Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica... the happiest place on earth! With lovely tropical white sandy beaches where whales and dolphins are playing off-shore, lush rainforests filled with exotic plants and animals, volcanoes with hot springs, friendly people and all the necessary components of an ideal vacation, Costa Rica (meaning rich coast) has become one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world. Costa Rica is a land born of volcanoes with something for everyone. From scuba diving in the Pacific Ocean and white water rafting through pristine jungles, to sunbathing on a beach of black volcanic or powdery white sand and canyoning down cascading waterfalls, a Costa Rica vacation offers great diversity for all kinds of holidaymakers. In a nutshell, Costa Rica boasts a smorgasbord of pastimes for your pleasure.

The country experiences small yet diverse geography. Located in the southern part of the Central America isthmus, between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica covers a total area of 51,100 sq km. On the east and northeast it is bounded by the Caribbean Sea and by the Pacific Ocean to the west and south. The country boasts over 1,200 km of coastline on two oceans and is home to 3,7 million inhabitants.

Costa Rica enjoys a tropical temperate climate with relatively warm weather year-round. Two major seasons are underlined: the dry season runs from January through May and the rainy season, also known as the 'green season' is between May and December. The average annual temperature is around 21°C and 27°C. The coolest months range from November to January, thus these are the best time to visit Costa Rica.

San Jose is the sprawling capital of the city, considered the hub of all transportation taking place in the country that is why it's a 'first visit' place in Costa Rica. San Jose is the cultural, economical and geographical center of Costa Rica and is home to plethora of enticing attractions, including numerous museums, art galleries, beautiful national parks and wildlife reserves, active volcanoes with majestic craters, exotic lush rainforests, a wide selection of luxury hotels and resorts, fine restaurants and bars, casinos, shops, cafes and the country's finest cultural highlights. But most of all tourists admire the local friendliness and warm welcoming hospitality.

Other attractions in San Jose include El Pueblo, the capital's al-night entertainment and nightlife hub, boasting fine dining options, discos and more, the Simon Bolivar Zoo, featuring a variety of endemic species, the San Pedro Mall, a nine-storey mall offering 260 stores, where you can but whatever you want and much more.

Costa Rica has an abundance of adventure sports and warm weather activities for every taste. Experience some of the best deep sea fishing and inshore fishing, dive in the fertile blue waters featuring amazing underwater life, take part in a variety of horse riding tours and zip through the sky on a canopy tour to make your holidays an unforgettable once-a-life experience. You will never find a dull moment in Costa Rica. From nature activities to edible tours to cultural activities and events Costa Rica is a dreamscape getaway for single, couples, families and adventure seekers.

With a wealth of attractions, buzzing nightlife, Costa Rican cuisine, action-packed adventures, warm weather, fabulous beaches, stunning accommodation options and lots of exciting daytime activities Costa Rica warmly welcomes travelers from all over the globe to spend wonderful vacations in a truly tropical paradise alluring to return again and again

Costa Rica Attractions

Costa Rica offers a wide variety of natural and man-made attractions and a plethora of land and water adventures, including hiking, golf, coffee tours, snorkeling, sea kayaking, canopy, boating, bird watching, horseback riding, zip lining, riding all terrain vehicles (ATV) and much more to keep you busy throughout your stay. There is so much 'to see' and 'to do' that you'll simply be amazed by the variety. Whether this is your first visit or not you are guaranteed an everlasting unforgettable experience in a true tropical paradise. Costa Rica promises excellent vacations year-round and offers packages ideal for individuals, couples, groups of friends and families.

Volcanoes: Costa Rica boasts a great number of volcanoes (seven active and over 100 dormant or extinct) which are one of the most interesting aspects of Costa Rica vacations. The Arenal Volcano is the most well-known and highly visited natural attraction, situated within the country's fertile northern lowlands. The Arenal volcano was a perfect cone, but in 1968 it exploded developing more craters. In the vicinity you can find fabulous accommodation options with a natural viewpoint of the volcano. Irazu Volcano is the tallest in the country (3,432 meters) featuring several active craters.

National Parks: if you are nature and wildlife enthusiast, do not miss out to visit Costa Rica's natural parks, where you can relax with a massage or mud pack spa, take part in night tours to observe the nesting of turtles, rent canoes, kayaks or motorized boasts to explore the stunning lagoons meandering through the park, go surfing, scuba diving or snorkeling in the nearest beaches, book a sailing trip and much more. Costa Rica's most famous parks include Arenal National Park, a 'must go' place for its pool kept warm by the nearby Arenal Volcano, Tortuguero National Park, boasting navigable lagoons and canals and mostly popular for its diverse species of turtles, and the spectacular Corcovado National Park, ideal for camping and hiking in the tropical rainforest.

Activities: Costa Rica boasts a wealth of outdoor activities for adventure seekers. There is a wide choice of water activities, including jet skiing, surfing, wind surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, floating, kayaking, sea kayaking, sport fishing sailing and cruising, land activities ranging from horseback riding, jungle and rainforest safari, caves exploration, canyoneering, volcano exploration to trekking, mountain climbing, hiking in the rainforest, ATV tours, driving and zip lining, activities related with Costa Rica's fauna: bird watching, dolphin and whale watching, butterfly farms, monkey watching, frog watching, extreme sports activities: canopy tours that let tourists explore the ecosystem of the rainforest, bungee jumping, rappel and much more, health activities, including relaxing in Hot Springs, yoga adventures, massages, mud baths and spa treatments, as well as couple activities, cultural activities, educational activities and entertainment activities.

