Northern Lowlands
Following a couple of days fighting the traffic in the bustling Costa Rican capital of San Jose, where time is spent going to museums and theaters, and where Costa Rican fiestas go on night after night, many visitors long to return to nature and the quiet of the rain forest. An excursion to the Barra del Colorado Nature Preserve in the northern lowlands and to Tortuguero National Park are just the right thing in this case.
An early start is recommended, but you can leave your warm sweaters at the hotel. You can look forward to an excursion providing a varied and scenic landscape, fresh air, warm days and mild nights, an unforgettable encounter with nature – and with any luck, a glimpse of a green sea turtle (still called soup turtle in some parts of the world) in the national park – not in the soup tureen!
The road passes Heredia and La Virgen, and continues via Chilimate La Selva to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. An alternative route goes through the Braulio Carrillo National Park, stopping first at Las Horquetas. This small town on the dusty road harbors the Rara Avis office. The bird sanctuary and nature preserve is still 15 kilometers away.
