Central Pacific Coast and Central Highlands Holidays

Manuel Antonio National Park

With its verdant rainforests, mangroves, lagoons, dazzling white beaches and colourful coral reefs, Costa Rica’s smallest national park punches well above its weight in terms of biodiversity. Over 100 mammal species and twice as many bird species fill the park. Abundant wildlife in such a small area mean visitors are often rewarded with sightings of sloths, as well as monkeys, iguanas, butterflies and crabs, while a flash of colour overhead could be a toucan or kingfisher.

The neighbouring popular resort town of Manuel Antonio is a great base from which to explore the park and nearby, pristine beaches. With swimming, snorkelling, and surfing or, sloth-like relaxation, this a popular place to hang out.

Playa Esterillos

The long sandy stretch of Esterillos Beach is just 45 minutes north of Manuel Antonio and only a couple of hours drive from San Jose. A renowned surf-spot, this quiet yet beautiful beach is fringed by lush green coconut and almond trees and is the perfect spot for lounging in a hammock as the sun goes down.

Carara National Park

Carara translates to the rather evocative ‘river of lizards’ in the indigenous Huetar language, a nod to the population of crocodiles that lurk in the Tarcoles River at the northern edge of the park. Yet it’s the birdlife that’s the biggest draw here. Carara is uniquely located in the transition zone between the northern tropical dry and southern tropical rainforests, offering the chance to see a diverse crossover of flora and fauna. A highlight for any visitor is spotting the beautiful and sadly endangered scarlet macaw soaring overhead – dawn and dusk are the best time to see them.

San Gerardo De Dota and the Rio Savegre

Heading inland, the Central Highlands are blanketed with pristine cloud forests teeming with birdlife. Don’t miss Los Quetzales National Park, where you stand an excellent chance of witnessing the magnificent quetzal with its vivid red and green plumage. A wealth of other species can be spotted across the orchid-fringed Savegre basin, including hummingbirds, parakeets and tanagers to name a few. San Gerardo de Dota and the surrounding area are also packed with rustic lodges and scenic hiking trails, ideal for exploring the national park, Rio Savegre and the Talamanca Mountains. Or for a real challenge, tackle the highest peak on the Pan-American Highway – the alarmingly-named Cerro De La Muerte, or ‘Mountain of Death’.