A Walk in the Clouds ... and Giant Turtles

The moment will come. You’ll be shuffling papers, looking out the window … and a distant ray of sunshine will be your undoing. In the moment when you realize the grey skies aren’t going anywhere for a few months yet, a trip to Costa Rica will feel like exactly what the doctor ordered. Our winter season is their best season, with 26 Celsius temperatures and no shortage of ways to make you ...
A Walk in the Clouds ... and Giant Turtles

The moment will come. You’ll be shuffling papers, looking out the window … and a distant ray of sunshine will be your undoing. In the moment when you realize the grey skies aren’t going anywhere for a few months yet, a trip to Costa Rica will feel like exactly what the doctor ordered. Our winter season is their best season, with 26 Celsius temperatures and no shortage of ways to make you smile. Your job? Decide where in the country to go.

> Rainforest hikes, hot springs and local nightlife (La Fortuna) – By day, the city centre is a great place for picking up small souvenirs or people-watching in the square. More than 30 different activities – including guided hikes, zip-line adventures and ATV tours – will give you more than enough to do in the day. At night, locals join tourists at the bars and restaurants giving you a better glimpse of the country. Don’t Miss: The drive! The route to and from San José (where the international airport is) is breathtaking. Go slow and stop at the waterfalls and roadside stands along the way.

> Giant turtles, beach views and a laidback vibe (Tortuguero) – Though the nesting periods are specific (Green and Hawksbill July through October; Leatherbacks from February to April), you’re likely to see individual turtles (and hatchlings!) throughout the year. The town itself is relaxed. Locals on their porches are happy to point you to a great little bar or Wi-Fi spot. Don’t miss: A guided kayak tour with the national park. Sure there are Caiman crocodiles in the water, but you’ll be too busy looking up at swinging monkeys (howler, capuchin and spider varieties) to notice.

> Peaceful hikes in the clouds, time away from the crowds (Monteverde) – There isn’t anything that compares to hiking the cloud forest. With a guide at your side, you’ll begin to see the things you’d likely have missed like the giant tarantula that only emerges when he pokes the hole in the rock with a stick or the spiky sloth dozing in the tree above you. Don’t Miss: The San Luis Botanical Garden where dozens of species of flora and fauna offer a unique primer of the country’s natural history.

Heather Greenwood Davis is a lawyer and award-winning freelance writer. Reach her at [email protected].