With the winter quicklyapproaching, many people are
looking to escape the cold. Thereare a number of tropical
paradises where one can travel todo this, but Costa Rica is one of
the best.
In fact, U.S News ranksCosta Rica the number 1winter vacation spot. Ifyou want to enjoy warm
weather, beautifulbeaches and amazing
wildlife, you’ll want tohead to Costa Rica this
winter.
With its stunning beach-centrictowns and dense forests, NicoyaPeninsula’s 80-mile shoreline is
a must-visit.
The peninsula’s western edgeis lined with the powdery
sands of Nosara Beach, whilethe area east of the coastline
has fishing and cattle-ranching communities.
A number of restaurants andhotels have popped up on the
coast after a rise in tourism thatstarted in the 1970s.
Whether you’re a surfer or youjust love the beach, you’ll want
to take in Nosara Beach’scolorful fish, awe-inspiring
sunsets and turquoise waters.
If you’re going to take a walk onthe beach, sunset is the ideal
time, as there is minimal shadeand the coast can get very hot
during the day.
Costa Rica’s bustling capital ofSan José is most likely the firstplace you’ll want to go before
exploring the rest of Costa Rica.
Roam through theinterconnected districts, calledbarrios, and take in the sights oftall apartment buildings, offices
and museums.
Unlike the misty rainforestsfound in other parts of the
country, Guanacaste is knownfor its dry, sunny savannas.
Look to the east and you’ll beable to see stunning volcanoesthat make up the Cordillera de
Guanacaste.
Often referred to as Costa Rica’s“Gold Coast”, Guanacaste has
beautiful secluded beaches thatare perfect for relaxing.
The coast extends all the way tothe Nicaraguan border and
features white sands, remotefishing villages and a number of
hotels.
One of the best attractions inGuanacaste is Rincón de la ViejaNational Park with its beautiful
waterfalls and hot springs.
The volcano was dormant for anumber of years until it became
active again on July 29, 1968,creating a thunderous
earthquake and an explosion oflava that wiped out three
villages.
The volcano reentered a non-active state in 2010, but
travelers still look at the volcanofrom an observatory.
The best time to see Arenal isbetween February and April, as
it is often covered by a thicklayer of fog during other parts of
the year.