Where to Stay
Every captivating tailor-made itinerary needs a perfect base. Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any adventure.
Wetlands
The wetlands of Costa Rica are some of the best areas to experience a variety of birds and wildlife, especially for those looking for a family or bird watching holiday to Costa Rica.
Generally only accessible by boat, the wetlands are remote, unspoilt and above all, protected. They allow for excellent observation of birds, monkeys, reptiles and more.
Two of the most popular wetland areas are the national parks of Tortuguero and Cano Negro, however, we can also take you to lesser known places such as the private ecological reserve of Rancho Humo in Guanacaste.
Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero is one of the most diverse and famous wetlands in Costa Rica. Tortuguero National Park incorporates dense rainforest, lagoons, brackish swamps and a network of meandering channels. It is also home to over half of the bird and reptile species found in Costa Rica.
Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge
Located in the north-east of the country and only accessible by boat is Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge. The wildlife here is exceptional. Monkey, sloth, caiman, black river turtles and the wonderful Jesus Christ lizards can all be seen. Birdlife is also plentiful with tiger herons, jaribou and ibis making it a favourite destination for Costa Rica bird watching holidays.
Palo Verde National Park
Palo Verde National Park is an extraordinary region. Covering over 45,000 acres, paradoxically it is both a spectacular wetland and one of the best examples of a tropical dry forest in the world. The reason for its juxtaposition is due to the Tempisque River that floods in what is a relatively arid environment. Although a haven for aquatic and migratory birds, due to the low rainfall, the tropical dry forest provides a different habitat for other wildlife.
Rancho Humo Private Ecological Reserve
Located in Guanacaste the plains of Rancho Humo are naturally flooded each rainy season, only partially drying out during the summer. While much of the region has been drained to provide cattle grazing for farmers, Rancho Humo has worked tirelessly to restore the balance and provides a fantastic private wetlands experience. Set over 2640 acres of including parts of Palo Verde National Park, Rancho Humo is at the heart of an important conservation area. Jaribou, storks, spoonbills, herons and cormorants are just some examples of the varied birdlife that can be observed here.
Our Specialists' "Must Do"
The coastline of Tortuguero might defy any preconceptions of a Caribbean beach. It is a rugged and seemingly interminable strip of dark volcanic sand. Pounded by surf, littered with jungle detritus and fringed by thick forest, it is wild and beautiful.
Experiences
What do you really love doing? We curate your itinerary especially for you.
Idea
Costa Rica
Highlights of Costa Rica
Through a combination of protected areas and community-based, sustainable tourism, Costa Rica has successfully restored its forest cover to over 52%. Suited to thrill seekers, nature lovers and those with a curiosity to learn more about conservation, this holiday dips a toe…
Idea
Costa Rica
Journey through Costa Rica & Nicaragua
Combining the prolific wildlife and outdoor pursuits of Costa Rica‘s Carribean coast with the colonial architecture and volcanic islands of Nicaragua‘s Pacific coast, this customisable trip is suited to intrepid travellers who seek a balance of exhilarating explorations with time spent unwinding…
Idea
Nicaragua
El Salvador, Nicaragua & Costa Rica
This intrepid holiday to Central America journeys overland between the smallest and the largest of the region’s countries. From El Salvador through Nicaragua to Costa Rica, all three destinations are bursting with wildlife, epic volcanic scenery, UNESCO sites, colonial history and remote…
Idea
Costa Rica
Highlights of Costa Rica
Through a combination of protected areas and community-based, sustainable tourism, Costa Rica has successfully restored its forest cover to over 52%. Suited to thrill seekers, nature lovers and those with a curiosity to learn more about conservation, this holiday dips…
Idea
Costa Rica
Journey through Costa Rica & Nicaragua
Combining the prolific wildlife and outdoor pursuits of Costa Rica‘s Carribean coast with the colonial architecture and volcanic islands of Nicaragua‘s Pacific coast, this customisable trip is suited to intrepid travellers who seek a balance of exhilarating explorations with time…
Idea
Nicaragua
El Salvador, Nicaragua & Costa Rica
This intrepid holiday to Central America journeys overland between the smallest and the largest of the region’s countries. From El Salvador through Nicaragua to Costa Rica, all three destinations are bursting with wildlife, epic volcanic scenery, UNESCO sites, colonial history…
Costa Rica
Tortuga Lodge
Nestled along the bank of Tortuguero River, on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast, lies Tortuga Lodge, the only hotel in the area with a private nature reserve.
Costa Rica
Manatus Hotel
Manatus Hotel offers boutique-style accommodation just beyond the banks of a principle canal in Tortuguero National Park, in the northern Caribbean region of Costa Rica. The hotel has 12 air-conditioned rooms, each with a wraparound terrace…
Meet our experts
A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.
Clare Higginson
It was my passion for languages that first encouraged me to leave the UK behind and grab my rucksack. Since then, it’s been a mixture of intriguing cultures, jaw-dropping landscapes and the wonder of seeing animals in their natural habitat that sees me continuously extending my travel wish list.
Talk with our experts
- 01285 880 980
John Faithfull
Costa Rica is simply the best spot in Central America for nature lovers, and is always John’s top recommendation for those wishing to hike, swim, zip, raft, ride or float through outstanding scenery and rich biodiversity.
Talk with our experts
- 01285 880 980
Start planning your trip
Explore other regions
Central Valley
Plantations, fincas, primary rainforest and ravines of a truly beautiful wilderness area.
North and Central Pacific Coast
The Pacific Coast stretches from the Nicoya Peninsula in the north to the Osa Peninsula in the south. This coastal plain rises…
Puerto Viejo and Caribbean Coast
It has wonderful beaches with fine volcanic sand lapped by warm water.
South Pacific Coast
According to National Geographic, Corcovado National Park is 'the most biologically intense place on the planet'.
Volcanoes
Costa Rica, straddling the tectonic plates of the Pacific and Caribbean, boasts 110 volcanoes, five of which are still active.
Why Choose Steppes?
Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.
Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?
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