Taking a break from work to plan a vacation? How about you plan one to the happiest place on earth as named by Happy Planet Index Ratings. Costa Rica. Not only can you visit this place after the conventional Christmas holidays, but get to experience nature at its best, surrounded by tropical rain-forests and cool, windy beaches. Given that you book tours with tour operators, like Caravan, Costa Rica can give you the perfect holiday checklist, with its food, wildlife, sight seeing and weather.
If you’re a first timer, here are 5 destinations that are a must visit when in Costa Rica.
1. Tamarindo
Yearning for the perfect beach? Pack your bags to go to the most accessible beach along the North Pacific Coast, the Tamarindo. Surrounded by other beaches, this coastal line lives up to everyone’s expectations, whether you’re a newly wed couple looking for something exclusive or a group of spontaneous friends on the hunt for an adventure. Simply enjoy the sunsets and sunrises from the beach houses, or go surfing and kayaking when the tides are low, entertainment options here are endless. While you can enjoy beach activities in the morning, you can rent a nearby beach house secluded from the crowd at night, giving you the best of both worlds at once.
2. Arenal Volcano National Park
Perhaps the most mesmerizing feature of Costa Rica is nature’s perfect blend of beaches, volcanoes and rainforests in there. Who wants to plan separate trips when you can experience everything in one trip? Arenal Volcano National Park should definitely make it to your travel destinations when in Costa Rica. Whether you’re a geologist or simply a tourist on an exploration spree, this active volcano is an equally spellbinding sight for all. Explore former lava fields and trails while you admire nature for its impeccable variety of species this park has to offer. A treat for nature lovers, this park has as many as 850 bird species within the boundaries of the park.
3. Mount Chirripo
Climb to the top of Costa Rica by visiting the highest peak there, which can be accessed by foot, Mount Chirripo. The exotic location lets you witness Carribean Sea and the Pacific Ocean at once, where the blue water is bound to leave you amazed. Better than a canopy tour, you get to observe the pastures along the steep hills for as long as you want, as the trail is completely safe. If you’re on a challenge to conquer the mountain, the journey would be more pleasurable than the joy of completing the challenge with the eye catching ecosystem you witness along the trail.
4. MonteVerde Cloud Forest Reserve
Monte Verde Cloud Forest Reserve is definitely not a destination to be missed, considering this might be your only shot in life to walk in the clouds! The forest is named so after its location at a high altitude which allows you to see clouds moving with the wind. This forest has a variety of trails to offer between the Atlantic and Pacific slopes. Witness wildlife at its best from tree tops to barks and rocks you step on, as this area is one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world. Moreover, you get a chance to step foot on the Continental divide which separates the Caribbean and Pacific.
5. Tortuguero National Park
The Tortuguero National Park, a series of volcanic islands that later developed into a network of marshy islands, is a heaven for those of you who love turtles. As the name suggests, this national park is a natural habitat for turtles which are found in abundance here and are the main attraction of this park. Unlike other parks, this park is best explored through boating. You can easily rent a canoe or kayak to watch the newly hatched turtles run towards the sea, the best season for which is between July and October, as they hatch during this period.
