Exploring Costa Rica Guidebook

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NORTHERN ZONE

WHOEVER first said Costa Rica was the Switzerland of Central

America was surely in the heart of the Northern Zone, staring out

at the bluish-toned mountains all around, and wondering if Lake

Geneva could ever be transplanted to the windy region. When the artificial

Laguna de Arenal was constructed in 1974, tropical Switzerland was

finally completed.

ZARCERO

THIS tranquil mountain town is renowned for its outlandish topiary gardens and the yummy cheese and strawberries produced there.

CIUDAD QUESADA

CIUDAD Quesada is much like a miniature downtown San José nestled in the Northern Zone hills. Famous for its beef, meat-lovers should take a bite out of this town, where you can also stop for a movie and a mochaccino at the mall, right next to the giant bus station, a Northern Zone hub.

LA FORTUNA

BRIMMING with budget hotels, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and tour offices, La Fortuna draws most Arenal Volcano visitors. On clear days, you can stand on its main street and gaze at the majestic cone, and if you're lucky, at night it'll spark up in lava fireworks don't get too close!

ARENAL VOLCANO & LAKE

FOR years, the sublime sight of Arenal Volcano and the magnificent Laguna de Arenal has brought relief to many a beached-out tourist and overworked urbanite. Whether you start by soaking your tired bones in a hot spring, shaking them up on an adventure tour, or simply gazing at the view from a hotel balcony, you'll be surprised at how quickly the wind will lift up your worries and carry them away.

NUEVO ARENAL

LIKE the sunken city of Atlantis, the original Nuevo Arenal lies in the depths of Laguna de Arenal. In 1974, when the human-made Lake Arenal was completed, the town of Nuevo Arenal has moved uphill so its former location could be covered by water.

TILARAN

MARKING the crossroads between Arenal and the rest of Guanacaste, the slowpaced town of Tilarán makes an excellent stopover to plan the next step in your journey. Do it over lunch, with help from a tourist info center, or as you people-watch in the quiet park.