Enjoy a sustainable holiday in Costa Rica

Costa Rica (or the “rich coast”) is one of the most beautiful countries in Central America, but is also leading several different trends. As one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, the wildlife is endless and fascinating to see, while the country’s developing green infrastructure helps to protect these species and their surrounding environment.

Volunteering in Costa Rica

Sustainable tourism is one of the highlights of Costa Rica, where visitors can enjoy hiking the rainforests, white-water rafting and other adventure sports. Alternatively a volunteer trip to the Pacific Coast through Oyster Worldwide will introduce you to many attractions, including the Arenal Volcano and Monteverde rainforest, while working with local volunteers and visiting locals living in remote areas. Get involved in preserving the wildlife of the country, including the famous turtles, described below.

Wildlife in Costa Rica

There is an endless variety of bird, animal and insect species living in Costa Rica. While in the forests, enjoy the colourful scarlet macaws and keel-billed toucans, peering back at you from their perch on the surrounding trees. Watch out for the humorous and cute sloth, which will suddenly peer at you from behind the trunk of a tree, or face an entire troops of cute, white-faced capuchins or a howler monkey. Offshore enjoy the sharks, dolphins and whales, or head under the water on a diving trip to see the hundreds of colourful tropical fish.

Turtles in Costa Rica

Staying at the beach, the coastline of Costa Rica is home to many important nesting beaches for four sea turtle species, the Green, Leatherback, Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles. Volunteers can become involved in the various conservation projects for these delightful and endangered creatures. Las Tortugas Research Station is located in the south of Tortuguero, on Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean coast, while Osa Peninsula offers turtles the best protection with a peninsula dedicated to green turtles and Olive Ridleys.

Adventure sports in Costa Rica

The country’s national parks offer visitors an insight into both the cloud forest and rainforest, where exciting canopy ziplining is the order of the day. Heading to the beach, reliable surfing conditions are perfect for anyone from beginners to experts. Hiking up a volcano offers wonderful vistas across the surrounding countryside, or head to the raging rivers for a breathtaking white-water rafting experience.

Photo by David Berkowitz/Flickr/ CC BY 2.0

Enjoy “pura vida” in Costa Rica

Research has shown that the Costa Rican people tend to live much longer and healthier lives than those of us to live in more developed and stress-filled countries. The locals call it “pura vida” or the pure life that keeps them that way. Eating well, looking after the surrounding environment and making sure there is plenty of time to relax, helps the people to lengthen and enhance their lives. This is something we could all learn to do. Visit Costa Rica. Take the time to relax, explore the wonderful environment and take a little “pura vida” home with you at the end of your trip!

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