Diverse landscapes, flora, and fauna. From rain forests, to volcanoes, to Caribbean and Pacific beaches, to high mountains, and marshy lowlands. Sounds like a great place to stay? Then you should visit Costa Rica, one of the world’s most popular destinations for eco-tourists because of its biodiversity. But you are going to need to rent a car to get around the country.

Costa Rica is an amazingly beautiful country with plenty to see and experience in just about any part of the country. If you want to take in an active volcano, Arenal is located in the middle of the country and you can wind surf on the lake below it. Up for some eco-tourism? The rainforest in the south of the country is epic. Prefer a bit of surfing? Head to the beaches on the west coast for a blast. Regardless of your choice, the one constant is you will need some way to get around.

A rental car in Costa Rica will give you the ability to come and go as you please and see places that aren’t reachable by other forms of transportation. Since Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination there are several local and international car rental companies to choose from. Here are a few tips on renting a car in Costa Rica.

The actual act of renting a vehicle can be handled in two ways. The first is to do it the traditional way through a travel agent or online site. The second is to find what you need at the airport when you land in San Jose. After various trips to Costa Rica, I almost always just do it when I land. Yes, you can be tired, but the reserved rental car scenario never really seems to work out. You either end up with some other vehicle or your reservation seems to get lost. There are plenty of vehicles available at the airport, so save yourself the headache and just wing it.

If you have problems with car rental locations, the majority of rental car companies have facilities at the San Jose airport which is most likely where you’ll arrive and depart. Some also have offices in town which can be more convenient if you don’t want to rent a car right when you arrive. Smaller local car rental companies may only have offices in town but they usually offer a pick up and drop off service to make it more convenient.

Rental car companies are always having special offers and discounts especially in the off-peak season. Visit individual car rental websites to find specials you may be eligible for. Most rental companies partner with airlines so it’s worth checking with the airline you’ll be traveling on. Discounts are usually available such as auto club, senior and corporate discounts. Make sure you have the discount code and supply it when booking your reservation.

Want to find out more about Monteverde Costa Rica, then visit Nestor Botbot’s site on how to know more on Monteverde.

Costa Rica is certainly one of the best holiday destinations around. Those looking for stunning but ecologically conscious holidays need look no further. The misty rain and cloud forest teems with toucans. You can also encounter with rare wildlife from quetzals to leatherback turtles. Activities such as surfing and whitewater rafting are available on gorgeous beaches and splendid rivers. Arenal Volcano puts on mighty shows almost daily and nearby soothe stresses away.

For many reasons travelers from all over the world visit Costa Rica. A Costa Rica vacation is unlike other south sea destinations where physical hedonistic pursuits are the only activity, though the country can answer those needs with flying colors. Many Costa Rican vacations limit time at any of the hundreds of pristine beaches on two warm oceans, to experience the wonders found within the country. Let’s take a closer look at places you might visit.

San Jose

This overpopulated central American city serves as the central point for a large number of airlines. Unfortunately poverty is seen around each street corner and the downtown area is overcrowded with poorly maintained streets and sidewalks. Many arriving in San Jose, quickly make their way to the refuge that their hotel rooms offer. Nonetheless, San Jose still offers a few great hotels, good restaurants and a couple of noteworthy museums making it a good starting point for anyone looking to do a few day trips or excursion around the city.

Manuel Antonio

Many first time visitors to Costa Rica, start their trip at Manuel Antonio which is the name of the coastal national park as well as the resort surrounding it. The hilltops surrounding the park is still covered in dense rain forest and offers visitors some breathtaking views of their green surroundings and magnificent beaches. Manuel Antonio is pretty isolated with no real town or village nearby. The closest thing is the port of Quepos surrounded by dense green forest that continues for about five miles on end.

Monteverde

Situated high in the mountainous region down the center of Costa Rica, Monteverde, meaning green mountain can be found. Monteverde is lush in magnificent rain and cloud forests with the mountaintops and forests being covered by dense clouds daily. This unique phenomenon creates a special ecosystem that is extraordinarily biodiverse. There are more than 2500 species of different plants of which 400 types are orchids, 100 different types of mammals and several hundreds of different species of birds.

You will not find any large resorts or hotels in Monteverde but rather a number of small mountain lodges varying in style and quality. There are plenty to do in Monteverde from hiking, horseback riding to biking, canopy tours and visiting the cloud forests.

Want to find out more about Monteverde Costa Rica, then visit Nestor Botbot’s site on how to know more on Monteverde.

