by Victor C. Krumm
Costa Rica is a very small Central American country bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. Many who visit find a tropical paradise. It got its name 600 years ago by Christopher Columbus who, when he landed along its Caribbean coast was so enraptured he named the place ‘Costa Rica’ or the ‘Rich Coast’.
In a region often known for its instability, Costa Rica stands alone. Though tumultuous Nicaragua is to the north and Panama is to its south, it constitutionally abolished its military nearly 70 years ago. Today, along with Switzerland, it is one of only two countries with no army. The country is particularly famous for its wide biodiversity. There is an abundance of beautiful rain forests, cloudforests, rugged mountains and, of course, its amazing beaches, all close at hand.
Though folks from around the world enjoy Costa Rica tourism, 40% of its tourists come from the United States. That country’s economic problems have proven challenging to Costa Rica tourism, which has been struggling. But, of course, every challenge creates an opportunity and now may be exactly the time to travel Costa Rica. You will find cheap airfares and some terrific travel and accommodation bargains. The Costa Rica government is trying to stimulate tourism from the Costa Rica Institute of Tourism (ICT) website which contains discount coupons. Google ‘visitcostarica.com/crplus’ and look for yourself but remember: there are hundreds of hotels, spas, resorts, and other places that will also give you a discount—–but you need to ask!
Costa Rica is world famous for the diversity of its animals and plants. As small as it is, Costa Rica has set aside nearly 25% of the country for protected national park and wildlife sanctuaries. How small is it? Think tiny, but mighty: only the size of little West Virginia, it has more species of butterflies than in all of the countries on the African continent combined. It is birdwatchers’ nirvana with nearly as many different kinds of birds as in the entire continental United States and only about 100 fewer species than the entire continent of Europe. The diversity of life is simply staggering. Though it takes up only 1/10,000 of the earth’s land mass, nearly 1 of every 5 species of plant and animal on the face of the planet is found in Costa Rica!
You will also find some the world’s most famous volcanoes here. Arenal Volcano is a tourist hotspot, with resorts built around hot springs where you can loll in luxury, drink a margarita, and perhaps watch the fabulous eruptions of this volcano. There is also Irazu, just outside San Jose. Here, on the day in 1963 that John F. Kennedy visited Costa Rica, a monstruous eruption greeted the President—I like to think of it as a salute. And, only here on a clear day can you drive to the top of its summit, look into its crater, then look west and see the Pacific Ocean, or look east and see the Atlantic ocean. Or, look at both of them at the same time! This ain’t Dubuque!
Then there are the Seven Wonders of Costa Rica, selected by Costa Ricans themselves: mighty Arenal Volcano and spectacular Poas Volcano. Little visited Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve with its great plant and animal diversity—including the only butterfly in the world that makes a noise! Halfway to the Galapagos is magnificent Cocos Island, called the “most beautiful island in the world” by Jacques Cousteau, a famous pirate hiding place with huge fortunes buried but never found, and the best large animal diving on the planet. Mount Chirripo is the tallest mountain in Central America and as you climb from its tropical base to its summit, you may think you are in the Andes with its cold glacial lakes. Or, take a pleasant hike to Rio Celeste (Celestial River) where the river magically changes from crystal clear to sky-blue in front of your eyes. Finally, there is remote Tortuguero National Park, with mile after mile of seemingly deserted beaches—until the wondrous sea turtles invade by the tens of thousands to nest.
Costa Rica has no shortage of things to do. With nearly 800 miles of coastline on two tropical oceans, Costa Rica beaches are simply stunning, among the most beautiful in the world. Close to Liberia International Airport along the northwest Pacific coast, are spectacular beaches and lots of developments catering to western tourists. The Caribbean coast is far less developed and has a completely different aura: this is Bob Marley country. Wherever you go, whether on the Pacific or Caribbean sides, you will find mile after mile of sand beaches, white sand, brown sand, black sand, or rugged deserted beaches.
In Costa Rica there are activities to suit just about everyone. While you can go in for the extreme sports, many people take part in swimming, cycling or sunbathing, all pastimes which are particular popular for tourists to Costa Rica. Costa Rica is also famous for having some of the best tropical golf courses in the world. And, if that is not enough, here are a few more things to do to keep you busy during the days: 1. Fish the deep sea for marlin (I recently fought a 450 pounder before releasing it), sailfish, huge tarpon, snook, and dozens of other varieties. 2. Surf! Don’t know how? Go to surf school. 3. Raft or kayak in some of the world’s best whitewater or leisurely raft a tropical river with the kids. 4. Sail or take a dinner cruise. 5. Windsurf at Lake Arenal, considered the second best place in the world. 6. Defy death and bungee jump into deep canyons or at night. 7. Take an ecotour 8. Zipline 80 feet up the air through tropical forests. 9. Become a bullfighter. But beware that in Costa Rica the bulls cannot be harmed, anybody can jump into the ring with these critters, and you can buy insurance just before you take your life into your hands. 10. Take a horseback ride in the mountains, along the beaches, or even across the entire country. 11. Take a hot air balloon ride or go hang gliding. 12. Become a canyoneer and rappel tropical waterfalls. 13. Take a train ride—in a genuine Swiss train to a genuine Swiss mountain hotel or from San Jose to the beach. 14. Visit a tiny park, Corcovado, only half the size of NYC but the most biologically intense place on earth. 15. Scuba dive or skin dive in a Caribbean marine park at the largest coral reef in the country. 16. Watch whales (Costa Rica has the world’s longest whale-watching season). Wonder at the sea turtles as they have nested since the days of dinosaurs. 17. Enjoy tropical gardens or tour plantations where the finest coffee in the world is grown. 18. Hike, bike, rent motorcycles or ATVs. 19. Take a walk on the wild-side into the crater of an active volcano. 20. Tour an African wildlife park. 21. Take a photography tour. 22. Go on a volunteer vacation. Enough ideas? I have more!
The capital of the country is San Jose. It offers an abundance of things to do and most of the population (and traffic) is there. It is famous for its lively Latino style nightlife and also boasts plenty of shops and museums and other attractions. It is also home to a particularly impressive national theatre that is definitely worth a visit if you are going to be spending any time in the city. And, at night, San Jose and most of the beach communities provide lots of adult entertainment. Restaurants, cinemas, plays, bars, nightclubs (many, very adult in tone and tenor), casinos, and beautiful, hot women from around the world. Just remember: what happens here, stays here. And, increasingly, there are more and more places to go and activities for gays and lesbians.