Destinations / Top travel places to visit in 2011 / Costa Rica

 

  Costa Rica is the jewel of Central America, internationally renowned for its tourism potential. Being an oasis of peace and ecotourism heaven, all those who have visited Costa Rica come back here agreeing that it is a true paradise. In a relatively small space you can have the vacation you have been dreaming of, whether it is one filled with extreme sports like rafting, flying fox, bungee jumping, and hiking, or you want to admire unique species of flora and fauna and simply relax on a tropical beach. Ecotourism is probably the main attraction that draws the most tourists here. Although Costa Rica is a small country, it has a lot to offer to those attracted by unique tropical landscapes, the ones who like admiring the flora and fauna typical for this region and walk in protected areas with pristine nature. In addition, the country harmoniously combines spectacular nature with outstanding gastronomy dishes and hospitality of its people.

 

 

  The capital city, San Jose, is the best starting point if you want to discover Costa Rica. Located right in the center of the country, it is a fascinating city. Situated in the Central Valley region, evenings can get quite cool here - due to the altitude - yet the tropical atmosphere during the day will make you forget about this little inconvenience. The city is very crowded and traffic can often be a problem. Even though there are many places to see in San Jose, the most tourists prefer to spend little time here, in favor of the forests and beaches. From here, you can get to the port of Limon, on the Caribbean coast, with a totally different atmosphere from the capital, more tranquil and dominated by reggae rhythms, where you can start exploring the beaches.

 

 

  The greatest part of the country's borders, over 65 percent, is represented by coastal area. It is Costa Rica that you will find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, a truly idyllic setting. Even if the coastline is not too populated, many resorts can be found here, as tourism is the main source of income in Costa Rica. On the overall, the country is a large tropical island, and in order to get to the beach, from any point, one will have to walk not more than 100 km. Tortuguero, the land of turtles attracts tourists with its beaches where thousands of turtles lay their eggs here annually, but also with the lush delta where you can admire Toucan birds, noisy monkeys, crocodiles and caimans in their natural habitat. Manuel Antonio National Park, the most popular attraction in the country, a harmonious combination between sandy beaches and jungle, or the Gardens of La Paz Waterfall, a cruise on the Sarapiqui River, a trip to the Tilaran Mountains, a visit to the Monteverde Cloud Forest reserve where you can admire the stunning gardens with exotic butterflies or go hiking in the rainforest are all interesting and unique places in the country that should be definitely not be missed.

 

  The one hundred and ten volcanoes are another attraction of the country, among which more than ten are still active. In the province of Cartago, a short distance away from the capital city of San Jose, visitors will find the Irazu volcano, the highest in the country, which has erupted for the last time in the early 1960’s. Poas Volcano, located in the province of Alajuela, has one of the largest active craters in the world, while the Arenal volcano, in the north-west of the country, annually attracts thousands of visitors who come to watch the unique show of incandescent rocks or streams of lava that often spill over the edges of the crater. Arenal area is also famous for its hot springs with curative properties; the most famous are that of Tabacon, undoubtedly.

 

  Add the tropical sandy beaches of Guanacaste province, the cuisine based on seafood and tropical fruits, the coffee, considered to be the tastiest in the world, the golden pineapple, the sweetest pineapple in the world, the renowned beauty of women, the hospitality of the people of this country and you'll understand why Costa Rica is also known as "The Blessed Country".  

 

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