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

Arenal VolcanoThermal springs, near ArenalArenal Kioro, near La Fortuna66ArenalAt 1,633 metres above sea level, Arenal Volcano was, until recently, the most active in Central America. Although it no longer delivers sporadic eruptions and spectacular night-time lava flow shows, it remains a magnificent peak and there is plenty to do in the area.Surrounded by lush transitional forests (a combination of rainforest and cloudforest) the area has more than its fair share of wildlife and the lava fields in the Arenal National Park are a particularly impressive sight. A multitude of activities include canopy walkways, horse riding to beautiful waterfalls, or rafting on the Sarapiquí River while the nearby hot springs make for a special experience bathing beneath the stars.La FortunaThe nearest town to the volcano is La Fortuna, which is a good place to find a range of shops and restaurants. Many of the hotels we prefer to offer are dotted along the road heading north from the town towards the volcano and Lake Arenal. Arenal Springs Hotel, near La FortunaThe Arenal Springs Hotel offers the ideal combination of relaxation, comfort and lovely scenery. Its 87 colonial-style rooms represent excellent value and are set in tropical gardens. The hotel has its own four-pool hot springs complex, which is exclusively for use by guests. There are numerous vantage points to view the volcano within the grounds and the restaurant serves a variety of national and international dishes. Arenal Nayara, near La FortunaOffering just 33 casitas Arenal Nayara has been designed to be comfortable whilst retaining a connection with the natural surroundings. The individual bungalows are surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and each has a small private garden and outdoor shower at the rear. The rooms also benefit from a volcano-facing balcony with a Jacuzzi and there is a pool with a swim-up bar where you can relax and take in the views. Arenal Kioro, near La FortunaArenal Kioro offers, in our opinion, the best views of the magnificent Arenal Volcano. The 53 spacious suites are all modern in design with floor to ceiling windows and a large Jacuzzi facing the conical peak. The excellent range of facilities includes a spa, an outdoor swimming pool and private use of the hotel's own thermal springs.Arenal Springs Hotel, near La Fortuna