December Holiday Destinations – Costa Rica
Costa Rica
The country of Costa Rica can be found somewhere in Central America, located between dense jungles, uneven terrain, the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other.
Costa Rica is a true paradise for anyone who loves nature and how rugged it can get. Of course it is not a jungle country, the capital of San Jose is as developed as any other major North American or European city with department stores and fast food restaurants. However as opposed to its American or European counterparts, the urban character of San Jose ends when the city limits are passed, beyond that is where you’ll find the true Costa Rica.
There’s lots to explore in this place, from the forests and jungles to the volcanoes and immense parks. The country offers three major types of sightseeing opportunities, volcanoes, thick rain forests and the coast.
One of the main attractions of the country is the Arenal Volcano which is situated in a national park somewhere in the northwest of the country, near Fortuna. Arenal is an active volcano that still splutters and throws lava and rock into the air accompanied by thick smoke and the sound of the raging power of the Earth. It is a sort of lights show offered by nature, and it’s that much better during the night when you can see molten lava dripping down its sides and the sky aglow near the summit.
One of the most popular areas of the country is the Monteverde area. Here you’ll find several nature reserves which are home to a wide variety of plant and wild life. The Monteverde cloud forest is one of the most popular destinations in the country due to its clean mountain air, waterfalls, verdant slopes and friendly locals.
Going towards the coastline now for a bit, you can take a dip in the clear blue waters of either the Pacific or the Carribean Sea, and there are several beaches which you should include in your itinerary such as Puntarenas, Playa Hermosa and Playa Cativo. Jaco for instance is a well known beach for sun and party lovers whilst the Playa del Coco offers one of the most popular dive sights in the world.
On the other side of the country you’ll find the Carribean coast, which while considerably smaller than the Pacific one offers much more of a cultural vibe. The coastline is unbroken and populated with coconut trees and wildlife reserves. Interesting spots to see here are the Parque Nacional Tortuguero, where you’ll find turtles, howler monkeys and plenty of birds; Cahuita is a beach with black sand which contrasts beautifully with the turquoise waters and then of course there’s Puerto Viejo De Talamanca which is one of the most culturally diverse areas in Costa Rica.
We’ve only talked in brief and in general about what Costa Rica has to offer its travelers, rest assured that there are many more things that one can see and do while in this Central American country.
