Northwestern Costa Rica Attractions
This region of Costa Rica stretches north to the Nicaraguan border. The highlands of northwestern Costa Rica are made up of two mountain chains: the Cordillera de Tilarán and the Cordillera de Guanacaste.
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Santa Rosa National Park
Santa Rosa National Park is an important sea turtle nesting area, which is also home to large numbers of birds and animals, including monkeys. Some areas contain petroglyphs.
Corobicí River Trips
Several tour companies offer excursions to the Corobicí River, which offers Class I and II waters. Since the river is rather calm and flat, the emphasis on these trips is wildlife observation. Sightings include motmots, parrots, boat-billed herons, wood storks, trogons, river otters, howler monkeys and caimans. There are good photo opportunities.
Junquillal Bay National Wildlife Refuge
This 505ha/1247ac wildlife refuge offers swimming, boating, and snorkelling opportunities at the quiet bay and protected beach. There are short hiking trails within tropical dry forest and mangrove swamplands leading to a marine birding lookout.
Turtles nest here in September and October, and pelicans and frigatebirds are often spotted. This site is part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Turtles nest here in September and October, and pelicans and frigatebirds are often spotted. This site is part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Miravalles Volcano
Miravalles is the highest volcano of the Cordillera de Guanacaste at 2,028m/6,652ft. The main crater is dormant, but at about 700m/2,296ft above sea level on the southern slopes of the volcano some geothermal activity can be found. This is Las Hornillas, some bubbling mud pools and steam vents.
Santa Elena, Costa Rica
Santa Elena, a small tico settlement, has been experiencing growth in tourism infrastructure due to its close proximity to Monteverde. The village offers several options for accommodations and dining.
Santa Elena - Santa Elena Reserve
Created in 1989, this reserve is managed by the Santa Elena high school board. There is good hiking through the cloud forest, and several bird species can be spotted. The trails cover 12km/7.4mi and are of varying lengths and difficulty. Lookout points offer views of the exploding Arenal Volcano, however conditions are often cloudy.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 | 7:00 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
Tenorio Volcano National Park
Facilities are limited in this national park that includes five life zones. The Tenorio Volcano (1,191m/3,906ft) is gently active, and features smoking fumaroles, hot springs and mud pots. Virgin forest are found near the summit, where there is a lake surrounded by cloud forest. Tapirs and pumas live in the area. On the northeastern slope of the volcano is the scenic Celeste River that culminates in some attractive waterfalls.
Northwestern Costa Rica Surroundings
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Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Volcano National Park is home to the highly active Arenal Volcano. Lava flows down the mountains side and is an impressive sight as it glows in the darkness of night.
