Costa Rican Paradise

Though it's been a few years since I've been there, at one point of my life I would travel to Costa Rica two or three times a year, for a month or so each time. Of all the Central American countries, Costa Rica is one of the safest, friendliest and easiest countries to get around in. Over the past 15 years the general infrastructure of the country has been greatly improved. While there is still no rail service to speak of, high quality buses run to almost every small village on newly paved roads.

A well frequented vacation spot is Tabacon Hot Springs and Resort, near Lake Arenal and the volcano of the same name. In fact, when the clouds clear, you can sit at a swim up bar and watch the volcano erupt from what seems like a far too insufficient distance.

Tabacon Hot Springs Resort

Tabacon is very popular with the locals (known affectionately as Ticos) as well as international tourists, so book well in advance if you're thinking of staying overnight. Day trips are a good way to see the area, which is little more than an hour away from the airport in San Jose.

Costa Rica is a country well prepared to show tourists a good time. Almost every hotel in the San Jose area has a tourist desk where excursions can be booked with various tour companies. A great trip is a 2 or 3 day sojourn to the Carribean coast, where Tortuguero National Park is located. There are no roads into the park. It's bordered on the east by the Carribean Sea and surrounded by jungle on the other three sides. You can fly in, or even better, take the tour bus (a small 15 seat job) to the coastal city of Moin and from there take the canal boats north 3 hours, enjoying the wildlife all the while.

Up close and personal with a Costa Rican Caiman

Anhinga drying wings in Tortuguero

While both coasts offer numerous typical seaside diversions it can be quite warm and humid. For a cooler time, check out some of the montane cloud forests along the slopes of the Talamanca mountains. There's quite a lot of waterfalls if that's your thing.


There's a million reasons to go to Costa Rica. Pick one and get on a plane.