Did you know that about 5% of all biodiversity on earth is in Costa Rica? If you love animals, you need to check this place out! We saw coatimundis, monkeys, sloths, a peccary, tarantulas, and vipers just to name a few. We went to Costa Rica at the end of November, which was perfect timing. It is rainy season from the beginning of May through the end of November, but the weather was perfect. We did get rain one day and it rained a couple times overnight, but most days it was partly cloudy with a high around 80°. since it is still technically rainy, season, there is less tourism. Obviously Thanksgiving is not celebrated so local kids are in school and their parents are working. We stayed in La Fortuna which is right next to Arenal Volcano.  Clouds of obscure the peak of the volcano, but as long as you stay in the area a few days you should get a chance to see the peak of this active volcano.  You can hike around the volcano through the lava fields at Arenal Volcano National Park. 

Fortuna River Waterfall!

The Fortuna River Waterfall is a must see!  The waterfall is 70 meters high and you may get a chance to swim under underneath it.  If there has been too much rainfall and the water is too high, then swimming is not permitted but you can climb down on the rocks by the water and get splashed.  Make sure to bring water for this hike because there are over 500 steps down to the water.  

Mystico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park has 16 hanging bridges along the 2 mile path through the park.  I would recommend paying for a tour guide to point out the animals hiding in burrows, logs, and under leaves.  These creatures are great at camouflaging and easy to miss if you don't know what you are looking for.