More than one million tourists visit Costa Rica each year. What draws so many people to this lightly advertised destination? Natural beauty and diversity are the answers. Costa Rica covers only 0.03% of the surface of the planet but it has about 6% of the world's biodiversity.
Visitors encounter seas, beaches, rivers, waterfalls, mountains, and an abundance of flora and fauna. Twelve major life zones provide habitat for over 10,000 kinds of flowering plants, 850 bird species, 3,000 butterfly species, and 209 species of mammals. Volcanoes, rainforests, cloud forests, lowland jungles, the Pacific coastline, and tranquil Caribbean beaches stretch across seven provinces. Thirty percent of the land is protected by national and private reserves, which harbor more than five percent of the world's plant and animal species.
Costa Rica is Central America's jewel. It's an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbors and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact.
Costa Rica boasts 20 national parks, 8 biological reserves, and a wealth of other protected areas to enchant those who marvel at the wonders of nature. It draws ecotourists from around the globe. Activities include horse-back riding, hiking mountainous paths in the cloud forests, guided bird-watching tours, volcanoes, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, canopy tours, golf and much more.
Ticos, as the people of Costa Rica are known, are famous for being hospitable, and are quite happy to live up to their reputation. They seem to be well aware that their country is a special place, and they go out of their way to accommodate their visitors, explaining things that might seem foreign to a foreigner, and helping make their stay as enjoyable as possible.
Northwest Costa Rica, the Guanacaste province is for the active soul, drawing visitors with its beaches, rivers, waterfalls and natural attractions. Forming the eastern border is a group of volcanoes that form the Cordillera de Guanacaste and Cordillera de Tilar?n.
From the mountains flow various rivers that roll down and form an alluvial plain drained by the Rio Tempisque, which empties into the Gulf de Nicoya. The name Guanacaste is derived from quahnacaztlan, a native word for the guanacaste tree, which is Costa Rica's national tree.
With a new airport at Liberia, tourism to Guanacaste has boomed.
Costa Rica is a tropical country with two seasons ? dry and wet. The Guanacaste Province is the driest region of the country with less than 55 inches of rain in the coastal areas.
Costa Rica occupies a territory of around 20,000 square miles in the southern part of Central America, and includes several small islands mostly on the Pacific side. It is much like the state of Florida with two long coastlines. The country is only about 200 miles long and 70 miles wide at the narrowest part.
Costa Rica is often compared to Switzerland and Hawaii because of its mountains and forests. Unlike many areas of Mexico, Central and South America, Costa Rica remains beautiful year-round. This is partly because it borders the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, and has a string of towering volcanoes on the Central Plateau. Combine all this and you have a unique tropical paradise with 11 climatic zones.
The high season in Costa Rica, December through April, is the dry season. The green season, which lasts from May to November, usually sees sunny mornings, with rain showers in late afternoon and evening. Overall, the climate is tropical, with an average temperature of 72?F (22?C). It can be much hotter along the coastal areas of the country, and much cooler in the mountains.
In the past, agricultural exports, like bananas and coffee, have been the staple of the Costa Rican economy. However, tourism has always played an ever-increasing role, and now it has become the dominant economic force. Ecotourism travel is the most preferred for expansion because it will provide a sustainable resource for tourism for generations of Costa Ricans to come. Costa Ricans love to show off their country, and sincerely welcome all travelers and vacationers.
San Jose, population over one million, is the capital and cultural heart of Costa Rica. Other major cities (by population) are: Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Liberia, Lim?n and Puntarenas. To enter the country you now must have a valid passport. Some countries now require your passport to be valid for at least 6 more months in order to leave your country to come here. Check with you embassy or airline. Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time, six hours behind Greenwich Mean Time and one hour behind EST in the States. It does not currently use daylight saving time. No shots are required. The water in the major cities of Costa Rica is safe and most hotels and restaurants offer purified tap water. You might prefer to drink bottled water or seltzer to be sure. Costa Rica has excellent, low-cost medical care and well-qualified practitioners. Many North Americans come to Costa Rica for cosmetic surgery or dental work.