Costa Rica is a country located in Central America that has unlimited tourist potential and is ranked as one of the most visited international destinations. One of Costa Rica’s main sources of income is tourism. It proudly shelters a 6% of the existing biodiversity in the entire world and also has a greater biodiversity than Europe or North America. The location of the country is a factor of the country’s superior biodiversity. The country’s location between North and South America enables plants and animals from both continents and the Caribbean islands to establish themselves there.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the most visited Costa Rica parks because of its popular areas for wildlife viewing in the country. It also features brilliant green forest sopping with moss, bromeliads, and more than 420 types of orchids from the backdrop of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Landscape, softened by the ethereal clouds that drift through the trees. It’s also home of more than 100 species of mammals, 120 species of reptiles and amphibians, and over 2500 species of plants. A must-see for nature lovers! But don’t forget the exotic creatures that roam the lush forest, including jaguars, pumas, monkeys, ocelots, and the rare resplendent quetzal.

To really explore the forest it’s recommended to try the Sky Walk or canopy tour. The Sky Walk is a guided tour, which combines trails and suspension bridges with lengths of even 984 feet and heights above the canopy of Monteverde cloud forest. The tour gives you the opportunity to enjoy the flora and fauna of the area. Sky Walk reunites all the conditions of security and confidence. These bridges have been adapted even for people with some disability. Visitors can also opt for the Sky Trek. Sky Trek is a system of zip lines ranging from mountain to mountain, which together have a distance of 2.5 miles of linear cable. The Tour gives you the opportunity to fly through a cable and have a unique experience of adventure and adrenaline at speeds to 40 miles per hour with distances ranging up to 2500 feet and heights of 524 feet. In addition the tour offers 5 observation towers that exceed the cloud forest treetops providing a panaromic view.

Costa Rica is also blessed with many national parks, wildlife reserves, and protected areas which are very welcoming to visitors and all are full of incredible wildlife. Costa Rica is certainly a paradise for nature lovers.

There is a huge variety of animal and plant life to be found within each and every national park, wildlife refuge or protected area. Viewing wildlife is such a large part of Costa Rica’s appeal. Costa Rica’s fascinating aspect should not be missed.

Want to find out more about Monteverde Costa Rica, then visit Nestor Botbot’s site on how to know more on Monteverde.

A Costa Rica vacation is unlike other south sea destinations where physical hedonistic pursuits are the only activity, though the country can answer those needs with flying colors. Many Costa Rican vacations limit time at any of the hundreds of pristine beaches on two warm oceans, to experience the wonders found within the country.

On my Costa Rica holiday, this was not immediately apparent in San Jos, the grubby little capital in a highland valley. There are no elegant structures, but no one ever said that Costa Rica was known for architecture. Its beauty lies not in its buildings but in its environment.

Monteverde is situated in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. It is also considered a major tourist destination in Costa Rica. Monteverde is a place to make one self at home in an eco-friendly lodge and settle into the beauty of the Tilaran Mountains.

Monteverde, the most peaceful place on Earth is a place to make one self at home in an eco-friendly lodge and settle into the beauty of the Tilaran Mountains. This country of about four million people has no army, no navy and no air force. This stems from a community of Quaker farmers who arrived in the area from Alabama in 1950, after refusing to register for military service in the United States. Also at that time they were looking somewhere they could raise dairy cattle, without being called upon to shoot anybody. They settled here because Costa Rica abolished its armed forces.

The Quakers soon grew harmony with nature and their neighbours. From the beginning they had been careful to preserve the forest above their land, and now the botanists and the tourists were coming, and this benefited the wider community. “I’m content, I’ve been able to live according to my conscience,” Says Alejandro, one of the first Quakers to have settled there. “There is a sense of achievement.”

One of the first Quakers to have settled here stated “I’m contented. I’ve been able to live according to my conscience”. “There is a sense of achievement.”

Pura Vido, meaning literally “Pure life” is an expression of the good-natured people of Costa Rica. Costa Rica has its feet firmly planted in rich volcanic soil and a stable democracy.

Want to find out more about Monteverde Costa Rica, then visit Nestor Botbot’s site on how to know more on Monteverde.

Fortuna

Accessible from the capital city San Jose, La Fortuna is the gateway to the Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most active volcanoes. It is also the country’s top-rated tourist attraction. Visitors can also observe volcanic activities. They can also opt for walking through lava rocks or take a dip in the hot springs.

