There’s no reason why you can’t have the time of your life while preserving and maintaining! Costa Rica has beaches the rest of the world envies; with nearly year-round warm water and sunshine, the beaches are as pristine as they are welcoming. The country’s Ecological Blue Flag award further ensures guests that the beaches are safe, clean, and the perfect spot for your vacation. Enjoy dazzling water, exploring coral reefs, surfing, and fishing. Hike through mangrove forests, go for a horseback ride, and enjoy both the placid Pacific and beautiful Caribbean in the same day.

Costa Rica boasts 20 natural parks, 8 biological reserves, 13 active volcanoes, and numerous protected areas; remember, all this is within about 51,000 square kilometers! You don’t have to be a passive observer to this beautiful country’s grandeur; you can experience it, live it. See rock and lava erupt from the Arenal Volcano; walk through the dry forests, rainforests, and cloud forest; look for manatee, crocodiles, monkeys, and other exotic beasts; bungee jump off a bridge and hurtle down towards the Colorado River; kayak through waters that are as challenging as they are beautiful. Adventure is so much more rewarding when you can do it with such a stunning backdrop.

While the beauty of Costa Rica was developed over thousands of years, it is the culture of the people that helps keep the beauty as pristine and untouched as possible. The country is incredibly diverse, with a great blend of European and indigenous influences that are reflected in everything from the architecture to the food. Their national pride shines through in their commitment to biodiversity, eco-travel, and making sure that the land they are so proud of is not left dirtied under their watch.

Visiting Costa Rica is an experience of a lifetime; one of the most beautiful, and progressive, countries in the world, its natural beauty is only rivaled by the great people you will find there.

Enid Glasgow is a travel writer who recently visited Costa Rica.

In 2007 a newspaper held a contest for Costa Ricans to vote on the 7 natural wonders of Costa Rica, and here they are, as voted by the “Ticos” starting with number seven…

#7) Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: One of the most awe inspiring reserves in North and South America is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Located along the continental divide, split between the Pacific and Caribbean sides, Monteverde Cloud Forest experiences both eastern and western weather patterns. The Caribbean weather patterns add moisture to the area, and mix with the warm air from the Pacific, creating a cloudy and misty environment for the reserve’s ecosystem. There are over 3000 plant species, 500 orchid species, 120 mammal species, 130 amphibian and reptile species, and well over 400 different types of birds. Monteverde’s different weather conditions and unique climate, along with the diverse flora and fauna make it Costa Rica’s 7th natural wonder.

#6) Poás Volcano: Located within the Poás Volcano National Park, this volcano has two large craters near its summit. The northern crater, Laguna Caliente, is one of the most acidic lakes in the world, with a pH of almost 0. Poás Volcano is a stratovolcano and has erupted approximately 39 times since 1828 (Wikipedia). It is a beautiful sight to see in Costa Rica, however in the afternoon the steam rises, rendering the creator nearly impossible to see.

#5) Tortuguero National Park: Among the most visited parks in Costa Rica is the Tortuguero National Park, despite the fact that it can only be reached by boat or plane. Tortuguero’s biological variety is amazing, with eleven different habitats including swamps, beaches, lagoons and rain forests. This tropical climate is located on the north-eastern side on Costa Rica, in the province of Limon and is a well protected area and houses over 375 species of birds, over 400 different types of trees, and more than 2,200 types of plants. The parks biodiversity and beauty have claimed the #5 spot in the 7 natural wonders of Costa Rica.

#4) Rio Celeste: Located in Tenorio Volcano National Park, this light blue river is surrounded by gorgeous rain forest, waterfalls, and natural hot springs. The amazing feature of Rio Celeste is its unique but natural light blue colour. The sulphur emitted from the volcano combines with calcium carbonate to form the translucent light blue colour, also making it one of Costa Rica’s natural wonders.

#3) Cerro Chirripó: The highest point in Costa Rica is found in Chirripó Nacional Park, called Cerro Chirripó. “The great height of Cerro Chirripó relative to its surroundings is also evidenced by its particularly high topographic prominence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topographic_prominence of 3,727 m (12,228 ft), which makes it the 38th most prominent peak in the world” (Source: Wikipedia). Another interesting point about this natural Costa Rican wonder is that light snow actually falls here from time to time!

