Article Facts

OK, so you’re in Costa Rica. Now what? Well, I’m sure you’ve got your tours and hotels all figured out, which is great! However before you get back on that plane you’ve gotta do this!

1. Canopy Tours – In them you can fly through the sky! This activity is truly unique in Costa Rica. Very few countries in the world can offer canopy viewing like this one.

2. Volcanoes – Costa Rica has 112 and you gotta check at least one out! Because after living here for almost six years and I have to say that seeing an active volcano or even a dormant one is still an incredible wonder to me.

3. Local Cuisine – Sure vacations are all about indulging in great restaurants and great food and I’m sure the fright of eating at a not so-respectable restaurant wins over the adventurous side of many travelers. But why don’t you take a risk and go LOCAL. Trust me, if you don’t eat at a local soda (restaurant) you really haven’t lived.

4. Public Transportation – Where else can you see hurried business people, women with five kids and baskets filled with live chickens and produce, and working men with machetes all in the same spot at one time. So get on board and get a glimpse at local life from every aspect. At least I became a huge fan of local transportation.

5. Beach Bumming – Did you know that there are over 800 miles of beautiful coastline in Costa Rica? That is why you can’t miss them. You have to see at least one of beaches on the Pacific or the Caribbean. If not you are really missing out!

6. Butterflies – There are numerous butterfly gardens in Costa Rica where you can see first hand over 1000 different species from all over the country. That is why butterflies have a great rep in Costa Rica. And they should!

7. The Children’s Museum – I know, this doesn’t look like something that belongs on this list. But let me tell you, every time I go to this museum, in San Jose, I am more and more impressed with it. The exhibits will entertain everyone from two years old to 102!

8. National Parks – Take a tour full of tropical flora and, at-most-times friendly, fauna! In Costa Rica over 25% of its surface is protected land. That is more than any other country in the world. It is filled with National Parks, Wildlife Refuges, Biological Preserves and a lot more. You have to check them out!

9. Water Sports – With so much water flowing around and through the country it only makes sense to either hop on a surf board, jet ski, boat, kayak, raft or canoe to check out what all the hype is about. Believe me, you won’t be disappointed.

10. Shopping – I bet you never thought that the coolest souvenirs can come from local supermarkets, hardware stores or shops that mainly cater to the locals. Yeah sure it’s fun to hit some of the touristy shops, but how about the local specialty shops. You will get the full experience and see what the locals are buying.

Marina K. Villatoro, lives in (http://travelexperta.com) Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She has traveled all over these areas with her family and now she loves to organize vacations to Costa Rica and Guatemala. (http://tinyurl.com/ydnr5f3) Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!