Costa Rica Vacations

Overview

Costa Rica is one of the many places visited by Christopher Columbus in 1502. The country is favorably situated in the Central American isthmus, located about 10 degrees north of the equator and 84 degrees to the west of the Prime Meridian. The beautiful Caribbean Sea is on one side and on the other, the vast Pacific Ocean. Sited in the heart of the Western Hemisphere, the location makes it a privileged destination. An area of around 19,730 square miles and 589,000 square kilometers of territorial waters, form the land mass of Costa Rica. To the south it is bordered by Nicaragua and to the north by the country of Panama.

Costa Rica is an active and well-respected member of the United Nations and is a well-known seat of Central American stability and democracy. Costa Rica enjoys tropical weather all around the year, which makes it the perfect getaway for a vacation or short break.

Activities & Attractions

There are several unexplored islands in Costa Rica that are enchanting and beautiful. One of the world's active volcanoes, Irazu, is situated in this Central American country. Chirripo National Park has the highest mountain in Costa Rica. There are different species of animals and plants spread across the country. This single country has about five percent of the world's biodiversity. Nearly 2,000 different types of plants, which include a large number of rare orchid species, can be found in the country's world famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The reserve is also home to nearly 400 different species of birds. National parks, forest preserves and interesting cities make Costa Rica an ideal vacation spot.

Vacations in Costa Rica can take many forms. The country has mountainous terrain, which makes it ideal for walking trails and hiking. The pristine beaches found along the Costa Rica coastline offer plentiful windsurfing, regular surfing and other water-sport opportunities. Right from snorkeling through reefs, fishing in deep blue waters to white-water rafting in turbulent rivers, mountain biking in its varied geography, or simply bathing under a waterfall, Costa Rica has something for everyone.

Lodging

With millions of tourists flocking the country, Costa Rice showcases an assorted range of hotels and resorts. You can find five star hotels with excellent facilities, economy hotels that take care of all your needs and even birding hotels from where you can interact with nature.

Transportation

An extensive bus system connects Costa Rica with the other Central American capitals. If you are on a group vacation, you can avail the shuttle service of buses. You can also rent a car in the capital, San Jose or other cities. In addition to car rentals and bus services, travelers can also benefit from daily boat services ($5, plus a $1 fee) and small, ship cruises ($2000-$6000 per person for 7-10 day tours). Taxi services are also available and they are comparatively inexpensive when compared to other countries. You can also go for air travel as there are numerous domestic airlines at your service.