Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small country in Central America that is bordered on the north by Nicaragua, on the south by Panama, on the east by the Caribbean Sea and the west by the Pacific Ocean. Costa Rica has been a forerunner on many fronts; it is one of the 'greenest' countries on the planet, it has plans to be carbon neutral by the year 2021 and it is first on the 'Happy Planet' Index. Huge tracts of land have been set aside for national parks, wildlife preserves and there are many historical sites. Costa Rica abolished its army in the late1940s; it is on the list of the oldest democracies and is number one in the Americas for its inroads in human development. If all this wasn't enough, it is a true tropical paradise and one of the major destinations in the world for fishermen, scuba divers, adventurers, honeymooners and surfers.

The country rises from the white sand beaches of both coasts into heavily forested mountains replete with tropical rivers and streams, placid pools with cascading waterfalls and it is rich in wildlife including jaguars, ocelots, jaguarondis, deer, monkeys, tapir and an overwhelming collection of colorful bird life. Trips into the interior offer visitors an abundance of activities and attractions. Zip line tours through the jungle canopy are one of the favorite activities for visitors. Careening through the jungle while suspended from a steel wire will get the tourist up close and personal with clouds of brilliant butterflies, primates and reptiles. Costa Rica has a great number of volcanoes. Several of these are active with undulating lava flows and belching smoke, while others have steaming water filled calderas. The country's many rivers afford river trips through primal forests; some offer placid floats at an easy pace and others have adrenalin pumping rapids for whitewater enthusiasts. For the freshwater fisherman, the lakes, rivers and lagoons offer endless angling opportunities and rainbow trout, tarpon, tilapia and alligator gar are a few of the species on the menu. Other means of exploring the jungle environment is by foot along extensive hiking trails, four wheel drive tours are readily available as are very pleasant excursions on horseback.

Costa Rica is blessed to have two coastlines and the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean offers an endless array of aquatic activities. The Pacific side has the most development with an abundance of luxury resorts, fine restaurants, tour operators and charter fleets. Catamaran sailing, windsurfing and kite boarding are popular activities and Costa Rica is well known for its year around surfing. The many beach, reef, shore and river breaks bring surfers from around world for the excellent wave riding and there is surf that is appropriate for surfers of all levels of experience. Scuba divers won't be disappointed as the country's offshore islands and reefs afford excellent diving opportunities for all levels. Costa Rica's marine life is prolific and divers can expect to observe everything from small colorful tropical fish to ocean giants. Lobster, crab, octopus and moray eels inhabit the reefs and sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, schools of snapper and other pelagic species cruise the open water. Costa Rica is a world-class destination for deep sea fishermen and the rich waters abound with sailfish, marlin, dorado, tuna and wahoo. Fishing charter operators offer half and full day trips to some of the richest fishing grounds on earth.

There is really no place like Costa Rica and those who visit are changed forever, most return time and time again and many never leave.