Costa Rica Energy for the soul

For years the tourism industry has neglected this exciting yet peaceful nation, based primarily on a misapprehension of Central American politics. While its neighbors have been racked by turmoil, Costa Rica has been blessed with remarkable equilibrium: few extremes of wealth and poverty, no standing army, and a proud history as one of the region's most stable democracies. Ticos, as the warmhearted Costa Ricans are known, pride themselves on having more teachers than policemen, a higher male life expectancy than in the United States, and a strong commitment to peace and prosperity.

Costa Rica seems to be bursting onto the international beach-resort scene. The Pacific Northwest coast offers miles of white beaches, resorts, hotels, and rustic lodges basking in the constant sun and winterless climate. The country is a top choice for "green" travel, with 12 distinct ecological zones that are home to an astonishing array of flora and fauna, such as the, jaguars, sea turtles, poison-arrow frogs, and quetzals.

"On a dark, cloudless night in Costa Rica, we witnessed the fiery explosions of Arenal Vulcano. This is how the earth must have looked in its tumultuous beginnings."

"Deep in the rain forest the silent watchfulness of thousand creatures surrounded us and we felt as one with the earth's essence."

Evocative images. Strong emotions. Such are Costa Rica's almost magical attractions that soothe today's spirit weary traveler.

We live in a world filled with material goods; we are protected from the elements in our safe cocoon of concrete, glass and steel but, somehow, something is missing.

Only when we escape this artificial environment do we recognize how strong is our human need for contact with the natural world. There we find energy...for the soul.

Costa Rica has become a Mecca for travelers seeking to escape the stress and tedium of the modern world and the monotony of more conventional vacation destinations. Here they can slow down, immerse themselves in beauty and establish a link with nature.

Costa Rica is a small mountainous country on the narrow Central American isthmus. It is only a day's drive from the northern border with Nicaragua to neighboring Panama in south, and one could cross from ocean to ocean in only a few hours. But why hurry? There's just too much to see in between.

From the top of the mountains...

Located in the tropical latitudes, between the giant biological influences of North and South America and boarded by two oceans, mountainous Costa Rica enjoys an immense diversity of climates and ecosystems.

Twelve major life zones harbor an astounding amount of plant and animal life. While Costa Rica covers a mere 0.03% of the planet's surface, the nation is endowed with over 5% of all life forms on earth.


Costa Ricans have preserved this invaluable biodiversity in protected areas covering fully one quarter of the land and organized into major units called Conservation Arias. No other country in the world has so much actively protected area per capita. Costa Rica is often cited as a model for conservation in harmony with community development and economic growth.

National parks and reserves are open to the public at government established fees. Private reserves set their own entrance rates.

An impressive 22,647 miles (36,447 km.) of roads plus well-developed nature trail systems give easy access to every habitat and all but the most remote areas. You can drive to the very edge of a volcanic crater, through the heart of a mountain jungle, take an aerial tram ride in the rainforest canopy and soak up sun on a deserted beach, all on the same day.

Volcanoes and Mountains

Arenal, most active and no doubt the most studied of all Costa Rica's volcanoes, booms and rumbles with an unnerving consistency and its nocturnal pyrotechnics have struck awe in the hearts of thousands of observers. On the lower slopes of Rincón de la Vieja, the power is vented in boiling mud pots, hissing fumaroles and thermal streams.

The non-volcanic Talamancas are ruggedly beautiful and contain two of the nation's tallest peaks. The Inter-American highway, crossing the 11,453 ft. (3,491 m.) Cerro de la Muerte, reaches over 9,843 feet (3,000 m.) passing through highland forests of Costa Rican Oak and the only road-accessible "páremo" vegetation in the country. To see evidence of the glacier that topped 12,533 ft. (3,820 m.) Chirripó, during the last ice age, requires a 9 hour hike and cold weather camping. But it's definitely worth the effort.

Cloudforest

The forests on the upper slopes of Costa Rica's mountains and volcanoes are frequently draped in mist and clouds. Algae, mosses and lichens get a foothold on the constantly wet surfaces, providing a places for orchids, bromeliads, ferns and innumerable other plants to cling to. So prolific is these "epiphytic" growth in the cloud forest that bare branches are virtually non-existent. Sometimes harsh conditions such as prevailing winds and supersaturated soils cause the forest to be stunted - like the elfin forest at Monteverde's continental divide or the gnarly, dwarf woods at the summit of Poás Volcano.

The cloud forest captures the imagination of even the most cynical among us. It emanates a sense of ancient and enduring life. Of peace. Sitting quietly overhead, its long feathery tail swaying gently in the breeze, is a scarlet and emerald bird that seems to embody the spirit of the cloud forest. Aptly named, the Resplendent Quetzal is considered by many to be the most beautiful bird in the world.

Rainforest

In the foothills and lowlands of both slopes, Costa Rica's rainforests harbor thousands of known life forms and thousands more yet to be described. They are among the last strongholds of biodiversity on earth. Resonating with the songs of birds, at dawn. the rainforest is quiet in the heart of the day, its stillness punctuated by the insect-like call of poison dart frogs, the rasping of cicadas or the whistled notes of wrens and antbirds.

The dark, cool interior of primary rainforest is surprisingly free of entangling vegetation. Only where light manages to filter through the interlocking canopy to the forest floor does vegetation proliferate. Walking in the rainforest is like taking a step back time. The modern world and all its stress fade into insignificance.