5 best green experiences in Costa Rica

GET HIGH IN A CLOUD FOREST
Considered Costa Rica's green jewel, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is located just outside the town of Santa Elena. This conservation area covers 10,500 hectares and reaches a height of 1650 metres above sea level. It is called a cloud forest because the canopy is consistently shrouded by mist.
The Monteverde attracts an increasing number of visitors each year. In order to manage more sustainable tourist numbers, admission prices have been slightly raised and the number of visitors in the park has been limited to 120 at all times.
While in the reserve, visitors can hike through the forest floor up into the mountains or explore via the Sky Walk, a collection of suspension bridges which provide a bird's eye view of the jungle. There's also the Original Canopy Tour Company, which offers the chance to climb up and rappel down trees. And for the bold, there's the Tarzan Swing – scary, but a guaranteed adrenalin rush.
SPOT THE RAREST OF CREATURES
Costa Rica is one of the few places in the world where the jaguar can be found. Unfortunately, this graceful creature is severely endangered due to deforestation and hunting for its fur. For those who aspire to spot one in the wild, jaguars and other wild cats may be found on the prowl through the national parks of Tortuguero and Corcovado.
There are also plenty of other unique animals to see in Costa Rica. These include the three-toed sloth, tapir, peccary, giant anteater and various species of monkeys. Of the monkeys, you're likely to hear plenty of the howler variety – they are one of the loudest animals on earth.
Many visitors come to Costa Rica specifically to view the abundant birdlife. There are over 850 species here, including the macaw and toucan.
Prime animal viewing locations include Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves, Manuel Antonio National Park and the Osa Peninsula.
TEETER OVER A VOLCANO
Looming over the town of La Fortuna is the Arenal Volcano. It is one of the 10 most active volcanoes in the world and it is rarely subdued. Plumes of smoke and ash are seen during the day, while spurts of fluorescent lava can be seen on a clear night. Hikes to the summit are strictly forbidden, however visitors can still get close by treading over the cooled lava fields, covered with igneous rocks.
Close by is Lake Arenal, a man-made lake which was specifically designed to harness the energy potential of the surrounding water. In fact, the hydraulic energy of Lake Arenal and its surrounding rivers supply almost 40% of Costa Rica's energy.
Located south east of the Arenal Volcano is the smaller dormant Cerro Chato volcano. The hike to the summit can be challenging, however visitors will be rewarded with an incredible view of the bright turquoise lake at the crater's centre.
HELP WITH TURTLE CONSERVATION
Situated along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Playa Grande plays host to a miracle of nature. It is here that visitors flock to witness the famous nesting of the endangered leatherback turtle. The spectacle typically occurs between the months of October and April.
Unfortunately, due to rising ocean temperatures, ongoing beach development, drift net fishing and poaching of turtle eggs, the number of leatherback turtles is diminishing at an alarming rate. The entire shoreline of Playa Grande has been declared a protected zone, known as the Playa Grande Marine Turtle National Park. To minimise the impact on the nesting area, only a limited number of visitors are allowed to attend the nesting at night.
Visitors can help protect endangered turtles by volunteering with organisations such as the Earth Watch Institute. By enrolling in their nine-day program, volunteers can take part in night time patrols, measuring and tagging nesting turtles, recording nest locations and tagging eggs.
TAKE A CANAL TRIP THROUGH THE JUNGLE
Relax and enjoy the tranquil sounds of the jungle by taking a canal trip through the Tortuguero National Park, located in the north-east of the country. This park is only accessible by plane or by boat and is often referred to as the Amazon of Central America, with its maze of waterways snaking their way through dense tropical forest.
Guided boat tours are available for visitors wanting to learn more about the surrounding flora and fauna. However, in order to observe wildlife at its finest, visitors should hire a sea kayak. This is a special canoe which allows paddlers to glide noiselessly along the river without disturbing the surrounding wildlife. They are also perfect for weaving through the narrow coastal inlets and rivers which larger vessels cannot access. Early morning is the perfect time to see the best of the wildlife.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Latest News

TravHost launches expert hosting service to transform industry famils
TravHost offers a pioneering service bridging the gap between media professionals, travel agents and tourism organisations, addressing the demand for exceptional famil hosts. Founded by seasoned travel media professionals Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski, TravHost is poised to revolutionise the way tourism organisations and travel companies approach famils. With decades of experience in tourism and […]

Book big and bag a spot of the TTC Tour Brand’s Top Achievers’ Famil
TTC Tour Brands’ Top Achievers Famil incentive is back, rewarding top-selling agents with the chance to embark on an unforgettable trip to a destination that remains a secret – for now. Agents who have sold any Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, from 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025, go into the […]

New Zealand International Convention Centre to open in February 2026
The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026. The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, […]

AmaWaterways invites AU/NZ travel trade to An Evening with AmaWaterways events
AmaWaterways has announced the dates of its upcoming An Evening with AmaWaterways events for travel advisors, just over a year after it entered the Australian and New Zealand markets. Dedicated to travel advisors, the events will be held in six cities and will be hosted by AmaWaterways’ regional sales managers, plus feature a presentation from […]

