Iceland seems to be on everyone’s wish list right now. Soaring demand in recent years has been sparked by people’s desire for adventure and to discover our planet’s untamed beauty.
The dramatic landscapes and the ability to witness the Northern Lights are just a couple of reasons why people are flocking to Iceland. There are giant geysers, spectacular waterfalls, and wilderness that remain relatively uncrowded and untouched. There are active holidays to be enjoyed in Secret Iceland as described in one of my guest blogs from Obeo Travel. There is also the capital Reykjavik boasting a wonderful art and music scene as well as a wealth of cultural and historical attractions.
Picking the time to visit is important as if you want long daylight hours and the mildest weather then May to September is best. For the northern lights, plan to go between October and mid-April when the nights are dark.
The best and most common way for getting out and about is to hire a car or take an organised private or group trip and therefore utilise the expertise of a local guide.
In towns the best options are by taxi, bus, simply walking, or hiring a bike.
The Reykjavik bus system is excellent and reasonable.
Top Things To See & Do
Askja The Askja caldera is in the Dyngjufjoll mountains, north of the Vatnajokull glacier. Alongside the caldera, there is a geothermal lake where you can swim. Around this area, there is a barren stark landscape where NASA’s Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin trained before their landing on the moon in 1969.
Blue Lagoon Why not spend a few hours in this natural spa? The milky blue colours of one of Iceland’s most famous sights are caused by the silica and sulphur minerals in the hot waters and are a great place to relax and unwind.
Great Geysir The Great Geyser in Iceland climbs to over 70 metres in height and was the first geyser known to man. A must-see when visiting.
Hallgrimskirkja Hallgrimskirkja is the tallest church in Iceland and overlooks the city of Reykjavik.
Northern Lights From September through until March the Aurora Borealis or the northern lights needs little introduction. One of life’s incredible natural events and a must-see (if they come out to play).
Thingvellir National Park Part of Iceland’s Golden Circle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the world’s oldest parliament.
Thorsmork National Park A fantastic place to hike and view the three glaciers that surround Thorsmork with imposing mountains, wild rivers and creeks.
Vatnajokull National Park One of the largest national parks in all of Europe where visitors can experience geysers and the elements of fire and ice that the country is renowned for.
Whale Watching The country is of course famous for whale watching! There are some fantastic organised excursions from Reykjavik or Husavik to hopefully see orcas, humpbacks, minkewhales or even if you are really lucky the largest mammal on earth – the blue whale.
Pre-Bookable Excursions in Iceland
More Information
Contact Visit Iceland or your local travel agent for more information on holidays to Iceland.
Eswatini is a new name when looking at the travel destinations of Africa. Formerly known as Swaziland and the smallest landlocked country in the Southern Hemisphere, Eswatini changed its name in April 2018 when King Mswati III of Swaziland decided to resurrect the country’s former name. The capital of Eswatini is Mbabane.
Eswatini has the last monarchy in Africa with both the king and his mother in charge of all that takes place in this country with a rich cultural heritage. The local Swazi people are incredibly friendly and welcoming and you will be unlucky not to witness some local traditional festivals, ceremonies, or events while you are visiting. They love to entertain and have become known for their strong arts, crafts, and dance industry.
The country enjoys a diverse mixture of terrains and habitats with forests, plains, mountains, and valleys all attracting both wildlife and tourism. One of Eswatini’s greatest treasures is that its game reserves are home to the big five and there is a strong focus on conservation and the protection of wildlife.
In particular, it focuses on the protection of the Rhino. The country borders the Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Mkhaya Game Reserve.
Many may ask where is Eswatini. The country is located in the south of Africa with borders to South Africa and Mozambique with a large number of flights into nearby Johannesburg.
Quite simply the best way to travel within Eswatini is by road with the bus tending to be the best option with services between all the main towns.
Whilst you can hire a car for yourself it is not the easiest country to drive around so the advice is to stick to the public bus transport or private tours that can be arranged in advance or resort.
Parks & Game Reserves
Hlane Royal National Park The Hlane (“Wilderness”) Game Sanctuary is a home for lions, elephants, and rhinos as well as a large bird population including vultures. Activities here include guided mountain biking, cultural visits to a nearby Swazi village, birding walks, and overnight fully-catered bush treks.
