Things to do in  Central Pacific

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of Costa Rica’s smallest national parks, but the beauty of the area’s rocky coastal formations, verdant tropical forests, and diverse fauna make it one of the country’s most beloved attractions. Here, you can snorkel off coral reefs, hike through lush greenery, and listen to the songs of tropical birds and the calls of monkeys.

White-sand beaches, swaying coconut palms, and sapphire-blue water bring travelers to secluded Tortuga Island in the Gulf of Nicoya, where there’s just enough infrastructure to enjoy a day by the sea. It’s a prime spot for swimming, snorkeling, and basking in plentiful sunshine, as spider monkeys play in the jungle that wraps the pretty shoreline. Getting there is half the fun—boat trips to Tortuga Island take in beautiful coastal scenery.

Wisps of fog trail through the lofty canopy of the 35,089-acre (14,200-hectare) Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve in the Costa Rica highlands, creating the perfect environment for thousands of animal and plant species. Here you can find wild orchids, colorful birds, sinuous jungle cats, and scenic mountaintop vistas. Among the natural crown jewels here is the brilliant-hued resplendent quetzal—a bucket-list sighting for bird-watchers from around the globe.

Located north of Jaco along the Pacific coast, Carara National Park is at the confluence of two important ecosystems—the steamy jungle of the southern coast and the dry tropical forest of Guanacaste. Walk along easy trails to spot outstanding wildlife including 400 bird species, sloths, capuchin monkeys, anteaters, parrots, and most notably, huge populations of scarlet macaws and crocodiles.

Jaco is a lively beach town known for its water sports and party atmosphere. Located on some of Costa Rica’s most developed coastline, within two hours of the capital, it’s a favorite escape for San José residents, as well as backpackers, snowbirds, and North American retirees.

Brimming with lush forest, wildlife, and waterfalls, Rainmaker Park provides a quieter alternative to the often-crowded Manuel Antonio National Park. As well as being home to animals such as dart frogs, snakes, and butterflies, the off-the-beaten-path attraction offers great forest views from a set of swinging bridges.

The cloud forest of Curi-Cancha Reserve creates a habitat for flora and fauna such as colorful quetzals and monkeys. Visitors can explore the private reserve via several nature trails. Plus, the private reserve’s daily 50 person cap means you’ll see more wildlife without having to battle the crowds.

Selvatura Park is a popular nature-adventure park in the cloud forests of Costa Rica. Located just outside Monteverde, the park contains over 850 acres (344 hectares) of ecologically diverse forest. Attractions include zipline and suspension bridge tours, hummingbird and butterfly gardens, natural history walks, and reptile exhibitions.

Brimming with wildlife, orchids, and ferns, the Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena (Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve) is consistently covered in tree-level clouds, which result in the rich biodiversity that sets this forest apart from others. The reserve spans mountains, valleys, and rivers, and offers many wildlife-watching opportunities.

Tucked away in the mountains, the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens is one of the most popular attractions in the area. The 3-acre (1.2-hectare) sanctuary houses four unique climate-controlled habitats where more than 30 species of butterflies thrive alongside 20 species of arachnids and insects and a colony of leaf-cutter ants.

Nestled in the rainforest of northern Costa Rica, the Butterfly Conservatory lets visitors discover diverse butterflies and flowers via a network of trails and gardens. Dedicated to the preservation of butterflies and other tropical rainforest species, the conservatory has a learning center and educational exhibits.

Among the most natural hot springs in Costa Rica, family-owned and run Eco Termales has springs heated from the heart of the Arenal Volcano. They’re also one of the most romantic and least crowded hot springs in the area, limiting admission to no more than 80 guests twice daily to ensure visitors can enjoy dips in peace surrounded by the rainforest.

Las Pumas Rescue Center (Centro de Rescate Las Pumas) rescues and rehabilitates wildlife and advocates rainforest conservation efforts in the Guanacaste Province near Cañas, Costa Rica. The sanctuary sits on an old farm in the heart of the Santa Rosa Sector Guanacaste Conservation Area (Area de Conservación Guanacaste), both a network of protected areas and a World Heritage Site. The center rescues large cats primarily, but it also works to provide a safe home to monkeys, deer, parrots, and other animals.

The Children’s Eternal Rainforest (Bosque Eterno de los Niños) is Costa Rica’s largest private reserve, purchased by children from 44-plus countries in a collaboration to preserve the rainforest. Visitors come to hike and see native wildlife in the park, which stretches across mountains and valleys between Arenal National Park and Monteverde.

If you’re cruising to Costa Rica, you’ll almost certainly dock at the Puntarenas Cruise Port, the ideal jumping-off point for day-long excursions along the country's Pacific Ocean Coast. Explore the rain and cloud forests around Monteverde, or visit Poas Volcano and Carara national parks from this major Costa Rican cruise port.