World Getting You Down, Bucko? Time Begin Planning Costa Rica Vacation
Most of the world seems to be hunkered down in a funk. The leaves have fallen, the days are getting colder. The Boys of Summer are freezing their bats off and nearly ready to put them away until Spring. A Costa Rica vacation may be just the ticket. Here are some great reasons to take that Costa Rica vacation now.
1. Airfares have not been this cheap in years. The world economic downturn has come to Costa Rica. Tourism in Costa Rica is down by at least fifteen percent this year, presenting terrific travel deals to a frugal, informed traveler . Want luxury at an affordable price? The Hilton Papagayo Resort is offering rates as low as $160.00 a night. Seniors can get an extra discount. More budget-conscious folks who travel Costa Rica can stay at very nice Costa Rica hostels (some with private rooms) for about $12.00. Travel Tip: For the finest deals, visit between May and mid-November and avoid the holiday periods. Bonus Tip: always ask the hotel, resort, or hostel if there is a discount for cash (”effectivo” in Spanish).
2. With almost eight hundred miles of coastline visit some of the exquisite Costa Rica beaches. Black, brown, and white sand beaches, sea shell beaches, rugged rock-strewn beaches. Fish off of Drake Bay, named after Sir Francis Drake, who visited the southern Costa Rica Pacific coast a decade before sinking the Spanish Armada and saving England in 1588. You can even explore the same Caribbean beach where Columbus named Costa Rica six centuries ago.
3. Take romantic walks or just be lazy. Do not forget to bring your surfboard because some of the best surfing in the world is found here. Most beaches are completely free but if you prefer to visit a very popular national beach park called Manuel Antonio, there will be a small entry fee. Wherever you are, though, you can frolic on the same Costa Rica beaches enjoyed by movie stars and celebrities.
4. Tour Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast, the biggest green sea turtle nesting preserve on earth. Or, check out Ostional National Preserve on the fabulous Gold Coast, where thousands of olive ridley sea turtles come ashore in massive nestings, called “arribadas”, perhaps the largest spectacle of its kind in the world. Arribadas take place year-round but the biggest (sometimes involving hundreds of thousands of turtles) typically are from July through November when the moon is in its last quarter. And, remember that Costa Rica ecotourism is helping to save endangered sea turtles, exotic macaws, and many other species.
5. Costa Rica has been called the “Switzerland of Latin America.” This mountainous little country has nearly as many kinds of birds as in the entire continental U.S., nearly 1000 in all. You can hike every inch of Africa without seeing as many species of butterflies as there are in Costa Rica. Twenty Percent of all animal and plant species on the world are found in this country.
6. You can hike the tallest mountain in Central America, Mt. Chirripo. Voted one of Costa Rica’s Seven Natural Wonders, hikers start at its tropical forest base and, if they have the stamina, end at its cold alpine summit. Bring a backpack with warm clothes as you climb this beauty to a little night time shelter overlooking remnant glacial lakes carved from ancient glaciers. Climbing requires a permit and reservation but the cost is very modest and when you reach the top you may be reminded of the mighty Andes. Plan on a day up, overnight, and a day back.
Writer Victor Krumm posts from his home in Costa Rica. Go to his authoritative, lovely website about Costa Rica Vacations and be sure to look at the magnificent Seven Wonders of Costa Rica Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.
