The Northwestern region of Costa Rica is renowned for its
dramatic contrast in topography. Mountain ranges, volcanoes, lakes,
rivers, and fertile plains support numerous varieties of bird and
wildlife, and each offers different types of activities: visitors
come to hike, kayak, horse ride, fish, and climb.
The two
, or mountain ranges, are very different from
each other. The Cordillera Tilarán has rolling mountains that used
to be covered in cloud forests; those remaining are protected
reserves of which the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is
the most popular. It offers nature trails, horse riding, and canopy
tours. The Cordillera de Guanacaste is a rugged and impressive
string of volcanoes, some protected within national parks.
Between the ranges are Lake Arenal and the nearby active Arenal
Volcano, as well as the surrounding hot springs. Further north, in
the tropical humidity of the lowland plains, lies the remote
wildlife refuge of Caño Negro, a vast wetlands area that is one of
the best places in the Americas to see river wildlife, including
numerous birds, mammals, and reptiles. The fertile plains are
dotted with a mixture of agricultural fields, cattle ranches, and
expanses of protected areas serviced by a maze of streams and
rivers