Photo: Patricia Palacín / Unsplash
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Leg 3 · Cloud forest & two coastlines

Costa Rica

Wildlife everywhere — cloud forest, volcanoes, and two very different coastlines. Easy travel, at a higher price.

What to see

5 stops we’re not missing

  1. 01

    Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna

    A near-perfect cone with hot springs, waterfalls, and rainforest at its base.

  2. 02

    Monteverde Cloud Forest

    Misty canopy walkways and hanging bridges in one of the most biodiverse forests anywhere.

  3. 03

    Manuel Antonio

    Rainforest spilling onto Pacific beaches, with sloths, monkeys, and easy wildlife watching.

  4. 04

    Corcovado / Osa Peninsula

    Called "the most biologically intense place on Earth" — remote, wild Pacific rainforest.

  5. 05

    Tortuguero

    A roadless network of Caribbean canals and a famous sea-turtle nesting beach.

! What to watch for

  • Wet-season river crossings and rough 4x4 access roads
  • Theft from parked vehicles at trailheads and beaches

⛽ Diesel & DEF

Better quality than its neighbors — LSD/ULSD in places; DEF in larger towns.

🛂 Borders & permits

Mandatory local insurance; an easy but noticeably pricier country.

Sources & further reading

Safety notes link to the live official travel advisory — always check it before you go.