Have you been considering taking a Costa Rica vacation off the well trodden route? This year, give some thought to visiting Costa Rica's "other" coast: the less traveled Caribbean.
Each year, more than a million travelers fly or take a cruise to Costa Rica, drawn by its warm climate, lush forests, fishing, surfing, rafting, volcanoes, and, certainly, its adult nightlife ("what happens here, stays here").
Committed to sustainable development, Costa Rica national parks and reserves now make up about 25% of the country and little country has reforested much of the land once logged and threatened.
Thousands head over to Arenal Volcano and its namesake, Lake Arenal, then onto magnificent Monteverde, one of Costa Rica's Seven Natural Wonders. Thousands more journey to Jaco for its beaches and parties. And, countless thousands visit its magnificent Gold Coast, home to impressive resorts overlooking azure waters. There, they find great restaurants, golf courses, fishing and diving, rafting and surfing, and more.
Far fewer visitors travel to Costa Rica's "other" coast where, in 1503, Christopher Columbus came ashore and gave the land a name it has, Costa Rica, the "rich coast."
Today, this coast hosts the western hemisphere's largest green sea turtle preserve at Tortuguero National Park; mile-after-mile of nearly deserted tropical beaches; the internationally famous Salsa Brava (largest waves for surfing in the country); outstanding fishing, especially for the Silver King tarpon; and fun and eclectic dining in places such as Puerto Viejo.
Heading North
Tortuguero is a roadless area along the country's northeastern coast,accessible only by watercraft from Limon or air. Its many miles of deserted beaches are known for its nesting green sea turtles which come ashore from June thru the end of September (peak season is usually July and August) as well as the impressive leatherback sea turtle and endangered rare hawksbill.
Just north ofTortuguero National Parkis the Cano Negro River which forms the border between Nicaragua (to the north) and Costa Rica. From December thru the following months, millions of migrating birds come together on its internationally famous estuaries.
Today, despite its remoteness, about 50,000 eco travellers travel to this part of Costa Rica, drawn by its wilderness and the chance to view nesting marine turtles and native and migrating animals and birds. Many more come for its spectacular tarpon fishing. Schools of large fish, renowned for their fighting and acrobatics, some weighing 200 pounds, are common year round.
Heading South
Instead of heading north by boat or air, more and more visitors head south by auto. There, they find spotless beaches all the way to the Panama border, including the beach where Columbus came ashore. Small communities like Puerto Viejo and Cahuita dot the coastline, home to many people from around the world.
The lifestyle is extraordinarily easygoing and the beaches frequently desertedâ€"-except for the monkeys and birds that share the land.
And it is here that visitors may see the only freshwater dolphins north of Brazil, the recently discovered Tucuxi.
Each year, more than a million travelers fly or take a cruise to Costa Rica, drawn by its warm climate, lush forests, fishing, surfing, rafting, volcanoes, and, certainly, its adult nightlife ("what happens here, stays here").
Committed to sustainable development, Costa Rica national parks and reserves now make up about 25% of the country and little country has reforested much of the land once logged and threatened.
Thousands head over to Arenal Volcano and its namesake, Lake Arenal, then onto magnificent Monteverde, one of Costa Rica's Seven Natural Wonders. Thousands more journey to Jaco for its beaches and parties. And, countless thousands visit its magnificent Gold Coast, home to impressive resorts overlooking azure waters. There, they find great restaurants, golf courses, fishing and diving, rafting and surfing, and more.
Far fewer visitors travel to Costa Rica's "other" coast where, in 1503, Christopher Columbus came ashore and gave the land a name it has, Costa Rica, the "rich coast."
Today, this coast hosts the western hemisphere's largest green sea turtle preserve at Tortuguero National Park; mile-after-mile of nearly deserted tropical beaches; the internationally famous Salsa Brava (largest waves for surfing in the country); outstanding fishing, especially for the Silver King tarpon; and fun and eclectic dining in places such as Puerto Viejo.
Heading North
Tortuguero is a roadless area along the country's northeastern coast,accessible only by watercraft from Limon or air. Its many miles of deserted beaches are known for its nesting green sea turtles which come ashore from June thru the end of September (peak season is usually July and August) as well as the impressive leatherback sea turtle and endangered rare hawksbill.
Just north ofTortuguero National Parkis the Cano Negro River which forms the border between Nicaragua (to the north) and Costa Rica. From December thru the following months, millions of migrating birds come together on its internationally famous estuaries.
Today, despite its remoteness, about 50,000 eco travellers travel to this part of Costa Rica, drawn by its wilderness and the chance to view nesting marine turtles and native and migrating animals and birds. Many more come for its spectacular tarpon fishing. Schools of large fish, renowned for their fighting and acrobatics, some weighing 200 pounds, are common year round.
Heading South
Instead of heading north by boat or air, more and more visitors head south by auto. There, they find spotless beaches all the way to the Panama border, including the beach where Columbus came ashore. Small communities like Puerto Viejo and Cahuita dot the coastline, home to many people from around the world.
The lifestyle is extraordinarily easygoing and the beaches frequently desertedâ€"-except for the monkeys and birds that share the land.
And it is here that visitors may see the only freshwater dolphins north of Brazil, the recently discovered Tucuxi.
About the Author:
Perfect as a family or adult-only destination,Costa Rica vacations are more popular than ever.And, for men or women into great fishing, Costa Rica tarpon fishing along its Caribbean coast can't be beat.
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