The Happy Planet Index measures what matters: sustainable wellbeing for all. It tells us how well the world’s nations are doing at achieving long, happy, sustainable lives and guess who once again has topped the recent rankings of over 150 countries?
Costa Rica is home to the greatest density of species in the world and its residents have higher wellbeing and live longer than those of many rich nations, including the USA and the UK. All of this is achieved with a per capita Ecological Footprint that’s just one third of the size of the USA’s.
This tropical Central American country is a magical land of volcanoes, rainforests, huge waterfalls, mighty rivers, wonderful nature, amazing wildlife, biodiversity and beautiful beaches on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Throw in the friendly Ticos (as Costa Ricans are known) and you have the perfect cocktail for a fun and adventure holiday destination.
British Airways offers a seasonal, four times a week, direct route from London to San José with a flight time of around 11 hours with several regional flights available with Iberia via Madrid, Air France via Paris and KLM via Amsterdam.
The best time to visit is between December and April on its Pacific Coast, when the weather is at its driest and brightest, and between March and early September on the Caribbean side.
Rainfall is heaviest during September and October so travel is not recommended as wildlife spotting will be challenging and roads will be muddy and often impassable. It's a tropical country though so be prepared for some rain at any time of year, even in the dry season - after all, it’s this rainfall that makes Costa Rica so incredibly lush and beautiful.
Much of the country has national park status, with dense rainforests, jungle waterways, hundreds of colourful bird species, active volcanoes and pristine beaches, offering the ideal opportunity for both exploration and relaxation.
From river rafting, hiking trails and spying sloths in the leafy trees to zip wiring through the extraordinary canopy, the abundance of activities makes Costa Rica a family playground and a dream destination for those seeking an adventure holiday.
There are a wide variety of tours and itineraries available that I would recommend for first-time visitors, anywhere from 12-16 days being ideal for a taste of the country’s highlights and whichever way you choose, I guarantee an action-packed expedition awaits.
Here’s a typical sample schedule to whet the appetite that includes the essential elements of wildlife, cloud forests and volcanoes:
Tortuguero
Tortugero is 140 miles from the capital San José but due to the terrain the journey can take up to six hours by car and boat, so it is worthwhile considering travelling comfortably.
There are no roads here, just a network made up of picturesque canals, so the final leg of the journey is by boat.
The main attraction here is the turtles, unsurprising given Tortuguero’s literal translation as the Land of the Turtles, and the best time to visit is during the nesting season from July to September.
I suggest staying for at least a couple of nights and along with joining turtle nesting tours, you can take wildlife and bird watching trips into the national park by both foot and boat and take kayaking and canoeing tours around the canals and swamps.
Birds common along the canals include green and great blue herons, egrets, belted kingfishers, macaws and several species of hawks and kites.
Other animals found here include fishing bats, three-toed sloths, iguanas, basilisk lizards, poison dart frogs, and howler, white-faced and spider monkeys.
It’s all about getting closer to nature and this is reflected in the rustic accommodation here, staying in lodges or cabins, many of which do have swimming pools.
You stay on a full-board basis, so all meals are included along with the daily activities into the natural surrounding area.
Arenal
Arenal, sat within the northern lowlands and most famous for its volcano, is the adventure capital of Costa Rica, a five-hour journey by boat and road from Tortuguero.
Accommodation wise, everything is available from rustic lodges to five-star luxury hotels and due to the local natural hot springs, amazing views of the volcano and the spectacular surrounding rainforest, it's also a great stop for a relaxing spa stay.
Whether you are chilling, re-energising, looking for adventure or combining all of those, a two to three-night stay would be ideal.
The Arenal Volcano is covered with tropical rainforest and is a sightseer's dream. There is an abundance of outdoor activities on offer for the intrepid, including rope climbing, hiking and riding along the volcano, caving, rock climbing, zip wiring through the rainforest or walking through it on the hanging bridges.
Arenal also has the country’s largest lake so there are plenty of watersports available too, and for those who may simply want a bit of down time, then the spas, hot springs, beautiful pools and stunning views are a big draw.
Monteverde
Monteverde is reached from Arenal by driving around or taking an extremely scenic boat trip across Lake Arenal. By road, it's 66 miles (106 km), the drive winding around the lake, through the town of Tilarán, takes around four hours with a 4x4 vehicle; by bus, it's eight. The quickest route is by boat, with road transfers either side, and takes around two and a half hours.
Infamous for its cloud forest, all Monteverde’s accommodation is based within this area and I would again suggest a minimum of two nights stay.
Hotels here range from rustic to 4-star superior and are all about the location and setting - tranquil, peaceful, remote and somewhere to get close to the incredible amount of biodiversity.
The amazing wildlife of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is represented by more than 100 species of mammals, including howler and capuchin monkeys, jaguars, pumas, pacas, porcupines, ocelot, deer, tapir and sloths. They are joined by around 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles nestling amongst the amazing diversity of flora and fauna and an incredible array of colourful native birds.
For the daring there are zip wires, horse riding, night hikes, hanging bridges and a remarkable hanging tram that glides through the rainforest as well as Latin America's highest bungee jump. For those who prefer things a little more relaxed, there are plenty of nature walks to spot the wildlife and perhaps take in a coffee tour, as due to the altitude it grows remarkably well here.
Manual Antonia
Manual Antonia is a resort on the Pacific coast reached by a four-hour road transfer from Monteverde. The National Park offers stunning wild beaches, rugged rainforest and hiking trails, which meander from the coast up into the mountains and it is well worth at least a three or four-night stay for some well-earned unwinding.
The beaches on the Pacific coast that surround you here are surprisingly much better than those on the Caribbean coast.
If you have any energy left then there are plenty of activities available, from horse riding to zip wiring to white water rafting, and, as you are on the ocean, paragliding, surfing, jet skiing and snorkelling.
Hotels in this area range from three up to luxury five-star and most are smaller boutique properties with amazing views of either the rainforest, the ocean or even both. This is a great location to conclude your adventures in Costa Rica.
The most commonphrase used by the Ticos is “puravida”, meaning ‘pure life’ and after spending time here, you will see why. Costa Rica has something for everyone and if your curiosity has been piqued, then please talk to me about constructing an introduction.
