Start your tour of Costa Rica with between 5 to 7 days exploring the mainland. Many tour operators offer an excellent three or four night package from the capital, San Jose, that visit both Arenal volcano and Monteverde cloudforest. Arenal is a constantly erupting volcano a few hours from San Jose - if ever you wanted to witness a volcanic eruption, this is one place where you're almost guaranteed to see one (unless the weather prevents it). Nearby Monteverde Cloudforest provides easy access to rainforest that is excellent for wildlife viewing, nature trails, birdwatching, jungle canopy zip lines and has a range of fine jungle lodges.
Those particularly keen on adventure tours and wildlife might consider also visiting Tortuguero National Park. Tortugero, on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, combines beaches with wildife viewing perfectly. Tortugera is well known as a turtle nesting site, but there is a host of other wildlife viewing opportunities in addition. Corcovado National Park is an alternative area excellent for wildlife vacations in Costa Rica.
