A Guide to Costa Rica Attractions

Originally discovered and named ‘Costa Rica’ by Christopher Columbus more than 600 years ago, Costa Rica is still being discovered every day by tourists from around the world. It is a tropical paradise with year-round great weather and a government committed to sustainable development. In fact, in 2008 a team of Columbia and Yale researchers found that of 149 different countries’ studied, Costa Rica was in the top 5 for environmental performance—-far above the United States, Canada, or any other country in the Western Hemisphere.

In a part of the world often known best for its 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.

The world-wide economic downturn has proven challenging to Costa Rica tourism, which has been struggling. However, every challenge presents an opportunity and if you are thinking of a vacation, now may be exactly the time to travel Costa Rica. Airfares are cheap and there are some great travel and accommodation bargains. Indeed, the Costa Rica Institute of Tourism (ICT) has put together a website with discount coupons. Simply Google ‘visitcostarica.com/crplus’ to check it out. And do not forget that lots and lots of resorts and hotels will offer discounts if you just ask.

Costa Rica is particularly famous for its 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 tiny, tiny Costa Rica! You are going to find fascinating tropical rainforests or spectacular cloudforests 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.

Perhaps you would like to see a volcano. There are over 100 in this little country but only a handful are active. Arenal Volcano is the most active and with some frequency erupts with spectacular shows. Hot springs resorts have popped up nearby and lots of folks sit in the warm waters, tropical drinks in hand, and marvel at the nearby volcano. Just minutes away is Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s largest lake, famed for its great freshwater fishing and world-class windsurfing. Or, just outside San Jose, nearby the international airport, nestled in the cloudforest, is Poas Volcano with the second largest volcanic crater on the planet. My advice is to visit this place early in the morning (before the clouds come in) and on a weekday (because it is packed with Costa Ricans on the weekend). And, by all means, drive to the top of mighty Irazu early in the morning. Only a few miles from San Jose, it is like no place else you’ll ever go. Why? Because, on a clear day, you can stand on an active volcano and see the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans at the same time! I love the romance of this place because, just a few months before he was killed, JFK flew into Costa Rica and was greeted with a spectacular eruptive salute. Two greats in awe of one another!

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 turtles invade by the tens of thousands to nest.

No vacation is complete without visiting several of its simply amazing beaches. You are going to find nearly 800 miles of beaches: white sand beaches, brown sand beaches, black sand beaches, even coral beaches. Along two oceans. Dozens have been awarded the famed ‘Blue Flag’ certificates meaning they are the best of the best ecologically. The north Pacific coast is increasingly developed with great resorts, hotels, and golf courses. Meanwhile, the Caribbean coast remains far more undeveloped while maintaining its particular Caribbean flavor. There are very popular beaches (particularly over Easter and Christmas) and virtually deserted beaches. To go from one to another is often just a few minutes’ drive.

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. Ecotour. 8. Zipline and Tarzan jump through tropical forests. 9. Become a bullfighter (but beware that only the bullfighters are allowed to be harmed—fortunately you can buy insurance). 10. Go horseback riding in the mountains and along the beaches. 11. Hang-glide. 12. Rappel waterfalls and canyons. 13. Take a train ride in a genuine Swiss train to a genuine Swiss mountain hotel and dine at a restaurant that rotates completely around to magnificent vistas. 14. Visit Corcovado National Park, the most biologically intense place on earth. 15. Scuba dive. Or snorkel. 16. Watch the whales in the world’s longest whale-watching season. 17. Tour coffee plantations and visit tropical gardens. 18. Hike, bike, rent motorcycles, ATVs. 18. Walk into the crater of an active volcano. 19. Visit a wildlife park filled with birds or another park with African animals. 20. Take a photography adventure tour. 21. Become a volunteer and take a volunteer vacation. And a lot more!

The capital is definitely worth a visit too. At night, San Jose and most of the beach communities provide lots of adult entertainment. Restaurants, theatres, cinemas, bars, nightclubs (many, very adult in tone and tenor), gambling, and beautiful women—what happens here, stays here. And for lesbians and gays, there are an increasing number of places to go and things to do as well.

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