Introduction to Central Pacific Costa Rica

The closest beaches to San José, and some of the country's most popular, are found on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. Options here range from the somewhat seedy Puntarenas and the cut-rate, fun-in-the-sun Jacó, to the jungle-clad hillsides of Dominical, and the ecotourist mecca of Manuel Antonio. The climate here is considerably more humid than that farther north in Guanacaste, but it's not nearly as steamy as along the south Pacific or Caribbean coasts.

Jacó and Manuel Antonio are two of Costa Rica's more developed beaches, while Puntarenas, a former seaport, is just a little over 2 hours from San José. If you're looking to get away from it all without traveling too far or spending too much, Dominical and the beaches south of Dominical should be your top choice on this coast.

By FROMMER'S

Paradisus Playa Conchal

Paradisus Playa Conchal is located in the province of Guanacaste on the northwest section of the country, bordering the pacific Ocean. Today, visitors can purchase Guaitil pottery in Santa Cruz, made in the ancient Chorotega traditional and even enjoy a few pottery lessons from local artisans.

The area is known for its spectacular beaches. Conchal is considered by many to be the most beautiful white-sand beach in Costa Rica.

Paradisus Playa Conchal is the largest and most opulent resort in the country, offering the highest levels of distinguished service. From the moment you check in, you are aware that you have entered a rarefied world of graciousness and privilege. The resort resembles an elegant, modern village, with its villas, rooms and facilities focused upon an impressive free-form pool. The white-sands of Conchal are just steps from your door, as is championship golf.

Every conceivable amenity is yours to experience, in a setting that is among the most breathtaking in the world. Yet this captivating resort is located just 45 minutes from Guanacaste International Airport and 15 minutes from the local airport. Nestled between the resort towns of Tamarindo and Flamingo, Paradisus Playa Conchal is a four-hour scenic drive from the capital city of San Jose.

Arenal Volcano and Tabacon

The four basic elements in nature come together in one exuberant place.

The energy of the Arenal Volcano, the heat of the Tabacon River, the life of the tropical rain forest and the purity of its air. Visitors are transported to a higher level of energy, which makes Tabacon one-of-a-kind place in the World.

A date with Nature

This resort is located in the Northern Region of Costa Rica, at the base of the Arenal Volcano, 13 Km. West of La Fortuna de San Carlos, and 6 Km. East of the Arenal Lake. It borders the Volcan Arenal National Park and its exceptionally rich biodiversity. More than 100 species of mammals, 350 different species of birds and a large variety of amphibians, reptiles and insects live in this Park. Its vegetation consists of over 500 plant species.

An encounter with the essence of life

In this setting there are abundant quantities of the first natural element: WATER. Several hot mineral springs join to provide a unique, unparalleled experience. The Tabacon River flows through exuberant ecological gardens, forming natural hot mineral water pools and waterfalls, at temperatures reaching 39 deg; C (102° F), and open to all visitors.

Guests wishing to enjoy the therapeutic qualities of these waters can choose from 10 pools, offering different options. Temperatures range from 23 to 40° C. (73 to 104° F).

Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort offers an extraordinary setting to observe the spectacular Arenal Volcano. At day or nighttime, the constant mini-eruptions present a spectacle of natural explosions that you will never forget. The large concentration of energy and the power of the volcano are the second element of nature present in Tabacon.

If you are looking for an adventure in the tropical rain forest of Costa Rica, Tabacon offers the opportunity to enjoy a first class resort, surrounded by spectacular vegetation, thus finding the perfect balance between man and Mother Nature. In order to achieve this, carefully designed paths have been set up, that allow visitors to experience the rich vegetation of the region up close.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park, lying on the pacific coast 7 kilometers south of the town of Quepos between Damas and Matapalos, was created in 1972 at a time when the area was poised for massive tourism development, funded primarily by foreign interests. The land constituting the park had, by then, gone through several different foreign owners. Today, the park protects a beautiful remnant piece of the tropical forest that once covered a wide variety of marine life.

With one of the most stunning, picture-postcard backdrops in the country, this is one of the lushest places in Costa Rica, with spectacular white-grey sand beaches fringed by thickly forested green hills. There is a huge variety of things to do- walking the Park's easy trails, whitewater rafting, ocean cruising, horseback riding, fishing, sea kayaking, to name but a few.

Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica's best known and most often visited park, despite the fact that it's also the smallest. The park is an island of verdant wildness in a rapidly developing area with a relatively intact wet tropical forest and abundant wildlife.

This park has a remarkably long list of species inhabiting it: brown pelicans, brown boobies, tyrant hawk-eagles, gray-headed chachalacas, solater's ant bird, coatimundis, two and three toed sloths, toed anteaters, ocelots amongst others.