Mbuluzi Game Reserve On the shores of the Mlawula River, you can witness a wide selection of animals including giraffe, zebra, kudu, jackal, wildebeest, and nyala during the day and possibly hyena, genets, servals, and honey badgers during the night.
Mkhaya Game Reserve About a 40-minute drive south of Hlane Royal National Park, Mkhaya Game Reserve was established to protect endangered species, including white and black rhinos. The park also protects buffaloes, giraffes, hippos, and many birds.
Nature Reserves
Malolotja Nature Reserve In northwest Swaziland, the 18,000-hectare Malolotja Nature Reserve is the largest protected area in the country. With waterfalls, wetlands, and forests this makes for excellent hiking trails to spot wildlife and fauna.
Mlawula Nature Reserve Landscapes here range from dry savannah to rolling green valleys and dense forests, with mountains rising south to north along the Mozambique border. Due to the contrasting ecological zones, wildlife is varied and includes 60 species of small and large animals such as wildebeest, kudu, impala, and tortoises, as well as 350 species of birds, many insects, and an impressive array of plants.
Mantenga Reserve In the picturesque Ezulwini Valley, Mantenga Nature Reserve offers a fun taste of Swazi nature and culture. A highlight of the reserve is the stunning Mantenga Falls,
Top Things To See & Do
Lobamba In the beautiful Ezulwini Valley (the Valley of Heaven), Lobamba is Swaziland’s spiritual and cultural centre. also home to Swaziland’s monarchy, as well as its most important buildings.
Swazi Market, Mbabane Mbabane, Swaziland’s cool-climate capital, is home to the Swazi Market for fresh produce, pottery, hand-made baskets, masks, traditional fabrics, soapstone carvings, and beaded jewellery.
Pine Valley A pleasant excursion from Mbabane is a trip up beautiful Pine Valley to the north of the town. The route follows the Umbeluzi River, passing several waterfalls. This is a great walking and riding country, with agreeable temperatures, even in summer.
National Museum Set in beautiful gardens, the small and modest National Museum in Lobamba hosts fascinating exhibits on the history, culture, and nature of Swaziland.
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary In the lovely Ezulwini Valley, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Swaziland’s first conservation areas and its most popular game reserve. The sanctuary offers plenty of activities including game drives, nature walks, mountain biking, horseback rides, a village cultural experience, and swimming in the rest camp’s pool.
Shewula Mountain Camp Swaziland’s first ecotourism project opened in 2000. Top choices include guided cultural visits to the local village, where you can interact with residents and learn about their daily lives. There is also a chance to meet with a Swazi traditional healer known as a Sangoma. Other choices include catching a dance performance, going mountain biking, or hiking down to the Mbuluzi River and gorge.
Pre-bookable Excursions in Eswatini
More Information
The Eswatini Tourist Board provides a wide choice of useful information including places to go, things to do and what you can expect from the weather.
One of Africa’s few remaining monarchies, Swaziland or Eswatini is one of the smallest countries on the continent of Africa.
The capital is the small town of Mbabane near the Ezulwini Valley although the country is best known for its wildlife reserves which are home to rhinos, lions and various antelope species. Additionally, the Usutu River is popular with those seeking adventure on the white water rapids.
Sadly the protection and conservation of the animals and habitats all across Africa is an ongoing battle facing so many countries. Thankfully though there are some success stories including here in “The Kingdom of Eswatini”.
Caroline Joyner is from the travel agent “Travel Counsellors” and she has been lucky enough to travel around Swaziland twice. She has witnessed for herself the efforts and successes of this land-locked piece of Africa that is perhaps showing some of its more illustrious neighbours how to protect both the animals and the habitats for future generations to come.
A Rich Conservation Heritage
Tiny Swaziland (which changed its name to Eswatini in 2018) lives in the shadow of its Big Five neighbour, South Africa, but a long conservation heritage has left a legacy of impressive yet intimate game reserves.
Bumping along through the dense bush on dirt tracks, the open-sided truck gives the feeling that the black rhino and her baby are almost in touching distance. Getting this close to a wild black rhino so quickly after entering the Mkaya Game Reserve was unexpected. Critically endangered, there are only an estimated 6487 of them left in the wild. These statistics are provided by the World Animal Foundation.
