Escape The Cold To Costa Rica’s Tropical Paradise For Adventure

Do you dream of escaping from the cold winter weather up north? Do you realize that Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in the world with warm weather and exciting vacation possibilities? This small Latin America country in Central America is only a few hours south of Florida and has spectacular tropical mountains, volcanoes, and some of the best beaches in the world. Travelers come to experience its fantastic surfing beaches, beach party towns with daytime fun and adult nightlife, and deserted beaches where verdant mountains meet the shore.

Most tourists stay along the country’s western Pacific coast and never tour the unspoiled eastern Caribbean beaches where the country got its name more than 500 years ago when discovered by Christopher Columbus. Only a relative handful of travelers know about Columbus and even fewer walk the very same beach where he came ashore in 1503. Whether you loved or hated History in high school, there is always something special to imagine while walking in the footsteps of history.

With nearly 400 miles of Caribbean beaches, you are sure to find that very special vacation spot. The Caribbean has a distinctive reggae-type, Bob Marley, feel to it. Be sure to also plan for the different attractions along the Pacific coast.

For many eco tourists, no Costa Rica vacation is complete without experiencing one of the country’s Seven Wonders, Tortuguero National Park. Tortuguero is the largest nesting area for the green sea turtle in the western hemisphere. These turtles nested here in unfathomable numbers dating back millions of years before the first dinosaurs. They probably provided fresh meat for his crew when Columbus landed. For centuries, beaches here were some of the world’s largest hunting grounds for these gentle turtles. That changed in 1961 when it was transformed into the world’s premier reserve and leading center for turtle monitoring and research. In addition to green sea turtles, three of the other six surviving endangered marine turtle species come ashore to nest. You will find a growing number of tours and lodges which service an increasing number of vacationers and eco tourists. Wildlife is very abundant and the waters provide great fishing.

Limon is south of Tortuguero National Park on the east coast but should not be considered as a popular destination. Instead, plan to go through it to reach the wilderness areas of Tortuguero and Barra Honda beaches north or to head south to a number of small beach communities. It is there that Puerto Viejo awaits. It has the world famous La Salsa Brava wave, a spectacular large wave that challenges the best surfers on the planet, particularly during the months from November and April. Inexperienced surfers should avoid this beach, except to watch the experts, and head to Playa Cocles with great surfing, great fun, and not nearly as dangerous.

Between Limon and Puerto Viejo is the quiet town of Cahuita with great snorkeling and beautiful white and black sand beaches that are great for walking. The coral reef is just offshore and has two shipwrecks to explore. At night vacationers find this place very quiet and many head down to Puerto Viejo for its restaurants.

When Columbus came ashore here 500 years ago, it was remote, wild, and tropical. It still is. The sea is as pure now as when first sailed. Sea turtles still nest on the lovely beaches, though in far smaller numbers. Think everything to be discovered here has been discovered? Maybe. Maybe not. Just a few years ago scientists discovered a freshwater porpoise in a river emptying here, but nowhere else in the country. Just offshore lies Costa Rica’s largest coral reef. Rent scuba equipment and even get PADI certified while on holiday. Or just take in the area’s fabulous wildlife: monkeys, sloths, macaws and hundreds of other kinds of birds.

The author writes from sunny Costa Rica and his popular Costa Rica Vacations website is filled with great information about the exciting vacation possibilities awaiting you in Costa Rica.