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Costa Rica: 4 Must-see Sights of Tropical Costa Rica

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Costa Rica: A peace loving country

Although small in surface area, the Central American nation of Costa Rica looms large as an example to the rest of the world. Always a peace loving country, its armed services were disbanded in 1949, and it is arguably the "greenest" country in the world. Over a quarter of the nation's acreage is taken up by National Parks, wildlife reserves and private wildlife sanctuaries. The list of sights and attractions that Costa Rica has to offer could easily fill the pages of a book, but there are at least four areas that should be on any visitor's "must-see" list.

1. The rainforests

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui is a rainforest paradise

type=textIf a single rainforest destination must be singled out as a "must see," it would have to be Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. Located at the base of the Cordillera Central Mountain Range just 32 kilometers (20 miles) from the Nicaraguan border, two rivers, the Sarapiqui and the Puerto Viero, join at this village, giving it its name. The village itself is delightful, but its main attraction is that it is the jumping off point to some great river and rainforest excursions.

You can choose to travel by river on either peaceful boat excursions or on high-adventure single or multi-day white water rafting excursions. On land, you can explore the interior by car (either self-drive rentals or taxis), on horseback, mountain bike or on foot. Even a short hike will take you into a tropical rainforest wonderland, full of monkeys, scarlet macaws, iguanas, and more exotic creatures. If you have the time, longer guided treks are unforgettable experiences.

2. The volcanoes

Arenal: the most active volcano in Costa Rica

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If you're going to go out of your way to see a volcano, then make it an active one! Arenal is the most active among the 200 dormant and 5 active volcanoes that dot the landscape of Cost Rica. The journey to the town of La Fortuna, the area's tourist center, is pleasant enough, taking you through coffee and sugar plantations, but the real adventure begins when you reach your destination. It will be almost tragic if you don't spend at least one night at one of the many beautiful ecolodges or resorts in the area, in order to enjoy the spectacle of glowing lava flowing down the sides of the volcano. And don't miss out on the volcano-heated hot springs!

3. The pacific coast

Tamarindo is a gorgeous Costa Rican beach

type=textBeach and ocean lovers unanimously agree that the beaches on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica are among the most beautiful in the world. In fact, Costa Rica is the third most popular surfing destination in the world after Hawaii and Indonesia, and is consistently high on the list of the top snorkeling and scuba diving destinations in the world.

Those who just want to lie on the sand and take it all in are never disappointed by the beaches of Costa Rica. One of their main attractions is that they are so serene and tranquil, in spite of the fact that Costa Rica is so popular with tourists. While there are numerous resorts, including many large 5 star resorts, there are also many quaint coastal villages, just right for intimate getaways.

Tamarindo, on the north coast in the province of Guanacaste is the most popular destination for beach lovers of all descriptions. Somehow this one destination has it all - great surfing, great diving, beautiful beaches, a laid-back lifestyle, and a vibrant nightlife scene.

4. The Caribbean coast

Get the feel of the Caribbean in Costa Rica

type=textThe first "tourist" to visit the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica was Christopher Columbus, who landed there in 1502. Tourism was slow to develop in the area until well into the 20th century, but now that it has been rediscovered, it still remains remarkably pristine and it is very easy to see the Caribbean coast as Columbus must have viewed it over 500 years ago.

Puerto Limon is the principal destination for travelers to the Caribbean coast. Everything about Puerto Limon is "Caribbean," from its native population, which principally is of Afro-Caribbean descent, to its delicious Creole food and its entertainment. The people speak with their own charming dialect that is a mixture of English and Spanish. They are some of the most hospitable people in the world and give new meaning to the term, "laid-back."

If you're looking for a Caribbean vacation with more (like rainforests and volcanoes), then Costa Rica is a great choice!

The beauty of Costa Rica

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And there's more!

Costa Rica has so much to see

It's hard to narrow the list to four main sights, where Costa Rica is so rich in scenery, wildlife, and culture. If you've got additional time, then check out the Monteverde Cloud Forest, for it's unique ecosystem and incredible plant and animal life. The lowland area of Tortuguero National Park offers fascinating boat trips on small canals through the rainforest. And the capital city of San Jose is worth seeing, too.

Costa Rica is not a large country, so you can get to any of these places within hours from the capital city, San Jose. Many travelers make the mistake of just heading for the beach when they go to Costa Rica and miss so many of this wonderful country's other natural wonders. Give yourself as long as possible, so you can sample the different sides of Costa Rica. You won't regret it!

Videos of Costa Rica

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News about Costa Rica

The latest scoop - what people are saying about Costa Rica

Paul Watson Meets With Costa Rica Foreign Minister in Germany
Paul Watson took a quick trip to Stuttgart, Germany, to meet with Costa Rica's Foreign Minister, Enrique Castillo, following statements by Presidenta Laura Chinchilla that he would get a fair trial if he returned to Costa Rica.
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Costa Rica was recently recognized as the premier destination for weddings in Latin America in The Knot Market Intelligence: 2012 Destination Weddings Study. Wedding website, TheKnot.com, polled 2757 qualified respondents and found that 32 percent ...
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Pineapple expectations are good for the rest of the year and could achieve record figures in exports, which will allow Costa Rica to remain as the number one pineapple seller, worldwide. Last year the sales reached $530 million, while in this first ...
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I was busy in Costa Rica holding monkeys and practicing archery with an indigenous tribe in the jungle. No, really. I live a double life as a travel blogger, and the Costa Rican Tourism Board generously sent me there for a week to see an authentic and ...
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Any comments, questions, feedback, suggestions?

  • mjbarnes53 Mar 5, 2012 @ 12:18 pm | delete
    Wow, I never knew Puerto Rico was so beautiful
  • Senora_M Jan 26, 2012 @ 11:09 pm | delete
    I love CR! My husband and I went there on our honeymoon. My favorite was Finca Rosa Blanca and Tabacon Hot Springs!
  • VillaDejaBlue Jan 1, 2012 @ 9:29 pm | delete
    Nice lens
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Photo credits

Flickr: Punta Uva, baxterclaus
Flickr: Isla Tortuga - Costa Rica, Wha'ppen
Flickr: Arenal Volcano - Costa Rica, Adryiii
Flickr: Costa Rica... No artificial ingredients!, Wha'ppen
Flickr: Costa Rica-39, HBarrison

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