Costa Rica Visitors Guide. 20 Ways To Improve Your Life.
Costa Rica is a wonderful place to visit with your family or even alone. Many couples honeymoon in Costa Rica combining romance, adventure and mystical visits to volcanoes, rainforest's, waterfalls, and secluded beaches. Our goal here is to provide a condensed guide that you can print and take with you to use for reference.
Country Information
Costa Rica is in Central America north of Panama and south of Nicaragua. The Pacific ocean borders the country to the west and the Caribbean to the east.
The citizens of Costa Rica are affectionately called Tico's and Tica's. In all of Latin America, the Tico's are most like North American's in their thought process. There are many cultural differences but tourism and tourists in general are welcomed warmly in this country.
Costa Rica has the highest literacy rate in Latin America. Every four years elections are held with 95% of the population participating in the voting process. Costa Rica has had no military forces since 1946. 27% of the country's budget is spent on health care. Although there are demonstrations occasionally civil unrest is not present. Costa Rica is considered to be the "Latin American success story".
The country has 110 volcanic craters, six active volcanoes,mountain ranges throughout the central portion of the country and secluded beaches with rain forest filled with wildlife butting right up to the shoreline.
Temperature varies with elevation. Humidity is present and noticeable, especially at sea level. Mosquitoes are obviously part of any rain forest but are not as noticeable as most parts of Florida, for instance due to the natural predators maintaining an ecological balance not found in places like Florida. (Bring repellent with Deet however!)
Costa Rica has a wet and dry season. The wet or "green" season is from May until November each year. During this time rainfall is more prevalent in most regions (Guanacaste province is the driest area in the country) with sunshine typical in the morning hours with showers in the afternoon and at night. Green season is when hotels offer discounts and crowds are minimized. As mentioned earlier, the northwestern portion of Costa Rica is the best "green" season destination due to rainfall considerations.
General Information
Entry requirements for visitors differ depending on your country of origin.
Vaccinations are not required for malaria and other diseases to visit Costa Rica.
The water in most areas is safe to drink. Some coastal areas are exceptions however. Bottled water is recommended simply due to taste considerations. If you are at the Multiplaza mall in Escazu for instance the water is perfectly fine to drink. Smaller communities on the coast can be problematic however.
Costa Rica has the best fruit in the world in my opinion. Eat anything and everything in sight!
Driving in Costa Rica is an adventure! A stop sign in Costa Rica is treated like a yield sign in North America. Potholes in certain areas are HUGE. If renting a car consider the following:
- Do not leave valuables in the car.
- Rental agencies look for any trace of dents and dings
- Roads are narrow and guard rails are usually not present
- Did I mention POTHOLES
Electricity is standard 110v like in the USA but generally not grounded. This means that any device requiring a three prong plug will not work without an adapter to two prongs. So, bring an adapter for anything requiring three prongs.
English is widely spoken in tourist areas and major metropolitan areas. Driving a rental car all over the country with no knowledge of Spanish might be problematic. It is generally easy to find someone to help you in English in tourist areas and big cities however.
Medical facilities are available throughout the country. Remote areas, however, only have clinics for minor issues and often have few English speaking staff members. San Jose has excellent medical facilities and English speaking doctors are quite common. Ask the proprietor of the hotel you chose about medical facilities in the area if you have health concerns.
Emergency service in Costa Rica is available by dialing 911.
Holidays are taken seriously in this country. Visit around Easter or Christmas and it will seem that the entire country is shut down. The Easter and Christmas holiday's are celebrated for more than a week!
Traveler Safety
Violent crime exists in every society. Costa Rica is a safe place to bring your family or to travel alone. Most crime is property theft and pick-pocket oriented theft. Make sure that you leave your Rolex at home.
- Do not keep your wallet in your back pocket. Keep it in your front pocket.
- Do not place valuables in backpacks slung over your shoulder.
- Many places are perfectly safe to walk at night. Others are not. Ask a local.
Beaches have rip tides. A riptide is narrow. If caught in a riptide swim parallel to the shore for a short distance until you no longer feel it pulling you away from shore. Salt water is easy to float in. Don't freak out!
Sharks are prevalent in certain areas of both the Pacific and Caribbean. Sharks are of concern for fishermen and surfers primarily. If you are not a pro ask about the area you plan to visit. Some of the island's around Costa Rica have huge populations of sharks.
Costa Rica is just north of the Equator. Use sunscreen liberally and drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids while in the elements. I know, now I sound like your mother!
Taxi's have meters. Many unofficial taxi's ply their services in the country. Prior to any trip anywhere, agree on the price before you get in the taxi unless they are using the meter. Many taxi's do not use their meters.
Most hotels, resorts, and bed and breakfast's provide transportation from the airport and are valuable resources to identify the fair cost from one place to another when using taxi services.
Beaches
Beaches in Costa Rica are not all the same. Some beaches are great for surfing and poor choices for children. Many beaches include amenities close by and plenty of tanned bodies to admire. Others offer secluded splendor and less amenities. Careful planning is necessary to find the right area for a successful vacation here.
The beach options are too numerous to even mention here. Please consider looking at our beaches page for information about some of the best beaches. For surfing we have a surfing page highlighting the best spots to catch a wave.
Volcanoes
Some parts of Costa Rica look more like the moon than Central America!
Arenal is an active volcano that offers excellent potential for all the elements of an active volcano. The Tabacon hot springs is a beautiful area offering relaxation, romance, and wonderful atmosphere. Poas volcano is close to San Jose in the Central Valley and provides eerie views of one of the world's largest volcanic lakes in its crater. Poas is easy to hike compared to other places and has no facility for food and drinks in the park area.