Mooloolaba cruise season boosts Sunshine Coast tourism and trade
Mooloolaba is set to welcome a series of cruise ships through February and March 2025, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Their arrival is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere and provide a substantial economic uplift to the region. Viking Sky kicks off the season on Sunday 8 February, with 930 […]

Little Pete Brewing opens first of its kind open-air bar
Little Pete Brewing has opened a new open-air bar at 543 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek, a must-visit South Australia destination for a drink with a view. The first-of-its-kind open-air bar sits on 8ha, surrounded by vineyards and paddocks, with the Bremer River flowing nearby and framed by majestic ancient river red gums. “We always felt […]

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025
CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025 with a one-of-a-kind activation that showcases their world-class event capabilities to inspire event planners and decision-makers. CENTREPIECE is located in the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Victoria’s epicentre for live sports and entertainment and home to world-renowned venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, […]

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events
NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

Engine delays plaguing Air New Zealand as carrier set to suspend Incheon-Auckland route
We never liked being at the back of the queue, and this is a big one to jump.

Australia’s aviation future takes flight: An exclusive with Simon Westaway
As you walk through your next Australian airport, from ABX to YWYY, remember this face, he may be there.

Destination Vancouver brings World Chef Exchange event to Sydney
We are sure that with Mark Best in the kitchen, there was more on offer than poutine and fries.

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

Envoyage-hosted National Travel Group joins Luxury Travel Collection
As this market continues to grow, make sure you get along to our own Travel Weekly Luxury Roadshow.

Airports Council International labels Newcastle Airport most sustainable in Australia
Newcastle says it will be the green gateway into Australia, maybe the football team needs some new colours to match.

Vintage Rail Journeys’ unique Bathurst Race’N Rail packages now on sale
You might not get there as fast but you are guaranteed to save on fuel on the way there.

Patricia Piccinini’s skywhales return to tour Australia
These freaked us out when we first saw them, almost as bad as the contents of the fridge after we returned from leave.

David Fraser returns to Accor as VP of operations for Sofitel Pacific
We hope Monsieur Fraser is catching up on his French as he will no doubt be dealing with HQ.

A foodie adventure at Disneyland Resort in California: Snack Attack on the Go
As far as levels of cuteness go, Disneyland Resort's Mickey beignets take the cake or should that be churros.

Minor Hotels unveils Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, its first property in India
Treated like a Raj for a few hundred a night, we like the sound of that. Just don't mention the cricket.

Four Seasons announces new luxury resort and private residences in UAE
These resorts are built on reclaimed land made with sand, fortunately there is plenty of it.

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests
Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]

MSC Cruises announces MSC World Asia Webinar
Let's hope the words 'You are on mute' will never be uttered ever again.

Legendary Italian hotel, Il San Pietro di Positano, opens new clothing and accessories boutique
Anyone planning a trip to Italy this northern summer should leave room in their Louis Vuitton luggage.

AAT Kings’ NT boost with air credits
AAT Kings really dominates travel in the Top End and news like this only adds fuel to the fire.

Camino Women and Laos’ Khiri Travel announce new mountain trail for Australian women
Responsible tourism starts with one foot in front of the other. This trek sounds like there are a few more steps.

Thousands of dollars worth of prizes on offer through ATIA’s ‘Rockstar Renewal’ campaign
Of course it's nice to be called a rockstar, but we'd like to be a part of the superstar surge personally.

Sally Miles joins Linkd Tourism’s trade team
Having lived in the US and Japan, Sally will no doubt thrive in this role!

Maximise your Emirates journey with complimentary hotel stays in Dubai
Any freebie is a good freebie, but a free hotel in Dubai has to be pretty high on the list.

Celebrity Xcel unveils ‘The Bazaar’ set to transforms onboard experiences
No word if Xcel will make its way to Australian shores - we'd expect koala cuddling and kangaroo boxing.

CT Partners expands focus on business meetings and events
AIME is looking like it will be bigger than Ben Hur... it was a movie? Charlton Heston? Never mind.

South Africa’s The Royal Portfolio appoints Nigel Pace as executive head of sales to ultra-luxury portfolio
First job on the list is to visit all the luxury properties in the portfolio. Next, he'll be perusing all the menus...

Radisson Hotel Group concludes record-breaking year
40,000 keys is a lot of keys. We wonder if there is a master key to all of these.

Countdown underway for 2025 Visit USA Expo in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne
The two-week countdown is on, but we've been counting down for nearly 50 weeks since the last one!

WA Labor commits $500,000 to a study for future Broome cruise passenger terminal
Given the emerging popularity of cruising in this part of the world, another stop is welcome.

Maximum Occupancy New Zealand conference to return to Auckland in March
If we were to take a stab in the dark we'd say this one's all about getting those rooms full... Just a guess!

NRMA’s Turtle Sands Nature resort officially opens
For some of us, sometimes there is a bit too much nature. Try explaining to the little ones why mum buries the kids.