Costa Rica, Central America’s Jewel

To say that Costa Rica is a country of stark contrasts is an understatement. I mean, how can a country roughly the size of New Hampshire and Vermont combined, offer such diversity? Two distinct coastal regions, 12 microclimates, three major mountain ranges, dense rainforests, 500+ species of flora and fauna, an estimated 3.5 percent of the world’s marine life and almost 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity – it’s all there.  Add to these the fact that Costa Rica is home to approximately 4.7 million people and welcomes more than half that amount of visitors each year, and you’ve got one of the most picturesque, intriguing and awe-inspiring destinations in the world.

 

Bienvenidos

I arrived in Costa Rica after a short 3 ½ hour flight from Houston; from other U.S. departure points it’s roughly 7 hours from Seattle, 6 from Los Angeles and New York City,  and 5 from Chicago. Further afield, you’ll find international visitors from the bordering countries of Nicaragua and Panama and across Latin America, Canada and Western Europe. What we all had in common—whether first timers or returning visitors—was the desire to explore a country that offers so much. From the sea to the mountains there’s a wealth of adventures ranging from active to passive and quiet to rambunctious and visitors will have no problem finding almost any diversion that strikes their fancy.

Because there are so many exhilarating activities on offer, choosing where to go is just as important as deciding what to do. Although Costa Rica is close to the equator and for the most part considered tropical, visitors will experience a wide range of microclimates in each of its regions, including hot and humid, foggy and misty, breezy and cool and just plain wet (100 inches rain a year), plus everything in between. But it’s hard to grouse about any of it when the hottest hot hovers around 85 degrees and cold by Costa Rican standards is about 55 degrees. And then there’s the “dilemma” of having 12 hours of daylight year round. The main thing to know is the norm for where you’re headed at that particular time of year and plan accordingly. But no matter what region you’ll be exploring, arm yourself with the best sun protection as exposure to UV rays here is quite high.

 

Making Plans

 The excited conversations I overhead walking down the jetway about where to experience Costa Rica were telling. “Oh man! You gotta go to Guanacaste! We go a couple of times a year and the surfing is amazing!”  Extending from the border of Nicaragua to the Bongo River estuary in the Nicoya Peninsula, The Guanacaste region encompasses a variety of towns where swimming, surfing, kayaking and other water sports are prime adventures along its 400+ miles of coastline.

Then there was, “I’ve never seen a volcano before.” That would be either Volcán Arenal or Volcán Chato, both located in the Northern Plains region. Since the late 1960’s Arenal has experienced continual eruptions and explosions resulting in oodles of sand and lava tracts on one face and lush vegetation on the other; while Chato, situated 1,140 meters above sea level, rewards visitors with breathtaking views of its immense crater.

“We’re going to watch the nesting of the green tortoises,” someone else said. Ah, yes – Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge and Tortugero National Park, located in The Caribbean region close to the border of Panama and featuring 200 stunning miles of coastline.

And from another passenger, “We’re gonna be in San José for a few days then go to the Nauyaca Waterfalls. Located in the Central Valley region, San José is the capital and flamboyant heart of the country with its amazing cultural attractions and natural wonders. An easy horseback ride through the verdant scenery of The Southern Pacific Region will get you to the Falls, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.

I was headed to The Puntarenas region, Costa Rica’s largest province and known as the “Pearl of the Pacific.” Two of the region’s highlights, in addition to stunning Pacific Ocean beaches, are Manuel Antonio National Park and Carara’s Biological Reserve.

And these are only the beginnings of what this amazing Central American jewel has to offer.

 

So Much to Do, So Little Time

Accommodation options in Costa Rica range from luxury to moderately priced and budget level lodgings to B&B’s. There are also what’s classified as “Ecolodges”, designed to offer tourists more remote, up-close and personal experiences with the indigenous wildlife.

Moving about the country is relatively fast and easy, in part because of its petite size. And for the most part you’ll find plenty of inexpensive small commuter aircraft, bus tour, and rental car options. And if your Spanish skills are not quite what they used to be (or never have been), don’t worry.  Although Spanish is the official language you’ll find that English is widely spoken—and very well I might add—in most tourist areas.

Costa Ricans like to joke that other than snow-based activities, the country offers absolutely everything. And they are spot on about that. Whether you’re into ecotourism, bird watching, fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, rappelling, rafting or kayaking, swimming/sun bathing, body, wind or kite surfing, four-wheeling, horseback riding, cycling … you’ll find it. And yes, despite its increasing popularity, one can still find scores of spectacular, pristine, nearly untouched stretches of coastline and forested areas all over that lend a unique ambience to every experience.

If more subdued activities speak to your senses, the wealth of shopping, artistic, and gastronomic offerings are there for every desire and taste. And no matter what your budget, you’ll have fun spending the local currency, the Colon (currently about 500 to one U.S. dollar). So, don’t be surprised when your lunch tab comes to $7,225 Colon!

 

Loving Mother Earth

In general, Costa Rica is highly regarded as one of the world leaders in eco- and sustainable tourism. The accolades are numerous, from its efforts to forge and protect private and public reserves, wildlife refuges, and the diverse flora and fauna within their national parks, to its globally recognized Sustainable Tourism initiatives including recycling, organic farming and consumption, and other environmental practices and conditions. It’s still a work in progress with much more to be done. Nevertheless what is unmistakable here is the desire to find that perfect life balance that benefits not only the current generation, but also leaves a lasting legacy for future generations. It’s another endearing aspect of the remarkable country.

 

Pura Vida

No matter where you travel in Costa Rica you see the motto Pura Vida – “Pure Life.” It’s hard to know if this is a nod to the carefree lifestyle here – one where its inhabitants embrace every day they are alive, an appreciation of the natural beauty surrounding them, or a combination of both. What is clear is that you definitely feel different here—more alive, more accepting, more authentic; palpable but hard to describe, captivating yet simultaneously freeing. That’s probably what swept me off my feet the most and what no doubt will lure me back for some time to come.