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Photo: Ralph Lee Hopkins/Lonely
Planet Images |
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In the Clouds
Ever imagine yourself walking in the clouds? In Costa Rica, it's quite a popular activity-for those who aren't too busy wandering through the treetops. The Central American country is a treasure-trove of natural wonders, a fact so apparent to Christopher Columbus in 1502 that he gave it a name that would forever proclaim its richness. Today's visitors to the "rich coast" will discover lush rain forests, active volcanoes, stunning coastlines, and rivers teeming with wildlife. With 15 different ecosystems, 30 national parks, and numerous wildlife refuges, Costa Rica is one of the most accessible and tourist-friendly eco-destinations in Central America. Costa Ricans, who affectionately call themselves ticos, are renowned for their hospitality. The country itself is a beacon of democracy, with a tripartite system of government that has been in place for more than a century. In fact, former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sánchez earned the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his ceaseless efforts to promote democratic reforms in the region. A mere three-hour flight from Miami, Costa Rica graces the middle of Central America. It is on an isthmus between Nicaragua and Panama, with coastlines bordering the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The country is about as big as West Virginia, and a three-hour drive will take you coast to coast through a diverse landscape and array of attractions unlike any others on earth. In the past decade, Costa Rica has actively promoted itself as a haven for ecotourism, which focuses on conservation and the appreciation of an area's biodiversity. Several U.S.-based companies specialize in ecotours of Costa Rica. Some of the most popular itineraries include guided treks through the country's many rain forests; tours around Arenal Volcano, one of the most active in the world; bird and butterfly watching; boat rides on the Sarapiquí River (home to iguanas, monkeys, and crocodiles); and trips to Tortuguero National Park to watch newly-hatched sea turtles. Believe it or not, canopy tours-in which brave tourists actually swing from tree to tree on steel cables while suspended in a harness-are extremely popular. The tours certainly provide a unique mode of transportation. But you do not have to be a daredevil to appreciate spectacular treetop views in Costa Rica. Many areas have elevated walkways and even tram rides through lush tropical jungles, where visitors might come face to face with rainbow-billed toucans and capuchin monkeys. The best place to begin a visit to this wondrous country is its capital, San José. Quite a few U.S. airlines offer daily nonstop flights to San José. The city is also a hub for public transportation to outlying areas. Located in the central region of the country, the city is the nation's political and cultural heart. Attractions include the National Museum and the Contemporary Art and Design Museum. The National Theater, built in 1897, offers first-rate symphony and dance performances in an elegant setting. The central Pacific coastal region, a few hours' drive from the capital, offers jungles, islands, and superb wildlife watching. You'll find scarlet macaws at Carara Biological Reserve, huge crocodiles dozing on the banks of the Río Tárcoles, and endangered squirrel monkeys scampering through the trees in Manuel Antonio National Park. The region's largest city, Puntarenas, welcomes cruise ships at its port. The islands in the Gulf of Nicoya are popular with bird watchers. The southern Pacific coastal region offers stunning tropical forests, many with trees over 200 feet tall. You will find the country's tallest mountain peak there, as well as numerous conservation areas, glacial lakes at Chirripó National Park, and mysterious pre-Columbian stone spheres on Caño Island. From San José, a highway through Braulio Carrillo National Park meanders past banana plantations and groves of coconut and palm trees to the Caribbean coast. There, beautiful black- and white-sand beaches provide myriad choices for sun lovers and water sports enthusiasts. The sport fishing along the Caribbean is world-caliber. Protected areas, such as Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, Cahuita National Park, and Tortuguero National Park, provide some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. The northern Pacific coastal region, comprising the Guanacaste Province and Nicoya Peninsula, is known for its beaches and tropical flora, such as Costa Rica's national tree, the guanacaste. Barra Honda National Park offers intrigue for spelunkers, including the Terciopelo Cave, which provides a stunning display of stalactites and stalagmites. Volcanoes, fertile plains, cloud forests, mountain ranges, waterfalls, and rivers await visitors to Costa Rica's northern plains region. Jungle lodges in coffee fields are an exciting alternative to traditional hotels. Arenal Volcano is the area's most popular attraction, with lava eruptions visible from the hiking trails in the national park surrounding the volcano. But one of the most memorable excursions a visitor can take on a trip to Costa Rica is to Monteverde, in the Tilarán mountain range. There, miniature orchids wrap around trees that are home to numerous protected species, such as the bellbird. Meander through the misty paths of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, and you'll have a deeper understanding of the riches that are Costa Rica's. These links are provided for informational purposes only. AARP does not endorse, and has no control over, or responsibility for, the linked sites or the content, advertisements, materials, products, or services available on or throughout these sites. |
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