Getting Oriented

The rich, lush terrain of the Zona Norte (Northern Zone), as it is known locally, runs from the base of the Cordillera Central in the south to the Río San Juan, on the border with Nicaragua in the north. Most visitors begin their visit to Costa Rica in San José, and then head north to La Fortuna. This adventure hub is a base for exploring the Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, and Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge, and for sportfishing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing at Lake Arenal and rafting on the Sarapiquí River.

• Arenal and La Fortuna. A three-hour drive northwest of San José brings you to Arenal Volcano, one of the top 10 most visited attractions in Costa Rica. Book the right hotel, such as Arenal Kioro, and you can wake up to views of the 5,300 ft-tall dome from your window. Although the volcano is in a passive stage, you might see a few plumes of smoke during your visit. La Fortuna is the closest town to the volcano; nearby diversions include include hot springs, hanging bridges, white-water rafting, ziplines, waterfalls, and rain forest tours.
• Nuevo Arenal. About an hour away from Arenal Volcano, the "nuevo" or "new" town of Arenal is popular for windsurfers who come to visit Lake Arenal. It also makes a good base for exploring the area, offering a few truly memorable restaurants and hotels.
• Monteverde Cloud Forest and Santa Elena. Home to the rainiest of cloud forests, the Monteverde Cloud Forest area is also the canopy-tour capital of Costa Rica. Hanging bridges, treetop tram tours, and ziplines abound. As if that's not enough, horseback riding, coffee tours, and nature hikes are also available. Santa Elena, the closest town to Monteverde Cloud Forest, is the best base for a trip here.
• Tenorio Volcano and the Río Celeste. Located about an hour north of Arenal in a verdant national park, the lesser known but magnificent Tenorio Volcano is surrounded by great hiking trails, a waterfall, hot springs, and Costa Rica's most striking blue river, the Río Celeste.
• Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge. In the far northern lowlands, this rain forest reserve and wetland, reminiscent of a small Florida Everglades, is a great place for fishing, bird-watching, and communing with nature. Boat tours are a popular way to take in all the flora and fauna of the area. It's about 90 minutes driving from La Fortuna.
• Arenal Volcano Area. Although the volcano is in a passive stage, Arenal remains among the top 10 most visited attractions in Costa Rica. La Fortuna is the closest town to the volcano; the many nearby diversions include hot springs, hanging bridges, white-water rafting, ziplines, waterfalls, and rain-forest tours. Tilarán, west of Lake Arenal, is the place to be if you're a windsurfer or kiteboarder.