Driving through Mkhaya’s densely populated bush provides somewhat intimate encounters with the most infamous of the African wildlife. Giraffes munch happily on leaves and Kudu’s bounce from tree to tree. In movie terms, it’s Bambi meets Madagascar, but it hasn’t always been like this for Swaziland. Mkhaya Game Reserve, one of Swaziland’s 3 reserves, forms an important part of this tiny country’s rich conservation heritage.
From One Mans Vision
Way back at the end of colonial rule, the Swaziland or Eswatini diverse natural habitats were once home to abundant free-roaming beasts had been left with virtually nothing. The antelope were nowhere to be seen, let alone the ‘Big 5’. One young man had watched his country’s demise and after experiencing the true ‘wild Africa’ in Zambia, he decided to do something about it.
At 20 years old, world-renowned conservationist, Ted Riley began a campaign to establish what are now some of southern Africa’s most successful conservation reserves, gaining support from King Sobuza II, Swaziland’s reigning monarch at the time. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary opened in 1964 introducing its first white rhino population in 1965. What followed was 50 years of conservation efforts in partnership with the Swazi Royal House, resulting in the founding of Hlane Royal National Park and Mkhaya Game Reserve along the way.
10,000 square kilometres of a reserve is quite small by African standards, but the lack of self-drive and paved roads here really does give you a sense of the wild. We stop for lunch at a camp, eating under a sausage tree. “How many rhinos do you have here?”, I ask our guide. “I can’t give you a figure”, he says, “but it’s a healthy population”. Therein lies my first lesson in the current reality of the poaching crisis: guides will not reveal figures for any animal in case this information ends in the wrong hands.
For Future Generations
Like much of Africa, Swaziland or Eswatini finds itself amid a war with poachers, but this tiny Absolute Monarchy is giving its larger, more famous, neighbours a run for their money. Whilst South Africa has lost over 3000 Rhino since 2011, Swaziland lost only 3. Swaziland has arguably Africa’s most effective anti-poaching force and it was Ted Riley who began the process.
Back in the 90s when ivory poaching was at its height, Mr Riley deposited a poached rhino outside the King Mswati III’s Royal Palace. His very public protests precipitated fairly revolutionary changes in legislation around penalties for poaching; anyone caught poaching or attempting to poach receives a minimum of 5 years in jail and must pay back the value of the poached animal. If there is a sentence the judge is liable and can be sentenced to the same as the poacher which effectively quashes the blight of African justice: corruption.
In neighbouring South Africa, current legislation does not require poachers to go to jail, giving an option of paying a fine to walk free. Poaching numbers peaked there in 2014 with 1215 rhinos killed by poachers that year, but in Swaziland only 3 rhinos have been killed by poachers in the last 26 years.
A Symphony in Stereo
My lodging for the night is in one of Stone Camp’s 10 very special open-sided stone-built rooms. Each room occupies its piece of the reserve. As I wander down the rough path through the bush to my lodge, I encounter a family of warthogs playing happily and eland dancing. Apart from quite a pathetic-looking “gate”, my little house is open to all – the stone sides only reach waist height. As darkness falls I am increasingly aware of my untamed surroundings. I go to open the safe to find a huge spider sprawled across the door, it’s not just the animals who have freedom of movement here.
At dinner, I ask one of the waiters whether any guests have woken to find any larger animals around their lodges. “Not really”, he muses. “although there was a spate where elephants were intent on destroying the trees in between the rooms”, he muses. “Oh, and there was that Italian lady who woke up to find a hyena in her room”. Wishing I had never asked, I settled down to sleep in my camping-esq bedroom.
In the darkness, every sound is amplified: like someone had just turned the volume right up. The air is full with a chorus of frogs, crickets and bush babies, a symphony in stereo. Each sound becomes distinct from the others in a rhythmic hum, the frog calls seem to be on the beat after every 5 cricket calls. My mind is forcing me to listen for footsteps, breaking trees, branches…
A Refuge For Endangered Species
Waking early to the splintered sunlight the sounds have changed. Bird call dominates the landscape of tangled trees outside; a whistling call, an alarm clock call, a quacking call. Taking a shower is like showering inside a game hide: I watch as the antelope and the warthogs roam metres from me.
“Swaziland’s Refuge for Endangered Species” has come a long way from its origins as a small farm breeding indigenous Nguni cattle. The Riley family’s decision to sell the cattle and replace them with the endangered game has paid off; as well as being Swaziland’s best boutique safari experience, this reserve now leads the way in rhino conservation.
