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Costa Rica |
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Costa Rica
If the great outdoors had a capital, Costa Rica would probably be it. You can have any kind of adventure you’d like here, with adrenaline levels starting at lying-on-the-beach dormant and escalating into to the bungee-jumping, white-water rafting red-zone.
Activities and Attractions:
You’ll almost certainly land in San José, Costa Rica. If you’re antsy to take in some crisp mountain air or clean white sand, you may find this city, with its pollution and chaotic streets, a little disappointing. But take advantage of any down time you may have in San José by visiting the National Center of Art and Culture, or the Gold Museum. If there’s time, visit a coffee farm—the surrounding countryside is dotted with them.
Then get outside—outdoor adventure, often with an eco-twist, is what put Costa Rica on the map. The possibilities, packed into a country the size of a couple of New England states, are mind-boggling.
Just for starters, you could climb an active volcano. Poás and Irazú make the soil around the capital fertile and keep life exciting for residents of the country’s central valley.
Perhaps you came to Costa Rica for beaches. The dry Guanacaste area in the northern part of the country has Costa Rica’s best. For a more classically tropical experience, the Caribbean coast has beautiful sand, even if it is a little rainy during the winter. (This region is also interesting for being a stronghold of Afro-Caribbean culture; you’ll hear both English and Creole widely spoken.) The most developed beach area is at the central Pacific coast. Playa de Jacó is a justifiably famous beach just a couple of hours from San José.
One of the highlights of a trip to Costa Rica is a visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. This mountainside jungle will probably be one of the greenest things you’ve ever seen. The ample heat and water vapor support an incredible volume of plant life, including 400 varieties of orchid alone. There are also opportunities to view all kinds of animals, from an exotic array of bugs (bring insect repellant) to the rare and gorgeously plumed quetzal.
Another great place to see wildlife is in Manuel Antonio National Park, which includes both mountains and sea within its borders. Hike between beaches on jungle trails until you find one you like, or climb a peak, where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the jungle and sea. You may spot some howler monkeys as well. (You’ll hear them before you see them.)
Another popular way of viewing wildlife is by braving a canopy tour. Touring the canopy of a jungle, where the majority of animal species live, involves strapping into a harness and zipping along a cable from platform to platform. Like Costa Rica itself, the activity is quite safe if done right, but also an adventure you’ll talk about for years to come.
Insider Tip:
The basic unit of currency in Costa Rica is the colón. Because there are many colónes to the dollar, it’s common to handle 1,000- and 5,000 colón bills. Even if you speak Spanish, you may be initially confused to hear shopkeepers refer to these bills by their slang names: rojo, for the 1,000- colón bill, and tucán for the 5,000. In addition, multiples of 100 colónes are called tejas—if you’re buying something that costs three hundred colónes, for example, you may be asked for tres tejas.
-Exclusively for Perfect Escapes by Nicole Clausing |
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