The best time to hit the water is during the rainy season, from late August to November. At this time of year, the rivers are swollen and fast flowing, offering a bigger variety of options for all levels.

White water rafting on the Pacuare River, Costa Rica

One of Costa Rica’s most popular rafting spots is the Pacuare River, widely recognized as one of the top rafting rivers in the world thanks to a perfect combination of jaw-droppingly beautiful natural scenery and fast-flowing waters.

The waters are warm, the cascades are stunning and the river meanders through the dense tropical Costa Rican rainforest, surrounded by a huge diversity of wildlife. The river is generally Class III to IV, which means unpredictable waves, narrow waterways and long patches of white water, getting wet out here is a certainty!

Exploring the Pacuare River is all the more enjoyable on rafting trips departing from the Rio Tropicales Lodge, who has partnered with Costa Rica For Less to offer an adventurer’s dream trip; rafting down whitewater rapids, zip lining through the tree tops, and exploring deep into the jungle to get up close and personal with the rainforest’s countless inhabitants.

The lodge, built from ecologically sourced local materials, is set amid a large reserve of tropical gardens and untouched jungle, complete with swaying hammocks and viewing platforms from which the local colony of toucans can be spotted. A vast network of trails are perfect for exploring, while a series of freshwater pools stemming from the Pacuare River itself allow blissful and relaxing bathing.

Costa Rica For Less’ exclusive Rafting Odyssey travel deal allows visitors to arrive at this splendid lodge by raft, spend two full days exploring the rainforest reserve before leaving for another full day on the water. Visit the Costa Rica For Less site for more information.

Ships on the ocean. Courtesy of Patricio Santiago.

As many of the nations of South America approach their 200^th anniversary of independence from Spain, a number of celebrations and festivals have been planned across the continent – guaranteed to add some extra excitement to a Latin America vacation!

One event is already underway: The South America Sails Regatta 2010 has been circumnavigating the continent, stopping in ports along the way. This entourage of grand historical sailing ships manned by the navies of participating nations are an attraction in themselves, providing tours in each port and an insight into South America rich seafaring past.

The flotilla started its voyage in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and travelled around the legendary Cape Horn to Veracruz in Mexico. The nations of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru have all hosted the ships along special events in each of the ports. Peru has just hosted the ships in the port of Callao. Next stop: The port of Guayaquil in Ecuador, from 7^th to 11^th of May. The flotilla has yet to visit Columbia, Venezuela, The Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

The flotilla is not just made up of regional ships; in celebration of the shared nautical history of Europe and South America, the nations of Spain, Portugal and Holland have also contributed grand tall ships from their past.

Over the coming years, visitors to the region will be lucky to see an array of events and festivals in cities and nations to celebrate the rich past that unites all the nations of the region. Keep on checking the Latin America For Less Travel Blog for upcoming festivals and reviews.

Sailing ships in action on the Pacific. Courtesy of Patricio Santiago.

Chile´s Independence Day celebrations take place on the 18^th September, with this year’s festivities falling on a weekend. The President has applied to congress to make the Monday following it a public holiday, meaning it will be a wild weekend in Chile.

Independence Day celebrations take place in Peru on the 28^th and 29^th of July. The two days of celebrations involve a range of event and festivals. You can read about last year’s events on our Travel Blog.

In Argentina, Independence Day falls on the 9^th of July. Their bicentennial comes in 2016, but each year, fiestas take place across the nation which can only enrich your vacation if you’re lucky enough to be there.

Our team of travel specialists has created five tours, which visit destinations as varied as the pristine beaches of Costa Rica, Peru’s mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu, and the thriving cosmopolitan vibes of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.

Margot Russell, the Tour Director for Latin America For Less' range of Escorted Tours

Each tour is personally accompanied by our highly qualified US-based Tour Director, Margot Russell. Margot, a certified tour guide, has years of travel experience in Latin America, speaks fluent Spanish and likes nothing more than introducing new groups to the wonders that are hidden within each of these exciting destinations.

