COSTA RICA

Location - Central America; Capital - San Jose; Population - 5 million; Currency - Costa Rica Colon

From Nicaragua, I headed for the Pacific beaches of Costa Rica, in November 2001.

50 Costa Rican Colones

Playa Samara on the Pacific coast

A suspension bridge at Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde Cloud Forest, at around 1400 metres altitude

Arenal lagoon, from a restaurant in Arenal

A view of the very active Arenal volcano from Fortuna.
Evening trips go to the base of the volcano, from where it's possible to see the lava and hear volcanic gas explosions, then follow it up with a drink at a pool bar, bathing in thermal waters. Lovely!

Arenal volcano erupting in 1997

Postcard copyright Olger Aragon Villalobos, tel/fax 479-9190

La Catarata falls, a 6km walk from Fortuna

La Catarata falls, Fortuna

John, Scott, Alfred and Andrea at La Catarata falls, Fortuna

La Inmaculada Concepcion at Parque Central, Heredia

Boat from Guapiles to the Caribbean village of Tortuguero

The outskirts of Tortuguero

The village was under water after days of rain, Tortuguero.
The village is home to nesting Green Turtles, measuring over 1 metre in length

Tiny frog taking a boat trip at Tortuguero

San Jose's National Theatre

I returned to the Pacific coast hoping for better weather, and got it, at Montezuma

Monkeys abound at this small waterfall in Montezuma

More of the Pacific coast at the cruise ship port of Puntarenas

South of Puntarenas, and on the Pacific, is Jaco beach

La Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles in Cartago, which I used as a base for a trip to Irazu volcano

The main crater of the active Irazu volcano at 3432 metres altitude

The fantastic green crater lake of Irazu volcano

Looking down on the town of Orosi in the Rio Orosi valley

There are a few coffee plantations in Orosi

Close to the Panamanian border on the Caribbean coast is Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

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LINKS

www.visitcostarica.com - Costa Rica tourist board

www.tourism.co.cr

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.