Costa Rica is easily one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in the world.
Travelers from all around the globe choose this precious little country in Central America for its breathtaking nature, tropical beaches, and big surfing waves.
Bust Costa Rica offers so much more than just a vacation. Adventurers from all walks of life come here to explore the jungles and wildlife, hoping to see the sloths or to enjoy the delicious local meals.
But what makes Costa Rica vacations especially unique is the opportunity to participate in its eco-tourism. And if you’re traveling as a part of a group, you’ll have twice the fun!
Keep reading to discover why this wonderful country is a heaven on Earth for individual and group holidays alike.
1. Indulge in Great Food
When in Costa Rica, you’ll have some of the best food of your life. The ingredients are fresh and local and this reflects on every single bite.
The staple Costa Rica dish is rice and beans (Gallo Pinto), but make sure to try the Lizano Salsa sauce. It comes with a lot of main dishes and is pretty popular with both the tourists and the locals.
Besides mouth-watering food, Costa Rica is known for its premium quality coffee, chocolate, and bananas. There are many plantations and farms across the country producing organic vanilla, cinnamon, pepper, cacao and more.
Costa Rica’s cuisine is an experience on its own. Don’t leave the country until you’ve had Casado (a full main dish with rice, black beans, chicken and a side of veggies), Trits (ice-cream sandwiches), and Naturales (freshly squeezed tropical fruits).
2. Make Friends with the Happy People of Costa Rica
Costa Rica vacations are made unforgettable by the joyous locals that make you feel right at home.
Costa Ricans are some of the most generous, warm, welcoming people you’ll ever meet. Their happiness is best described by the local saying “Pura Vida” (i.e. pure life).
They’re also known as Ticos, because they have a tendency to add the suffix “-tico” to the end of the words to indicate affection and gentleness. The Tico culture is rich, lively and deeply rooted into the Costa Rican way of life.
In fact, Costa Rica constantly tops the list of countries with the happiest people in the world.
3. Enjoy Eco-Tourism
Costa Rica is one of the rare world countries that takes excellent care of its natural resources.
Both the government and the people give their best efforts to preserve the wildlife and the dry and rain forests. Eco-tourism is quickly becoming a Costa Rica staple.
You’ll find many eco-friendly hotels and lodges, but the focal point of your eco-adventures would be group hiking, sightseeing, looking for the world’s most exquisite bird – the quetzal, snorkeling, row-boating in the jungle, visiting the national parks and more.
These activities are mainly group tours, so make sure to ask your tour operator about available options.
4. Go Hiking at the Arenal Volcano National Park
Costa Rica has five active volcanos and over 200 volcanic formations. These are the main reason the soil is so fertile and why the land is a lush green paradise.
Many tour operators for Costa Rica vacations offer group hiking tours around the volcanos. The most popular hiking destination is the Arenal Volcano National Park, particularly the Los Heliconias trail for the best view of the volcano and the lake nearby.
Going anywhere near the volcano and outside of the trails is strictly prohibited because the volcano is still active.
5. Go Sunbathing and Surfing on the Nicoya Peninsula
When you’re ready for a relaxing day at the beach, Costa Rica’s long coastline will exceed your expectations.
You can soak up the sun on some of the public beaches or enjoy some alone time at your hotel’s private beach.
But if you’re traveling in a group, you may want to book a trip to the Nicoya Peninsula. The best beaches here are Playa Guiones, Playa Ostional (if you want to see the annual turtle nesting), and Playa Santa Teresa.
6. Visit Costa Rica’s Many National Parks
The country is known for its many national treasures, rare animal species and rich flora and fauna. There are 28 national parks in Costa Rica, of which 3 are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Group tours are available for the Monteverde Cloud Forest, Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano National Park, Corcovado National Park and the Manuel Antonio National Park.
7. Book a Jungle Tour
Book a day tour for some of the Costa Rican jungles for an experience of a lifetime.
You can go kayaking on the Tamarindo Estuary or if you’re brave enough, cruise the Tarcoles River – the home of the Costa Rican crocodiles.
For adventure-seekers, there are jungle lodges on the Osa Peninsula where you can spend the night in the jungle together with its diverse wildlife.
But for truly incredible sights, book a tour for the Tortuguero National Park jungles.
Bonus: Go Scuba Diving and Snorkeling During Your Costa Rica Vacations
You can book scuba diving and snorkeling tours through your tour operators and travel agents.
It’s an incredible opportunity to see the life under water, look at the corals and just appreciate the beauty of mother Nature.
Take one of the tours in the Coral Gardens, Paraiso, Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge or Gulfo Dulce.
Expect to see schools of tropical fish, corals, seahorses, octopus, turtles, eagle rays, and if you’re lucky, even dolphins playing around in the water.
Always respect the guidelines of your tour guide and comply with the tour restrictions for a safe snorkeling experience.
Will Costa Rica Be Your Next Vacation Destination?
Whether you’re an adventurer looking to discover unique wildlife species or a vacationer that’s here for the sun and ocean water, Costa Rica has something for everyone.
And if you’re traveling with a group, you’re guaranteed to have even more fun on the incredible tours of the country’s many national parks, jungles and hiking trails.
Are you ready for Costa Rica? Let us customize your perfect vacation package and let’s plan the holiday of your dreams together!
Check out our vacation packages: http://bestcostaricadmc.com/vacation-packages/