In addition to Margot’s companionship all the way from arrival to departure, escorted tour groups join expert guides at each destination to enjoy a personal tour of these fascinating places.

Latin America For Less’ range of escorted tours have been crafted to provide the highest possible quality at the best possible value, with guests enjoying the best hotels and the finest personal service.

One additional benefit of participating in an escorted tour is the enjoyment of touring with a small group of likeminded fellow travelers, allowing guests to share their experiences with their traveling companions.

The five new tours include:

Inca Mystery Luxury Tour: Eight days traveling from Lima, to Cusco, to the Sacred Valley before visiting the world famous Machu Picchu, all from the comfort of the best 5 star hotels.

Inca Mystery Deluxe Tour: Enjoying the same itinerary and staying in the highest value 4 star hotels.

Wonder of the Andes: Ten days starting in Lima, before heading to the Nazca Lines, then on to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and finishing at the glorious Lake Titicaca before returning to Lima.

Costa Rica Highlights: Nine days touring the best that Costa Rica has to offer: San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest.

Wonders of South America: An epic eleven day adventure from Rio de Janeiro to the thundering Iguazu Falls, to Buenos Aires before heading on to Cusco and the Sacred Valley, exploring Machu Picchu before finishing in Lima.

Latin America For Less has announced a number of departure dates for its escorted tours, which can be found, with plenty of additional information on the escorted tours webpage.

Costa Rica has something for everyone: from hiking through a mountain-side cloud forest to sport fishing on the Pacific Ocean; from ziplining between the trees in a tropical jungle to rafting on wild white water. The only dilemma is deciding on what to do, and where to do it.

Rafting down some extreme white water, Costa Rica

White Water Rafting

Rafting is an immensely popular activity and good quality water can be found in, or near, many of the most visited Costa Rica vacation destinations.

One of the most convenient bases for a rafting trip is the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area, where the beautiful beaches of the Manuel Antonio National Park make an ideal place to relax after a full day on the water.

There are two main rivers suitable for rafting near to Manuel Antonio, the Savegre and the Naranjo. Both rivers offer rapids between class II to class IV, and so may not be suitable for absolute beginners depending on the season and river conditions.

Tours to both rivers include a road transfer to and from the put-in and take-out points, plus a bi-lingual guide, all safety equipment and personnel, and lunch or snacks after the trip. Rafting trips are generally half-day excursions and include at least two hours on the water itself.

Less intense rafting trips are available close to Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose, on the Pacuare, Sarapiqui, Pejibaye and Reventazon rivers. Here the standards generally range from class I to class III and are suitable for beginners.

As at Manuel Antonio, tours usually last for half a day, but full day or even multi-day excursions can also be arranged.

Rafting tours can be arranged through a Costa Rica vacations package provider, or can be booked at the destination itself. When booking a trip, be sure to choose a reliable outfitter with certified safety and medical qualifications. Confirm in advance the amount of time that will actually be spent on the water and only participate in a rafting trip that is supported by an emergency kayak.

Diving & Snorkeling

Costa Rica’s coastal waters offer a varying range of visibility, meaning that divers and snorkelers will need to choose their Costa Rica travel destinations carefully in order to avoid disappointment.

Snorkelers often have a better time on the Caribbean coast due to the warmer waters, the better visibility and the higher abundance of coral reefs. Good places for snorkeling include Cahuita National Park whose reef can only be visited with an official guide, as well as on Puerto Viejo tours to the nearby Manzanillo marine reserve.

For scuba diving, Costa Rica is home to a world-leading, if slightly inaccessible destination, Isla del Coco, several hundred kilometers off the mainland and involving a long boat journey. A trip to Isla del Coco is only recommended for experienced divers who take their sport seriously. For a more relaxed introduction, the beaches along the Nicoya Peninsula – especially at the Gulf of Papagayo -are a good place to start.

It is important to book your diving trip with a reputable and certified operator and non-accredited divers need to take an introductory accompanied dive before undertaking anything more ambitious.

