The tiny Latin America country, Costa Rica, is a terrific destination for hundreds of thousands of visitors from Europe, Canada, the United States and other countries. They visit for many reasons. Some love the great beaches. Others prefer the tropical mountains, great weather, outdoor activities, or adult nightlife (what happens here, stays here).
You do not have to spend a arm and leg to experience Costa Rica so long as you bring a little creativity. There are some travel secrets which are not commonly known to tourists.
For centuries, people have marveled about this country. Discovered in 1503, Christopher Columbus was so enthralled he named the place Costa Rica, the rich coast. About 75 years later, just before he defeated the Spanish Armada and saved England from Spain, Sir Francis Drake dropped anchor at what is now named Drake Bay off the southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
However, unlike these guys, you won't need a boatload of people to help you get around and it will not cost you the Crown treasure, either.
Like boating? How about a nice cruise along the tropical waters off the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica? About an hour and half long, traveling between Puntarenas and the southern tip of the spectacular Nicoya Peninsula (where you will find fabulous beaches and surfing), take a ferry. There are several to choose from and they set sail about every hour or so. The cost? About $1.50. Less than the cost of a bottle of water, a soda or beer. Is this value or what?
Trains are fun, too. From downtown San Jose, take a four hour ride on the Tico Train to Puntarenas. You'll see spectacular mountains and cross deep chasms on tall bridges. The train will be packed and filled with happy Costa Rican families. Be sure to bring your bathing suit because you are going to end on the beach! How much? About $16 each way. Like the ferry, most tourists don't know about the train. For reservations (you need them) call American Travel at telephone number 22-33-33-00.
With nearly 800 miles of sunny beaches to be discovered, you can surf, hike, swim (but be careful about rip tides at some places), and even fish in the ocean for free. Every Costa Rica beach is public and open to everybody. And you can get anywhere really cheaply. Simply take a bus. They are everywhere in Costa Rica. You can, for example, see the lovely Pacific town of Jaco by hopping a bus in San Jose for $5.00. Or, go almost anywhere else in the country for that matter. For the price of a Happy Meal, you can travel Costa Rica!
Finally, I have one more budgetary secret to share. There are very nice Costa Rica hostels throughout the country. Sure, most folks associate hostels with college kids crammed into a dorm but the truth is that many of the hostels in Costa Rica offer private rooms for just a little more per person than a dorm. You don't need to spend $50-70+ per person to have a nice room. I recommend them because I've stayed in private, quiet rooms at hostels for way less than the cost of hotels.
About the Author:
About this author: Victor Krumm writes from sunny Costa Rica. Visit his popular website about Costa Rica Vacationsand be sure to check out Retiring in Costa Rica. Don't reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
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