Costa Rica has become the most visited country in the Central American region, with tourism being responsible for 5.8% of the country’s GDP. By 2004, tourism was generating more revenue and foreign exchange than coffee and bananas combined. A pioneer in ecotourism, by reducing the country’s deforestation rate to virtually zero and creating such a large collection of national parks and natural reserves, Costa Rica has appealed to first world tourists, particularly American, who amounted to one million visitors, followed by European with 434,884 visits.
What are the best national parks or natural reserves to visit in the country?
Costa Rica boasts of having the largest percentage of protected areas in the world and has almost 30 national parks, all worth visiting. However, we only offer tours to some of the most visited parks in the region near the Liberia International Airport. First, there is the internationally renowned Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Here you will enjoy a natural paradise and be in the presence of several volcanic attractions, such as fumaroles, bubbling mud pots and boiling hot springs at the foothills of the active Rincon de la Vieja Volcano.
Then there is Arenal Volcano, probably one of the very few with a perfect cone shape. The tour starts with a relaxing drive around the largest lake in Costa Rica then taking you to the mountains and countryside at the bottom of this active volcano. Then, enjoy the jungle as you walk through the rainforest at El Silencio Private Reserve at the base of Arenal Volcano.
Lastly, for a truly exotic experience, visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Called cloud forest rather than a rain forest because of its altitude, the mountains intercept the northeast winds which then turn into rain or form clouds that go through the forest. In the cloud forests, there are plenty of trees covered with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, moss and vines; while the canopy is extremely rich with birds, insects, butterflies and thousands of plants.
Are there any cultural tours I could take?
The best way to get to know a country’s culture is by living it, so we offer a tour around Liberia City so you can directly experience and share our lifestyle. Start at the farmers market and learn about exotic fruits and vegetables while you interact with people. Then drive to Liberia Central Park, hospitals, churches, schools, universities and historical streets as you learn about local history.
You can also Guaitil, a small pottery and artisans town near Santa Cruz city. This town is widely considered to be the only location left in Costa Rica where they still use the same methods and materials used thousands of years ago to make indigenous pottery.
