Destination Spotlight: Costa Rica

If you're looking for more than a vacation destination and want to add some adventure, Costa Rica may be the perfect place for you to visit.  Costa Rica, which is about the size of West Virginia, is located in Central America.  Nicaragua is to the north and Panama is to the south, with the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Caribbean Sea on the east.  Costa Rica varies between coastal plains, dense forests and rugged mountains, while 25% of the country is made up of national parks and reserves.  You can visit volcanoes, river valleys and hundreds of beaches there as well.  It is one of the world's most biologically diverse countries, with more than 500,000 plant and animal species.  

Costa Rica has a tropical climate.  The dry season, also known as "summer", runs from December to April, while the rainy season, "winter", runs from May to November.  Some regions see constant rains during the rainy season.  The humidity is higher on the Caribbean side than it is on the Pacific side.  As with many tropical destinations, the busiest travel times occur during Christmas and New Years and the week before Easter, requiring interested vacationers to book far in advance and expect higher prices.

A few interesting facts about Costa Rica...

• The primary language spoken in Costa Rica is Spanish, however English is widely spoken as well.  
• The currency there is the colon, however U.S. dollars are widely accepted.
• There is clean tap water throughout the country.
• Compared to the rest of Central America, prices are relatively high, due to the country's high standard of living.
• The government provides free education thru 11th grade to it's citizens, as well as free healthcare.  
• It's one of the safest countries in Central America.

There are so many opportunities for adventure in Costa Rica.  Some of the options include...

• rappel down a waterfall
• go on a canopy tour
• zipline through a rainforest
• bathe in a hot spring
• go whale watching (Costa Rica has the longest humpback whale watching season in the world)
• go snorkeling, scuba diving or surfing 
• walk through a cloud forest
• hike to one of the world's most active volcanoes
• trek through a rainforest and see unique wildlife in one of the many national parks
• go whitewater rafting 
• relax and watch the sunset on one of the many beaches 

There are several types of accommodations available in Costa Rica.  You can relax at one of the all-inclusive resorts on the Pacific side or explore the country by doing one of the many different escorted or self-drive tour options available.  You could also combine an all-inclusive resort with a tour, allowing you to relax and see all that Costa Rica has to offer.  No matter what you're looking for, I can help you plan your accommodations and itinerary, making it a trip you'll remember forever.  

Contact me for more information or to get started planning your next vacation.