COSTA RICA
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UP SLOTH AND PERSONAL
Despite
accounting for just 0.1% of the world’s landmass, Costa Rica contains 5% of the
world’s biodiversity, across four mountain ranges, 800 miles of coastline, 200
volcanic formations and hundreds of national parks, most of which is reasonably
accessible from the capital San Jose.
The
incredibly varied topography means you can cruise cloud forest one day, visit
active volcanoes the next, and relax on a pristine white beach. Adventure
experiences include zipping through canopy lines hundreds of metres long and
riding the rough surf of the Pacific. Bathing in natural hot springs and living
the cowboy life on a working carral are also on offer here.
But most
people head here to get close to wildlife, notably cuddly sloths, white faced
capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys and hundreds of tropical birds including the
gorgeous quetzal – called by some birdwatchers the most beautiful bird in the world
Costa Rica
prides itself on its green credentials and this, together with its peaceful
democracy (it has had no army since 1948) and abundance of natural beauty has
earned it the name ‘the world’s happiest country’
RAINFOREST
EXPERIENCE
Where
happier to get close to nature than in one of the country’s eco-lodges. They are found throughout Costa Rica, many in
lush jungle in the south near the Pacific Gulf. Increasingly sophisticated with
good food, stylish accommodation in wooden cabins and the opportunity to
experience nature first-hand they allow visitors to make minimal impact without sacrificing creature comforts. Early morning tours let you see the
rain forest wake up and leisurely kayak tours take you past rich mangrove
forests alive with snakes, crocodiles, monkeys galore, sloths and toucans and
parrots.
Many offer
activities including fishing, yoga and chocolate making. Using beans from the
forest, the staff at one lodge, Playa Nicuesa near Golfito, which is built on
the site of a disused cocoa plantation, shows guests how to peel, roast and
grind the cocoa before cooking with sugar to make a delicious chocolate paste
which can be rolled or formed into lovely sweets. They taste best washed down with
a cup of finest Costa Rican coffee
CLOUDFOREST
Monteverde’s
rare ecosystem is internationally famous as one of the most extensive cloud forests in
Central America. At
5,900 ft., this natural sanctuary has more than 2,500 different types of plants
and animals, including 400 species of birds Guided natural history walks take you through the Monteverde
Reserve which is home to jaguars and pumas. There’s also a zip-line tour of the
reserve where you look down on mammals such as the fuzzy martilla.
But the
best way to see the lush cloud forest
and its inhabitants is by walking on hanging bridges which take you alongside
the canopy of trees.
In the early 1950s, a group of Quakers
from the United States left their homes in Alabama and arrived in Monteverde at a time when the region was just beginning to be settled. The
Quakers, fleeing the United States to avoid being drafted into the Korean War,
and attracted by the fact that Costa Rica had no army, established a simple
life in Monteverde centred on dairy and cheese production. Some of these
families helped establish the Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves some 20 years later. To this day
they have an influence on the region, including owning hotels. The pretty town
of St Elena looks like a Swiss village nestling beneath the misty mountains and
has lively restaurants, hostels and bars filled with hikers and bird spotters.
HOME ON THE RANGE
The cattle ranching region of Guanacaste is also
home to the Rincon de la Vieja volcano, a thermally active area. Adventure
junkies will thrive on the activities on offer here from zip wires, Tarzan
swings, white water rafting, canyoning, tubing
and horseback riding after which
a dip in the hot natural springs provides a welcome relief to aching
limbs. On the edge of the national park
wannabe cowboys can stay at working cattle ranches with real hacienda style
accommodation available and all the adventure tours on the doorstep
SURFS UP – HEAD TO THE BEACH
The Pacific Coast has some beautiful beaches with
conditions that offer some of the best surfing in this part of the world. Towns such as Nosara are packed with bright
driftwood signs pointing to surf shacks and sunset bars. Beaches have an
abandoned Robinson-Crusoe feel with rickety shelters constructed from wood and
sticks with covers of dried palm leaves
Costa Rica also has a Caribbean coastline, which has
a different atmosphere with a cultural mix of Afro Caribbean, Tico ( the name
Costa Ricans give themselves) and old hippy vive. Puerto Viejo has recently
become a hit with tourists and has stunning white-sand beaches, tropical
vegetation and is close to parks including a Sloth sanctuary
HOW TO GET TO COSTA RICA
There are no direct flights from the UK to Costa
Rica.
American Airlines (020 7365 0777;
www.aa.com) and British Airways (0844 493 0787; www.british-airways.com) fly
via Miami. With British Airways you need to connect to an American Airlines
flight
WHEN TO GO
Costa Rica has two seasons; the Dry
Season from December-April and the Green (Or Rainy) Season from May-November.
However it doesn’t rain all the time during the Green season – showers tend to
be brief - and this can be a pleasant, and more affordable, time to travel
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