Costa Rica is a safe destination for 99% of its tourists, but it's always a good idea to exercise caution whenever one travels. In general, the country has a low crime rate. In most cases, crimes are simple thievery - non-violent crimes of opportunity, so just exercise caution, as anywhere in the world.
Costa Rica has a reputation as one of the most stable and prosperous Latin American countries.
Costa Rica has something for everybody! Whatever your interests; eco-tourism trips bird watching, adventure tours, fishing, diving, rafting, canopy tours, golf, all inclusive hotels, vacation homes or just relaxing on an unspoiled tropical beach, you will find all of that and more in this tropical and secure paradise.
We traveled to Costa Rica on vacation in 2001. Fell in love with the people and their country. Purchased property on the last day of our vacation and built a villa in 2002. Handles villa rentals for five additional villas. Two, three, four and five bedroom villa's available, all of which are surrounded by Costa Rica's biodiversity and over looking the Pacific Ocean. Find more useful information about Costa Rica by visiting our web site.
http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com
http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com
Traveling for business or vacationing always has one thing in... Read More
The main difference between North and South Lake Tahoe is... Read More
The Algarve, and particularly the areas around Carvoeiro, Albufeira, Praia... Read More
Gatlinburg cabin rental options range from old-fashioned rustic "log cabins"... Read More
Cabin rental in Pigeon Forge are one of the city's... Read More
After France, Spain is Europe's most popular holiday destination, and... Read More
If you're dreaming of a unique vacation experience, but don't... Read More
When I was young, family vacations with my parents consisted... Read More
Hotels are a large component of Pigeon Forge lodging. As... Read More
Most of us take vacations for the express purpose of... Read More
Have you ever done something spontaneous? Are you in love... Read More
The home away from home but a little bit more... Read More
The southern English county of Hampshire is only two hours... Read More
Have you ever wanted to travel to far away places... Read More
Taking the plunge from average vacationer to vacation property owner... Read More
The Amazonat Jungle Lodge is offering in addition to her... Read More
"I'm coming home. I've been away too long. Been away... Read More
It has been said that in real estate there are... Read More
Just drive out to one of these delightful wine estates... Read More
Stand by the shores of Casco Bay on the coast... Read More
Planning a Tropical vacation full of lush jungles, secluded beaches,... Read More
Gatlinburg has a small but thriving community of property owners.... Read More
Within Volusia County, Florida, the small community of Ormond Beach... Read More
Welcome to Washington, DC - The nation's capital is a... Read More
India has always been an irresistible tourist destination for people... Read More
tidy up service Glenview ..Lake Tahoe is a pristine recreational lake area. With high-stake... Read More
When staying in Orlando, you really do have a lot... Read More
Five Affordable World Travel Destinations Locations That Offer... Read More
So you decided on Orlando Florida for your family vacation... Read More
An Award Winning Vacation, Golf, Tennis and Beach ResortIf you... Read More
Of course you are anxious to take a vacation this... Read More
Bahamas vacation resorts are great places to look into if... Read More
Stand by the shores of Casco Bay on the coast... Read More
For many people, the Bahamas is a dream vacation site,... Read More
Are you thinking about a great place to go for... Read More
If your vacation time is coming up and you are... Read More
What kind of traveler are you? Do you want everything... Read More
When vacation time rolls around, some people choose to stay... Read More
Real Estate in an area like Punta Cana is hot... Read More
There are many wonderful resorts with tons of activity in... Read More
This article is meant to be a guide for those... Read More
The bed and breakfast experience is unique. You get the... Read More
The secret treasure of Davenport's and Kissimmee's townhouses.Though usually Orlando... Read More
Because many people want to live in or near Lake... Read More
The main difference between North and South Lake Tahoe is... Read More
Just drive out to one of these delightful wine estates... Read More
People often ask me why we keep returning year after... Read More
Margarita Island is one of the lesser known Caribbean islands.... Read More
Those looking to invest in real estate should not overlook... Read More
In November, 2004, my wife Terry and I visited Paris... Read More
Vacation Rental |