BootsnAll Travel Community

Hey guys-
I'm writing a newsletter for Costa Rica and I could use your help. First of all, can anyone tell me why LP's guide to Costa Rica was their number one seller in the States last year? Why are people going there versus other Latin American countries? Secondly, got any insider tips that I can share???

Court

"The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see." ~G.K. Chesterton

Surfing!
It's a great place to go surf and once it got that reputation the rep itself helped propel it ahead as "the" dest. for surfers.

It's the safest country out of them all.

They have a huge National Park system.

Tourist facilities abound, making it an easy destination and spurring outfitters to establish more and more tours and activities.

People know about CR, they know the name and where it is. When you get home and tell your friends where you've been, they understand (kinda) but tell then Hunduras, Nicaragua, Belize and you might get some funny looks and asked how you enjoyed Europe? (Americans are ignorant of the rest of the world)

Basically, it's easy, it's known, it's got a good rep, and it's set up for tourism.

I went in 2001 and had a blast. The people are amazingly nice. Great commitment to environmental protection (something like 25% of the country is national parks / wildlife preserves). Tons of wildlife. In my few weeks there I saw numerous kinds of monkeys (some walk right up to you), toucans, macaws, wild pigs, tons of other birds, butterflies, but sadly only jaguar tracks.

Arenal Volcano area - natural hot springs, active volcano (just erupted last week). When it goes, it gives some spectacular visuals.

Osa Penninsula (corcovado area) - remote and wild. I remember reading that National Geographic called it one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet. I stayed in a eco-lodge there with my friends and we were the only people there.

Lots of outdoor activities there too -
Travis mentioned the surfing, I did bungy jumping, white water rafting, canopy zip lining (a little boring)and underground caving.

Hope this helps.

"It's a Lifestyle"
- me

Osa is great. Far less touristed due to its remoteness and park status. The park is really a park, big, conserved, extremely biodiverse. I stayed in a place called corcovado tent camp, half an hour's boat ride from Drake. A bit pricey, (can't blame them though - when someone need to carry the ice and the beer across the jungle and the sea for you, they're going to charge it accordingly) but nicely kept, veyr friendly owners, and Carlos is one of the best nature guides I've even been on a trek with. Definetly recommended.

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