Hiking

The Monteverde cloud forest is a perfect hiking destination, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a hiker’s paradise with trails and routes through a vast variety of landscapes, from the jungle to the mountains to the coast. With such a choice it’s possible to enjoy anything from a one-day solo hike to a multi-day organized trek.

All of Costa Rica’s 35 national parks offer well maintained tracks and trails while the larger parks and reserves, including Monteverde and Corcovado also offer opportunities for camping for longer treks. Services inside the parks are generally non-existent so make sure you bring all the food, water and camping equipment that you’ll need.

Good destinations for shorter day hikes include the smaller Cahuita National Park on the southern Caribbean coast and the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park which, although small, offers a huge range of landscapes and environments.

At many popular trekking locations it is possible to hire a local guide, or alternatively consider booking a pre-arranged trekking trip with a Costa Rica tours agency.

Sport Fishing

As with diving and snorkeling, fishing fans need to choose their destination carefully as Costa Rica’s various fishing locations are highly varied, depending on which part the coast you are visiting. On the Pacific side, the resort towns of Quepos, Tamarindo and Jaco have the widest range of options with the main draw being marlin, sailfish, yellow fin tuna and barracuda.

Be aware that fish stocks are increasingly depleted, so you may prefer to choose an outfitter that releases some of the catch, although it is common for fishers to take some of their catch back with them and have it freshly prepared in their hotel kitchen.

Most Costa Rica sport fishing tours include transfer to and from the dock, plus snacks and drinks whilst onboard. The larger boats are covered, but you’ll be out in the sun for most of the day so remember your sun block and a good sun hat.

Canopy Tours & Ziplining

Ziplining through the forest, one of the most popular Costa Rica adventure activities

Finally, one of the most popular (and hair-raising) Costa Rica adventure activities are the famous canopy and zipline tours that are available in many of the country’s thick jungles.

Canopy tours are perfect for getting up to the best height for wildlife-spotting, where much of the forest life is hiding. Walkways and suspension bridges are constructed from platform to platform and tours are usually accompanied by professional guides who help you to spot the many creatures that live in this high-altitude world.

The whole experience becomes really thrilling when the ziplines get involved. Many canopy tours involve sailing from tree to tree strapped to a thick steel cable with nothing but thin air between you and the ground, which is often dozens of meters below.

Canopy and zipline tours are available all across Costa Rica, but the longest established and best outfitters can be found in the cloud forests of Monteverde or the volcanic mountains around Arenal Volcano.

These tours are generally very safe and follow stringent safety practices but to be sure, consider booking ahead with a reputable Costa Rica travel agency and only use operators that offer full safety equipment, including helmets, proper harnesses, knee guards and thick gloves.

Tips For Enjoying Your Costa Rica Adventure:

As with any risky activity or extreme sport, it’s vital to ensure you have adequate travel insurance before taking part. Medical costs for even minor injuries can become very expensive and insurance is absolutely vital.

Only choose an operator that is recommended and certified and that is clear on what standards of safety are implemented.

To get the best safety standards and quality of service, consider booking ahead before your vacation. Otherwise, talk to other travelers, ask for recommendations in your hotel, and shop around to find the best price and the most reliable outfitter.

Celebrated on 15 September, Independence Day is a major national event with parades and fiestas that can provide lifelong memories of any Costa Rica vacations that happen to coincide with this important day.

Old traditions on show, Costa Rica

Costa Rica achieved its independence along with the rest of Central America, as part of the Federal Republic of Central America, governed by Guatemala. The new republic proved to be fragile, ungovernable and short-lived and Costa Rica soon decided to go it alone.

For holiday makers planning a trip to Costa Rica, timing your vacation to match up with Independence Day is sure to give a fascinating perspective on this fun-loving nation in their most jubilant hour.

Celebrations occur up and down the entire country and can last for an entire week. The highlight is the arrival of the Freedom Torch which is delivered on relay from Nicaragua on its route right across Central America.

