| planning a trip hiking in Costa Rica, smouldering | | | | world. This colossal landmark, set in the depth of a lush |
| volcanoes and wild rainforests are often some of the | | | | tropical rainforest, will leave you in a sense of awe as |
| first images that spring to mind. The whole country is a | | | | you bear witness to its perpetual stream of rising |
| natural paradise, with many fantastic sights to behold. | | | | smoke and the flow of the crimson lava creeping from |
| Here a just a few of the highlights: | | | | the precipice. Listen carefully and you will even hear |
| Cahuita | | | | the deep earth-shaking rumblings of this prehistoric |
| Cahuita is one of the few places in the world where | | | | titan. Many hotels tout their views of the volcano, and if |
| you can combine a trek through a verdant jungle with | | | | you can spare the time while hiking in Costa Rica then |
| an afternoon sunbathing on a perfect white sand | | | | an overnight stay is highly recommended. As night falls, |
| beach. The region also contains a national park, which | | | | the scene becomes ever more dramatic, with the |
| is among one of the most visited in the whole country. | | | | luminescent lava flow creating a spectacular image |
| This park was formed in 1970 to protect Costa | | | | against the dark skies. |
| Rica’s largest coral reef and is a popular place | | | | While you cannot scale the volcano itself, there are |
| to try your hand at scuba, snorkelling and deep-sea | | | | many tours offering you the chance to hike around the |
| diving. The park even contains an 18th century | | | | base and view this spectacular landmark from every |
| shipwreck, which is fascinating to explore. | | | | perspective. After a day of hiking in Costa Rica there |
| The crystal clear waters make the area ideal for | | | | is nothing better than unwinding at the famous |
| swimming and spotting different species of marine life | | | | Tabacon thermal resort. Set in acres of primary |
| from sea urchins to angel and parrot fish. You may | | | | rainforest, the resort offers weary hikers the chance |
| also be lucky enough to spot a Carey Turtle or lucky | | | | to revitalise in a series of lagoons, each enjoying a |
| (or unlucky) enough to spot one of the three species | | | | constant supply of natural and steamy-hot volcanic |
| of sharks that frequent the area. The animal species | | | | water. While there, don’t miss out on the |
| found in the jungle include sloth, possums and | | | | waterfall back massage, the Ayurvedic spa |
| monkeys, with birdlife including kingfishers, heron and | | | | treatments or the 5-star restaurant. If action is more |
| ibises amongst others. | | | | your kind of thing, why not try your hand at |
| Arenal | | | | white-water rafting, horseback riding, caving or even |
| If you plan on hiking in Costa Rica, a visit to Arenal | | | | the exhilarating canopy zip-lines. With so many |
| National Park is an absolute must to experience the | | | | activities in an around the Arenal area, you should be |
| breathtaking beauty of Central America’s | | | | sure to make this a priority stop while hiking in Costa |
| natural landscape. The park is home to the spectacular | | | | Rica. |
| Arenal Volcano, one of the top ten most active in the | | | | |