The best time to visit this gem in Central America is December to April. This is considered the high season and ample planning is necessary to ensure you get hotel and bus bookings. Organised tours are a great way to explore the stretches of the country at a more affordable rate as there are few regular public bus services around the country.

Costa Rica is among the most expensive countries in South America, so be ready to spend and organise as much of your trip beforehand as possible. San José is a beautiful spread out city where colonial and modernist architecture intertwine. You should spend at least two days here exploring the sites, food and getting a feel for the people of this happy nation.

Just over an hour drive away from San José is Irazu Volcano National Park where you can climb the largest and highest active volcano in the country.

When exploring the northern part of the country, you can choose between La Fortuna and Monteverde. Both offer a gateway for backpacking and outdoor adventures, the logistics of getting between them can prove to be lengthy and the activities on offer are similar.

Don’t miss out on visiting Liberia and the surrounding savannah’s, home to the Sabanero culture. You can experience the cowboy lifestyle on the many ranches in the area and even saddle up like a local combining a relaxing horsehide with wildlife watching.   

If you would like to experience the amazing beaches with less crowds, head east to the Caribbean coast instead of the busy sands of the Pacific coast on the western part of the country. Costa Rica is one of the world’s leading countries in eco-tourism and has plenty on offer from stunning rainforests, breath taking coastline, savannah’s and canals. This is a holiday to revitalise your soul and bring you back in close connection with nature.