Why go
The country's small map hides sharp contrasts. Corcovado's Pacific rainforest, Tortuguero's Caribbean waterways and Monteverde's cloud forest offer different ways to encounter wildlife. San José and the Central Valley add museums and historic buildings, while the volcanic highlands change the climate and scenery again.
What to look for
- Compare Pacific rainforest at Corcovado with Caribbean waterways at Tortuguero.
- Look for cloud forest plants and birds around Monteverde.
- Use San José for museums and historic architecture between nature regions.
Useful to know
- Choose coastal or highland stops by region; elevation and rainfall change conditions across the country.
- Allow separate travel days for distant Pacific, Caribbean and highland areas rather than treating them as one circuit.