ISLA DEL CAÑO (Peninsula de Osa)

CAÑO ISLAND has been rated by Skin Diver magazine as among the best in the world and is one of the world's newest hot spots for adventure diving. Located off the Southwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica, this virgin area offers a variety of unique diving attractions, from 15 - 16' reefs to 80' "walls". The rock formations are volcanic origins; sea fans, cup coral, head corals are the most common. Because of its status as a Biological Reserve the diving in Caño Island is regulated. Only 10 divers maximum and 5 dive sites are open to the public. By law, it is totally prohibited to remove any marine objects dead or alive (shells, corals, etc.).
Although the currents and visibility are difficult to predict, the latter is usually outstanding and rarely gets below 50'. The name of the game here is "SHARKS"! Lots of them (white-tips) ranging in size from 6-10' as well as sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays, morays, and huge snapper and grouper.

This could very well be mainland Costa Rica's finest diving spot!

Parismina River

Río Parismina is a new resort lodge located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Built on over 50 private acres of lush jungle on the banks of the famous Parismina River. They offer luxury accommodations, superb food, and a wealth of amenities in one of the world's finest Tarpon and Snook sportfishing areas.
Here, you'll find newer, better boats and equipment, more personal comforts, including a pool and Jacuzzi. All this at prices comparable to other lodges in the region. Rio Parismina Lodge is open year-round.
Rio Parismina Lodge is situated 5 kilometers from Tortuguero National Park, giving guests the opportunity of seeing endless wildlife. There are over 850 species of birds and literally thousands of different plants and flowers. The fauna of the area is varied and it is assured that every guest can see howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, toucans, sloths and many other species of exotic animals.

Pacuare River white water Rafting

The Pacuare is the quintessential tropical river. Along its course lie several densely vegetated gorges which shelter jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, sloths, and an incredible variety of birds. Also found within these gorges is some of the best whitewater in all of Central America, ranging up to Class V in difficulty. The Pacuare is the only river in Costa Rica which contains these amenities, including virgin rain forest, while also being quite accessible. The lowland tropical forest here is remarkable for its luxuriant variety and the amazing abundance and diversity of wildlife found within it. Other rivers such as the Telire and the Chirripó Atlántico can match the attractions of the Pacuare but require either a multi-day carry-in or the services of a helicopter.
It is not difficult to paddle the entire lower Pacuare in a day, but overnight trips are much more relaxed. With a two-day trip it is possible to hike up two or three side canyons; a three day trip allows time to explore the jungle by way of the numerous trails that have been used by the local Indians and Campesinos for years. The low beaches are not good places to camp because the river often rises dramatically at night. Most of the prime camping spots above the inner gorge are privately owned. There is a privately owned campground that caters to private groups at the cable crossing approximately 3 miles (5 km) below Tres Equis.

One of the most memorable aspects of the Pacuare trip has always been the put-in. For several years, one outfitter used the original river access plan, wherein local campesinos shuttle rafts, kayaks, equipment, and food down a dirt path on an oxcart. The road to the river is was wiped out by a flood, so the oxcart method of transport was been abandoned. Although the old road/trail through San Mart´n has recently been upgraded and improved, most trips now begin at a drive-in access point two miles downstream.

From the put-in to the beginning of the inner gorge, the river drops through numerous Class II-III boulder gardens and simple drops as it becomes sequestered in the ever more verdant rain forest. Among the more interesting residents of the lowland forest are ocelots and jaguars. The big cats are rarely seen, but somehow you just know that they are watching you warily from the dark shadows of the enclosing jungle.

Tortuguero Canals and Sarapiquí

This area is the most important nesting grounds for the Green Sea Turtle in the Western Caribbean. During the summer months (July - September), thousands of turtles come ashore along these world-famous beaches to lay their eggs. Often called, "Costa Rica's Amazon", Tortuguero is a navigable network of lakes and channels that crosses this National Park and allows a great diversity of fauna and flora to be observed close at hand. It is possible to observe Iguana basking in trees, Monkeys and Sloths in the forest canopy, and the Raphia Palm with the largest leaves of any plant.

Corcovado and Osa Península

At the southern end of the Pacific Coast is the Osa Peninsula, widely recognized as the richest biological zone in Mesoamerica.

Corcovado National Park is an undeniably beautiful place, considered to be one of the most important natural preserves in the Americas, this virgin rain forest park invites superlatives from all who visit. At least thirteen distinct vegetation types in close proximity, including mangroves, palm swamps and bloodweed forest make Corcovado a botanist's dream. Jaguars, giant anteaters, hundreds of white-lipped peccaries, tapers, and a host of rare rain forest animals inhabit the vast reaches surrounding the crocodile-filled lagoon at the park's center. The captivating visual beauty of its forest and of its coastline, with miles of uninhabited beaches and roaring cascades, draws visitors from all over the world.

Caño Island Biological Reserve is located less than 30 miles off the Pacific coast of southwest Costa Rica and is one of of the most valuable archeological sites in the country. Caño Island is also one of the world's newest hot spots for adventure diving. This virgin area offers a variety of unique diving attractions. "The Devil's Drop" for example, is a rockpile which begins at 40' and drops to as deep as 250'. It is not uncommon for divers upon descent to be met by schools of thousands of fish swimming freely among them.

This could very well be Costa Rica's finest diving spot!