Nature & Wildlife
Crater lakes, frogs, sloths, and toucans. Where to actually see wildlife in the northern lowlands, based on firsthand visits.
Laguna de Hule: Costa Rica's Hidden Volcanic Crater Lake
Three ancient lakes inside a collapsed volcano, surrounded by untouched rainforest, visited by almost no tourists.
Naturechallenging3–5 hours round trip
Laguna de Río Cuarto: A Perfect Volcanic Crater Lake
Emerald-green water in a perfectly circular volcanic crater, with kayaking, paddleboarding, and almost no tourists, 75 minutes from La Fortuna.
Natureeasy1–3 hours
Night Wildlife Tours in Sarapiquí: Poison Dart Frogs, Sleeping Toucans & Red-Eyed Tree Frogs
When the sun goes down in Sarapiquí, a completely different rainforest wakes up.
Natureeasy2–3 hours; tours start at 7:00 PM.