World Getting You Down, Bucko? Time Begin Planning Costa Rica Vacation
October 24th, 2009 by Victor C. Krumm, under Vacations. No Comments
1. Airfares are incredibly inexpensive right now. They have not been this cheap for years. And, with Costa Rica tourism off by about 15% this year, a frugal, informed traveler can really take advantage of the plight of resorts, hotels, and hostels. Luxury resorts like the Hilton Papagayo are offering accomodations starting from $160.00 a night, seniors pay even less, and more budget-conscious folks who travel Costa Rica can stay at very nice Costa Rica hostels (some with private rooms) for about $12.00. For the finest deals, visit between May and mid-November. Tip: ask if there is a discount for cash (“effectivo” in Spanish). Do not be shy: ask and ye shall receive!
2. With almost eight hundred miles of coastline visit some of the exquisite Costa Rica beaches. Boat 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 walk the same Caribbean beach where Columbus landed 600 years ago. Black, brown, and white sand beaches, sea shell beaches, rugged rock-strewn beaches are everywhere.
3. Frolic on the same Costa Rica beaches enjoyed by Mel Gibson and Britney Spears. Or, 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.
4. Consider becoming an ecotourist. 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 remaining on the planet. Arribadas take place every month but the biggest (sometimes involving hundreds of thousands of turtles) typically are when the moon is in its last quarter during the months of July to November. Or, head over to the Caribbean coast and tour Tortuguero National Park, the world’s largest green sea turtle preserve.
5. Called the “Switzerland of Latin America,” this mountainous little country has nearly as many kinds of birds as in the entire continental U.S. and more species of butterflies than are found in all of Africa. Incredibly twenty percent of all animal and plant species in the world are found in this country. It even has the only butterfly that makes a sound and a vegetarian spider.
6. Hike the tallest mountain in Latin America. It is called Mount Chirrippo. Your hike will take from its tropical forest base and, if you have the stamina, end at its cold alpine summit. This is not a day-walk in the hills. You will need 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.
The writer of this post, Vic Krumm lives in sunny Costa Rica. Visit his popular website about Costa Rica Vacations . Like to fish? See whyCosta Rica Fishing is world-famous.