#2) Arenal Volcano: Arenal Volcano is an andesitic stratovolcano located in north western Costa Rica, in the province of Alajuela. It is believed to be the youngest and most active mountain in all of Costa Rica, rising 1657 meters above sea level. It was believed to be dormant until its major eruption in 1968 wiped out the town of Arenal, killing almost 100 people. Since this eruption the volcano has been consistently active, and it has been a huge attraction for hundreds of thousands of Costa Rican Tourists.

#1) Cocos Island: As one of Costa Rica’s national parks, Cocos Island is extremely protected, and for a good reason. Its underwater climate is extremely wet, and when combined with its oceanic characters this island has characteristics that differ from any other island, including the Galapagos Archipelago.

The 1998 film Jurassic Park: Trespasser – the producers obtained special permissions from the Costa Rican government to film most of the movie on Cocos Island. In 1997 Cocos Island was designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO and it has also been named one of the world’s best scuba diving spots by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). The island has over 235 known species of plants, almost 30% are endemic, it has over 400 known types of insects and over 90 known bird species. Its marine life is exquisite, with more than 30 species of coral, 600 species of mollusks and over 300 species of fish. Other types of marine life include many types of sharks, sting rays, dolphins, humpback whales, pilot whales, and a few different types of endangered turtles.

Stephanie Casanova, SEO and internet market specialist, is a reputable author and online journalist. Her book Tips for Costa Rica is a travel guide to Costa Rica and has helped thousands of people become better educated tourists.

The Pacific Ocean swims with Sailfish, Dorado, Marlin, Tuna, Grooper, Roosterfish and Snapper just to name a sampling of the commonly found species. If you’re looking for Kingfish, Jack, Mackerel, Tarpon and Snook, then head over to the rivers and Atlantic Ocean to find them. Most of the fish are seasonal, so check if you have a burning desire to catch a certain type, but otherwise rest assured that any time of year is a good time to fish!

The tourist industry has been fulfilling the desires of deep-sea fishing tourists successfully for quite a number of years and you should check out the different agencies and tour operators before booking your trip so you can get the very best package or day excursion. One option is to charter a boat for a day, or half day, for you, family and/or friends. Charters usually include food, soft drinks, bait and tackle with prices for a full day starting around $1,000.

Fishing on Costa Rica’s coasts has long been an occupation for locals to feed their families and to market their catch. Experienced fishermen will marvel at the ability of men who can catch enough fish to earn a living with no more than a hand line or two held over the side of a wooden boat. I have even seen a real pro with one between his toes as well! But whether you want to try hand lines yourself or embrace all the technology supplied by a modern rod; you’ll find it here in Costa Rica!

Costa Rica is a country striving to protect and preserve the natural environment with which it has been abundantly blessed, so please follow a ‘catch and release’ policy when fishing – unless of course you plan to cook your catch later!

Where To Go:

This list is far from exhaustive, but hopefully it will offer you a few highlights!

• Quepos, Pacific Coast: A well-established fishing port, Quepos can offer it all – from budget packages of roughly $1,000 for a three-day, almost all-inclusive trip to luxury charters with amazing extras such as a ‘tuna tower’ or a ‘fighting chair’ with prices into the thousands.

• Los Sueos, Pacific Coast: The name of this resort means ‘The Dreams’ – what more needs to be said? This is a top spot for Marlin, Sailfish and luxurious charter boats.

• Tamarindo and Flamingo: Two popular vacation destinations for North American tourists and retirees; unsurprisingly, they are also great fishing spots. Particularly good for Roosterfish, but also expect to catch Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo and Sailfish when in season.

• Drake Bay, Osa Pennisula: Due to its geography, this area is often considered to have the best inshore fishing in the whole country. Check out the package deals as it is not the easiest location to access in Costa Rica on your own, but certainly well worth it!

• Rio San Juan and Rio Colorado, Atlantic coast: For huge Tarpon – averaging around about 80 lbs — and Snook in the 20 pound range, head along the rivers and canals of Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean towards the Nicaraguan border. As this is a fair trek from the capital, you’ll find that most tour companies offer package tours to include accommodation and transfers along with your fishing trips, but you can do all this yourself too, so do not feel as if you cannot create your dream fishing tour. Package deals can be found starting from as little as $825 for two days of fishing all-inclusive.

