Costa Rica Vacations

If you’re planning a vacation you should consider Costa Rica vacations. It is truly amazing; it has huge variety in a small area. There are jungles, rushing rivers, active volcanoes, wild Pacific shores and more gentle Caribbean beaches. It has good hotels, good food and it also has a reputation for social progress, tranquillity and friendly people

Costa Rica is a small country with only a population of 4.1 million and there is an incredible amount for you to see if you're planning a Costa Rica vacations. There are mist-shrouded cloud forests, rolling hills, smouldering volcanoes, beautiful bubbling hot springs, lush rainforests, huge tumbling rivers, white sand beaches that stretch for miles, incredible wildlife as well as sweet-smelling coffee and fruit plantations, all within easy reach of the capital, San Jose.

Costa Rica vacations - this is one of the best places to spot tapirs, caiman, iridescent butterflies and day-glow frogs, not to mention the elusive jaguar. Even the elusive jaguar is occasionally seen prowling through the jungle.

Costa Rica is also one of the most adventurous country in Central America: Costa Rica vacations - have designed hundreds of different ways to experience the country; on foot, by horseback, motorboat, canopy walkways and the more adrenaline stimulating activities including zip lining, scuba diving, river-rafting, mountain biking, volcano climbing, sea-kayaking and surfing to name but a few. The guides throughout the country are excellent, which just enhances any trip.

The scenery of Costa Rica is beautiful and wide-ranging, the wildlife is abundant and its people are justifiably proud of their beautiful country

Much of the wildlife found in Costa Rica can be found in other parts of Central America. But nowhere else is it as accessible and visible as Costa Rica vacations. Its national parks are well-organised, the guides are first rate, travel is easy and the accommodation options are excellent.

You will not find many places in the world where you can awaken to the bark of a troop of howler monkeys, stroll along a deserted beach and spot a formation of scarlet macaws in the sky, gasp as a trio of toucans flies over your head as you raft over a rapid or drive along the road to see a sloth asleep in a tree.

The wildlife of the country is simply spectacular and you have a real chance of seeing a tapir, sloth, ocelot, anteater, coati, agouti, caiman, iguana, numerous species of snakes, tree frogs, monkeys and magnificent butterflies or many of over 850 species of birds.

Family Holiday - Costa Rica vacations

Many people visit Costa Rica for the experience of nature that it offers. It is incredibly rich in biodiversity, with over 5% of all the species on earth to be found in an area a fifth the size of the UK. Wildlife reserves and national parks cover 25% of Costa Rica's area, helping to maintain these precious natural wonders. Getting to see the natural side of Costa Rica has been made easy with numerous park trails, elevated walkways in the canopy and river boat trips.

Just to give you an idea, the followings are few places where you can visit for a natural family holiday:

The Caribbean

After a quick tour of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, you can head to the coastal Caribbean lowlands. A boat trip along the narrow waterways of Tortuguero National Park leads to a hidden riverbank lodge in the rainforest.

Toucans & Rafting

Look for toucans and other brightly coloured birds as you explore the unique system of natural and man-made canals famous throughout Costa Rica. Travelling back through banana plantations and past volcanoes, you can enjoy some great white water rafting.

The Pacific

At Monteverde you can visit butterfly and snake farms and marvel at the brightly coloured hummingbirds. Whilst walking in the cloud forest you might be lucky and catch sight of the Country’s most famous bird, the Quetzal. Relax on golden Pacific Ocean beaches in Manuel Antonio NP.

Arenal Volcano

La Fortuna lies at the foot of the Arenal volcano in the north of Costa Rica. Here you can bathe in thermal waters and on a clear night you may see the volcano spluttering lava like a firework display.

San Jose - The Capital

The Capital city of Costa Rica, San Jose will probably be your initial introduction to the country. More cosmopolitan than some of its other Central American neighbours, San Jose is located in the central region at an altitude of 1150 metres.

Whilst many people simply pass through San Jose on their way to the coast or the national parks, it can still be a pleasant place to spend a couple of days.

Visit the many markets, the grand Opera House or marvel at the treasures on display at the Gold Museum. San Jose also makes a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside. Go rafting on the lively Reventazon River, walk amongst active volcanoes, or fly through the jungle canopy on the aerial tram at the Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Half an hour to 45 minutes outside of San Jose, the Finca Rosa Blanca is a small boutique hotel surrounded by 10 acres of tropical gardens. The nine rooms are all highly individual, the master suite has an amazing 360° view of the grounds.

Near San Jose in the Central Valley, Xandari Resort and Spa has 19 spacious villas set around a 20 acre coffee and fruit plantation. Each villa has a private terrace, a walled-in sun terrace, furnished with original artwork. There are walking trails through the grounds. Birdlife is plentiful; there is a lovely river and five waterfalls.

Costa Rica is a great place for touring, with a local guide, in a group or on your own, or for just taking off in a hire car and going at your own pace.

If you want a lively time then adrenaline is available in plenty, with zip lines high through the forest, surfing on Pacific rollers, white water rafting, trekking and horse riding all easy to find.

If you prefer to slow things down, the country has plenty of lovely beaches of all kinds, and boutique hotels with spas to pamper you and swimming pools to laze by.

Often called the Switzerland of Latin America, Country is peaceful and well organised. Educational and health standards are relatively high, and English is widely spoken. There is a good choice of accommodation, ranging from well-kept small guesthouses and eco-lodges to ultra-stylish boutique hotels.

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