Costa Rica
By Kaitlyn W.
Lush tropical rainforests, pristine white sand beaches, spectacular towering volcanoes- Costa Rica has it all. Located in southern Central America, it is the perfect winter getaway for those seeking warm weather and an exciting adventure. With calm ocean waters, unique wildlife, and amazing volcanoes, Costa Rica has a slice of paradise for everyone.
If you are interested in seeing rainforests and wildlife, make sure to visit Carara National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park. Both of these remote rainforests have many opportunities to hike and see animals such as toucans, monkeys, sloths, snakes, and macaws in their natural habitats. Each park has hiking trails through the forest, and Manuel Antonio also has the bonus of a beach at the end. Another place to consider visiting is Monteverde Cloud Forest, located in northern Costa Rica. There are opportunities to hike, see animals, and zipline through the clouds at the top of the forest.
If you want to see volcanoes while in Costa Rica, Poas Volcano and Arenal Volcano are not to be missed. Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfalls is a national park located in the central part of the country that consists of an informational museum and lookout spots over the crater. It also has a series of waterfalls and animals that visitors can photograph and hold. The Arenal Volcano is the second largest active volcano in the world. There are hiking trails throughout the park and opportunities to go on guided tours. It is still active today, and can sometimes be seen erupting. These two volcanoes are the most visited, but by no means the only volcanoes in Costa Rica. There are one hundred and nine volcanoes crammed into a country the size of West Virginia.
If you enjoy relaxing on the beach, Costa Rica has plenty of options to choose from. Some of the most popular beaches in the country are at Manuel Antonio, Puerto Viejo, Playa Potrero, Playa Avellana, Playa del Coco, and Playa Jaco. Many of these beaches also have ideal surfing waves.
Some other activities to do in Costa Rica include ziplining, snorkeling, and horseback riding. Although not as ideal for viewing animals, there is no better thrill than zipping through the air above the rainforest. Many tour companies offer ziplining tours, and it can be done in most of the major rainforests. If you are interested in sea life, snorkeling is a fun way to interact with the creatures that live in Costa Rica’s surrounding coral reefs. Horseback riding is an exciting way to see all the wonders of the rainforests. Gentle horses and terrific guides make it easy to give horseback riding a try and see the forest all in one.
When you are looking for somewhere to escape this winter, Costa Rica is the perfect place to experience something new or just simply relax on the beach. With a variety of things to see and do, it is a great vacation spot for children and adults alike. Beaches, rainforests, volcanoes, sea creatures, and land animals make Costa Rica the perfect paradise.
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