photo by Pam Houser
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Warm and "green" getaway: Costa Rica
The mountains and beaches of Costa Rica at this time of year couldn’t be more inviting. With the end of rainy season come lush tropical landscapes filled with exotic flora, friendly Ticos (natives), exuberant wildlife, gorgeous beaches and more outdoor activities than you can imagine.
How to get there
Fly direct on Frontier Airlines from Denver International to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José, Costa Rica’s capitol city. From San José, you can choose either Nature Air or Sansa Airlines for short flights to all regions of the country, although you may be required to transfer from the International Airport to Tobias Balaños Domestic Airport in nearby Pavas. If you have plenty of time and seek maximum adventure, rent a vehicle and drive yourself, but be sure to rent a sturdy 4-wheel drive. www.natureair.com or www.flysansa.com
Where to go and what to do
From Arenal (Northern Zone) to Dominical (Southern Zone) on the Pacific Coast, you can experience much of the beauty and diversity of Costa Rica.
Arenal Volcano is listed in the Top 10 most active volcanoes in the world. From the Tabacón Hot Springs you’ll have a clear view of Arenal’s spectacular light show, constant eruptions of smoke and ash, and lava barreling down its slopes.
If hot springs and world-class spas are your thing, you’ll think you’ve found heaven at the Tabacón Grand Spa and Thermal Resort. www.tabacon.com
Treat yourself to a different view of Arenal and one of the most exhilarating thrills of your life -- a Sky Trek zip line tour above a primary rainforest canopy. It will surely free your spirit. www.skytrek.com
Tamarindo is where you want to be if you’re looking for a zany beachfront atmosphere. A block off the beach, the main street through the small bustling town is unpaved and full of potholes, but days are filled with beachcombing, boutique shopping, surfing, sportfishing, diving and snorkeling. Evening begins with tourists, colorful locals and peddlers gathered on the beach to celebrate the spectacular sunset. And evening ends with the catch of the day at any one (just pick one) of the beach-lined outdoor dining venues.
Quepos is a typical thriving Tico town, an acclaimed base for record-setting game fish expeditions, a business center and gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park.
Along the two-lane paved, but steep, winding road to the national park, you’ll find many rustic lodges, open-air restaurants, and boutique hotels tucked away in the dense rainforest. Le Papillon Restaurant and swim-up terrace bar at eco-friendly La Mariposa Hotel are famous for the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. www.hotelmariposa.com
Monkeys provide entertainment for breakfast on the patio at the luxurious ocean-view La Mansion Inn, as they climb from balcony to rooftop and jump tree to tree. Don’t miss dinner at La Mansion’s exquisite Jacques Cousteau Restaurant, where a variety of local foods are prepared tableside and the ambiance is breathtaking. The Bat Cave Bar here is a quirky fun place to hide away for after-dinner drinks or a quiet business meeting. www.lamansioninn.com
For a leisurely lunch with a stunning view and lots of history, check out El Avión, a deserted transport plane secretly used in the ‘70s by the CIA to deliver arms to the Nicaraguan Contras. The aircraft’s been converted to a bar and the picturesque alfresco deck is the perfect place to sit and stay awhile.
The busy beach-front village at the entrance to Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio is lined with restaurants, boutique shops and local craftsmen displaying their wares. Aside from the obvious activities, you can hike right into the rainforest from the water’s edge. A well-marked, but potentially muddy, path winds along the coast connecting secluded, magnificent beaches. This is a perfect spot for wildlife watching, with over 109 species of mammals and 184 species of birds recorded here. Soft white-sand beaches, calm emerald waters and coral reefs in this area provide a superb snorkeling haven.
Dominical remains largely undeveloped from a tourist perspective, but this is where you want to go if you’re looking for a tranquil lifestyle, toucans in the wild, quiet unspoiled beaches and some of the best surfing in Costa Rica. Paved roads are hard to come by and life is still very simple, but foreign investment is on the rise. Sustainable community development is the focus here with “pure nature” as the attraction.
What to buy
No matter where you go, you’ll find exquisite locally handcrafted wooden treasures such as jewelry, serving bowls, trays and vases. You’ll probably want to bring back organic Costa Rican coffee, rainforest herbal teas and maybe some African palm oil. But the hottest item in Costa Rica right now is investment property. For contacts, investment opportunities and what you need to know about investing in Costa Rica, visit www.easylivingfrontrange.com and click on “Financial News & Advice” and “Investing in Costa Rica.”
Helpful Conversions:
1 acre = 4,047 square meters = .405 hectares
1 hectare = 10,000 square meters
1 hectare = 2.5 acres |
