1. Airfares are incredibly inexpensive right now. They have not been this low for years. And, with Costa Rica tourism off by about fifteen percent this year, an informed and frugal traveler can really take advantage of the plight of resorts, hotels, and hostels. Luxury resorts like the Hilton Papagayo are offering rates starting from $160.00 a night, seniors pay even less, and more budget-conscious folks who travel Costa Rica can rent very nice Costa Rica hostels (some with private rooms) for about $12.00. For the best bargains, visit between May and mid-November. Tip: look for a cash discount because many places offer substantial price reductions for cash. Do not be shy: ask and ye shall receive!
2. Visit one or more of hundreds of pristine Costa Rica beaches. Tropical, crowd free beaches on two oceans. Black sand beaches, brown sand beaches, sea shell beaches, rugged rock-strewn beaches. Explore the same Caribbean beach where Columbus named Costa Rica 600 years ago. Fish off of Drake Bay, named after Sir Francis Drake, who visited the Costa Rica Pacific coast a decade before sinking the Spanish Armada and saving England.
3. All beaches in Costa Rica are public so you can frolic on the same Costa Rica beaches as Britney Spears or Mel Gibson (but you need to bring your own Russian model). Take romantic walks or just be lazy. Do not forget to bring your surfboard because some of the best surfing on the planet is found here. Most beaches are completely free but if you prefer to visit a very popular national beach park called Manuel Antonio, there will be a small entry fee.
4. Become an ecotourist. Costa Rica ecotourism has become very popular and is helping to preserve endangered sea turtles, exotic macaws, and many other species while bringing in much needed revenue to local communities. Be sure to check out Ostional National Preserve on the fabulous Gold Coast, where thousands of olive ridley sea turtles come ashore in massive nestings, called "arribadas", perhaps the largest remaining on the planet. Arribadas take place year-round but the biggest (sometimes involving hundreds of thousands of turtles) typically are when the moon is in its last quarter during the months of July to November.
5. Think Green. Imagine a tiny little country with nearly as many different kinds of birds as in the entire continental U.S., nearly 1000 in all. It is a place with more species of butterflies than Africa---all of Africa. 10% of the species of butterflies on earth live in a place comprising just 1/10,000 of the earth's surface.
6. Hike the tallest mountain in Latin America. It is called Mount Chirrippo. Your hike will take from its tropical forest base and, if you have the stamina, end at its frigid summit. This is not a day-walk in the hills. You will need a backpack with warm clothes as you climb this beauty to a little night time shelter overlooking remnant glacial lakes carved from ancient glaciers. Climbing requires a permit and reservation but the cost is very modest and when you reach the top you may be reminded of the mighty Andes.
About the author: Vic Krumm writes about spectacular Costa Rica. Visit his very popular website about Costa Rica Vacations and see why Costa Rica Tourism is world-famous.
