San José Off The Beaten Path

The Braulio Carrillo reserve, outside San José, is in most parts unexplored. If going with a tour guide, you can reach just a little extension of the park and will be offered the oportunity to take pics in just one spot :-(. If you go by trail, however, the hike is really worth it! The park contains more than 6000 types of plants and 333 species of birds. You can visit the reserve either by road or by plane.

In the restaurant section I recommended the 'Balcon de Europa' restaurant, not for its food but for the interior decoration. Also, the wood used for the floor and walls belongs to a tree that's now on the endangered species list.

Here's a picture to show what I'm talking about. This place is located on Calle 9, between Ave. 1 & Central, real close to the Hotel Presidente.

I suggest dont take the tourist plantation trips..just rent a 4x4 and take it to the mountains or if you feel up to it you can take the hike, but along the way you will see some of the greenest widest plantations in Costa Rica.

A small port town called Limon, its pretty there but can be very dangerous as well. Beware of the Black beggars as they steal ya wallet if you go to give them money. Its a case of good block bad block

Parque Tapanti. The second biggest I think. Not so great for wildlife, but beatiful scenery. No buses run there, so its a taxi ride from Orosi, probably less than half an hours drive.