The night before Independence Day is marked with a series of lantern parades, marking the moment that news of independence arrived in the country.

On the big day itself, every town and village hosts its own parade, with participants in traditional dress and marching bands playing national songs which culminate in the national anthem.

Traditional food – especially the national dish of gallo pinto, a colorful concoction of rice and beans – takes pride of place, along with other national symbols such as the colorfully decorated oxcarts that epitomize the country’s agricultural heritage.

In typical Tico spirit, parades are peaceful and family-orientated events that involve elderly and young Costa Ricans as much as the adult party-goers.

Downtown San Jose is host to the country’s biggest parade, while other popular Costa Rica travel destinations all host their own local parties, including the small town of Santa Elena near the Monteverde cloud forest and the old capital city of Cartago.

How To Celebrate Independence Day During A Costa Rica Vacation

Independence Day is a great time to visit Costa Rica, when you’ll be sure to catch one of the best fiestas in the annual calendar. To have the best fun visitors should bear the following points in mind:

- Independence Day is a national holiday and most services will be closed for the day. This includes banks, money changers and certain stores, although restaurants should remain open. Don’t be caught out without any cash, and make sure you’ve changed enough money the previous day.

- Most Costa Rica hotels will become booked up well in advance of the holiday, so plan ahead and make your reservations early.

- Local parades are held on and around the central plaza of any town, but in San Jose head for Avenida Central, where most of the action occurs.

- Parades and fiestas are invariably peaceful and safe, but as with a large crowd in any country, beware of pickpockets and keep your valuables concealed.

One of several hundred species of birds that thrive in Costa Rica's national parks

And thankfully, given the country’s diminutive size, this natural richness is easily accessible to visitors while enjoying their Costa Rica vacations.

But with almost 30% of the country designated as environmentally protected land, the only dilemma is in trying to figure out which of the 35 national parks you should squeeze in to one Costa Rica vacation.

Choosing between Costa Rica’s numerous national parks is no easy task but the following profiles, based on first-hand Costa Rica travel experience, should help.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

This dense blanket of mountain-side cloud forest is over 10,000 hectares in size and is among the most popular of Costa Rica’s protected areas thanks to its ethereal, mysterious atmosphere, stunning mountaintop views, and a vast collection of exotic, but often elusive, wildlife.

Sunset over the stunning Monteverde cloud forest, Costa Rica

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is owned and maintained by a private, non-profit organization, the Tropical Research Center. There are over 10km of trails through the reserve with marked routes of varying lengths. The trails are well maintained and access is easy for all visitors, but paths can get muddy year round so bring sturdy boots.

A popular bird-watching destination, the reserve is home to hundreds of bird species. Monteverde cloud forest is particularly well known for its most glamorous inhabitant, the resplendent quetzal, although sightings of this shy bird are fairly uncommon. Other mammalian locals include sloths, howler monkeys and the guinea-pig like agouti.

The nearby town of Santa Elena is a quaint settlement with enough hotels and restaurants to cater for the area’s popularity, but as with all Costa Rica hotels, consider booking ahead to ensure availability.

Hiring a guide is highly recommended, to help spot some of the wildlife hiding above your head in the trees. Monteverde tours are available and can be booked in advance through a provider of Costa Rica vacation packages.

Entrance fee: $16. Information office opening hours: 7am-4pm.

Insider’s Tip:

Monteverde cloud forest is a justifiably popular stop on a Costa Rica vacation, the only drawback being the number of visitors the reserve attracts on a daily basis. For a much quieter experience with a higher chance of spotting some of the area’s timid wildlife, try the neighboring Santa Elena reserve too.

Corcovado National Park

For visitors looking for a much more secluded spot during their Costa Rica travels, the Corcovado National Park, at the country’s far-southern tip on the remote Osa Peninsula, is the idea destination.

This is the most isolated of Costa Rica’s national parks; arriving here usually requires an internal flight followed by a boat transfer. But your perseverance will be handsomely rewarded: Corcovado is home to over 40,000 hectares of protected land which include no less than thirteen separate ecosystems.

