Costa Rica Rainforest Pixabay Public Domain
La Marta Rainforest Reserve
Located within the Cartago Province, just 44 miles southeast of San Jose, La Marta Rainforest Reserve is one of the most naturally gorgeous places you can visit during your Costa Rican stay, and that’s saying a lot seeing as the whole country is so inherently gorgeous. During a visit to La Marta your group will be able to explore various waterfalls, cave systems, and ‘cloud forests’ within the La Marta and Atirro area, as well as the Gato River basin. This reserve in its entirety is known as the ‘gateway to Tapanti and La Amistad National Parks’.
While here you will explore the various timber forests, palms, and epiphytes such as orchids and bromeliads, and possibly have some wildlife encounters along the way with jaguars, anteaters, or kinkajous. There are 20 different trails around the reserve, totaling 11 miles. Historic ruins dot the landscape, which you can learn all about during a history or natural history hike here. Fun fact, this reserve was actually one of the very first spots in Latin America to support electricity, it’s original purpose being an American extension coffee farm.
Be sure to wear comfortable hiking boots and sunscreen during your visit, though luckily the temperature typically stays between 65 and 85 degrees, so you won’t ever get too uncomfortable heat-wise. Aside from the history hikes, you may also choose the 3 hour morning birdwatching tour or 2 hour night hike, the latter a great way to see the nocturnal going-ons in the rainforest.
