White-faced capuchin monkey, Tortuguero National ParkLoggerhead turtle, Tortuguero National Park Green iguana, Tortuguero National ParkManatus Lodge, Tortuguero National Park64Tortuguero National ParkReached solely by plane or boat, Tortuguero National Park offers one of the most affordable ways to see Costa Rica's abundant wildlife. Evolved from an archipelago of volcanic islands, Tortuguero is now a network of marshy islands and a wetland conservation area. Visitors are invited to take a boat journey through this biodiversity hot spot with a guide to look for wildlife including river turtles, caimans and otters, as well as spider, howler and capuchin monkeys. Bird enthusiasts can keep an eye out for hundreds of species including endangered green macaws, Amazon kingfishers, blue herons, toucans and sunbitterns amongst others. From July to October green, giant leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles all lay their eggs on the 35 kilometres of protected shoreline. Your lodge can arrange a carefully managed night-time viewing opportunity to avoid disturbing the nesting animals. Accommodation options here are dotted along the banks of the canal network leading away from the village of Tortuguero. Evergreen Lodge, near Tortuguero National ParkEvergreen Lodge is located close to Tortuguero village, less than ten minutes by boat from the national park. It offers 65 spacious cabins with en suite facilities and has been carefully constructed using local wood. There is a large swimming pool, a restaurant/bar area and also a canopy zip-line, the only lodge in the area to offer this. It is an excellent value lodge that, thanks to its location, affords great opportunities to spot an abundance of wildlife. Manatus Lodge, near Tortuguero National ParkBy far the most comfortable lodge in the region, Manatus Lodge offers 14 beautifully furnished air-conditioned rooms. The hotel also boasts a small swimming pool, games room and massage service. At the end of an adventurous day exploring the canals and waterways, the lodge's lovely à la carte restaurant and bar are ideal places to relax.Evergreen Lodge, Tortuguero National Park

Rafting on the Sarapiquí RiverBlue morpho butterfly, SarapiquíRed-eyed tree frogwww.audleytravel.com/costarica l 01993 838 665 l Costa Rica 65SarapiquíLying two hours northeast of San José, the area surrounding Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí is a haven for nature enthusiasts, and is less visited than Tortuguero. Right at the heart of Sarapiquí is La Selva Biological Station which provides a superb scientific insight into the life of the rainforest. Exploring its 50 kilometres of walking trails with your guide, you will hopefully see some of the 400 species of bird including umbrella birds, warblers, flycatchers, toucanets and trogons. Commonly seen mammals include howler and white-faced capuchin monkeys, white-nosed coatis, raccoons, and peccaries. Sarapiquí also has an emphasis on outdoor pursuits. Activity enthusiasts will love the zip-lines, canopy walkways, tubing, river rafting and horse riding on offer here. Accommodation in SarapiquíAround Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí are plenty of simple lodges which are ideal bases for exploring the region. Our favourites include the 15-room Hacienda La Isla whose beautiful gardens feel like an extension of the surrounding rainforest. Alternatively La Quinta Sarapiquí Country Inn has 34 rustic cabins nestled amongst the tropical forest. For keen birdwatchers La Selva Biological Station provides eight basic cabins.Caiman, Tortuguero National ParkSelf-drive Costa RicaSelf-driving in Costa Rica is a popular way to travel around the country. The freedom to explore the cool Central Highlands or visit national parks at your own pace will appeal to those who prefer to be more independent. Like many Central American countries, large sections of some roads are unpaved and road signs are rare. Whilst this adds to the sense of adventure, we can provide SatNavs with all vehicles to make navigation easier. Traffic conditions outside the main cities are quite sedate and, as English is commonly spoken in Costa Rica, it is possible to ask a local for assistance. We recommend small 4x4 vehicles for our clients as a minimum to cope with the road conditions. Our specialists can advise on journey times and will book all your accommodation in advance for your route. This allows you to make the most of your day, whether by exploring fascinating wildlife reserves or driving to a beautiful stretch of sandy coastline.The road to MonteverdeDriving to Arenal Volcano