With winter in the Northern Hemisphere, Americans, Canadians, and Europeans are taking much needed tropical vacations to Costa Rica. For most, the allure comes from its tropical beaches along two oceans. For others, it’s the prospect of a great nature experience. Some come for fishing, surfing during the day and partying at night, kayaking, or famous Costa Rica adult night life.

Here are two (or, if you are keeping count, five) can’t miss Costa Rica attractions.

1. Whale Watching

Nearly 35% of all the whale and porpoise species on earth are found off the shores of this small country and some annually travel enormous distances. Humpback whales from Antarctica swim over 11,000 miles to escape from the Southern Hemisphere winter while their northerly cousins swim south during Arctic winters. For tourists to the Land of Pura Vida, this means one of the longest whale watching seasons on the planet.

While whales can be found along the entire Pacific coast, a popular place to watch them is around Ballena National Marine Park along the southern coastline. Tours are, of course, available.

2. Visit a Volcano

Volcanoes have played such an important role in Costa Rica’s history they are even shown on the country’s flag. They are also very popular traveller attractions. Here are four:

Poas Volcano. Hosting the second largest crater of any active volcano on earth, this volcano overlooks Alajuela and the San Jose International Airport and is one of the most popular volcanoes in the country. Poas National Park is easily reached by automobile or tour bus which take passengers just about to the crater itself. This is a nice day trip , but for best chance at seeing the crater, set out early in the morning before the clouds roll in.

Irazu Volcano. On the day that American president John F. Kennedy visited Costa Rica in 1963, this enormous volcano exploded as though in salute. Today, travelers can drive to its summit where, on a clear day, they can see both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans from the same spot.

And, as an extra bonus, it’s recommended that travelers take in the Basilica of Our Lady of Angels in nearby Cartago, home of La Negrita, Costa Rica’s patron saint where, it is believed by the fathful, the holy La Negrita (Black Madonna) statue is housed. It’s so famous that one Pope declared that visiting it’ll remove all sins, another traveled from Italy to worship at it, and millions of people make a yearly pilgrimage each August.

Turrialba Volcano. Irazu’s twin, it’s much less visited (and tougher to reach) as the “road” is, well, not much in the driest days and impassable during wettest days. That said, it offers a reward like no other: it is the only active volcano where (most days) travelers are allowed to walk into the crater itself.

Arenal Volcano. This magnificent volcano is about a 4 hour car or bus trip from San Jose and sits a few miles from the small town, La Fortuna. The most active of all the country’s volcanoes, it sometimes provides visitors with impressive shows at night. Though visitors are not permitted to go to its crater, there are other compensatory attractions in the area.

For example, Lake Arenal, resting in the shadow of the mountain, is the country’s biggest lake. It’s also one of the most renowned windsurfing places on earth (some rate it in the top 2) because of its reliable, powerful winds.

There are rafting tours (ranging from family-friendly to whitewater), horseback and off-road riding, bungee jumping, zip-lining high in the tropical forest, a genuine Swiss train, and always popular hot-springs where visitors can luxuriate in wonderful warm water, sipping their mai tai while viewing the volcano.

About the writer: Vic Krumm lives in beautiful Costa Rica. Visit his recommended internet site about Costa Rica Vacations and discover more great Costa Rica tourist attractions you’ll definitely enjoy.

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