What To Take:

• Sunblock: It gets real hot out there on the high seas, so don’t get burned. Wear a hat if you need to.
• Insect Repellent: If you plan to fish in the rivers, make sure your brand contains a fair amount of DEET or you will be eaten alive by the bugs! This is the tropics you know.
• Light-Weight, Long Sleeved Shirt and Pants: These can help against sunburn and/or bug bites.
• Camera: Your buddies back home will never believe your fishing tales if you don’t have proof!
• Water: Bring PLENTY and stay hydrated. Hauling in fish all day is thirsty work!

What To Avoid:

• Paying too Much: There are so many tours available that choosing the prefect blend of price and options should be easy if you shop around.

So whether this will be your first catch or your thousandth, deep-sea fishing in Costa Rica will be an experience unlike fishing anywhere else! So jump aboard and cast your line to see just what exotic monster you can hook! Don’t forget your camera or it will surely get away!

Reel in the fun with a deep sea fishing excursion from any of the numerous fine charters operating in Costa Rica. Sponsored by Vamos Rent-A-Car Costa Rica, proud protector and supporter of the native wildlife. For your own safety and enjoyment, we strongly advise booking tours with reputable and experienced companies with proven safety records and well-maintained equipment.

For one thing, driving in Costa Rica is just like driving in a big city. Although, this country may be tiny; however, it contains most of the beautiful beaches, resorts and hotels in the world. Its cities are quite developed and you’ll definitely find driving in San Jose, which is its capital and largest city, quite like any other city in the United States.

Another fact is that its locals and, of course, tourists love diving in Costa Rica. This is simply believable if you ask me. I mean if you search the total number of beautiful beaches this country has, you’ll be surprised on how many they are. One might get confused on which beach or resort to spend an awesome vacation. Some really famous diving spots are the Drake Bay in Cano Island, the Quepos in Manuel Antonio, the Playa Flamingo, the Tamarindo, the Playa del Coco and the Playa Ocotal.

Canyoning in Costa Rica is another interesting sport not a lot of people experience everyday. Tours are usually scheduled twice or thrice a day especially for tourists to experience this great adventure near the Arenal Volcano. Rappelling down the beautiful canyons is certainly an exhilarating yet worthwhile experience.

One may observe that the Costa Rica temperatures are quite peculiar. Since it is for a fact a tropical country, there are only two climates that Costa Rica is well noted for: the green and dry seasons. It is during late December and April that the wet season or green is well likely to persist while during May through November, the dry season takes its toll.

The restaurants in Costa Rica, although most of them offer traditional dishes, there are still fast food chains in this country that can also be found in the United States. The city of San Jose is usually the popular destination whenever tourists look for the best restaurants. Some of the country’s delicious traditional dishes include the arroz con polo, sopa negra, casados and many more.

Similar to diving, snorkeling in Costa Rica is perhaps one of the best in the world. Known for its unbelievable diversity, its waters is a home to 7,000 amazing marine species as well as coral reefs that support hundreds of algae, assorted shark species such as the white tip reef, hammerhead, bull, whale sharks, bull, nurse and silky.

There are also several islands of Costa Rica that is considered tourist spots. Unlike others, there’s noticeably clean, pristine and just absolutely stunning. If you’ve watched Jurassic Park then I guess you probably have an idea of what I’m talking about. One of these islands is the Tortuga island or also popularly known as Turtle island, a favorite destination for tourists who love to go kayaking, snorkeling and even swimming.

In case you fall in love and decide to stay for good, housing in Costa Rica may not come cheap. Because of the rise of tourism the prices for homes also increased. However, there are still affordable houses and apartments so it’ll depend both on how big a home you want and where it’s located. The sever provinces of Costa Rica includes San Jose, Heredia, Cartago and Alajuela are mostly populated areas while Guanacaste, Puntarenas and Limon have one thing in common – its beaches.

Okay, so I expect you’ll be very psyched to go to this amazing country by now; however, Costa Rica travel requirements is something that you may have to consider first before you can actually travel to Costa Rica. The requirements actually vary from country to country; however, it’s a must to have a valid passport that wouldn’t expire for at least 6 months of the entry date and a return ticket back to your home country or to somewhere different.

Costa Rica travel safety is another fact to consider during your stay so that you can enjoy a worry-free vacation. It’s also best to ensure that you have everything you need in case of an emergency. Some of the usual tips whenever you’re traveling to a foreign country include having some of your important documents photocopied like your passport and plane ticket. It’s also advisable to keep one of these documents with you and the other copies at the hotel deposit boxes. Also make sure to bring enough cash and also credit cards in case you might need it. Just remember to always pay attention to your stuff and don’t easily trust anyone with them as well. If there’s really a need for you to ask for directions then ask from somebody significant like the hotel receptionist.

