Best of South-Central Costa Rica

Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary [1]: Bird watchers should make haste to this fabulous bird-watching site, where visitors can thrill to sightings of more than 300 species.

Río Chirripó Valley [2]: Tucked into a fold of the Talamanca mountains, this splendidly scenic valley is the gateway to Chirripó National Park. Its fabulous opportunities for bird-watching and hiking culminate in the two-day hike to the summit of Chirripó.

Chirripó National Park [3]: Hiking to the summit of Costa Rica’s highest mountain requires no more than stamina and offers the reward of sensational views as you pass through a wide range of habitats.

Durika Biological Reserve [4]: High on the mountain slopes abutting La Amistad International Peace Park, this eco-sensitive commune provides a unique experience for travelers seeking to participate in a rustic communal lifestyle. Hikes are offered into the park.

Las Cruces Biological Station/Wilson Botanical Garden [5]: This reserve and research station has miles of nature trails through humid montane ecosystems, offering magnificent wildlife-viewing. The highlight is the Wilson Botanical Garden, a jewel among tropical botanical gardens

La Amistad International Park — South [6]: This park, shared with Panamá, is the ultimate in rugged, remote mountain terrain. It’s most easily accessed from the south; here, trails lead into a private cloud-forest reserve with rustic accommodation at La Amistad Lodge, above San Vito.