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HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Reef, rainforest and endless wildlife > Costa Rican joie de vivre > Zip-lining through the jungle canopy > Pacific Coast beaches > Nocturnal nature walks > Staying at a safe distance from glowing volcanoes > Parrots, toucans & orchids

Anyone with a keen interest in the natural world will be as happy as a squirrel in a nut shop in Costa Rica. This small Central American country is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, crammed with a greater variety of plants and animals than you can shake a stick at. Costa Rica is very much a pioneer of eco-tourism, and fully a quarter of the country is protected as reserves and national parks.

Begin your explorations by heading for the Caribbean coast, taking in waterfalls and the world’s largest butterfly collection en route, and travel by boat into the Tortuguero National Park to discover the rich jungle and marine life of this coastal rainforest. Between July and October, sights include the rare green turtle, which comes ashore to nest on the beaches.

In the north of the country, the majestic Arenal volcano is one of the highlights of Costa Rica. Staying next to an active volcano may not sound like a good idea, but the eruptions, though frequent, are moderate and can be viewed from a safe distance. The volcano is a spectacular sight, especially at night when the lava flows and the glow from the crater stand out against the dark.

River safaris, white-water rafting, horse riding, mountain biking, wallowing in natural hot springs and boat trips or windsurfing on Lake Arenal are some of the other activities available in this region. For a memorable encounter with the fascinating and colourful world of the rain forest canopy, make a beeline for the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Yet another facet of Costa Rica is the cloud forest of the central highlands, which can be experienced by swooping through the treetops on zip-wires, or on nocturnal nature walks.

Altogether, a journey around Costa Rica is like being transported inside the pages of National Geographic: a combination of dramatic scenery and properly wild life, from squirrel monkeys and tree frogs to sloths, mud turtles and dozens of colourful birds such as parrots, toucans and the rare quetzal bird. Round things off with a few days on the sandy beaches of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.

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ADDITIONAL PARENT-RELEVANT INFORMATION
Please note that in Villa Blanca the rooms are not adjoining and will be separated by a path.

In Tortuguero the ground trip can be quite tiring and is only recommended for children over 5 years old.

PRICE
Based on a family of four with 2 adults and 2 children under 12 (sharing some rooms and separate rooms for Arenas del Mar, Villa Blanca). £2395 per adult, £1475 per child. Price includes: Accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast basis everywhere except Manatus (full board); flights in Economy Class with Iberia; transfers activities and guides as specified above.