• In Costa Rica the rainforest stretches between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific.
• A trip through the country allows you to connect with unspoilt nature and the richness of its biodiversity.
• From Tortuguero National Park to the Arenal volcano and the cloud forest of Monteverde, an itinerary unfolds to discover the most evocative corners of Costa Rica.

There is a place where the breath of the Earth is still pure, where a whisper rises from the rainforests and mingles with the roar of the ocean: it is Costa Rica, a sanctuary of biodiversity nestled in the heart of Central America. Here, the celebrated expression pura vida is more than a greeting: it is a philosophy that runs through the blood of the people and is reflected in a sacred pact with the Planet.

Costa Rica is a country that has chosen the stewardship of nature as its priority, transforming large portions of its territory into 30 national parks, 19 wildlife refuges, and eight biological reserves. From the peaks of volcanoes that keep a silent watch to the remote beaches where sea turtles nest, this land tells a story of respect and hope. A journey through Costa Rica is not a simple holiday, but a total immersion in a world where humankind strives not to be a dominator, but an integral part of a vibrant ecosystem — a model for the future of our world.

"And into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul".
John Muir

Costa Rica, the silent exploration of Tortuguero National Park

Setting off for Costa Rica with Turisanda on the "Sì como no" tour, you travel for nine days along a route that winds from the capital to the most remote and fascinating natural sites in the country. The adventure begins in San José, the gateway to Costa Rican culture — a vibrant city surrounded by mountains and volcanoes from which to set out into a world ruled by green. From here you head towards the Caribbean coast to reach one of Costa Rica's protected areas, Tortuguero National Park. Its boundaries have been extended three times and it now covers approximately 77,000 hectares of marine and terrestrial areas, where the only ways to get around are by bike or by boat.

Drifting slowly on small boats through dark waters and mangroves, you can spot monkeys, crocodiles, sloths, toucans and iguanas. But Tortuguero is above all one of the most important sites in the world for the nesting of green turtles. From June to October it is possible to take a night excursion to observe them as they lay their eggs.

Adventure fuelled by volcanic energy

Leaving the Caribbean region behind, the route heads inland, where the landscape is dominated by the silhouette of Arenal volcano, whose energy is palpable everywhere. The surrounding territory — a national park nestled between the slopes of the Cordillera de Tilaran mountain range and the plains of San Carlos — is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers: you can traverse suspended cables above the rainforest, ride gondolas and zip lines that offer a unique perspective on the life teeming among the branches, go trekking along trails and lava fields, or simply unwind in the warm thermal waters of volcanic origin.

The magic of the Monteverde cloud forest

By road, the journey continues to Monteverde. The Sky Walk tour is a guided trail of roughly three kilometres across suspension bridges, offering a privileged vantage point over the lush flora and fauna of the cloud forest. The very name conjures the atmosphere of the place: a world shrouded in an almost constant mist, generated at 1,600 metres above sea level, which sustains a unique and delicate ecosystem. Walking the trails of Monteverde means stepping into an enchanted garden, where trees are draped in mosses, amid 200 types of ferns and 420 varieties of orchids.

This forest is home to the legendary Resplendent Quetzal, considered one of the most beautiful birds in the world, and to countless other species such as the Three-wattled Bellbird and the red-eyed tree frog. From the La Ventana viewpoint at the mountain's summit, you can observe the continental divide between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Monteverde is the pinnacle of the nature experience in Costa Rica, a place that leaves a profound sense of wonder and respect for the fragile beauty of our Planet.

Useful information

• In Costa Rica the time difference with Italy is minus 7 hours, minus 8 hours when daylight saving time is in effect in Italy.
• The climate is temperate in the central area, with an average temperature ranging from 21 to 23 degrees, while it is warmer and more humid along the coastal areas. Higher temperatures are found on the Pacific side, with an average of 28 degrees. The rainy season runs from May to November (on the Caribbean side from October to January), while the dry season runs from December to April.
• Turisanda also offers another tour in Costa Rica, "Attraversando il paradiso terrestre", one thousand kilometres to explore by adventure with a rental car, taking in the capital San José, the Arenal volcano area and Caribbean beaches, each one different from the next, such as Punta Cocles and Playa Tamarindo.