Enchanting destinations in Costa Rica for nature lovers

Rumoured to have once been a port used by famous English explorer Sir Francs Drake, the beautiful cove is nestled into the jungle coastline of the Osa Peninsula. The peninsula juts out from the mainland like a small foot stabilising it in the Pacific Ocean.

Your adventure begins even before you arrive. The journey to Drake Bay includes a speed boat ride through mangroves and crocodile infested waters. There are also perilous rocks rising from the deep that captains must navigate.

Upon arrival you’re greeted by the very definition of serenity—tranquil golden sands lined with coconut palm trees. Disembark the speedboat into the warm surf to make your way to your accommodation.

While spending days at the beach absorbing the paradisiac atmosphere is one possibility, there are other activities on offer too.

An official walking trail mirrors the coastline allowing you to explore nearby beaches on foot. The pick of these is Playa San Josecito. It’s a 10 km walk to this beach, but the uncrowded, virgin shores make it worthwhile. Just remember your sunscreen and plenty of water.

Corcovado National Park is a short boat ride away and a perfect day tour for spotting wildlife. With the help of an expert guide, you can track animals including tapirs, howler monkeys and jaguars. Tours start at around $100 US per person and your money goes towards conservation efforts and guide fees.

Some say that beaches and volcanoes are Costa Rica’s best assets. While Drake Bay boasts the former, La Fortuna is king of the latter. The small but bustling town sits just beyond the reaches of Arenal National Park, roughly four hours north of the capital city, San Jose.

La Fortuna is an excellent base for hiking the volcano trails of the national park. There are five different entry points, each with numerous hikes of varying difficulty. If you fancy a tame stroll to a magnificent viewpoint of Volcán Arenal, then explore the Arenal Main Visitor Centre section. But if you want more of a challenge, take on the Lava Trail. The rugged underfoot was created by lava flows when Volcán Arenal last erupted in 1968.

What about water activities too? La Catarata Fortuna, or Fortuna Waterfall, has to be the crown jewel of the area. A turquoise torrent crashes from 75 m into an idyllic pool below. What’s better is that you can take a refreshing dip in the water.

Foreigners pay a $15 US fee at each entry point to Arenal National Park and La Catarata La Fortuna.

Located just off the road to Catarata La Fortuna is El Salto, or the Rope Swing. There’s nothing awe-inspiringly beautiful about El Salto, but it is a hell of a lot of fun. Using a thick rope tied to a tree, you swing from a ledge overlooking the Río Fortuna, dropping five or so metres into the cool river. On a hot day the river banks are crowded with people. It’s a fun social gathering and, if you’re lucky, a skilled local will put on an acrobatic display.  

Saving the top pick till last, Cerro Chirripó, or the mountain of the land of eternal water, is the highest point in Costa Rica, standing tall at 3,821 m. If you decide to tackle this beast, be prepared to have your mind blown by mother nature at her most splendid.

You start and finish the challenging 40 km trail at the sleepy mountain hamlet of San Gerardo de Rivas, roughly four hours south of San Jose. Most hikers take two days to complete the trek, spending a night at Crestones Basecamp close to the summit.

You’ll do most of the leg work on day one ascending 14 km to Crestones. The terrain is a mixture of muddy underfoot, maintained trail and stony steps under the shade of thick green forest. Peer through the trees for blissful views of the valley ahead. In certain parts the trail becomes steep. But as they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Day two starts at the crack of dawn to make the final five km push to the summit for sunrise. If the skies are clear, you’ll marvel at what’s to come. As the light pollution from Crestones Basecamp fades away, the Milky Way becomes visible. It’s a special sight that you’ll cherish.

The cherry on top is the sunrise from the summit. Golden light illuminates the surrounding peaks and seas of clouds swirl in the valleys below. You’ll pinch yourself just to be sure you’re not dreaming.

Hiking Cerro Chirripó requires planning. You need to pay entrance fees to the park and reserve a bed at Crestones Basecamp in advance via SINAC. All in, the hike costs around $150, but experiences like these are priceless.