Costa
Rica for the perfect eco-tourism destination
Combining
a holiday with an eco-tourism theme is a satisfying and worthwhile trip.
Not only do you visit the most amazing environments, but you know that
your destination is caring for our planet.
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Costa
Rica is one of the best choices when it comes to eco-tourism. Located
in Central America, Costa Rica (or “Rich Coast” in English) is situated
south of Nicaragua and north of Panama, nestling between the warm Pacific
Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
To
give an example of just how “eco” Costa Rica actually is, the country achieved
an amazing feat recently by meeting 100 percent of its power needs for
75 straight days using renewable energy. According to Science
Alert, this achievement was possible thanks to heavy rainfalls at the
country’s four hydroelectric plants during the first quarter of this year.
The heavy downpours meant that there was no need to burn any fossil fuels
to generate the country’s electricity. In fact, Costa Rica aims to
lessen its carbon footprint if humanly possible to a great big zero on
a permanent basis in the future. |
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Photo: Sloths - CC BY-NC 2.0 Alan
Wolf |
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For
anyone interested in experiencing the wonders of this country, Costa
Rica Vacations offers custom-designed vacations to suit everyone, whether
on honeymoon, on a family holiday and out for some true adventure.
The following gives more detail of what to expect in Costa Rica.
Weather-wise,
unlike many tropical climes, Costa Rica offers 12 different tropical microclimates,
which stay constant throughout the year. Temperatures range from
70 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit with the water temperatures in both oceans
at around a comfortable 84 degrees Fahrenheit.
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coast to coast you will hear the term “Pura Vida” which translates literally
to “pure life” in English, but in Costa Rica really means “full of life.”
This term perfectly describes the experiences and adventure awaiting visitors
to this tropical paradise.
The
range of adventures on offer includes beautiful beaches where sunbathers
can languish, or more adventurous folks can enjoy surfing, angling and
diving.
Honeymoon
couples will have the best experience with the range of retreats and spas
on offer.
However,
for those with a real spirit of adventure, inland Costa Rica has so much
to offer. With a diverse landscape of volcanoes, cloud forests, rain forests
and the perfect white-water rivers, adventurous folk are spoiled for choice. |
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What’s
really great about the beaches and inland areas, of course, is that Costa
Rica has vowed to preserve its wealth of natural resources, making the
country a leader in the field of sustainable tourism. In fact the
tourism board has established a Certification for Sustainable Tourism (or
CST), a worthy achievement for any tourist related business in the country
which benefits the environment, while supporting the community of Costa
Rica.
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Photo: Costa
Rica - Playa Tamarindo CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Alexander
Ess
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The
following is a brief introduction to just some of the wonders on offer
in Costa Rica:
Beaches
and Water Sports:
With almost
1,500 kilometers (900 miles) of pristine coastline, Costa Rica offers a
great selection of world-renowned beaches offering fishing, snorkeling,
diving, windsurfing, surfing and other popular water sports.
Birdwatching:
Birdwatchers
will be treated to 901 bird species to catalogue and photograph from the
rain forests, to the cloud forest to the swamps and islands. To protect
these species, 21 important bird areas (or IBAs) have been set up by Costa
Rica, covering more than half the country. From the resplendent quetzal
and the scarlet macaw to the Cocos Cuckoo, Cocos Flycatcher and Cocos Finch
and many more, an amazing display of the feathered variety can be enjoyed. |
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Aerial
Trams:
For a
fun adventure, many of the national parks feature aerial trams taking visitors
on a canopy tour.
This
gives a literal bird’s eye view of the tropical paradise, including the
many species of plants and animals down below. |
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CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Kim
Seng |
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River
Sports:
Costa
Rica has an abundance of rivers, with many offering the best and exciting
white-water routes for both kayaking and rafting.
Other
calmer rivers offer the opportunity for boat trips to view the flora and
fauna at a slower pace. While Costa Rica has few lakes, the seasonal Caño
Negro is great for wildlife viewing and Arenal Lake is the perfect spot
for a little inland windsurfing. |
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Horse-riding:
The region
of Guanacaste in Costa Rica was one of the first regions to be conquered
by the Spanish and the region has tended to preserve some of the Spanish
traditions, including cattle ranches roamed by cowboys on beautiful horses.
Its
good to know those same horses are available at the various nature lodges
and mountain resorts of the country, offering enjoyable horseback rides
through the tropical forests, fields and even down to the beaches. |
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Photo: Horseback riding in Manuel Antonio CC BY 2.0 Kevin
Tostado |
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Voluntourism:
While
traveling around in Costa Rica is wonderful, anyone interested in a really
fulfilling experience can participate in what the tourism
board dubs “voluntourism”.
This
option offers volunteer activities for various non-profit organizations
to make a positive impact on Costa Rica’s wildlife, local communities and
the environment. People of any age and level of experience can get involved
and have a worthwhile and truly enjoyable holiday.
Whichever
adventure you choose, have fun on an eco-tourism holiday in lush and beautiful
Costa Rica for that real "pura vida!" |
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Costa
Rica Travel Guide
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