Discover the Beauty of Costa Rica

Discover the Beauty of Costa Rica
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
Photographer: George Whylie
Videographer: Maxine Nolan
Pictures by TripAdvisor

Looking for the next great dream, action and relaxation destination to head off to this year?

One of the top destinations in the world is a small country in Central America known as Costa Rica, ‘The Rich Coast’. The country has been recognized and praised for its environmental sustainability. The charming scenery is made up of a variety of waterfalls, endless beaches and soaring mountain landscapes.

The country is rich in culture and history that will enhance the most inquisitive of tourists. Spanish is the primary language. Amazingly, Costa Rica contains 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Around 25% of the country’s land area is in protected national parks and protected areas which happen to be the largest in the world. Get ready to see 700 species of birds, turtles, howler and white-throated capuchin monkeys, all kinds of reptiles and over 2,000 plant species. You will feel like you have reached a tropical paradise definitely worth a few pictures to remember the region by. The rainforest covering the mountains has come to be known as Mother Nature’s finest.

For the avid action traveler, immerse yourself in surfing, hiking, rafting, canopying, diving, Deepwater fishing, Sport fishing and snorkeling.

Scuba Divers will find an ocean adventure of volcanic rock formation, rock pinnacles and plankton rich waters. Get ready to experience such marine life as white-tip reef sharks, bull sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, diamond sting rays, dolphins and possibly even a whale or two at certain times of the year. Some of the colorful reefs and rock formations attract jacks, grunts, yellowtail snapper, angelfish and eels. Dive sites such as Monkey Head and Virador range in depth from 50 to 70 feet while Los Meros and Escorpiones offer shallow diving. Before you head home, don’t miss an excursion to the Catalina and Bat Islands. It’s an indescribable experience like none other.

Costa Rica has the best Sport fishing in the world. Tourists arriving for this activity will find the waters rich in sailfish, marlin, tuna, wahoo, snapper and tarpon.

Costa Rica has exquisite resorts and hotels to accommodate every traveler’s needs. Be pampered and treated to a relaxing day at the spa or a peaceful dip in the pristine waters. Build an appetite to enjoy casado (rice alongside beans with meat, chicken or fish) and a salad. Try some of the salsa with a kick, traditional plantains, white cheese and tortillas. Vegetables like squash round out the meal and coffee is widely favored every morning to get you off to a bright start.