Monteverde

Monteverde’s appeal centers around its scenery and nature. Many ecosystems exist in the numerous reserves, such as Bajo del Tigre, the Santa Elena Reserve, the Bosque de los Ninos and the world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. A major industry is the zip-line business, and there are several choices, including the mediocre Original Canopy Tour, the good Sky Trek and the stellar Selvatura Park. Certainly a must-visit place for adventurous nature-lovers!

Tamarindo

For visitors who love fishing and water sports it’s recommended that they visit the town of Tamarindo. Tamarindo is located on the Northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the province of Guanacaste. They also have popular seafood and you even have the option of choosing to catch your dinner yourself! For adventurous adults and children a course in surfing is also available from a Surf School. Besides surfing, visitors can also water ski, scuba dive, kayak, and snorkel. The waves of Tamarindo are certainly popular for they have been featured in movies.

Turtle Island (Isla Tortuga)

This island boasts innumerable diversions to fill a sunny day, from kayaking and peering through glass-bottom boats, to snorkeling and swimming, to hiking through the forested hills. There’s also a canopy tour and ziplining course for adventurous souls to enjoy.

Curu Animal Reserve (Refugio Silvestre Curu)

Get up close and personal with our furry friends. The Curu Animal Reserve does not only feature large cats, panthers, tigers, leopards and other jungle animals; one can even find exotic butterflies and sloths within its extensive compound! A day trip to the reserve is an ideal choice for families with children.

Bird Paradise (Isla Pajarro Paraiso)

If you love bird watching the Isla Pajarro Paraiso or Bird Paradise is the place for you. It is a haven for thousands of species of birds. It’s certainly a must-see for bird lovers as well as the general public.

Learn more about Monteverde Costa Rica. Stop by Nestor Botbot’s site where you can find out all about Costa Rica Monteverde and its surrounding.

Monteverde, Costa Rica is a small town in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. It is considered a major tourist destination in Costa Rica, primarily visited by ecotourists . The area is also frequented by researchers and naturalists who study mountain and tropical biodiversity.

Perhaps the most favorite of most nature lovers going to Costa Rica is probably hiking in the Cloud Forest. The Monteverde National Park offers varied trails like The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.

Monteverde Cloud Reserve and Santa Elena Reserve have 20 kilometers of trails in between. You have the opportunity to bird watch with experienced naturalist guides in this trail. Aside from that, you can learn the beauty of the cloud forest by venturing out on your own. Tours are usually lead off early in the morning.

In the spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, it is like entering an impressive green Cathedral with wind-sculptured woodlands. Meanwhile, the protected cove Monteverde rainforests have tall trees with orchids and bromeliads as part of the varied biodiversity. Ferns, vines, and mosses also abound in this area. With the high biodiversity in its numerous reserves, the most popular is the Reserva Biolgica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a number of very clear streams and waterfalls. Swamp forests are also a part of the reserve. You can also find beautiful flora and fauna which were produced by the beautiful climate. There are also wildlife that includes Ocelot, Jaguar, and Baird’s Tapir. Other animals are the Three-wattled Bellbirds, Bare necked Umbrella bird.

Monteverde has been in the limelight until recently, with the popular cloud forests and rain forests in the greater Monteverde area. It has certainly become a major part of the Cosa Rican tourist trail despite the difficult access. About 250,000 tourists visit Monteverde every year and 70,000 of those tourists visit the popular forest reserves.

Learn more about Monteverde Costa Rica. Stop by Nestor Botbot’s site where you can find out all about Costa Rica Monteverde and its surrounding.

Monteverde has been called by National Geographic “The jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves”. It was also voted one of Costa Rica’s 7 Wonders in 2007. Monteverde is a small but beautifull town in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of its most famous tourist attractions. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve will astound visitors with its beauty, bounty and great amount of biodiversity.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a total of nine nature trails, the trails here are well maintained. Regular shoes are fine, as long as you are able to walk comfortably. There is no need for rubber boots or hiking shoes for daily trips. The Sendero Bosque Nuboso (Cloud Forest Trail) is generally very popular and is one of the prettier trails. If you’re a bird-lover you might prefer the El Camino (The Road) which is an excellent trail for bird-watching. If you want an excellent view of the elfin forest and bamboo the Sendero Brilliante is the trail for you, while Sendero Rio (River Trail) leads to a breathtaking waterfall.

To suit your particular needs, you can opt for a variety of tours. Group tours are offered in English and Spanish. Private guided tours are available for visitors who want to experience the beauty of the reserve on their own, but paying a little more is required. An interesting alternative is the Bird Lovers tour. The objective of this tour is to spot as many birds as possible while making your way through the different areas on the way to the reserve.