Rincon de la Vieja is in northwestern Costa Rica (Guanacaste province) and is actually a compound volcano meaning that there are more than one composite volcanoes aligned on a ridge. Rincon has 9 eruptive craters, includes bubbling mud pits, and volcanic geysers. Hikes to the summit are controlled by park rangers to keep people from getting lost. Obviously this is more challenging hiking compared to Poas!
Rain Forests
Rain forests and animals of the rain forest are one of the big attractions of Costa Rica. Birdwatching, flora and fauna, monkey's, sloths, and many other creatures abound in the rain forests of Costa Rica. Each region has slightly different plant life and animals populating the forests. The lodge and hotel accommodations range from primitive to exotic. Take your time and choose an area that combines activities that you and your family have interests in.
Manuel Antonio is one of the most popular parks in Costa Rica. The park is located in the Central Pacific area and provides great accommodations, rain forest, waterfalls, and beach vacations.
Monteverde Cloud Forest is a wonderland of nature. Located near the Arenal volcano about 3 1/2 hours from San Jose this misty forest is a great place to see birds, monkey's and other wildlife in a well tended easily hiked park.
Corcovado National Park is lowland rain forest and is home to a large population of scarlet macaws. The park features well designed trails, camping, and plenty of ranger stations. The hiking is strenuous, pack your own food and get back to nature in the southern Pacific portion of Costa Rica.
Cahuita National Park provides flat easily hiked trails, and plenty of wildlife in thick lowland forest. White face and howler monkey's are your companions here. Generally rustic accommodations and less amenities are characteristic on the Caribbean coastal areas.
Final Thoughts
Fun Costa Rica Vacations hopes this visitors guide has been helpful to you. Our goal is to provide useful information to travelers and specifically first time visitors to Costa Rica.
Copyright @ 2005 fun-costa-rica-vacations.com
Roger,
Publisher of fun-costa-rica-vacations.com a destination guide with ideas for fun Costa Rica vacations.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
People often ask me how they can improve their lives.
I always give them very specific advice on simple things they can do to create a radical shift in their experience of life.
Here are 20 ways to improve your life. I challenge you to act on each one. Adopt one a day. You will be done with the list in 20 days, but in 3 months time, your life will have changed beyond recognition!
1. Make a definite plan for success. Fix a time limit to this plan. Determine the benefits of your goal.
2. Hold on to a positive attitude. See the best in any situation. Positive thinking heals your body and vitalizes your mind. A negative outlook is self-destructive.
3. Give your employer your best service. Even if you're underpaid, you'll create a twofold bonus. First, you'll increase your level of skill, and this can taranslate to a higher income later on. Second, you'll win sufficient goodwill to attact the favor of your boss or a competitor. The more you give, the more you receive.
4. Continue to learn more about your job.
Knowledge is power, and power creates increased income.
5. Work on being calm and even-tempered. An angry or bitter person is hard to get along with. Along with your positive mental attitude comes positive emotions. This enhances both your relationships and your health.
6. Share your goals with others. It is easier to achieve something when you're working on it with someone else. If your goal is too individualistic to share with others, at least get some moral support, some people to cheer you on your way.
7. Put your faith in a higher power. Such faith removes many fears, like fear of poverty, criticism, ill health, loss of liberty, old age, and death.
8. Avoid bad habits, especially those offensive to other people. For example, criticizing others, gossiping, slandering. Also avoid taking in toxic material, like alcohol and cigarettes. Why would you want to ruin your liver and lungs?
9. Plan your work and complete each day's work. Include in your plan, ways to work more effieciently. Don't leave for tomorrow what can be done today. Tomorrow will have its own demands. Progress means moving forward.
10. Enjoy your work. If you don't feel enthused, it's time for a change.
11. Concentrate on your work. And stay at the same task until you finish it. Being easily influenced by other options and abandoning your plans when things go awry can be discouraging, and creates a sense of frustration and failure. .
12. Work in harmony with others. Help people when they ask for it. Avoid arguing, gossiping, judging. Each of us is doing our best to survive as we know how.
13. Learn from your defeats. Use your mistakes to learn what not to do. Convert your liabilities into assets. Consistently learning from errors and improving, enduring the learning curve, is necessary for success. Remember, temporary failure is only feedback. Creative work requires patience and committment. It takes time to be great.
14. Imagination is a two-edged sword. On one hand, you can create thoughts that expand your personal vision and empower you. On the other hand, you can create visions of doom that limit and frighten you. Choose to imagine your best possible outcomes. Be open to your many possibilities.
15. Allocate a fixed percentage of your income to savings. A part of all you earn should be yours to keep. Its a source of great comfort to have extra cash. Life is full of surprises. Things are going to break down unexpectedly. Opportunities are going to arise out of nowhere. Be prepared.
16. Contribute. Allocate some of what you earn to help others. The money may come back multiplied or it may give a deep sense of satisfaction.
17. Observe sound principles of health. You are not just a mind, but a body, too. Your body needs exercise, healthy food, deep relaxation, a sense of pleasure, and sufficient sleep.
18. Seek sound advice when you're confused. Refer to people, books, and the internet, or other sources of information to get a wide spectrum of ideas and then decide for yourself what will best resolve your question.
19. Live with integrity. Create a reputation of reliability. When people can trust you, you open up a whole new world of opportunities. Your handshake should be as good as a written contract.
20. Listen to your dreams. Those you have at night, and those which whisper in your heart during the day. They may reveal to you a path of great joy.
As you read through this list, all the information will sound familiar. However, act on this information and you will shift your life to a whole new level of quality.
Resource Box
Saleem Rana got his Masters degree in psychotherapy from California Lutheran University. His articles on the internet have inspired over ten thousand people from around the world. Discover how to create a remarkable life
Copyright 2004 Saleem Rana. Please feel free to pass this article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or newsletter. It's a shareware article.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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