Discover Costa Rica and spend the most unforgettable vacation experience for the cost of less!

For more information visit http://costaricasunshine.com/ for affordable and quality packages!

By Praline Esguerra

Regions:

* Plains of the North
* Guanacaste
* Nicoya Peninsula
* Central Valley
* Central Pacific
* Caribbean Costa Rica
* South Costa Rica
* Cocos Island National Park

Major Metropolitan Areeas:

* Alajuela – location of Juan Santamaría International Airport
* Cartago – Costa Rica’s first capital
* Heredia – Coffee plantations
* Jacó – Surfing paradise and superb dining
* Liberia – Location of Danuel Oduber International Airport and gateway to the beaches of Guanacaste
* Montezuma
* Pochote – On Whale Bay, across the Bay from Puntarenas
* Puerto Limón – Main city on the Caribbean side
* Puntarenas – Ferry to Nicoya Peninsula
* Parismina – Village on the Tortuguero Canals
* Quepos – Central Pacific coast; entry point to Manuel Antonio National Park.
* San José – The capital.
* Tamarindo – Small town on the North Pacific coast, famous for its beaches, a popular destination for tourists.
* Tortuguero – major nesting site for green and leatherback sea turtles

Popular Tourist Destinations:

* Cahuita National Park
* Chirripo National Park
* Corcovado National Park
* Arenal Volcano – active volcano
* Manuel Antonio National Park
* Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves
* Pacuare River and Protected Zone
* Tapanti National Park
* Tenorio Volcano National Park

Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including: disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country’s democratic development. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.

Climate is tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands

Terrain coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes

Adapted from Wikipedia and World Factbook

Step 1:
Be aware that Costa Rica is not cheap to visit.
Vacations in Costa Rica tend to cost more money. This gorgeous destination offers tropical scenery at a price. It is important to budget a little more if you are going to Costa Rica for your vacation than it would be for other travel plans. Take my word for it you will feel you are getting your money’s worth.

Step 2:
Think about where you want to begin. As their first and main destination in Costa Rica, most people select the capital of San Jose. You can spend days checking out all of the city’s places of interest. However, if you do not have a large budget, maybe you should think about flying into another airport in Costa Rica such as the new Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport located near Liberia. It will still be possible to experience how pretty Costa Rica is but it will not cost as much.

Step 3:
Choose where to stay. Tourists are warmly welcomed when they go to Costa Rica. You will have your choice of almost any kind of lodging. A lot of your vacation planning is taken care of if you decide to stay at a resort. There are various accommodation choices for Costa Rica trips. Realise you will probably be staying at an independently-owned hotel in Costa Rica, as there are not a lot of big hotel chains there. Opt for hotels with gorgeous rainforest scenery, or lively locations like a room downtown where the night life beckons. Some of the other choices include campgrounds, ecocamps, cabinas, and tico homes, and bed and breakfasts. First, think where you’d like to stay, then choose lodgings.

Step 4:
Select the places you would like to go. You may not be interested in countryside traveling while you are in Costa Rica if you are going to be staying at a resort. However, if you have not purchased a vacation package, then you’ll want to think about a variety of places to go to. The National Park, the Nature Reserve, the rainforests, and the beaches all come highly recommended as tourist attractions in Costa Rica. Having the water nearby, it is possible to get in a bit of sailboarding or beach walks. There are horseback riding and great mountain bike trails in the scenic rainforest. So consider doing some camping, hiking, or bird watching while you’re there too. Costa Rica attractions are all about the natural world.

Step 5:
Choose the dates that you will be traveling. Costa Rica is pretty every day of the year, but there are some seasons that are better than others. If you visit when it is summer (or as it is known, the green season which is May through November) you will lay out less money. However, it is liable to be somewhat rainy. Keep in mind that if you are planning a vacation to Costa Rica, the driest season is the high season. Because of the ideal conditions, beware the prices and numbers of people are more substantial. There are disadvantages and advantages to both seasons. Understand that the timing of your trip to Cost Rica will affect your entire experience there.

Step 6:
Are you going alone or with people? A travel website or agent can give you the choice of going to Costa Rica as part of a discounted or group rate. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, this could be a good option for you. But, if you feel like wandering and traveling wherever you want, maybe you should make plans to visit Costa Rica by yourself.

