Costa Rica is a small Central American country bordering the countries of Nicaragua and Panama. It is often considered to be a tropical paradise. In 1502, Christopher Columbus landed along its Caribbean coast and was so mesmerized he named the place 'Costa Rica', the 'Rich Coast.'
Costa Rica is a stable democracy and, along with Switzerland, only one of two countries in the world without a military. With two international airports and an ever-growing tourism infrastructure, it is a great place for tourists to visit. There are many things to do and see and the country is particularly famous for its flora and fauna.
In a part of the world often known best instability, Costa Rica is a proud, stable democracy and, along with Switzerland, only one of two countries in the world without a military. With an ever-improving tourism infrastructure and two international airports, it is a great place for a spectacular vacation. There is nearly an endless list of things to do and see in a country famous for its incredible diversity of plants and animals.
Costa Rica is particularly famous for the wildlife. Did you know that tiny Costa Rica, only about the size of little West Virginia, has more species of butterflies than in all of the countries on the African continent combined? There are nearly as many different kinds of birds in Costa Rica as in the entire continental United States (and only about 100 fewer species than the entire continent of Europe). The diversity is simply staggering. Nearly one of every five species of plant and animal on the face of the planet is found in Costa Rica! You are going to find fascinating tropical rainforests or spectacular cloud forests and beautiful rugged coastlines along two tropical oceans. And, as small as it is, Costa Rica has set aside nearly 25% of the country for protected national park and wildlife sanctuaries.
You will also find some the world's most famous volcanoes here. Arenal Volcano is a tourist hotspot, with resorts built around hot springs where you can loll in luxury, drink a margarita, and perhaps watch the fabulous eruptions of this volcano. There is also Irazu, just outside San Jose. Here, on the day in 1963 that John F. Kennedy visited Costa Rica, a monstruous eruption greeted the President---I like to think of it as a salute. And, only here on a clear day can you drive to the top of its summit, look into its crater, then look west and see the Pacific Ocean, or look east and see the Atlantic ocean. Or, look at both of them at the same time! This ain't Dubuque!
Then there are the Seven Wonders of Costa Rica, selected by Costa Ricans themselves: mighty Arenal Volcano and spectacular Poas Volcano. Little visited Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve with its great plant and animal diversity---including the only butterfly in the world that makes a noise! Halfway to the Galapagos is magnificent Cocos Island, called the "most beautiful island in the world" by Jacques Cousteau, a famous pirate hiding place with huge fortunes buried but never found, and the best large animal diving on the planet. Mount Chirripo is the tallest mountain in Central America and as you climb from its tropical base to its summit, you may think you are in the Andes with its cold glacial lakes. Or, take a pleasant hike to Rio Celeste (Celestial River) where the river magically changes from crystal clear to sky-blue in front of your eyes. Finally, there is remote Tortuguero National Park, with mile after mile of seemingly deserted beaches---until the wondrous sea turtle invade by the tens of thousands to nest.
Be sure to consider going to some of Costa Rica's Seven Wonders, identified by Costa Ricans themselves. For intrepid adventurers and fisherfolk, there is remote Tortuguero National Park along the Caribbean coast. It is the world's largest protected area for green sea turtles, its waters teem with great sportfish, and you will gaze literally over waters sailed by Columbus himself. There are two great volcanoes among the Seven Wonders: mighty Arenal Volcano and spectacular Poas Volcano just outside San Jose. Not far from Arenal is the Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve with its great plant and animal diversity---including its spectacular orchids and the only butterfly in the world that makes a sound! If you like to dive, charter a boat for magnificent Cocos Island (300 miles off the coast and halfway to the Galapagos. Jacques Cousteau called it the "most beautiful island in the world" and you'll still see rocks signed by seafarers. This was a famous pirate island with a fabulous fortune of still undiscovered buried treasure, and today it provides the best large animal diving anywhere. If you like to hike, try Mount Chirripo, the tallest mountain in Central America, where your hike will take you from tropical forests to cold, glacial lakes. There is a magical place, still virtually unknown to most folks, called the Rio Celeste (Celestial River) where the river literally changes color, from crystal clear to sky-blue in front of your eyes.
In Costa Rica there are activities to suit just about everyone. While you can go in for the extreme sports, many people take part in fishing, cycling or surfing, all pastimes which are particular popular for tourists to Costa Rica. Costa Rica is also famous for having some of the best tropical golf courses in the world. And, if that is not enough, here are a few more things to do to keep you busy during the days: 1. Fish the deep sea for marlin (I recently fought a 450 pounder before releasing it), sailfish, huge tarpon, snook, and dozens of other varieties. 2. Surf! Do not know how? Go to surf school. 3. Raft or kayak in some of the world's best whitewater or leisurely raft a tropical river with the kids. 4. Golf. You will find courses designed by world-famous designers. 5. Windsurf at Lake Arenal, considered the second best place in the world. 6. Defy death and bungee jump into deep canyons or at night. 7. Take an ecotour 8. Zipline 80 feet up through tropical forests. 9. Become a bullfighter. But beware that in Costa Rica the bulls cannot be harmed, anybody can jump into the ring with these critters, and you can buy insurance just before you take your life into your hands. 10. Take a horseback ride in the mountains, along the beaches, or even across the entire country. 11. Take a hot air balloon ride or go hang gliding. 12. Become a canyoneer and rappel tropical waterfalls. 13. Take a train ride---in a genuine Swiss train to a genuine Swiss mountain hotel or from San Jose to the beach. 14. Visit a tiny park, Corcovado, only half the size of NYC but the most biologically intense place on earth. 15. Scuba dive or skin dive in a Caribbean marine park at the largest coral reef in the country. 16. Watch whales (Costa Rica has the world's longest whale-watching season). Wonder at the sea turtles as they nest. 17. Enjoy tropical gardens or tour plantations where the finest coffee in the world is grown. 18. Hike, bike, rent motorcycles or ATVs. 19. Take a walk on the wild-side into the crater of an active volcano. 20. Tour an African wildlife park. 21. Take a photography tour. 22. Or go on a volunteer vacation. Enough ideas? I have more!
If you crave more than great mountains, tropical forests, 7 Wonders, miles of spectacular beaches, and volcanoes, here is a little more to do and attractions to see during the days: 1. Fish. Great marlin (I recently landed a 450 pounder before releasing it), 100-200 pound tarpon, sailfish, snook, and many more. 2. Bring your surfboard and surf world famous beaches or watch world-championship surfing contests. Or rent your board. 3. Kayak in extreme whitewater or raft in waters that will take your away your breath. Or take the kids for a leisurely raft on a tropical river. 4. Golf on great courses.5. Windsurf at wonderful Lake Arenal. 6. Bungee jump (for fools only) into deep canyons or at night. 7. Ecotou
