Sustainable COSTA RICA

Plan the perfect green escape in Costa Rica, where there are plenty of ways to lessen your footprint and make a difference while travelling

- Nikki Solano

The Northern Inlands

Go greener with some hands-on escapes in the north's jungles, volcanoes and cloud forests

Best for: A mix of adventure and nature, with a hefty slant toward sustainable experiences
Why do it? To reap some of the bountiful rewards of eco-tourism, including a deeper respect for the environment and ideas for greener lifestyle choices
Route: La Fortuna; Lake Arenal; Monteverde

From the jungles around La Fortuna to the cloud forests atop Monteverde, the Northern Inlands region (north-west of San José) is filled with not only lush escapes but plenty of chances for visitors to learn how to be 'greener'.

The region is made up of humid rainforests, fertile plains and majestic mountains where big thrills and gentle escapes coalesce. Here you can experience just about every kind of activity on offer in Costa Rica, with the towns of La Fortuna and Monteverde operating as hubs for travellers seeking adventures. The area's zip-line circuits, sky-scraping hanging bridges, gentle hot springs, and wild nature reserves consistently rank among the nation's best.

La Fortuna, which lies less than 20km east of the Arenal stratovolcano, is often dubbed Costa Rica's 'epicentre of adventure'. This is a nod to the catalogue of guided often adrenaline-fuelled - excursions that can be found here, particularly in Arenal Volcano National Park and its network of forested trails following old lava flows.

At the other end of the scale is Monteverde, which has a moniker ('Green Mountain') that speaks to its lushness. This sprawling, high-altitude community is swathed by misty forests and clouds close enough to touch, and it is very much the yin to La Fortuna's yang, with guided trips that encourage a more gentle exploration of its nature.