Step 7:
Know the best places to eat. The local fare is part of the allure of Costa Rica. Ensure that you leave a little bit of time in your Costa Rica plans to enjoy the local food, with so many wonderful flavors to enjoy. Costa Rican food cooked at home is definitely better than food from a restaurant. When you need to dine out, make sure to choose some traditional menu items such as tamales, gallo pinto and ensalada palmito. Experiment with something different by visiting a soda, a combination of a grocery store and family-run restaurant. You can get a good tasting and inexpensive meal here. Tipicos, resorts or hotels, fast food are your other Costa Rica dining options. (McDonalds does in fact have outlets in Costa Rica also). Just as tasty as at any large chain, food is often quite cheap at smaller establishments.

Step 8:
Keep your transportation needs in mind. To get around Costa Rica is not always that easy. Remember to leave time to get to your destination as well as organize transportation when you are planning a trip to Costa Rica. You can also hitch a ride on a farm cart, rent a car or bike, take the bus, or hire a taxi. Remember that it will take longer to get around in Costa Rica because there are no highways. Have some patience and keep in mind that you are on vacation. Close your eyes and relax on your Costa Rica trip.

Tiffany Provost writes about travel planning and other traveling tips for HowToDoThings.com.

San Jose

Most museums and art galleries in Costa Rica are found in San Jose. The central step in San Jose is noisy and crowed as the capital of any city are. The airport is located beyond San Jose and you could enters Costa Rica via San Jose anyway, why not check it out while some individuals are visiting. I have learned that you step of the curb carefully in Europe or get run over. Pedestrians do not have the correct of method San Jose either so watch yourself to cross the street.

The Northwest

Arenal and Monteverde are situated in the Northwest. Arenal is the Volcano in the field and it is a game of wait-and-see getting the opportunity to view the cone of the volcano spew hot lava. Arenal is one of the only active volcanoes on the planet that could be safely viewed by tourists without the threat of bodily harm. I reside in the Pacific Northwest, also in the shadow of Mount Rainier so volcanoes don’t bother me.

The road to Monteverde runs from the small town of Santa Elena to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve with hotels, nightclubs and restaurants. This area is commonly very dense with tourists. Originally settled by Quakers this area now has a thriving eclectic artist community. Quakers are, in addition reported to be great cheese makers in this area. I simply love cheese and Quakers are cool too so I gotta plan to visit the cheese farm. Although this is one of the busiest this region offers many day trips and interesting things to do.

Nicoya Peninsula

While the Costa Rican government would certainly welcome the revenue from more tourists, for the time being the beach locations of Nicoya remain somewhat of a secret. Beaches are still relatively deserted. If golf is your thing the course at Playa Conchal is renowned. This would be the vacation for you providing you have aquatic events in mind. There is snorkeling, swimming, diving, surfing, fishing, and even kayaking. The drive from Carrillo to Mal Pas by 4-wheel drive is simply amazing. The field is in addition surfer heaven. Riding is in addition offered by the majority of the hotels.

Quepos & the Central Pacific

The field is known for seashores and aquatic events. There’s an abundance of quiet seashores to select from while you do see surfers frequently the beach locations are not crowded and it is easy to relax. Along their Pacific Coast Highway there’s a vast array of lodging anywhere from the seedy to the luxurious and between. The field is a wonderland for any beach lover with diving, fishing, golf, and horse riding, kayaking and even surfing. I wish to try the Titi Canopy tours. A canopy tour is like a ski lift going from tree to tree such as the monkeys. If you are afraid of heights this is not for you!

Osa Peninsula & Golfo Dulce

The field is more remote, although the’re several luxury hotels. Drake Bay has whale-watching tours and you may from time to time spot dolphins playing around your boat. Corcovado National Park offers tours that are teaming with wildlife to see and take photos of. In Golfo Dulce the are 2 botanical gardens, Casa Orquideas Botanical Garden and Wilson Botanical Garden.

South Caribbean

Miles of banana plantations might be found here. Some believe these to be the most beautiful beach locations in the land, however, it’s much more humid. The culture here is more Caribbean in it’s inhabitants. The usual water sports could be found here.

Ethan Eddy has been writing articles online for nearly 3 years now. Not only does this author specialize in weight loss,fitness and diet, you can also check out his latest website on toddler bed rails and wireless dog fence