 Costa
Rica First there is the rain. And then the mist. Then slowly almost imperceptibly, a lightening of the air as the sun's rays laser away the dew from the morning. To the creatures of Costa Rica's rain forests, this is just the beginning of another day. But to the human visitors like you, it's enchantment. For this is a land where nature's flora and fauna express themselves in such a wild kaleidoscope of colors, shapes, smells, sounds and sizes that it's almost impossible to classify. Costa Rica is a peaceful, lush country with more than 27 percent of its terrain designated as national parks, biological reserve wildlife refuge or some other category of protected area, both private and public. Costa Rica is bordered to the north by Nicaragua and to the east by Panama. It has both a Caribbean and a Pacific coast. The Caribbean side of Costa Rica has more cultural diversity than the Pacific coast. Half of this coastal area is protected by national parks and wildlife refuges, which has slowed development and the building of access roads, making it an especially verdant place to get away from it all. The main city is Puerto Limón, which has a tropical park teeming with flowers and sloths. Parque Nacional Tortuguero is the most important Caribbean breeding ground of the green sea turtle, and has plenty of birds, monkeys and lizards. The Creole beach paradise of Cahuita has a nearby national park with attractive beaches, coral reef and coastal rainforest. Golfito is a center for deep-sea fishing, and there are plenty of opportunities to charter boats for several days or more. The Pacific coast has a pleasing mixture of luxury resorts and deserted beaches. Costa Rica is home to hundreds of thousands of species of flora and fauna. Spectacular beaches, thriving cities and historical ruins are just a few attractions of this green, fertile land. Leaving San Jose experience a spectacular Aerial Tram tour through Braulio Carillo National Park, suspended with a birds-eye view over the rain forest. Ride through the lush green terrain of the Central Valley to the Cordillera, the volcanic backbone of Costa Rica. Costa Rica's national parks offer a huge variety of hiking - the following are just two of the highlights. The Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja, northeast of Liberia in northwestern Costa Rica, is a volcanic wonderland of cones, craters, lagoons, boiling mud pools and sulphur springs. There are snorkeling and diving possibilities at the Reserva Biologica Isla del Cano, 20km (12mi) west of Bahia Drake, off the northern part of the Península de Nicoya and in the Parque Nacional Isla del Coco - an isolated island 500km (310mi) southwest of Costa Rica in the eastern Pacific. Costa Rica - Port City - Puerto Caldera Puerto Caldera offers a surrounding countryside of mountains and valleys, thick jungles and cultivated plantations… a sight awesome to behold. Discover the region’s rich history along with beautiful, interesting architecture. Villas Caletas combines the truly unique concept of both mountain and seaside resort. Its location and design offer seaside breezes along with mountain air freshness. About an hour's drive from San Jose. To experience the contrast between the spectacular and the intimate is a special pleasure. To fully enjoy Costa Rica and its extraordinary food, stop by La Cocina de Leña. This fine restaurant offers a rustic setting evoking the exuberance of the Costa Rican countryside, highlighting the traditional flavors of the local cuisine. The real Costa Rican woodstove cooking taste in a cozy, family run bistro decorated to resemble a farm house. Centro Turístico El Pueblo San José, Costa Rica Rain Forest Aerial Tram at Puerto Limon, Costa Rica The Rain Forest Aerial Tram is a unique ecotourism and research facility, which opened in October, 1994. The tram takes visitors on a fascinating tour through the rain forest canopy and its hanging gardens of plants and animals hidden at the tops of tall tropical trees. Home to two-thirds of all rain forest species, the canopy is a little-known world of tremendous beauty and extraordinary biological diversity. The site, adjacent to the northern border of the Braulio Carrillo National Park, possesses one of the richest canopy communities in the world. The difficulties of reaching the forest treetops have always inhibited its explorers. Dr. Donald Perry, founder of the Rain Forest Aerial Tram, pioneered the exploration of the canopy. Dr. Perry states that, "no system in the world can offer this intimate proximity to such an extensive volume of rain forest. Knowledge that will help save the forests will finally be within reach." The Rain Forest Aerial Tram is located on a 1,000-acre, private nature reserve at a two-hour ride from Puerto Limon. Visitors will travel through the Braulio Carrillo National Park along the main road which connects the capital with the Atlantic. You will enjoy a 1 1/4-hour ride in the tram and time for an optional nature walk and browsing in the souvenir shop at the tram base. Don't miss this amazing approach to viewing the rain forest! Costa Flores at Puerto Limon, Costa Rica Located in Guacimo Province of Limon and bordered by the mighty Braulio Carrillo National Park, Costa Flores is a 300-acre farm housing more than 600 varieties of tropical flowers. Costa Flores, created by North American, David Carli, in 1988, stands alone as the largest tropical flower farm in the world. After contemplating the primitive shape of his first heliconia bloom, Carli felt "that the squawking beak of the Toucan, the intriguing shape of Mayan architecture and the raw energy of the jungle's evolutionary soup, were all reflected in the color and lines of that simple flower." Carli's idea of creating this farm was to let flower-lovers enjoy these exotic tropical beauties while driving down a mile-long, tree-shaded farm road. The ponds, fountains and small waterfalls in the garden area attract 15 to 20 varieties of birds. The gardens are quietly beautiful and serene with thousands of flowers such as heliconia strictas, musa ornata, alpina and heliconia orthotricha-to name just a few. Escape the hustle and bustle of a fast-paced world for a time of peace and relaxation. A visit to Costa Flores is an experience to be cherished and long remembered. Rio Reventazon White Water Rafting at Puerto Limon, Costa Rica This section of the mighty Reventazon River is some of the fastest and best 10 miles of Class II and III rapids you'll ever paddle! If you're a first-time paddler or an experienced rafter looking for the excitement of big waves, hydraulics, and stunning scenery, then this trip is for you. Traveling southeast from Limon through green fertile valleys and mountains, you will see endless stretches of banana plantations. The river run starts near an abandoned railroad town in an area called Florida. You'll glimpse the abandoned railroad tracks along the left bank as you raft downriver. At
the private river put-in, there are restrooms, changing
rooms and an area to buy water and drinks. After your
safety orientation, the first rapid of the day will
set the pace for more to come. As your raft rounds each
new bend in this dam-controlled river, you'll catch
breathtaking views of the Reventazìn Valley. Look for
toucans, kingfishers, herons, tanagers, iguanas and
bright green "Jesus Christ" lizards that walk on water.
Along the riverbank, you'll stop for a luscious buffet
lunch prepared by your guides. After
a fun and exhilarating day on the river, you'll finish
your trip with a stop at our private rest area for showers,
cold and hot drinks and snacks, before the return drive
to your ship. This one-day adventure is unforgettable!
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