Quepos

Encounter dolphins, giant sea turtles and whales while sailing to the offshore islets. Snorkelling and spectacular views of the sunset will wrap up a perfect day on the water.

Exotic and rich in their decadent flavours, Costa Rican chocolate and coffee are worth exploring. The chocolate part of the tour starts with the cultural and biological background of cocoa and goes on to teach you about the collecting, fermenting, grinding and finally the making of chocolate. Coffee aficionados will be delighted to learn about the economic and cultural importance of this most important crop. Get introduces to Café-Chorreado — the authentic Costa Rican practice of preparing coffee. Last but not least, learn about the production of cane sugar that both sweetens the chocolate and is used in making some exciting local treats.

Although you can't stay inside the national park itself, the village of Manuel Antonio has an excellent range of accommodations — from affordable hostels for backpackers and long-term travellers to luxury hotels. Be prepared to pay a bit more proximity to nature and the beaches. Staying here might be a better option if you are not into the busy vibe of central Quepos.

Parque Nahomi is the go-to place for enjoying the sunset. This small park on Quepos southern edge offers incredible views of the sea and is easily reached on foot from the centre. There are a few cliff jumping spots, too. There isn't a big beach here, but it's a convenient place to launch kayaks or to snorkel. The tranquil, low key environment makes it popular with locals.

The stunning Playa Espadilla is located on the grounds of the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort, and is characterised by its natural rock protecting the warm tide pools and its tropical shore birds. A jungle surrounds Arenas Del Mar and touches the sand, offering natural shade. The beach is 2 km long and connects to the National Park.

Nature lovers and thrill seekers can soar high through the rain forest and witness the beautiful harmony of the jungle biodiversity: admire birds, monkeys, sloths and other small jungle animals in their natural habitat. This is one adventure you will never forget. Several companies organise tours around Quepos. Titi Canopy Tours is located close to the local La Managua airport while Amigos del Rio can found along the highway from Quepos to Manuel Antonio.

Established in 1972 to preserve and protect the jungle and idyllic beach, the Manuel Antonio National Park is home to many endangered species. There are many tours to suit any interest, including guided hiking or monkey feeding. So abundant are the riches of the Central Pacific coast that it is said explorer Ponce de Leon might have discovered the fabled fountain of youth, searching for which he had gone ashore. If you're not into organised tourism, Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the best natural spots in Costa Rica to explore by yourself. Just make sure to stay on the trail and don't feed the animals, no matter how cute they are. And beware of monkeys — they'll snatch your backpack in a second if left unattended. An adapted trail for people in a wheelchair is available.

The Pacific Rainforest Aerial Tram allows guests to view the 222 acres of tropical rain forest from a safe, open-air gondola. They have seating and roofs, which are great for those interested in birding. Expect to get views of a 40 foot waterfall and views of the Pacific coastline.

The Damas Estuary Boat Trip takes guests on a covered boat tour along the complex and beautiful estuaries and mangroves surrounding Damas Island. The boats are eco-friendly and designed for security and comfort, and a naturalist will describe a variety of biological relationships between many organisms in this delicate habitat. Expect to see animals such as white faced monkeys, herons, snakes, crocodiles, and iguanas.

Quepos offers world class sport fishing for all ranges of fishermen. More than 40 world records have been registered, including sailfish, black, blue, and striped marlin, yellow fin tuna, Spanish and sierra mackerel, mackerel and more. Feel the thrill of big-game fishing!

Mountain trails of Manuel Antonio are a wonderful setting for horseback riding. After a short intro and a safety briefing, you will follow your guide to the altitude of 600 metres (1,900 feet) taking in the amazing views, wildlife, and vegetation along the way. On your way back down, you'll take a swimming break and enjoy a well-deserved lunch at the ranch.