Cloud Forests & Volcanoes

Costa Rica

Instead of staying at the more tourist-heavy Monteverde Reserve we recommend that our clients visiting the cloud forest reserve - one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the tropics - stay around San Ramon.

This high elevation forest offers miles of trails with excellent opportunities for bird watching. The resplendent Quetzal can be spotted up here between January and July.

Alternatively you can explore the trails around San Ramon, or see the cigar making process in action – at one point this used to be one of the main exports in Costa Rican history.

With its impressive waterfalls, La Fortuna is the jumping-off point to the spluttering Arenal volcano, which is certainly a highlight of Costa Rica. This colossal wonder is only visible if the weather conditions are in your favour, so while it is always a gamble as to whether Arenal will be shrouded in mist, on a clear day the mountain is simply stunning with plumes of smoke hovering above it.

Around the volcano, take a dip in the many hot springs, or a walk around the thirteen hanging bridges - the views are spectacular. Near the volcano is the largest lake in Costa Rica, Lake Arenal, big enough for windsurfing, kayaking, boating and fishing.