Costa Rica is just a few hours flight from the United States yet offers a varied range of possibilities for a vacation spot.



For the adventurous traveller Costa Rica offers rainforests, mountains and wilderness in great magnitude. You can go rapelling, flying down zip lines, running across bridges slung between treetops and atv driving easily, safeky and cost effectively.

For the nature lover Costa Rica probably has more wildlife than virtually anywhere else on the planet. Coati, sloths, jaguar, tapir, four species of monkey and more butterflies than anywhere else in the world make this a nature lovers mecca. For the avid bird watcher there are toucans, macaws, vultures and a host of others.

For the family vacation there are sunny, safe beaches and resorts on the Pacific coast where you can experience 5 star service, swimming pools and world class cuisine.

For the surfer, sandy beaches covered in palm trees and excellent waves can be found on both coasts. Many if them offer a social aspect too as they are so relaxed and chilled out that you may never want to leave.

So Costa Rica might of interest? Great. Getting to Costa Rica is easy enough with regular flights into the capital - San Jose - from the United States. From here you can catch standard buses to anywhere you like in the country (if you have the time) for just a few dollars. Alternatively order one of the tourist shuttle buses that will take you direct to your hotel or anywhere else in the country you desire. Taxis can also be found everywhere though are most abundant in San Jose.

Lastly, if you're feeling a little richer, you can use one of the two small internal airlines to take you to one of the small runways across the country. It is, as you might imagine, the fastest but most expensive way to travel around the country.

Hotels range from the cheapest hostels in shared dorms for just a few dollars a night up to 5 star resorts like Tabacon Hot Springs in Arenal that charges several hundred dollars a night - but provides unlimited access to the hot springs along with your hotel room.

Food tends to be down to earth apart from the posh hotels and resorts but is still perfectly acceptable in nature and standard. From the Costa Rican dish Casado, a combination of vegetables, rice, beans and meat (which is very tasty indeed) to burgers, pasta and pizza most tates are suitably accounted for. Luckily the food doesn't tend to be overly spicy and is generally reasonably priced. Drinks can consist of fantastic, locally grown coffee or fresh fruit smoothies at a tiny percentage of what you'd pay back home.

So choose your activities, buy your ticket and pack your bags. We'll see you down here soon!