The rhinos themselves continue to lie contently in the mud, their noses buried deep, oblivious to the fact that they are part of one of Southern Africa’s most successful conservation stories.
Useful Information
The Kingdom of Swaziland or Eswatini is easily reachable via a short flight or 4-hour road trip from Johannesburg. It is also within easy driving distance of Kruger and the Durban coastline, making it a worthwhile stop-off in any South Africa itinerary.
Swaziland’s principal reserves and game parks:
Hlane Royal National Park. This is the largest reserve where the “Big 5” hang out in typical African bushveld scenery, but with none of the crowds of Kruger – you can spot lions, elephants, white rhinos, antelopes and even an elusive leopard if you are lucky. Lodging is simple and this park is an easy self-drive.
Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary. Eswatini’s oldest reserve and another pioneering conservation effort, nothing dangerous lives here which means walking, cycling and horse riding safaris are a great way to get close to the impressive list of flora and fauna. Hike up execution rock and watch the sunset over the valley. Accommodation includes everything from camping to luxury lodges but many people visit on a day trip.
Mkhaya Game Reserve. The country’s most exclusive reserve, Mkhaya is explored with private game drives and your incredible guide. It’s home to 4 of the big 5 and has some of Africa’s best rhino-viewing opportunities. Lodge at the barefoot luxury ‘Stone Camp’ and enjoy dinner under the stars.
Malalotja Nature Reserve. One of Africa’s most scenic highland reserves, this is where to come for some action. You can hike, cycle, horse ride or zip-wire your way through its beautiful rolling hills, grasslands, gorges and waterfalls. Lodging includes campsites, rustic cabins or traditional beehive chalets with all mod cons.
If you are looking for a safari and beach holiday, Eswatini is also easily combined with Mozambique’s idyllic beaches.
Contact Information
For more information on holidays to Eswatini in Africa get in touch with Caroline as below.
The Svalbard Islands are located in the Arctic Ocean, halfway between Norway and the North Pole. A truly arctic wilderness with unique wildlife in a setting that is both rugged and fragile.
With a history of whaling and trapping Svalbard seems to have turned the other way with sustainability being at the heart of the development of the area. There are many nature reserves, and national parks which make hiking and outdoor adventure a key activity for visitors.
The capital is Longyearbyen a small town with several restaurants, bars, and even a small brewery.
Snowmobiles are the preferred method of transport in Svalbard.
Taxis are available and a good way to get around particularly in Longyearbyen and surrounding areas..
There is an airport shuttle bus that stops at all the hotels and accommodations in town.
During the Polar Summer, you can use the bicycles at the Tourist Information Centre in Longyearbyen.
Top Things To See & Do
Polar Bears Between May and September, the boat cruises near the frozen fjords offer the best chance of spotting the largest bear species on earth – the polar bear. It is recommended to take a guide when leaving Longyearbyen as it is a law that you need to be armed in case of a surprise attack!
Midnight Sun In Svalbard, the sun does not set from May to September. This phenomenon is known as the midnight sun. Between November and January, it does not rise and this is the polar night and the best time for the Northern Lights.
Husky Dog Sledding the pastime of mushing or dog sledging is a popular activity in both winter and summer months. Of course, in winter it is on the snow but in summer especially adapted vehicles with wheels give you a similar experience albeit without the snow!
The Global Seed Vault A vault containing seeds from more than 930,000 varieties of food crops in case there’s a global disaster and the world’s crops are wiped out.
Sail The Fjords A sailboat ride is the best way to see Svalbard’s stunning fjords, glaciers, and sensational wildlife. Think walruses, arctic foxes, whales, seals, and maybe polar bears.
Snow Mobile Experience the thrill of riding past icy glaciers, frozen fjords, and snow-clad mountains. This is a really special adventure.
Pyramiden Ghost Town Listed by National Geographic as one of the world’s 10 best ghosts, Pyradmiden is a former Soviet town and a fascinating trip back to the 80s when it was formerly occupied.
Go Hiking In the summer months, the area around Longyearbyen is surrounded by stunning mountains to explore.
Pre-bookable Excursions in Svalbard and Jan Mayen
More Information
Contact Visit Svalbard or your local travel agent for more information on holidays to Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
The historic town of Kalkan is an enchanting traditional town in Turkey and one of the most beautiful resorts along the stunning Lycian Coast. With the absence of mass tourism, Kalkan remains a charming and unspoiled haven of lush nature, brilliant blue crystal-clear sea, historic architecture, ancient history and warm traditional Turkish hospitality.
