|
Welcome to ArticleNova.com!
Articles » Travel-&-Leisure » Destinations >> View Article
|
 |
|
 |
| A Costa Rican Fairytale: Beauty And The Beach |
By:
Frank Johnson |
|
Costa Rica literally translates into "Rich Coast," so named by
Columbus for the gold necklaces worn by the native people when
he arrived in the early 16th century. However misleading the
name might have been for gold hunters, it appropriately
describes Costa Rica's copious coastline, which is an endless
paradise for surfers, scuba divers and those in need of
tranquil relaxation.
Costa Rica is also a bastion of political tranquility, which
has historically marked the country as an attractive
destination for Central and South American travelers. Not a
single gun-shot was fired when Costa Rica earned its
independence from the Spanish Empire in 1821. Democratic
development progressed after independence and in 1949 Costa
Rica become the first country in the world to abolish its army,
setting a historic precedent for other democratic nations in the
region.
Spider Monkey Around
Without a military budget, Costa Rica has had the luxury of
allocating a considerable sum toward systems of wilderness
conservation and cultural preservation. Over 25 percent of the
nation's territory, rich with biodiversity, is protected by
national parks. While basking on the Caribbean shores, visit
Tortuguero National Park to witness the most important nesting
site of the endangered green turtle. If you are lucky, you may
also get to see the giant leatherback turtle (the largest known
turtle at an adult weight of 1,500 pounds!) nesting in the
park's sand. Gain some elevation and venture through temperate
forests until you come to Chirripó National Park, which
protects Costa Rica's tallest peak. Scale the winding trails of
mysterious cloud forests while spider monkeys swing from the
trees and sloth lurk in the undergrowth as you get closer to
the rainforests of Corcovado National Park along the Pacific
Ocean. Observe jaguar roaming along the waters' edge while over
360 species of bird rustle overhead. Nature surrounds you when
you travel to Costa Rica.
Urban Creatures
If you've had your fill of all things wild, Costa Rica's cities
and towns will not relent on mesmerizing their visitors either.
The capital city of San Jose is a fast-paced cosmopolitan
playground and the beating heart of Costa Rican life. The
remains of coffee baron mansions have been transformed into a
splendid backdrop for boutique hotels and restaurants. The
National Museum has a few of the nation's mysterious stone
spheres on display, the origin of which is still up for debate
today. For an unbeatable resort experience, visit the Gulf of
Papagayo along the northwest coast. From intimate hotels and
cabanas to luxury resorts, these beautiful beaches are a prize
view from any perspective when you travel to Costa Rica.
You should need no other reason to travel to Central America
other than the quintessential natural beauty of Costa Rica. The
backdrop of peace and all-around serenity make Costa Rica a true
gem among the countries of this tropical region. For more
information, your source for cheap airfare on the web.
About The Author: For more information, visit
http://www.cfares.com
your source for cheap airfare on the web.
Distributed by ArticleNova.com at: http://www.articlenova.com |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