This national park is a true natural gem, the only major lowland tropical forest left in the world, it is home to a bewildering number of species including jaguars, pumas, tapirs, crocodiles, giant anteaters, sloths and numerous species of monkey.

In total, Corcovado is a refuge for around 500 species of tree, 400 types of bird, 140 separate species of mammal, and over 100 types of reptiles and amphibians. Furthermore, thanks to the region’s under visited tranquility, the chance of actually seeing some of these creatures is much higher than elsewhere.

Getting to the peninsula, arranging accommodation in the national park and finding a reliable and professional guide can be a tricky business, so it is recommended to book one of the Corcovado tours on offer from reputable Costa Rica tours operators.

Insider’s Tip:

Having made the journey to this distant corner of Costa Rica, it makes sense to stay for at least four days and see as much of the Osa Peninsula as you can. Another nearby gem is the Caño Island Biological Reserve, a short boat journey across Drake’s Bay. This beautiful island is popular for snorkeling and scuba trips and can be visited as a day excursion from the mainland.

Tortuguero National Park

From one extreme to another, Tortuguero National Park is almost as isolated as Corcovado, but lies several hundred kilometers away on the far northern side of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.

One of many inhabitants in Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

This 32,000 hectare park is home to some unusual geography, not quite ocean and not quite dry land, the semi-marine environment is made up of interconnected lagoons, rivers and manmade canals, plus thick mangrove swamps, marshes and sandy beaches, all of which provide an ideal home to a huge concentration of exotic wildlife.

Perhaps the area’s most famous inhabitants are the female green sea turtles who return to the sands on which they were born to lay their eggs before heading back out to the ocean. This event is a major attraction and it is possible to visit the beaches and witness the culmination of the turtles’ epic annual voyage.

Aside from turtle watching, Tortuguero’s waterways are ideal for guided boat trips to spot some of the region’s other wildlife, including spider monkeys, capuchins, sloths and manatees, plus huge numbers of bird species.

Most visitors choose to stay within the national park itself in a jungle-style lodge, although it is possible to stay in a hotel in the nearby Tortuguero village, from where you can take excursions into the park.

As with Corcovado, Tortuguero National Park is remote and fairly inaccessible. Although it is possible to get here on your own steam, Tortuguero tour packages are a convenient way to visit the area and will also guarantee the quality of your lodge and guide.

Insider’s Tip:

If you want to make your own way to Tortuguero, give yourself plenty of time to get there and back as the journey involves a road journey from San Jose to Caño Blanco via Siquirres, followed by a boat ride to Tortuguero village, which can take up the best part of a day.

Cahuita National Park

Heading further south down Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast eventually brings you to a much more accessible stretch of the country, a place where the Caribbean influence remains strong, especially in the vibrant town of Puerto Viejo.

The nearby village of Cahuita, although much sleepier than its vivacious neighbor, is home to a small but attractive reserve, Cahuita National Park.

The long, narrow park runs along the coast south of Cahuita and is characterized by its thick, tropical vegetation, with coconut palms swinging directly out over the white sands and blue waters of the Caribbean coast.

Scores of crabs scuttle across the narrow stretch of sand and further inland the trees are home to sloths and howler monkeys alongside ibises and herons. Particular favorites are the bold capuchins who happily approach their visitors, pose for photos and try to make off with the occasional snack from unguarded picnics. Remember, feeding the animals is strictly forbidden as it can upset the delicate balance of this fragile ecosystem.

Insider’s Tip:

This is one of the most accessible national parks in Costa Rica and makes for a pleasant day’s hike from the town of Cahuita. The secluded beaches are inviting and the waters are warm, but beware of the dangerous riptides and only swim in marked areas. Snorkeling the reef is a popular activity but access is only allowed with an official guide.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Finally, another of Costa Rica’s smaller and more accessible protected areas, Manuel Antonio National Park is handily situated a few hours from San Jose on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast near the town of Quepos.

