Off To Costa Rica
By Pierre Lehu
Mention Costa Rica at the office
cooler or Friday-night beer
blast these days, and you're
likely to hear that just about
everyone either has plans to go,
has just returned or at least
knows someone who's just been
there. And all the reviews are
raves.
The reason for this sudden
popularity is that, for
Americans, it's truly an ideal
destination.
In Pictures: An Idyll In Costa
Rica
First, this tiny country offers
a vast array of experiences and
environs, from zip-lining above
its lush jungles and ATV
excursions to lava-spewing
volcanoes and wide, sun-drenched
beaches with ideal surfing
conditions.
In addition, there's the warm,
happy population that really
does enjoy sharing its country
with you; a currency that is
entirely avoidable (as even the
smallest shops accept U.S.
dollars, so you almost never
have to worry about the day's
exchange rate); and just about
every local a tourist is likely
to encounter speaks enough
English to understand your
needs. How could it not be on
everyone's "must visit" list?
One important reason people
visit is the climate. Since it's
so close to the equator, Costa
Rica is always warm, and the
days remain just about the same
length year-round. There are
different seasons, but the time
of year when most Americans want
to go to escape the cold is
their dry season, when sunny
skies are the norm. Of course,
if you go into the rain forest
regions, you'll likely encounter
rain--no surprise there--and
cooler temperatures. But cooler
means a light, waterproof
jacket, not a parka.
Costa Rica is considered a
developing country, so the
income level is not very high,
but because the government has
forgone having an army in the
interest of spreading its income
judiciously, the people really
benefit.
The school system is universal,
so more than 95% of the
population is literate. If you
talk to your guides, you'll find
that many actually have a
college degree--thus, when
they're explaining the flora and
fauna, they really know what
they're talking about.
Everyone has access to health
care, and the doctors are
well-trained, so much so that
many Americans travel to Costa
Rica for procedures that are not
covered by their insurance in
the U.S. The same goes for
dentistry. So while the
population isn't flush with
cash, by any means, you also
won't be bombarded by beggars or
have to worry that you'll be
robbed at knifepoint while
walking down the beach. The
crime rate in the capital, San
José, is higher than elsewhere
in the country, but there's
really no reason to spend any
time there.
If you're of the shop-til-you-drop
camp of tourist, Costa Rica is
not for you, because there
really isn't a whole lot to buy
there. But because those
temptations aren't on every
corner, it also means that you
can stay within your budget. And
while the food is healthy and
delicious, there are no
five-star "must" restaurants, so
you can eat pretty cheaply. You
can also drink the water--or
plunk all the ice cubes your
heart desires into your
rum-enhanced drink--and you
won't catch a case of
Montezuma's revenge.
The one area where tourists may
spend more than they'd
anticipated is on tips. Everyone
you meet is just so pleasant
that you just can't help
reaching a little deeper into
your wallet when thanking them.
It's wise to bring lots of small
change, singles, fives and tens
for tipping. Most hotels have
safes in the rooms so you don't
have to carry this loot around,
only enough to give a green tint
to your "Muchos gracias" during
the day.
Because of the planeloads of
Americans who descend on its
shores, the Costa Rican tourist
industry is booming--and whether
you're a surf bum on a minimum
budget or looking to enjoy the
scenery from the lap of luxury,
it's easy to find a place to
rest your head for the night in
just the right price range.
There are several prime
destinations, such as the
Monteverde Cloud Forest, the
Arenal Volcano region and the
Pacific beaches in the province
of Guancaste, where it's said
surfing was born. Tamarindo is
the most popular beach, but its
boom means visitors there are
missing out on some of the
typical laid-back Tico flavor.
However, there are plenty of
beaches further down the coast
that have begun to develop--but
not so much that you feel that
you're in Dade County. The one
drawback is that the roads to
these communities are not paved,
so the trip is slow and
bone-rattling. But once you
arrive, you can really kick back
and relax.
In this part of the country,
there are still two Costa Ricas--the
old one, and the new,
up-and-coming one being built
for tourists. Naturally, each
offers a different experience,
not to mention a much different
cost. You have to understand
that you get what you pay for,
but that's true of any hotel.
Since they're all located within
the beautiful surroundings of
Costa Rica, no matter where you
stay, you'll be nestled within
incredible scenery and an ideal
climate. |
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Arenal Volcano |
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