Rivers - The rivers of Costa Rica are of great interest to tourists, not only for their beauty but also for the opportunities they provide for adventure, sport and leisure activities. On the Caribbean side lie the Reventazon-Parismina River system, 145 km long, and the 108 km Pacuare. Both rivers are ideal for fishing and for shooting rapids. Also on the northern Caribbean slopes, we find the 96 km Colorado and the Sarapiquí, both of which are perfect for outings and sporting activities. The Pacific side boasts numerous rivers such as the Corobicí, most noted for float trips on its gentle rapids. The Corobicí and many other north Pacific rivers empty into the great Tempisque River which stretches for 135 km to the Gulf of Nicoya. The marshes, rivulets and estuaries of the Tempisque Basin provide important nesting grounds for numerous native bird species and sanctuary for many migrants.
Caribbean Coast - The Caribbean coastline, stretching for 212 km; runs from the northeast to the southeast and can be divided into two distinct sections: Río San Juan-Limóon (which extends from the border with Nicaragua to the city of Limón), and Limón-Río Sixaola (from the city of Limón to the border with Panamá). The first section consists of a long stretch of coastline that separates the sea from a series of fresh water lakes, fed by numerous rivers. In this region are the famous "Canales of Tortuguero", a network of more than 100 km of navigable canals and lagoons and which are the habitat of seven species of turtles. Located at the mid-point of the Caribbean coastline of Limon, one of the country's major ports and birthplace of our Afro-Caribbean culture. Just offshore, to the south of the city, lies the island of Uvita, originally named Cariari by Christopher Columbus who stopped there on his fourth voyage to the New World.
Pacific Coast - The Pacific coast stretches over 1.200 km, from one border to the other and offers a variety of landscapes, islands, gulls, headlands, swamps, inlets and peninsulas. From Bahia Salinas, in the north, to southern Punta Burica, Costa Rica's Pacific coastline boasts many wide beaches which are perfect for tourists to enjoy themselves. Santa Elena, Nicoya and Osa are the main peninsulas on the Pacific side. On the northern part of the coast is the bay of Salinas (where a small archipelago called Murcielago affords ideal scuba diving) and the Santa Elena Peninsula and Culebra Bay (where the "Golfo de Papagayo" tourist complex is currently under construction).
Further south the Gulf of Nicoya also has great tourist appeal. The "Salinero" and Tempisque" ferries cross its waters to the isolated beaches of the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula. The shoreline of the gulf forms many bays and promontories and Nicoya's waters are dotted with small islands. The largest of these are the islands of Chira and San Lucas. Others of great natural beauty are Venado, Bejuco, Caballos, Negritos and Cedros Islands.
Near the city of Puntarenas (administrative center of the province, also called Puntarenas) is Puerto Caldera, the Pacific's most important port. Caldera has developed into a modern port complex for cruise ships and cargo boats. Five hundred km off the Pacific coast lies Coco Island, famous for its legend of hidden treasures. However, its main riches are very beautiful and luxuriant flora and fauna, both on land and in its surrounding waters.
These natural treasures are in need of protection from visitors to the island. Finally, the south Pacific coast is divided into two major zones. To the southeast, is the Golfo Dulce. On the gulf, stands the historic city of Golfito, better known today for its duty free shopping centers. To the southwest lies the Osa Peninsula where the Osa Conservation Area protects perhaps the most extensive and richest variety of flora and fauna to be found in the country.
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