costa rica holidays

about costa rica holidays

 

Costa Rica is renowned as a nature lover’s paradise with beautiful beaches, diverse jungles and dramatic volcanoes. This beautiful country is located between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and offers a wealth of attractions. The capital San Jose has a welcoming cosmopolitan charm, while the national parks and reserves that protect nearly 25% of the land are home to an abundance of wildlife. To see the jungle from its richest perspective enjoy an unforgettable tour of the rainforest canopy or soak in the thermal springs while watching hummingbirds in the forest around you. Costa Rica’s Tortuguero beaches attract sea turtles each year from June – October and the golden beaches and reefs of Manuel Antonio are perfect for snorkelling and diving. If you want more action then why not try river rafting, sport fishing or some of the best trekking in Latin America? Whatever your aspirations may be, rest assured that you are in the hands of the experts. The Holiday Place have over 15 years experience in arranging personalised itineraries that combine the highest calibre of staff and guides to ensure you have the experience of a lifetime.

important holiday info

Climate:	Tropical	Time Zone:	GMT(-6)
Language:	Spanish	Current Times:
Currency:	Colon	costa rica: 3-Feb-12 10:27 PM
Temperature:	25°C/35°C	UK: 4-Feb-12 4:27 AM

arenal holidays

our hotels in arenal

Costa Rica is about beautiful beaches, lush rainforest and the spectacular Arenal Volcano. The Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica’s only constantly active volcano and is considered one of the most picturesque volcanoes in the world. You can see eruptions and glowing red lava almost every day providing fantastic views both day and night. The landscape of Arenal has two contrasting faces, one is covered with lush rainforest and the other is of lava tracts and ash from the constant eruptions. The surrounding national park has hiking trails through the rainforest, some trails even cross lava fields. Lake Arenal is one of the area's main attractions, perfect for fishing or waterskiing and is well known as the windsurfing centre of Costa Rica. Other attractions in the area include the stunning 70-meter La Fortuna Waterfall and Venado Caves. The nearby Tabacón Hot Springs are the perfect place for visitors to relax in the warm waters surrounded by tropical forest.

guanacaste holidays

our hotels in guanacaste

Visitors to Guanacaste are treated to beautiful beaches, fabulous national parks, and dramatic volcanoes. Enjoy long summer days on a secluded beach or discover the rich natural ecology of the area. The spectacular rainforest comes to life in the ‘green season’ with an explosion of colour and fragrances. Enjoy bird watching in Palo Verde National Park, spot wildlife in the Rincón de la Vieja National Park or see turtles nesting at Playa Grande. Explore the rivers and ravines in the cloud forests of Orosi and Cacao volcanoes or bathe in the warm thermal springs. This region has rich marine life and is great for snorkelling and diving. Those looking for an active holiday can try horse riding, kayaking, windsurfing, hiking and mountain biking. Guanacaste has countless surf breaks scattered along the coast and many towns offer surf lessons. This region also has a vibrant rural community famous for its many fiestas and local cowboys, the Sabaneros. Fantastic hotels, natural beauty and plentiful sunshine make Guanacaste an ideal holiday destination for nature and beach lovers alike.

monteverde holidays

our hotels in monteverde

Meaning "green mount" in Spanish, Monteverde is rightly called so for being set in the mountain ranges of the Cordillera de Tilaran. Often considered a major tourist destination for eco-holidays, this small town in Puntarenas holds amazing biodiversity across its numerous reserves. Having been featured on the list of "Newsweek's 100 Places to Remember Before They Disappear", Monteverde has been christened as one of the Seven Wonders of Costa Rica by popular vote and National Geographic has named it " the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves".

Some of the reserve areas in Monteverde not to be missed include the amazing Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. During tours along these protected areas, travellers can embark on zip lines and canopy tours adventures, walk along dramatic suspended bridges and enjoy panoramic horseback rides. Other sights included in the Monteverde Conservation League include de Bajo del Tigre (Jaguar Canyon), a  unique small area in a transition zone from pre-mountain wet forest to pre-mountain moist forest, boasting a unique eco-system, very different from other rainforests in the area.

osa peninsula holidays

our hotels in osa peninsula

Renowned for its pristine rainforests and the rugged natural beauty of the Osa Peninsula make this region among the most beautiful areas in Costa Rica. Declared ‘one of the most biologically intense places on earth’ by the National Geographic Magazine, the Osa Peninsula along with Drake Bay have today, become the premier eco-tourism destination in the county.

Numerous luxury lodges cater to guests' every whim in this blessed region, offering tourists everything from the knowledgeable guides for hiking the rainforest, to whale and dolphin watching tours, to simply lying on the beach and relaxing in the sun. The southern most peninsula in Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula is a secluded nature wonderland, playing home to many of the country’s rare and endangered animal and bird species including the puma, jaguar, Harpy Eagle and Scarlet Macaw. With a large chunk of the peninsula forming the Corcovado National Park, this area has the single largest expanse of a lowland tropical rainforest in Central America and is one of the tallest rainforests in the world. If you do wish to explore this park, using a tour guide is your best bet as the Corcovado is also the home of Costa Rica’s most deadly snake, the extremely aggressive Fer-de-lance. A guide will not only keep you from getting lost, but can also educate you on this incredible habitat.
 

playa herradura holidays

our hotels in playa herradura

A coastal town located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, this once small and sleepy village on the dusty road to Jaco holds many wonders for serenity-seeking travellers. Since its unique appeal was discovered in the 1980s and investments started on the area, this little town has seen great development, especially on a tourism level after the opening of the Marriott Los Sueños in 2000.