A beach-side paradise at Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

A beautiful arrangement of tropical forests, secluded beaches and ocean views make this one of the most attractive parks in Costa Rica, although its beauty is also its curse, as the park draws a steady stream of visitors year round, making it one of the busiest national parks in the country.

But all these visitors are here for a reason: Manuel Antonio is a refuge for a huge volume of wildlife and provides a scenic environment for hiking, swimming and exploring along the well maintained trails.

A visit to Manuel Antonio guarantees sightings of the park’s monkey population, and if you’re lucky you’ll also catch a glimpse of the sloths, armadillos, iguanas and snakes, among many others, all of which make their home here.

Manuel Antonio tours operate from the town of Quepos and can be booked in advance or you can hire a private guide at the park.

Insider’s Tip:

Manuel Antonio National Park is perhaps the most visited of all Costa Rica’s national parks so those looking for some serious wildlife watching should probably head elsewhere, or aim to visit away from the peak season from January to March.

But now it seems that Costa Rica’s record has made it more than a natural sanctuary for threatened wildlife, but a world leader in global happiness too.

The happy 'Tico' Costa Rican spirit

A study by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) which links countries’ environmental protection to the happiness of their citizens has named Costa Rica as the greenest and happiest country in the world.

The study, called the Happy Planet Index, compares the natural resources that each country consumes with their happiness and quality of life. The report combined ecological impact with other factors including life expectancy and life satisfaction to calculate which country is the most “happy” overall.

According to the Happy Planet Index, Costa Ricans have the highest life satisfaction in the world, thanks to their long life expectancy which is slightly longer than the USA average, combined with their tiny environmental impact, which is 75% smaller than the United States’ per person equivalent.

Costa Rica has become well known throughout the world for its excellent level of environmental protection. Almost one third of the country has been protected by a system of national parks, conservation areas and natural reserves.

Some of the most popular protected areas include the World Heritage Site of Corcovado National Park which is famous for its mangrove swamps, tapirs and macaws, the beautiful beach-side Manuel Antonio National park, and Tortuguero National Park, a favorite nesting ground for endangered sea turtles.

Tree frog, Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica

In a separate recent survey the country was voted the number one Latin America travel destination thanks to its astonishing range of national parks protected the world’s biggest concentration of exotic, and often endangered, animal species ranging from poison arrow frogs, green leatherback turtles, the resplendent quetzal and the jaguar.

Unique dining at Corteza Amarilla, San Jose, Costa Rica

In a country inundated by rice and beans the national cuisine is not usually the most memorable feature of a Costa Rica vacation, but thankfully international influences have become very well established in many Costa Rica hotels and restaurants.

A perfect example is Restaurant Corteza Amarilla which, much like the lodge and spa itself, is a breath of fresh air and a pleasant escape from the ordinary.

Nestled in San Jose’s upscale, hillside suburb of Escazu, the Corteza Amarilla is a charming and sophisticated refuge from the life of Costa Rica’s bustling capital city. Constructed entirely of wood recycled from San Jose’s colonial buildings, a mélange of Baroque, Art Deco & Victorian styles reflects the fusions to be found in the restaurant’s exquisite menu.

With a range of starters that include tuna tartar, ceviche and beef carpaccio and a selection of main courses such as skate wing, lobster and skirt steak with caramelized onion risotto, a meal in the Corteza Amarilla is a culinary treat that will define your entire Costa Rica travel experience.

International flavours at the Corteza Amarilla, San Jose, Costa Rica

My meal in the Corteza Amarilla was one of the best I’ve ever had. Everything was perfect, from the smoked salmon, spicy pear and warm goats cheese starter, to the sesame oil pan fried Yellow fin tuna steak, to the cozy ambiance of my quiet, candlelit table on the garden patio.

The service couldn’t have been better and the décor throughout the entire restaurant was unbelievable. In all my years of working and traveling throughout Costa Rica, this is easily the most innovative, delicious and outright unique restaurant that I’ve had the pleasure to enjoy.