Northern Area

Northern Area

Land of volcanoes and hot springs

This area features humid and cloudy forests, enormous waterfalls and large winding rivers between the lush vegetation that harbors innumerable animal species. This natural setting offers ideal conditions for horse-back riding, canopy tours, kayaking and canoeing, sport fishing, hiking, bird watching, mountain biking, and adventure tours. This area is full of contrasts and variety: Gatuso and San Carlos, with their mountains; and Sarapiqui, with its Guanacaste and Tilara volcanoes. The Arenal Volcano exhibits a perfect cone shape and has an elevation of over 1650 feet (500 meters) above sea level. It is constantly active with rumbling eruptions that produce incandescent rocks, explosions, and glowing red lava. On its foothill, lays the Arenal Lagoon, with 52 miles (87 km) of beauty and open sky. With winds reaching 42 miles (70 kilometers) per hour (60 knots) or more, the Arenal Lagoon is probably one of the best places in the world for windsurfing.

Sportfishing and boating are very common in these areas and are highly recommended. Additionally, the Tabacon River is a rich source of spring water, ideal for relaxing and enjoying superb, therapeutic baths. The area is protected by the jurisdiction of the National Park, providing accessible trails to explore and admire the volcano, river and its surrounding forests. In the middle of a beautiful blue-green lagoon, adjacent to the area dominated by its big brother the Arenal, rises the ancient crater Cerro Chato. Close by, the Fortuna Waterfalls plummet almost 200 feet. Finally, Tenorio and Miravalles are the volcanoes that complete this mountain range.

Town of settlers

Monteverde is nestled in the cloudy mountain range of “Sierra de Tilaran”. Quaker emigrants founded this place that is characterized by a lifestyle-oriented to preserving nature. It is a well known Biological Reserve, where different birds species are protected, including the Quetzal and the Campana Bird, among other endangered species. It has also built a reputation for its environmental education, recycling, and Eco-tourism.

This greatly productive region is responsible for the production of dairy products, such as cheese in cattle farms. The City of Quesada, located on the foothill of the Planar Volcano, is a prosperous town popular feasts (or “ turnos ”) that are celebrated with dances, bull riding, and crowded cattle auctions. In its evergreen humid forests, it frequently rains, giving way to lush and fertile mountains. One of which harbors the Wildlife Refuge Caño Negro that features lagoons, swamps, and estuaries, a real oasis for aquatic birds, reptiles and mammals of the region.

Thus, it is a site of enormous importance for scientists and wild animal watchers. The Sarapiqui and San Carlos rivers are ideal for navigation. One of them joins the San Juan River, at the border of Nicaragua, forming the hydrological system that fills up the most important lake of the neighbor country. Sarapiqui is also a “natural laboratory” for scientific research. It is home to numerous endangered species in desperate need of protection, such as the Green Lapa. For comfortable traveling and enjoyment of the different activities that the region offers, it is easy and inexpensive to rent a car in any of the different rental car agencies that operate in the city.