However, what is it like to travel to Turkey amid a global pandemic in 2020? Bhav Taylor recently took a holiday to Turkey with specialist tour operator Simpson Travel having booked through the independent travel agent, Triangle Travel. She shares her experiences of travelling to Kalkan during a pandemic.
A First-Hand Experience
I am currently travelling back from Kalkan in Turkey and am reflecting on a week of sunshine and relaxation. We had only booked this trip a month ago due to three overseas trips being cancelled due to the pandemic.
Turkey was chosen for several reasons. We had travelled to Kalkan before and with Turkey initially on the air corridor list with low COVID-19 cases, it seemed right. Add to that it was going to be warm enough to sit outside, enjoy the sunshine and be able to relax so we booked a package with the travel agent Triangle Travel to travel with the specialist tour operator, Simpson Travel.
Two weeks before we were due to travel Turkey was removed from the Government air corridor list. Triangle Travel was in touch within minutes of the FCDO advice changing to discuss options. They highlighted that we would need to reassess our travel insurance coverage and the requirement to quarantine on our return if we decided to go ahead.
With a new travel policy purchased and flights cancelled 48 hours before departure, we were re-booked with British Airways and were finally on our way.
Was I anxious? It wasn’t until the week we were due to travel. I questioned whether we were doing the right thing. Having boarded planes and travelled frequently for work and leisure I had never given this a second thought, but this time I knew it was going to be different.
At The Airport
Arriving at a significantly quieter LHR T5, two and a half hours before flying we were met with lots of signage and hand sanitizers. So, what had changed since I had last travelled?
For a start, it was easy to find a car parking space at T5 and you couldn’t enter the terminal unless you were flying. Unfortunately, we couldn’t check in online due to extra checks so therefore had to wait until 2 hours before departure before our check-in would open.
Mask-wearing in the terminal was compulsory although it was disappointing to note that not everyone practices social distancing, especially in queues. Once through security, we noticed that there were limited food and retail outlets open. There were more people in the terminal than I expected to see but significantly fewer for a Saturday morning in October.
On The Flight
Our experience with BA was also very different to when I last flew. In a good way!
For a start, nobody rushed to the boarding gate when the flight was called. Once aboard a personal protection pack was handed out and this included items such as an antibacterial towelette and some hand sanitiser gel. We were adequately spaced out on the flight and were advised we had to wear our masks for the entire duration of the flight unless consuming food/drinks.
Whilst up in the air no one was allowed to queue in the aisles for the toilets and there was limited walking around the cabin. BA are currently not offering a pay-service refreshment trolley but instead, a complimentary snack bag containing biscuits, crisps and a bottle of water. Your food could be consumed on board. Tea/Coffee, Water and juice were also served.
Upon landing you disembarked by row number and the usual chaos was a thing of the past – a pleasant experience!
Dalaman Airport
Now onto the Turkish experience, starting with Dalaman Airport which was so easy with locator forms dropped into a box and temperature spot checks in place. The whole process of passport control was both speedy and efficient.
The Simpson Travel Experience
Finally, onto the Simpson Travel and Kalkan experience.
We were met by a driver from Bravo Tours, who was wearing a mask and the vehicle had signs to confirm it had been disinfected by ULV technique. On board the transfer a well-being pack was provided that contained a mask, antibacterial wipes and a bottle of water.
On arrival at our hotel, our luggage was taken and sprayed with disinfectant and our temperatures were taken on arrival and every 2 days. We were briefed on the measures they had taken due to Covid, so we knew what to expect.
All staff at the hotel were wearing masks and there were social distancing signs and hand sanitisers around the hotel. The breakfast buffet was now served by the staff. Essentially all precautions had been taken and enforced and this was replicated when we walked into Kalkan.
Restaurants, shops, and bars all follow the rules. Police were out patrolling, reminding people to wear masks when walking around and providing free ones. Failure to wear a mask could result in a hefty fine but they were very polite about the enforcement and people that weren’t aware were responsive.
