Costa Rica, a Paradise for Eco-Tourism

For those who would like a destination for eco-tourism, Costa Rica is hard to beat. For a little country in Central America that's only 19,730 square miles, there's definitely a lot to see and do there. Costa Rica means 'rich coast' in Spanish, which is the country's official language. Located between Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, Costa Rica is one of the most stable and prosperous of all Latin American countries. There are tropical beach resorts on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the country for sun vacationers but the main attraction of Costa Rica is the eco-tourism. For example, there is a wider variety of bird species in Costa Rica alone than in all of Europe and North America.

• View Guides and Phrasebooks to Costa Rican Spanish

Surprisingly, there are diverse eco-systems and microclimates within Costa Rica. In addition to the coastal beaches, there are dense jungles and rain forests with a wide variety of fauna. Some of these forests are referred to as cloud forests because of the moisture of the mists that linger among the trees in some parts. One forest has a cable car set up so that tourists can observe the plant and animal life at the treetop levels. For the more adventurous types, there is a place where one can swing from tree to tree using a network of rope attachments. There are also dry forests as well as colder barren volcanic tundras. Quite extreme changes in microclimate can be observed even within 30 minutes of travel. Some parts of the country have canal systems similar to those found in the Amazon and a few rivers offer excellent white water rafting.

Recommended Tours:

• Jungle Crocodile Safari Tour : See some of the residents in one of the world's largest populations of crocodiles as you cruise along the Tarcoles River at Jungle Crocodile Safari. This tour is also an excellent bird watching experience with over 50 species commonly spotted, including the rare Scarlet Macaw.
• Buena Vista Rainforest Combo Tour : Pamper or adventure in the Rincon de la Vieja National Park - the choice is yours on the Buena Vista Rainforest Combo Tour. Hot springs, volcanic mud facials, monkeys and a canopy adventure are just some of the things on offer, so what are you waiting for, book today!
• Saverge River White Water Rafting : Get on board for the ride of a lifetime as you take to the rapids of the Saverge River. Enjoy the captivating surroundings of the wild Costa Rican jungle. Suitable for all levels of rafting experience, the Saverge River offers a variety of class 2 and 3 rapids, with some class 4 rapids.
• Costa Rican Wildlife in Palo Verde National Park Tour : From mangroves to swamps and from saltwater to freshwater lagoons, the Palo Verde National Park has it all! See exotic animals such as anteaters and crocodiles basking in the sunshine as you travel along the Bebedero River. You might also spot some howler monkeys, green iguanas and an amazing array of birdlife.

There are several volcanoes within the country and the extinct ones are easily accessible since they are tourist attractions. A few have beautiful turquoise color lakes that have formed in the craters at the top of such volcanoes. One of the more famous active volcanoes is Arenal where visitors can safely watch the eruptions from a nearby facility that has outdoor hot springs naturally heated by the mountain.

Recommended Tour:

• Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs : Prepare for an unforgettable experience as you join one of the most popular tours in Costa Rica. Explore Costa Rica's most active volcano, Arenal, and see red lava flowing down the sides of the mountain. Take a dip in the thermal hot springs for the ultimate experience in natural relaxation.

In addition to the many different birds that can be sighted, there is a wide number of other exotic wildlife including monkeys, sloths, jaguars, bats and reptiles that can be seen during one of the many available nature tours. Every year, there are sea turtles that come to certain beaches to nest and this event attracts many nature lovers. The wildlife in Costa Rica is not only rich on land or the air but also in the surrounding oceans. For scuba divers, Costa Rica offers excellent diving opportunities and they are quite different from the waters in the Caribbean. The higher amounts of plankton in the local seas attract more numbers of large marine animals than can be found in the Caribbean.

Recommended Tour:

• Sea Kayak and Snorkeling Tour : Spend a leisurely morning or afternoon paddling the clear and calm turquoise waters of the Central Pacific Coast. Ideal for beginners through to expert paddlers, the aim of the tour is relaxation and fun!

Coffee and bananas are some of the main exports for Costa Rica. For coffee lovers, this is the place to sample some of the best in the world although it should be warned that the locals like their coffee quite strong. Tours in the valleys will often go past numerous coffee plantations.

Recommended Tour:

• Coffee Tour at Cafe Britt : Imagine following the journey of the coffee bean in the plantation from the plant to a cup of gourmet coffee. At Cafe Britt, this is exactly what you will do on an entertaining and interactive tour of the plantation.

Most tourists will fly into the capital city of San Jose. Although there is some nice colonial architecture to see in San Jose, it's not one of the nicer places to stay in Costa Rica. The city is noisy and polluted but relatively safe. One can use San Jose as a base for many day trips to the various rain forests, volcanoes and beaches. Travelers can also fly into Liberia which is a town in the north part of the country. This is a much quieter region and close to many of the northern resorts. One option that many travelers take is to rent a vehicle and tour the country on their own. However, the roads of Costa Rica are not the best with lots of potholes and mudslides are common during the wet season from June to November. If renting a vehicle, a 4x4 is definitely recommended.

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There is so much to see and do in Costa Rica that many visitors return to see parts of the country that they missed before. The country is easily the most popular destination to visit in Central America. Costa Rica now has tourist offices set up in North America for those who want further information.

Related Links:

• Find great adventure travel packages from GAP Adventures!
• Costa Rica Travel Guidebooks
• Costa Rica Travel Maps
• Travel Accessories You May Need (Luggage, Travel DVD's, Camera, Books, Portable Electronics, etc)
• Want to travel more and spend less? Try home exchange for your next vacation (Home Swapping Service: "You stay in my home while I stay in yours")

About the Author: Clint Leung owner of Free Spirit Activewear (http://www.FreeSpiritActivewear.com) , an online retailer/designer specializing in premium quality activewear with specialty sports themes including scuba diving and martial arts. Free Spirit Activewear has numerous information resource articles on specialty sports as well as free eCards.

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