Not contented with simply hiking through the trails? Then try the Sky Walk and the Sky Trek. The Sky Trek allows more adventurous visitors to be suspended on zip lines flying through the air above the forest canopy. Sky Walk meanwhile, allows you to walk along bridges that are suspended above the forest, allowing you to get a birds-eye view of the reserve.

Visitors have a choice of accommodation as there are three backcountry huts available for use, but you need to book them in advance. A souvenir shop, a restaurant and an art gallery is also present. It’s certainly very easy and affordable to travel to and from the reserve as there are hourly buses from the Banaco Nacional in Santa Elena, Monteverdo. You can also hail taxis to get to and from the reserve at budget-friendly rates.

Learn more about Monteverde Costa Rica. Stop by Nestor Botbot’s site where you can find out all about Costa Rica Monteverde and its surrounding.

You are planning your vacation it is good to know a little about the area so you can select what suits your fancy. The locals refer to by themselves as Ticos and they’re warm and welcoming wherever you visit in Costa Rica. My friend and I plan to visit all areas of Costa Rica but you may must consider what to put in your itinerary providing you have only a week. The next is a list of the various regions and what they could offer in the way of entertainment. Pick and choose whatever combination you like.

San Jose

San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica. It contains the primary airport, the University of Costa Rica, the US and other embassies it boasts of having the most museums in Costa Rica. It also has many hotels, markets, etc. It is the hub of the country. Also the taxis in San Jose are generally cheap. It is also a great place to improve your Espanol. There are also many quality restaurants which you can eat heartily. San Jose is certainly a great place to stay.

The Northwest

Arenal and Monteverde are situated in the Northwest. Arenal is the Volcano in the field and it is a game of wait-and-see getting the opportunity to view the cone of the volcano spew hot lava. Arenal is one of the only active volcanoes on the planet that could be safely viewed by tourists without the threat of bodily harm. I reside in the Pacific Northwest, also in the shadow of Mount Rainier so volcanoes don’t bother me.

The road to Monteverde runs from the small town of Santa Elena to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve with hotels, nightclubs and restaurants. This area is commonly very dense with tourists. Originally settled by Quakers this area now has a thriving eclectic artist community. Quakers are, in addition reported to be great cheese makers in this area. I simply love cheese and Quakers are cool too so I gotta plan to visit the cheese farm. Although this is one of the busiest this region offers many day trips and interesting things to do.

Want to find out more about Monteverde Costa Rica, then visit Nestor Botbot’s site on how to know more on Monteverde.

Monteverde is a beautiful and breath-taking area that includes the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. As the name suggests the forests are almost always surrounded by clouds. Monteverde is Spanish for green grass which is a fitting description for this lush green forested area of Costa Rica.

Monteverde is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Costa Rica.
Monteverde is also known for its Quaker population. In the 1950′s several Quaker families came to Costa Rica from the US. Pacifists who wanted to avoid the U.S. military draft of 1949 they moved to the Monteverde area of Costa Rica. They felt more in tune with Costa Rica’s political system since the Costa Rican government had disbanded the army in 1948.

The early Quaker settlers bought a lot the surrounding area and have continued to preserve the area. They began their dairy farms which now produce tons of cheese everyday. It’s some of the best cheese in the country and it’s imported all over the world. Most of the land the Quakers purchased back in the 50′s is now part of the Monteverde Cloud forest reserve. It’s absolutely stunning area. You can hike on your own or with guided tours. The trails are in very good shape and well maintained.

Aside from the beautiful Monterverde Cloud Forest Reserve the canopy and zip tours through the cloud forest are the best of all the canopy tours in Costa Rica so don’t miss that.

From the Volcano arenal you can easily get to Monteverde. It’s about 90 miles away. Heading toward Tilaran is the next step. If you’re adventurous you can also try for a 3 hour horseback ride from Monteverde to the Arenal Volcano. But a 4WRD is highly recommended. You’ll also hit Santa Elena, Canyon Negro, through the Arenal Lake Dam, and into La Fortuna.

From San Jos take the Interamerican highway and turn off at Sardinal north of the Puntarenas turn off. It’s uphill from Sardinal heading towards San Luis and into Santa Elena which is the main town in Monteverde. It’s about a 4 hour car ride from San Jos.

The forest features exotic animals and plants which we’ll leave you in awe. It’s one of the favorite spots for ecotourism with it’s preserved forests and undeveloped areas. Average temperatures ranges between 60-77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Want to find out more about Monteverde Costa Rica, then visit Nestor Botbot’s site on how to know more on Monteverde.