Costa Rica Hotels and Resorts

There are so many Costa Rica all inclusive hotel options to choose from that tourists sometimes become confused. You can find fabulous small luxury spa hotels scattered across the entire country which are sometimes better choice than five-star boutique hotels. Nearly all hotels offer contemporary facilities, personalized high quality service and a plethora of activities to make your stay real tale.

Located on the road from Quepos to Manuel Antonio and nestled in the untouched wilderness of Costa Rica's verdant coastal rainforests teeming with flora and fauna, the 5-star boutique Gaia Hotel and Reserve is a true tropical paradise and a fantastic fusion of natural scenery and well appointed suites that will leave you breathless. Gaia Hotel features ultra-modern and tastefully furnished terraces suites and villas with views of lush, wild surroundings.

The adult-only hotel offers more conveniences than the guests could desire, including an excellent on-site restaurant with exceptional cuisine, a majestic spa experience, fully-equipped gym, sauna, steam bath with mud-pack room, and an elegantly designed relaxing pool area, add to this the availability of a myriad of personal services. The hotel is ideal for honeymooners, nature and adventure enthusiasts as well as luxury travelers. The hotel is a perfect base for popular land and water activities including ocean kayaking, guided rainforest hiking, canopy tours, whitewater rafting and much more. In this stunning getaway you will surely find sublime luxury, a unique eco-friendly environment and top notching quality service!

Ideal for romantic getaways, weddings, honeymoons and family vacations (with kid friendly policy) the extravagant Hotel Villa Caletas is located on top of a hill in the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, about 1,500 feet above sea level, offering amazing views of the beautiful coastline and lush tropical rainforests. Hotel Villa Caletas features fourteen villas each with its own private terrace, suites and private pools, as well as master suites boasting a Jacuzzi tub, ocean view and a hammock. The 45 individually decorated air-conditioned rooms have modern room amenities, including dial-up internet access, direct-dial phones, cable TVs, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities, ceiling fans and in-room safes.

Hotel facilities include a private beach, an infinity swimming pool, outdoor amphitheatre, gym, a full spa, a restaurant and an open-air bar. Here you can indulge in yoga classes, aqua fitness, stretching and much more. In the vicinity of the hotel you can find Herradura Beach, Carara National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, as well as Juan Santamaria International Airport. The hotel is highly appreciated not only for its location, design and decor but also for its utmost facilities.

The Springs Resort and Spa at Arenal is one of Costa Rica's newest resorts, surrounded by lush tropical gardens, spectacular cascading waterfalls, artesian hot springs and incredibly scenic Arenal volcano. This luxury 165 acre hotel guarantees to dazzle you in every aspect of quality, design and service. The hotel features 42 exclusive rooms and two breathtaking villas all with modern amenities, like a private terrace with balcony, hammocks, air conditioning, cable TV, marvelous bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs and multiple head showers, in-room safe and much more to suit the needs of even the most discerning travelers.

The Springs Resort and Spa has it all- a full-service spa, 18 Hot Spring Pools, Wildlife Preserve, fully equipped fitness center, game room, 4 restaurants and 5 bars, a casino, and a landscaped area of 12 heated pools. Dine in the excellent Las Ventanas (The Windows) restaurant with stunning views of the valley and the picturesque volcano; take a relaxing drink in the Heliconia Bar and enjoy countless hours in your balcony hammock to enjoy your stay to the fullest. With its abundant natural resources, the resort offers a wealth of land and water adventures, including ATV tours, horseback riding, bird watching, hiking in the lush rainforest, zip lining, kayaking, swimming and fishing.

Located on the Peninsula Papagayo the luxury Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica is another posh hideaway boasting 165 wonderfully appointed and tastefully furnished guest rooms and suites, offering the mixture of indoor comfort with an outdoor terrace or verandah, perfect for soaking up the dramatic views of the tropical dry forest. Hotel amenities include beach resort, business center, kids' program, maid service, gym/fitness centre, executive retreat, Spa facility, fine dining on site, banquets and meetings, outdoor pool, concierge and high speed internet. If you are going to spend a romantic vacation, do not miss out the ultimate romantic private dining on the beach arranged by the in-room dining staff. In this high-end luxury resort there is always something for everyone. Available land and water activities range from tennis, volleyball, bird watching, horseback riding, golfing, hiking, ecological tourism and beach to sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving, ocean fishing, boating and snorkeling.

Paradisus Playa Conchal is another example of all-inclusive luxury, a world-class eco-friendly wonderland boasting stunning collection of lavish suites, nestled in the lush green forests of Costa Rica's magnificent North-Pacific Riviera, next to one of Costa Rica most beautiful beaches offering a wealth of waters adventures. 406 oversized suites feature modern decor, a private terrace, air conditioning, spacious living area, mirrored dressing room, cable TV, mini bar, direct dial telephone and personal safe, all offering experience 5-star luxury, absolute leisure and top notching room service. Paradisus Playa Conchal has the following features and amenities: tennis, scuba, kids' activities, casino, golf, kids deal, honeymoon, wedding, fitness facilities and water sports. Enjoy the wide array of dining options at its finest, experience the essence of luxury and re-energize you body and mind in the full-service spa and indulge in adventure experiences, like on-site canopy tour, sunset cruise, kayak tours and much more.