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Costa Rica, located in the Isthmus of Central America, may be a little smaller than its neighbors, but its natural resources, such as mysterious cloud forests, tranquil beaches and stunning wildlife, are a great surprise.
Top choice for the Talamanca Old Port Food Tour
Since Columbus discovered Costa Rica in 1502, Costa Rica's Caribbean coast has long been home to English-speaking immigrants from Jamaica, indigenous peoples from the Tarmanca Mountains, and mixed Spanish Creoles. The cuisine here blends spices from the islands with the warmth of Central America, the most popular of which is a steaming thick soup made with a unique coconut broth, infused with tapioca flour, green plantains, fish and shrimp, and garnished with spicy lantern chili peppers.
Food recommendations
Located on the way east of town, Elena Brown Restaurant is definitely the first choice (meals start from $41).
Preferred for Verduna Adventure Tours
To see the lava flowing out and look at the mood of the volcano, you also have to have the mountain peaks cloudless. The Arenal volcanic activity makes Verduna a hub for adventurers' adventurers. The trails are suitable for all ages, ranging from wheelchair-accessible designs to hiking trails that require 4 hours of walking to the adjacent dormant crater, Chanto Volcano. Head east to see the Balsa and Toro rivers, which are the best places to go rafting due to the rapid currents. Heading south to a narrow gorge, climbers prefer to descend the cliffs and waterfalls, while other visitors head west in search of hot springs that exude a burning body and weariness.
In livestock countries, visitor steaks are not wrong, and the Rufino Steakhouse offers delicious grilled steaks that are absolutely evocative. (From £18)
The Montverde Forest Walking Tour is preferred
Wander through the Santa Arena Cloud Forest Conservation Park, a park steeped in a cloudy space where elusive light flickers and is dotted with the ticking of raindrops and the astonishing roar of the three-fleshed bell finch. The plants in the park seem to consciously crawl all out of sight, with huge plants opening their umbrella-sized leaves and hanging banyan vines curled up on wild avocado trees. Costa Ricajomo is home to 1,400 orchid species, while Saint-Erena has nearly 600 species, and orchids bloom everywhere, the smallest being the size of a pushpin.
On the way to Montverde, you'll find the cozy Chimera restaurant with delicious dishes (from $34)
Nosara beach trip preferred
Costa Rica is home to countless coastal settlements, of which Nosara sits on the long, rugged coastline of the Nicoya Peninsula. Unlike other coastal towns, Nosara still retains its own unique style, and although the area has grown in popularity over the past 20 years, Nosara is significantly more understated by solid development regulations, which stipulate that there must be no buildings along the coast, so that the beach is protected by vegetation rather than by resorts. In addition to this, you can also find different thrills on other adjacent beaches, and head a little north to Ostiona, a conservation area for olive turtles to lay their eggs. Immediately to the south is Gaza Beach, with its vast bay of calm waves, and you can see local fishermen sorting their nets on the beach. Further south are the beaches of Carriio and Samara, where palm trees sway along the shores.
Located on the main road of Nosara, Giardino Tropicale specializes in Italian cuisine, offering kiln-roasted pizzas, pastas and salads, plus a daily selection of seafood. (Pizza from $49)
Preferred for eco-tours of the Osa Peninsula
The peninsula is home to the last Pacific coast rainforest in Central America and is isolated from the rest of the world to protect jungle creatures such as jaguars or cougars, not to mention other, rarer species such as squirrel monkeys, sloths, pygmy ant-eaters and poison dart frogs. Seeing shyer species in the forest requires considerable patience, with the grey-tailed American flea blending into the intricate branches of the forest in a protective color, and the singing frogs appearing only at night.