Zipto Travelers Corner

Costa Rica - Monkeys and Toucans and Alligators, Oh my!

August 18, 2009

No artificial ingredients, huh? That’s Costa Rica’s credo and from the experts I’ve spoken with, this statement holds true. So while tied to my desk, my newest journey takes me to this exotic Latin American destination. When you mention Costa Rica, people imagine it’s what paradise must look like. I personally always pictured a rainforest with wild cats lounging in giant trees. In my mind’s eye it was a lot like the children’s movie Jungle Book. 

But it’s so much more than that. I had no idea that Costa Rica is also one of the world’s premier surfing destinations. In fact, just last week the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games were hosted at Playa Hermosa attracting world famous athletes. The beauty of this peaceful oasis is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive, so it’s no wonder that Costa Rica attracts about 1.5 million visitors every year.

Here active travelers can surf, hike, snorkel and spot wildlife. The incredibly varied topography means you can cruise the rain forest one day, visit an active volcano the next, and then relax on a hot sandy beach. Adrenaline junkies can find a myriad of ways to raise their heart rates- among them zipping through canopy lines hundreds of feet long and riding the surf of the Pacific Ocean while catching monstrous waves.

According to the experts, the best time to visit Costa Rica is the dry season from December through April, which locals refer to as verano (summer). In May begins the rainy season, or invierno (winter). The early months of the rainy season are actually a wonderful time to travel to Costa Rica as you can avoid the tourist bustle and lodging is slightly cheaper.

Not only is the land rich with natural beauty but so are the people. Costa Rica‘s cultural legacy is their love for peace and democracy, creating an atmosphere of ultimate relaxation. Another fun fact I found was that nowhere else on earth are so many types of habitats squeezed into such a tiny area. A consequence of this unique geography is that there is an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. In fact, no other country on the planet has such variety.

In Costa Rica, visitors can enjoy tropical black and white sand beaches, the grandest adventures, the wonders of nature and scintillating culture- all the necessary components of an ideal vacation. Plus if you stick with public transportation, traveling within the country is easy and inexpensive. All and all, an amazing, adventurous vacation awaits you in Costa Rica.