In Summary
Looking back this year I have done a lot to work on my mental well-being as we all adjusted to this new way of living. These included exercise, losing weight, watching lots of Netflix, eating a healthy diet with treats thrown in, keeping in touch with family and friends through Zoom calls and visiting when I could but I was desperate to travel overseas.
I feel very fortunate and privileged to be able to travel. It’s one of my many passions.
I am lucky enough to work for Yomdel which has always supported flexible working and has enforced it from a safety aspect too since the start of the pandemic. They fully supported me travelling knowing that I would have to quarantine on my return. Working remotely has never been an issue for them and without this flexibility, we would not have even thought about travelling.
We felt safe travelling from an end-to-end perspective and having a change of scenery has done our mental well-being no end of good. Booking a package through a reputable agent and travelling with a trustworthy company like Simpson Travel ensured we were looked after from start to finish. We forgot about the Coronavirus and relaxed, our only reminder was the hand sanitisers and mask-wearing (this wasn’t a hardship)
So, would I do it again, yes in a heartbeat! I wait eagerly to see more countries reopen so I can start planning and booking trips again.
After all, if you can’t travel what is life about?
Contact Information
Our sincere thanks to Bhav Taylor for sharing her experiences. Bhav travelled with Simpson Travel, a specialist tour operator to Kalkan in Turkey as well as a choice of other European destinations.
Bhav booked her Simpson Travel holiday to Kalkan with Triangle Travel, the Berkshire and Oxfordshire-based independent travel agent with branches in Didcot, Mortimer, Newbury, Pangbourne and Wallingford.
Costa Rica is possibly one of the most ecologically diverse countries on the planet and a visit to this Central American jewel is an experience to savor. This small, democratic, and peaceful country is leading the march for sustainable tourism and has not even had an army since 1948. Peace is one of the main principles of life in Costa Rica – truly a lesson for us all.
Bordering Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, Costa Rica has, seven provinces – San Jose, its capital, Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Puntarenas, Guanacaste and Limon. Thirty per cent of the country consists of areas that are naturally protected or areas of significant conservation efforts.
With wildlife including toucans, macaws, sloths, unique insects, and a rich variety of colourful frogs plus a habitat of magnificent beaches, volcanoes, swamps, and rainforest this is truly a nature lovers’ dream destination.
The main airport is the Juan Santamaria International Airport, located in Alajuela. This airport is only twenty minutes away from San Jose.
Domestic flights are predominantly available on Sansa and NatureAir which have a small network of services originating out of San Jose to many beach destinations and regional towns.
The Bus network is generally excellent, frequent, and good value for money and is very popular in the backpacking community.
Hiring a car or even a motorbike is a little on the expensive side. The country is connected by the main Interamerican Highway, which connects the two borders from Penas Blancas to Paso Canoas. Other parts of the country are difficult to navigate in terms of terrain so I would not suggest this is your best method of travelling and perhaps consider public transport options.
Top Things To See & Do
Parque Nacional Corcovado For a wide choice of outdoor activities such as walking and wildlife-spotting head to the rainforests of the Parque Nacional Corcovado in the south of the country.
Monteverde Possibly one of Costa Rica’s most popular attractions is Monteverde in Puntarenas. Here you are dared to walk across a bridge up high in the cloud forest to experience a wealth of flora and fauna as well as the incredible sights and sounds.
The Arenal Volcano National Park All around this awesome Volcano and its sister volcano Cerro Chato, there are activities like zip lining and hiking however the views of Arenal are what you come for.
Parque Nacional Santa Rosa, Guanacaste This stunning park offers a range of attractions including beaches where you can surf, various types of rainforests, marshlands, woodlands, and swamps. As a result, the wildlife is amazing and so varied.
Curú, Nicoya Peninsula Curu offers rich and diverse wildlife. Kayak through the mangrove swamps and rivers or head inland to the forests to spot monkeys, parrots, anteaters, and capuchins.
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio Enjoy white sandy beaches, tropical forests full of sloths and monkeys, and some awe-inspiring coastal scenery.
Nauyaca Waterfalls One of the best and most beautiful waterfalls in all of Costa Rica.
Best Beaches The beaches of Playa Junquillal in Guanacaste and Ojochal’s Playa Tortuga on the southern Pacific coast are some of the finest off-the-beaten tracks.
Pre Bookable Excursions in Costa Rica
Contact Information
For more information on visiting Costa Rica visit the Costa Rica Tourist Office or contact your local travel agent.
