Best For: Natural Beauty, Ecotourism, Outdoor Activities, Relaxation, Family Friendly
Best Time to Visit: December through April
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| Waterfall in La Fortuna |
I don't really do nature. I look at it. I appreciate it. Then I go to a café, do some window shopping, or hit up a museum, and if the nature is still in my field of vision while I'm enjoying the cultural sites, I'll appreciate it some more. So, a couple of years ago when my mom and I decided to skip out on Christmas, I was a bit skeptical about heading to the tropics. But Costa Rica isn't your dime a dozen Caribbean spot. The nature is so vibrant, the pace so relaxed, and the people so lovely, it even made me slow down and enjoy the pura vida (pure life), as the locals call it. By the end of my week here I was scoping out spots for a retirement home.
Natural Beauty: Containing up to 6% of the worlds’ plants and animal species in an area roughly the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica has been called the most bio-diverse country on earth. Varying landscapes offer travelers a visual smorgasbord of black sand beaches, lush rainforests, lava-spewing volcanoes, misty cloud forests, and grand waterfalls. One of the great joys of a trip to Costa Rica is seeing exotic animals in their natural habitat. It’s not unusual to spot monkeys hanging in trees or sea turtles inching along the beach. Bird watchers may even get a glimpse of the rare resplendent quetzal. Some of the most scenic inland parks include Monteverde and Arenal, while Manuel Antonio and Corcovada are coastal treats.  |
| Monteverde Cloud Forest |
Ecotourism: Costa Rica wrote the book on ecotourism. With over 25% of its land protected by conservation areas and national parks, the country has led the way in wildlife preservation. Here, conservation goes even beyond land protection – ecotourism is also in the details. Hotel key cards prevent guests from leaving their lights on unnecessarily, products are made from eco-friendly materials, and trash bins offer multiple recycling options.
Outdoor Activities: Costa Rica is an adventure-lover’s playground. Hikers, bikers, and rafters can take advantage of the countless trails and white water in the rainforests and parks. Thrill seekers will not want to miss zip lining above forest canopies – Monteverde is best. Water worshippers can enjoy scuba, swimming, snorkeling, or surfing on either of the country’s two coasts.
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| Guanacaste Beaches |
Relaxation: After trekking through the rainforest or battling the ocean waves, visitors will need some time to unwind and enjoy the pura vida. Those visiting volcanic areas, such as Arenal (pictured right), can take a soak in one of the many hot springs, naturally heated by underground volcanic rock. Sun worshippers can choose from remote beaches, such as those on the Caribbean and South Pacific Coasts, or more developed spots, like the Guanacaste or Manuel Antonio areas.
Family Friendly: If you feel like you’ve missed out on international travel since starting a family, consider taking your kids to Costa Rica. Children of all ages will love its attractions and will especially appreciate not being dragged to boring museums. Many of the parks offer family-oriented activities such as butterfly gardens and hanging bridge tours. And who doesn’t love the beach?
