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Where to go in Costa Rica for good food and adventure

A tree frog in Tortuguero - WTolenaars
A tree frog in Tortuguero - WTolenaars
Sylvia Franklin writes

We are two couples in our 50s and 60s travelling to Costa Rica in May next year. It will be my 60th birthday while we’re out there, so we want to find something special to do to celebrate. We like good food and a drink but are also quite active. Do you have any suggestions?

Chris Moss, Latin America expert, replies

Costa Ricans – or Ticos – take birthdays seriously, so whatever you do dinner-wise on the big day, you’ll be spoiled. Expect a round of “feliz cumpleaños” from waiters and guests, plus cake and maybe bubbly. As for an itinerary, San José is now a daytime flight from Heathrow with British Airways, so spend the evening in the capital, enjoying a dinner in the historic Barrio Amón and a cup of the finest local coffee. In the morning head north-west, by road, towards Arenal and its namesake volcano. It’s great for hikes, easy mountain biking and thermal baths for a soothing soak before cocktail hour.

From here you’ll be close to the Monteverde Cloud Forest and Rincón de la Vieja national park. The former is a dream-world of orchids, lianas and bromeliads where you can trek through the mist to see myriad birds and wildlife. The latter provides an opportunity to saddle up and do a gentle ride around a jungle-clad volcano.

A resplendent quetzal in Monteverde - Credit: GETTY
A resplendent quetzal in Monteverde Credit: GETTY

As a finale, head for the Nicoya peninsula and chill on the beach (or take surfing lessons) – or, better still, fly from Liberia to Tortuguero with Sansa and spend your big day (or three) on the Caribbean coast. Tortuguero is a car-free national park and a nesting ground for sea turtles. You can paddle around the creeks and lagoons inside a rainforest, spotting caimans, monkeys and birds, then have your birthday meal in a waterside lodge. See my Ultimate Costa Rica itinerary for more ideas and details

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