, this diverse country has something to offer every type of traveller
Filled with lush cloud forests and sun-drenched beaches, Costa
Rica is a land of heady contrasts. Unsurprisingly, it draws in all sorts of travellers, from adventure seekers and wildlife spotters to beach lovers and foodies, and a TUI Tour is a brilliant way to explore all the country has to offer. As with all of TUI’S Tours, you’ll be in expert hands, with local guides, authentic experiences, guaranteed departures and flexible itineraries, not to mention exhilarating activities (river-tubing, anyone?). Best of all, TUI works to protect the places it visits, meaning you’ll be helping to support local communities, too. Here, three travel writers explain why they fell in love with the captivating country.
1 NATURE’S TREASURE CHEST
Travel writer Lizzie Pook is drawn to Costa Rica’s magnificent wildlife
Whenever I think of Costa Rica, I shut my eyes and imagine the sounds of the rainforest: the high strings of insect song; the low, throaty calls of frogs; and the slow swoosh of monkeys making their way through the canopy. A quarter of the country is made up of protected jungle, which shelters a whopping 5% of the world’s entire biodiversity (that’s more
than the USA and Europe put together), so if you’re into wildlife, this is the place to visit.
You can animal-spot from the road, keeping your eyes peeled for the paintbox beaks of toucans perching in the trees and crocodiles clustered below you as you cross bridges. Venture into the jungles and you’ll feel many sets of eyes on you, from rare wild cats that snatch rainbow trout from tributary streams to mighty jaguars that stalk silently through the leaves.
If it’s birds you’re after, prepare to be spoilt. Whether it’s vultures that cruise the thermals or tiny hummingbirds that look like scattered gems in the air, you’ll find winged beauties in abundance (the Sarapiquí rainforest is home to hundreds of bird species, as well as tayras and howler monkeys). Then, as night falls, you’ll be dazzled by one of nature’s most impressive sights as the forests glow with thousands of fireflies. Simply magical.
2 ADVENTURES IN EDEN
Travel writer Sarah Gordon loves that there’s so much to explore
There’s nothing quite like flying through the rainforest treetops on a zip-wire, or plunging down a rushing river on a white-water-rafting adventure, but perhaps my favourite Costa Rica experience was seeing turtles lay their eggs on the beach by moonlight.
That’s the joy of travelling there: you’re never short of adventures. This forwardthinking nation has protected almost a quarter of its landmass, meaning there are national parks at every turn, home to sultry rainforests and rumbling volcanoes. At Arenal National Park, I hiked its namesake volcano and hopped on a boat to cross Arenal Lake before relaxing in hot springs surrounded by lush jungle.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is famous for its hundreds of species of orchids and jewel-coloured hummingbirds. I’ll always remember it as the place where I spotted amazing birdlife from a network of hanging bridges right up in the canopy. When it comes to unforgettable adventures, Costa Rica really does have it all.
3 A TASTE OF THE GOOD LIFE
Anna Hart, author of Departures: A Guide To Letting Go, One Adventure At A Time,
revels in the country’s foodie delights Health happens almost by accident in Costa Rica, a nation so ridiculously rich in nature, adventurous activities and culture that it brings out the best in every traveller. But for me, it was all about the food: the most perfectly balanced national cuisine I’ve ever tucked into, finding equilibrium between health and hedonism. I maintain that there is nothing in life that can’t be fixed by a cornmeal tamale, a hearty veg-and-meat-stuffed feast that tastes both luxuriant and nourishing. There’s delicate ceviche (raw seafood marinated in citrus juice), and you’re never far from a shop-shack selling beef-filled empanadas and frescos made from fresh watermelon, papaya, mango and canteloupe. And then there’s the coffee and chocolate, life’s greatest treats, which never taste better than they do in Costa Rica. Because there, every meal feels like a celebration.