Natural Splendours...of Costa Rica
Having travelled extensively and, most recently, to Costa Rica, I would put this country among one of my favourite destinations. We travelled with Cox & Kings on their small escorted group tour, Natural Splendours of Costa Rica. I haven’t used Cox & Kings before but will most certainly be using them again. The trip was faultless from beginning to end.
I chose to arrive two days before the main tour began and used that time to visit a Sloth Rescue Centre and a coffee processing plant, although there are many other activities to choose from.
The tour started in San José, Costa Rica’s capital, set in the very centre of this small country. From here we made a day trip to Poas volcano, which we were lucky enough to see on a clear day enabling us to take some great photos of the steaming crater.
From there we travelled by road and boat to Tortuguero National Park on Costa Rica’s eastern Caribbean coastline. Here we took a guided tour of the marshy islands and canals in search of wildlife. We saw a python, turtles, sloths, caimans and many types of birds.
Then back inland to Arenal volcano for views of its spectacular conical profile. We stopped en route at La Selva Biological Station, a protected rainforest reserve with walking trails over several suspension bridges, affording excellent views of the forest from the canopy.
From Arenal we drove to the Cano Negro wetlands reserve in the far north where we boarded a boat for a trip down the Rio Frio. We saw many more animals including inquisitive capuchin monkeys that came as close to the boat as they could.
From there on to Monteverde and a walk in the cloud forest, where we sighted howler monkeys, a tarantula in its burrow, a yellow tree snake and many more birds, including the elusive quetzal.
Throughout, we had the most amazing guide who knew everything about everything. He was incredibly informative, interesting and looked after us so well, finding animals we had no idea were there and making sure we got the best camera shots possible. Thank you Alex.
Carol travelled on Cox & Kings' small group, escorted tour Natural Splendours of Costa Rica. Further group tours to Costa Rica and beyond are also available. Alternatively, if you are interested in private travel, please either call one of our specialist travel consultants or complete our tailor-made request form and one of our experts will get back to you to help you plan an itinerary.