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Climate: Warm and humid in lowlands and cool and breezy in the mountains
Average Temperature: mid 80’s with 75% to 85% humidity (depending on season)
See Northern Zone Weather Region
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Northern Region: Best Known For.....
Places to See in the Northern Region
Things to Do in the Northern Region
This is the northern-most tourism region in Costa Rica encompassing almost the entire border with Nicaragua, including the northern parts of the Heredia and Alajuela Provinces. The Northern Plains Tourism Region is located on the Caribbean side of the Tilarán mountain range and includes Arenal Volcano and its cloud forests along with the wetlands of the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Sarapiquí area.
The Sarapiquí region is known for its unspoiled ecosystems and for the adventurous river of the same name, most popular for class II – IV rapids. The endangered great green macaw can be found here. Several other river basins in this area such as Peñas Blancas, San Carlos and Toro contribute to the richness of this tourism region. Safari boat rides and rafting trips take you through these diverse river basin ecosystems, offering copious wildlife viewing and adventure opportunities.
Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica's most active volcano (also one of the ten most active in the world) and puts on quite a show most nights. Lava flows change direction every six to eight months and typically favor the southwest and/or northwest sides of the volcano. The volcano is 17 kilometers west of La Fortuna which is an excellent base for exploring the Arenal region. Activities include bird and wildlife watching, canyoneering, volcano hikes, horseback riding, canopy tours (zip lines and hanging bridges), whitewater rafting, tranquil river floats and fishing on nearby Arenal Lake. The area is renowned for several thermal resorts featuring volcano-heated hot springs. Beyond great freshwater fishing, Arenal Lake is also the best windsurfing spot in the country, with winds up to 50 mph.
Wildlife is abundant in this region with more then 600 of the 850 bird species found in Costa Rica along with many mammal, butterfly, reptile and plant species to boot. From hiking the base of Arenal, to exploring the prime wetland ecosystems of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, the Northern Plains Region has a variety of things to see and do.
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The Northern Tourism Region is Best Known For:
Lava-viewing and hiking around Arenal Volcano, one of the country's highest zip line canopy tours, bird and wildlife watching, soaking in hot springs, windsurfing, touring the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, whitewater rafting, and freshwater fishing on Arenal Lake and Caño Negro.
Hot Spots:
Arenal / La Fortuna, San Carlos, Sarchí, Sarapiquí
Places to See:
Arenal Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfalls, Tirimbina rainforest Center, Hacienda Pozo Azul.
Parks and Reserves: Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Tenorio National Park.
Volcanoes: Arenal, Chato
Waterfalls: La Fortuna Waterfall
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Things to Do:
Air Activities: canopy tours, suspension bridges, aerial trams and bungee jumping.
Land Activities: hiking, horseback riding, canyoneering, mountain biking, bird & wildlife watching, caving and ATV tours,
Water Activities: hot springs, rafting & tubing, windsurfing and fishing on Arenal Lake, kayaking, canoeing, boat tours.
Read our Northern Region Travel Blogs:
Arenal Volcano / La Fortuna (June 2007)
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