Carara National Park: Birds galore, easy access A long-billed hermit hummingbird, spotted through a telescope at Carara National Park. (Courtesy of Enrique Cambronero) CARARA NATIONAL PARK, San José — We saw a black-mandibled toucan, a blue-crowned motmot, a slaty-tailed trogon, a mealy parrot, a long-billed hermit hummingbird and a pale-billed woodpecker.…
Jaguar Alert: La Paz Waterfall Gardens Has A Lot More Than Butterflies La Paz Waterfall Gardens is the most visited private park in Costa Rica. Karla Aurora Alvarado/The Tico Times VARA BLANCA, Heredia — When I walked out of my room in my swimsuit and flip-flops, my Tica friend examined me skeptically and then…
Poás Volcano on Mother’s Day: Wish you were here, Mom The crater of Poás Volcano on a clear day. Andrés Madrigal/The Tico Times POÁS VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK, Alajuela — I once stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where an attractive young woman in a bikini would come out to…
Manuel Antonio: Zipline and roller coaster, together at last It’s a zipline … it’s a roller coaster … it’s both. (Courtesy of Manuel Antonio Adventure Park) MANUEL ANTONIO, Puntarenas — I’ve always had a fear of roller coasters from the way my stomach lurches when they plunge toward the ground.…
Jacó Rustico: Keeping it Tico-style in a touristy town MICHAEL KRUMHOLTZ | NOVEMBER 17, 2015 Surf-and-turf Jacó Rustico style: The plate of the day with beef ribs and fried white fish at Jacó’s beloved soda. Michael Krumholtz/The Tico Times JACÓ, Puntarenas — When a line of locals runs so long it…
There are three primary travel seasons in this beautiful country. Read below to determine the best time to visit Costa Rica. If you’re looking for advice on where to go in Costa rica, we offer advice on that as well. Costa Rica’s Dry Season & Spring Break The dry season for Costa…
