Costa Rica – Your Place in the Sun

Costa Rica – Your Place in the Sun
Word Count:
425
Summary:
If you are looking for a vacation destination, Costa Rica may be your answer.  A tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and active volcanoes are just a few of the attractions.

Keywords:
Costa Rica,Caribbean,Central America,vacation,travel

Article Body:
In Central America, just south of Nicaragua and north of Panama is Costa Rica.  Costa Rica has the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west side.  Therefore, the majority of Costa Rica's borders, sixty-five percent, are coastline. 
Although a relatively small area, about the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined, it has everything one could want in a vacation.  Beautiful white sand beaches, great surf, active volcanoes, natural hot springs, and towering rain forests are just some of the sites in Costa Rica.  Site seeing in the area is relatively simple via rental car or public bus. 
A number of the principal mountain ranges are volcanic, and visitors can easily visit many of these areas.  In the province of Cartago, for example, which is not far from the capital of San José, you will find Irazú volcano, which erupted in the early sixties.  Poás volcano, located in the province of Alajuela, has one of the largest active craters in the world.  In addition, Arenal volcano, in the northwestern region, delights thousands of visitors each year to a constant stream of red, hot lava rocks tumbling down its slopes.
Picturesque forests grow in the crater of the dormant Barva in Heredia.  Arenal, a young volcano in the northern part of the country is constantly active (and is the site of a spa with natural hot springs).  The country's highest peak, Mount Chirripó, is not volcanic; it measures 12.412 feet.  On a clear day one can see both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans from atop Mt. Chirripo.
The capital of Costa Rica is San José and is a good starting place for exploring the country.  It is conveniently located in the center of the country and all the bus lines stop here.  The port of Limon on the Caribbean Coast has quite a different atmosphere from the capital.  Life is easy going on the Caribbean coast compared to the city life in San Jose.
San José is located in the Central Valley region of the country.  Evenings in San José can be cool do to the high altitude, but you will not forget that you are in a tropical place even in this bustling city.  The city itself is busy and filed with traffic.  There are many things to do, but travelers often miss these sites choosing instead to head straight from the airport to beaches or rainforests.  Although San José is not the most beautiful city in the world, it is generally safe and has a lot to offer tourists.

Costa Rica – San Jose and Tamarindo

Costa Rica – San Jose and Tamarindo
Word Count:
485
Summary:
Over the last ten years, the reputation of Costa Rica as a travel destination has grown leaps and bounds. Good places to visit include San Jose and Tamarindo.

Keywords:
costa rica, tamarindo, san jose, volcanoes, ecosystems, beaches, literacy rate, turtles, surfing

Article Body:
Over the last ten years, the reputation of Costa Rica as a travel destination has grown leaps and bounds. Good places to visit include San Jose and Tamarindo.
Costa Rica
Located in Central America, Costa Rica is a country with a lot to offer. The country is unique because the costal areas present some of the nicest beaches in the world, while a few hours inland you can find towering mountains with volcanoes, pristine rivers for white knuckle rafting and a rain forest par excellence. Costa Rica is a hot bed of ecosystems and I won’t even try to describe it. Just pull up some pictures on the net and you’ll get the idea.
The people of the country, Ticos, are exceedingly friendly and you’ll find more than a few ex-pats populating the country. With no military, Costa Rica has invested heavily in education and has the highest literacy rate in the Americas. Yes, the rate is higher than the United States.
San Jose
San Jose is really the only big city in Costa Rica. Located in the center of the country, the city has taken a beating over the years from the occasional earthquake. You’ll understand when you visit. The city is surrounded by mountain ranges populated with a number of volcanoes. Every so often, this combination of geography leads a good shaking.
For a city in Central America, San Jose is surprisingly organized and lively. You can spend an evening in the cafes or just walking about. Crime isn’t much of a problem. There isn’t much to see per se, but this is where most of the international flights land. In traversing the country, you can expect to pass through San Jose a few times, so enjoy yourself.
Tamarindo
Not long ago, Tamarindo was a quiet little beach community on the western coast of Costa Rica. Over the last 15 years, the town has become a hot spot for ex-pats with accompanying development not far behind. Although some of the luster is gone, Tamarindo is still worth a visit if for no other reason than to compare it to the rest of Costa Rica.
Tamarindo is as good a place as any to experience Costa Rica beaches if you need a little civilization. The beaches are clean and tranquil, but lined with cafes, restaurants and hotels. The water is warm and good surfing can be found in certain locations. To the north, one can occasionally see rare sea turtles laying eggs on the beaches late at night. Unfortunately, turtle watching has become such a rage that you may be standing with a lot of people. There is definitely a voyeuristic feel to it and one can help but feeling sorry for the turtles.
If you’ve never been to Tamarindo, you’ll love it. If you’ve visited in the past, you might be disappointed with the development.

Central america travel guide

Central america travel guide
Word Count:
523
Summary:
The Central American countries stand out from the rest of Americas. There rich history and breathtaking scenic beauty makes them the favorite place to visit all the year round. With a blend of south and North America the countries like Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama etc

Keywords:
Nicaragua, Costa Rica,Panama

Article Body:
The Central American countries stand out from the rest of Americas. There rich history and breathtaking scenic beauty makes them the favorite place to visit all the year round. With a blend of south and North America the countries like Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama etc. give the continent the finishing touches and add to the diversity of the Americas. The area is always buzzing with activity since ages. The natural and tectonic activity used to shake the place in the ancient times. The rich history of the place reminds the people of the numerous settlements that took place in the region and today the political scene in these countries is ever dynamic. Thus the over all profile of the place is quite versatile and inviting.
On of the main features of the place are remains of the historically important Mayan civilization. It made a substantial part of the Central American history and still the reminiscent of the past stand as majestic as they might have been. The tourists are filled with a gush of adrenaline when they walk through the corridors of the ancient Mayans. The central markets of the city stand in all their grandeur majesty. The ruins show that the city was an urban hub and the people were pursuing agriculture as their main occupation.  They were socially advanced people and their urban centers were the venues for dancing singing and many recreational activities. One can hear the echoes of the past standing in the middle of the large citadels.
The advancement in the Central American region is mainly due to the buzzing political scene and the awareness about the rights. The people are highly conscious about the protection of environment and great efforts are put in to preserve the rich environmental heritage. The Central American countries have entered in to a free trade pact as per which they are to let the others allow certain facilitations of trade in their trade. Popularly known as the CAFTA, it has proved to be a boon to the countries’ economies.
The Central American region is known for its volcanic abundance. Each country homes many volcanoes and many of them have erupted in the recent past. The tectonic rumblings are commonplace and it creates a lot of alarm in the people’s minds. The volcanoes are one feature that distinguishes the region form the rest of Americas and it adds to the mystic and magical image of the Central America.
But there’s one threat that has caused a lot of trouble in the region. The trade of drugs has entangled the region in to the grip of heavy crime. The world’s greatest drug trade can be found in this region. The roots of this criminal activity are deep seated and it has caused a lot of disturbance at the local level. But the comforting fact is that the regions attraction is overpowering on the drug threats. And the travelers are not threatened by these and keep on coming to the place with all zeal. And in the years to come this region will catch up with the rest of the world.

A Costa Rican Fairytale: Beauty and the Beach

A Costa Rican Fairytale: Beauty and the Beach
Word Count:
490
Summary:
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.

Keywords:
Costa Rica, travel to Costa Rica, discount airfare to Costa Rica, cheap tickets, Costa Rica travel information, wholesale travel

Article Body:
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, visit <a href="http://www.cfares.com%22%3ewww.cfares.com%3c/a>, your source for cheap airfare on the web.