Introduction to Sarapiqui

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui in the lush Caribbean lowlands is known for its natural environment filled with tropical flora, and for the broad Sarapiqui River that flows through it. The region is covered with thick lowland rainforest, home to many species of birds, including tanagers, jacamars, motmots, parrots, toucans and the loud oropendola with its long golden tail. Just an hour and a half drive from San Jose, the area is humid and hot year-round and life revolves very much around the river, the entry and exit point for most goods and cargo. Aside from tourism, banana and pineapple plantations are the main source of income in the region and the town is an important hub for the surrounding plantations and their workers.

The nearby Braulio Carrillo National Park offers a pristine expanse of virgin cloud forest and rainforest and is a very important primary forest, one of the few areas in Costa Rica where the jaguar still prowls. Verdantly green with brightly colored plants and butterflies creating a feast for the eyes, the region is also home to a very particular set of animal species, including monkeys, sloths, ocelots and snakes. It also has many opportunities for adventure, and visitors can try whitewater rafting, kayaking and ziplining among many other adrenaline pumping activities. The Sarapiqui River offers gentler whitewater rafting rapids than many of the wilder Costa Rican rivers, so it is ideal for those who are new to the sport.