A quiet beach which some 10 years ago was only frequented by Costa Ricans and Campers, Playa Herradura remained for a long time an unknown paradise. A striking black sand beach with aqua green waters and a palm tree lined shoreline; Playa Herradura is today a tourist hotspot on the Northern Puntarenas coast. Ideal for those who want to get away from the hustle of Jaco, this beach has bloomed into becoming a much travelled top holiday destination. Even with the many tourist developments going on in Playa Herradura, this resort still doesn't attract as many visitors as Jaco does, making it a great place to escape and hide away from it all. From Playa Herradura guests can also head up north to the lovely Refugio Punta Leona, or down south to the wonderful Playa Hermosa.

 

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punta leona holidays

our hotels in punta leona

Located on the stunning Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the natural reserve of Punta Leona is one of the most vital in Costa Rica both from a geographical and conservational point of view as the area is home to one of the last remaining forests found in the transitional life zone between south-western rainforests and the dry forests of the north-west. The Punta Leona Wildlife Refuge was created over 25 years ago to protect the region's varied flora and fauna, also functioning as a centre for bird and mammal research. Exotic, tropical and beautiful, the Punta Leona Refuge was also the set for a Hollywood movie starring Gerard Depardieu.

Not frequented by many tourists because of its unique location, Punta Leona is a fascinating place to visit for nature lovers, bird watchers and families who would like a rare once-in-a-lifetime insight into the rich biological diversity of Costa Rica. Also located near a pristine white sand beach, the area has three varied walking and hiking trails all of which are easily accessible and perfect for bird watching journeys. Only one hotel actually operates on this reserve and despite that Punta Leona still manages to provide tourists with an environment that is both distinctive and enigmatic for unforgettable Costa Rica holidays in a unique location.
 

 

puntarenas holidays

our hotels in puntarenas

Its translation to English meaning "Sand Point", Puntarenas is Costa Rica's largest province, an eponymous and oddly shaped stretch of land that attracts many tourists (mainly surfers) thanks to its blessed Pacific coast location. Further inland tourists can venture to the famous Monteverde, a top attraction for nature-lovers for its numerous bio-reserves. Eco-tourists frequent this area that has also been deemed as one of the Seven Wonders of Costa Rica by popular vote, and has been called by National Geographic "the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves"

Puntarenas sits on a long, narrow peninsula in the Gulf of Nicoya. For years, it was known as the country's principal port, and though a port in nearby Caldera now handles cargo and Puntarenas the cruise ships, a large fishing fleet still anchors in the stuary behind town. Being the coutry's most important fishing port, Puntarenas is the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood, be it camarones al ajillo (shrimp scampi), pescado entero (a whole fried fish), or ceviche de corvina (bits of fresh fish marinate in lime juice with onions, peppers and spices). On the other hand, leisure travellers will find that Puntarenas' urban beach is a haven for surgers and becomes a lively spot on weekends, when people coming from the capital of San José and holidaymakers fill its waterfront restaurants and bars. A series of open-air cafes that line the beach are the perfect place to head for dessert, or refreshment, since they specialize in ice cream and fresh fruit drinks.

quepos and manuel antonio holidays

our hotels in quepos and manuel antonio

Located just under 2 hours from Costa Rica’s capital San Jose, Quepos and Manuel Antonio are blessed with stunning beaches fringed by forested green hills. This picture postcard setting boasts wildlife refuges, national parks and nature reserves. The long sand beach Playa Espadilla runs between Quepos and Manuel Antonio and is one of Costa Rica’s most popular beaches. Inside the Manuel Antonio National Park, visitors will find pristine white sand beaches perfect for swimming and sun bathing. You can also hike the rainforest trails to more remote beaches spotting sloths and other wildlife along the way. If you are lucky you can even spot a rare squirrel monkey. The waters around Manuel Antonio are excellent for diving and snorkelling with coral reefs and abundant marine life. Other activities in the area include white-water rafting, horse riding, sports fishing, dolphin watching, and sunset cruises. For those who want to explore further afield, a scenic coastal highway connects Quepos to Caldera and other towns and reserves in the region. A highlight of any holiday in Manuel Antonio is to watch the picturesque sunset over the Pacific Ocean from Cathedral Point and reflect on the charms of Costa Rica.

san jose holidays

our hotels in san jose

San Jose is Costa Rica’s modern capital that welcomes visitors with its cosmopolitan charm. Founded in the colonial era, 1737, San Jose was a small quiet town until around the 1890's when El Teatro Nacional was built. Considered Central America’s grandest theatre, Teatro Nacional was built to emulate the Paris Opera with funding raised by a tax on coffee. The city is dotted with grand plazas and parks it also boasts many museums. The Gold Museum offers a rare look at the different gold artefacts of ancient Latin American civilizations. The Mercado Central is an enormous maze of food markets showing a snap-shot of every-day life and the street craft market at Plaza de la Democracia is perfect for those looking for souvenirs. You can find many good bars, shopping centres, restaurants and a lively nightlife in San Jose making it a great stopover on your Costa Rican holiday.

tortuguero holidays

our hotels in tortuguero

The small village of Tortuguero (translated as "Region of Turtles") lies on the northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and is world famous for being the most important nesting site of the endangered green turtle in the Western Hemishpere. Those enjoying Costa Rica holidays at any of the protected eco-lodges and eco-hotels here can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see turtle species such as the Giant leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles laying their eggs by the beach or even witness the little newborns going into the water during the hatching season.

With the region's name meaning "Land of Turtles" it's no surprise that the village also gave its name to the neighbouring Tortugero National Park, a protected natural park comprising 19,000 hectares with one of the world's most varied eco-systems in 11 habitats ranging from high rainforests to herbaceous marsh communities. A visit here during your Costa Rica holidays in Arenal is simply unmissable!