Costa Rica Attractions
Wildlife - Costa Rica is world famous
for having an incredibly high level of biodiversity
throughout its tropical forests (this covers what you
may hear referred to as rain forests, cloud forests,
and dry forests). There are tropical mammals such as
monkeys, sloths, tapirs, and wild cats as well as an
amazing assortment of insects and other animals. There
are many many birds (both migratory and resident) -
more on that below. With 25% of the country being national
parks and protected areas, there are still many places
you can go to see the abundant wildlife and lush vegetation
of the country. Just like anywhere, the farther you
get off the beaten path, the more likely you are to
see a wide variety of flora and fauna.
There is such biodiversity in Costa Rica not only because
it's a land bridge between North and South America,
but also because the terrain is so varied and there
are weather patterns moving in from both the Pacific
and Atlantic/Caribbean. There are impressive volcanoes,
mountain areas, rivers, lakes, and beaches all throughout
the country. There are many beautiful beaches - most
of the popular ones are are on the Pacific side but
the Caribbean has many excellent beaches as well.
Bird Watching - One of the most wonderful
activities for people who love nature is bird watching.
You can enjoy bird watching in many areas of Costa Rica.
Due to the great diversity of climates, temperatures
and forest types in Costa Rica, there is a wonderful
variety of birds, with over 800 species. Some helpful
books available on bird watching are Birds of Costa
Rica by F. Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch (Cornell
University Press) or An Illustrated Field Guide to Birds
of Costa Rica, illustrated by Victor Esquivel Soto.
These books can be found at certain bookstores in San
José or before coming to Costa Rica. They are
both heavy books; many people tear out the plates of
the Stiles & Skutch book to carry into the field
and leave the rest of the book in their car or room.
Plastic cards with the most common birds are available
for many areas and are sold at gift shops.
Most hotels, as well as tourist information centers,
will provide bird watching guides, maps and other essentials
for bird watching. Unless you are an experienced neotropical
birder, it can be a lot more productive to go out with
an experienced birding guide. Do not forget to bring
a hat, rain gear, boots, binoculars and camera. In hot
areas, an umbrella can be more useful than a poncho
or jacket. Southern Costa Rica is generally considered
the better option for bird watching.
Fishing:
Costa Rica has some of the best Sport Fishing in the
world. The Pacific side has incredible fishing for Sailfish,
Marlin, Dorado, Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Snapper, and
more. The Caribbean side and Northern regions of Costa
Rica are famous for big Tarpon and big Snook. Over sixty-four
world records have been caught in Costa Rica. Half day,
Full day and Multi-Day Trips are available.
* Costa Rica Fishing Report Daily fishing reports
from the Los Suenos Marina, Jaco Beach, Costa Rica
* Crocodile Bay Fishing Report Fishing reports from
Crocodile Bay Resort, Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica
* Americana Costa Rica Fish Costa Rica/Americana Sportfishing
offers complete Costa Rica fishing packages. Owner Richard
Krug has been booking Costa Rica fishing charters and
entire fishing vacations for more than 15 years from
his office in San José, Costa Rica. Telephone:
(from US/Canada) 1-800-634-0012 or 1-800-399-8532 or
1-866-978-5199; (from outside US/Canada) 506-2-282-7215;
(from Costa Rica) 2-282-7215.
* Warren Sellers Sportfishing has been in the business
of booking Costa Rica fishing charters since 1974. Captain
Warren was one of Costa Rica's first sportfishing Captains
and has fished the Costa Rican waters extensively for
over 35 years. Since moving to Florida with his wife
to put their children through school, he has set up
a booking agency representing Costa Rica's top boats
and Captains. All boats have top of the line equipment,
an English speaking mate and/or Captain and are fully
insured. The charter rates are set by the boat owners.
Surf:
Costa Rica has many surfing hotspots.
The Pacific coast, particularly in central Puntarenas
and Guanacaste, has some of the best surfing in Central
America. Tamarindo is a perfect beach to learn to surf,
whilst Playa del Coco offers advanced surfers the chance
to surf at Witches Rock and Ollie´s Point. On
the Caribbean side there are beautiful beaches, but
limited surfing prospects.
The southern Costa Rica area has two very good spots
for surf: Dominical and Pavones Beach. Provones Beach
has thick, heavy waves which consistently barrel and
can get really big. It's little known, but picturesque
and untamed; Definitely not for the light hearted.
* Costa Rica & Tamarindo Surf School and Surf
Camp Intructions on surfing for beginning through advanced
students.
Biking:
Costa Rica has great mountain biking routes, particularly
near Irazu, Turrialba and Arenal Volcanoes. There is
popular dirt road that connects Irazu Volcano and the
foothills of Turrialba Volcano that is perfect for mountain
biking, as it traverses the mountain and presents great
views of the Cartago Valley (weather permitting, of
course).
The area around Lake Arenal is also a great spot to
bike. You can circle the lake in one long day, or break
up the ride in two sleeping in Tilarán or Nuevo
Arenal. The use of mountain bikes is a must, since the
southern shore of the lake is unpaved.
The Nicoya Peninsula also has great riding, particularly
the stretch between Sámara, Puerto Coyote and
Malpais. There is a coastal road that connects these
three beachtowns.
* Pedal and Sea Adventures Offers adventure tours
through Costa Rica that include biking and white water
rafting, with nights at fine Costa Rican resorts.
Horseback riding:
Costa Rica it is one of the most biologically diverse
countries in the world and has long been a destination
for horseback riding. Monteverde is famous for horseback
riding.
* Sabine's Smiling Horses Run by Sabine who speaks
English, French, Spanish and German. Offers a variety
of treks, 2 or 3 hour to day trips, as well as specialty
tours including a Full Moon Ride. Several multi-day
treks are also available. This outfitter has been ecommended
by several guidebooks. Phone: 506-2-645-6894 or 506-8-385-2424.
Golfing:
Costa Rica is also know as a haven for some of the
most lush, tropical golfing environments in the world.
At any course, you can expect to an ensemble of exotic,
indigenous animals; jungle; mountainous terrain; and
a surreal, blue ocean painting a brilliant, seclusive
experience.
* Garra De León One of the country's more renowned
greens, the 18-hole, or "Lion's Paw", is a
championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones
II and features all of the aforementioned elements;
elevating it into a realm of world-class golf courses
that are know by many but conquered by few.
Other Active/Extreme Sports:
Wind surfing in the Tilarán area is some of
the best in the world.
Agencies offer tours with open or planned itineraries
to the active Arenal Volcano and Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Several also offer extreme sports and custom tours.
Rafting, fishing, scuba diving, kayaking, mountain biking
and boating are all available.
* Pedal and Sea Adventures Offers adventure tours
through Costa Rica that include biking and white water
rafting, with nights at upscale Costa Rican resorts.
Adapted from Wikitravel
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