Keel Billed Toucan
Credit: Mats Lindberg
few days in the heart of the rainforest. At the ecolodge, you can take
guided hikes with a knowledgeable naturalist through the rainforest,
finding waterfalls along the way, where you can hook up to canopy
tour ziplines above the clouds. Or, simply relax in a hammock and listen
to the sounds of the wilderness as you sip a chilled cocktail. Eventually
(the timing is up to you) it’s back onto the river for an afternoon of
more whitewater fun to finish up this remarkable trip.
Modern canopy tours (also known as ziplining) also began here in the
70s, as wildlife biologists installed lines across the dense rain forests to
help them explore without disturbing the ecosystem. Today, everyone
can ride on these exhilarating lines and drink in the views throughout
many of the national parks; look for cisterns in the must-visit Arenal
Volcano area, where there are hanging bridges to clamber across and
hot springs to dip into.
ONE FOR THE MEMORY BOOKS
A favorite adventure in Costa Rica is a combination of whitewater
rafting excitement (complete with Class 3 and 4 rapids) on the
always-warm Pacuare River, and a stay in the Rios Tropicales Ecolodge
along the way. First, experience the exhilarating whitewater for an
action-packed morning, then stop along the secluded river to spend a
TOP SPOTS TO STAY
Every level of hotel exists here, from the top-end Four Seasons Resort,
the El Mangrove, or the Andaz Resort in Guanacaste in the northwest
to small boutique hotels like the Gaia Hotel in Puntarenas in the central
Pacific area near Manuel Antonio. But from five-star to simple B&B’s,
one thing stays the same in Costa Rica — the Ticos are warm, inviting,
and happy to welcome visitors to their spectacular country.
GETTING THERE
Volaris offers single plane service from Dulles International Airport (IAD)
to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Surfing in Costa Rica
Credit: iStock/mihtiander
AUTUMN 2018 45 FLYWASHINGTON.COM