http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/ http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/lib/_costaricave/logo.gif http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/ http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geograph-nicoya-peninsula-region.aspx The Nicoya Peninsula Region, located on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, offers both jungle and beach attractions and unique beachfront hotels. Adventure activities include surfing, fishing, canopy tours, nature hikes and horseback riding. Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:16:47 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geograph-nicoya-peninsula-region.aspx#1000117 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-arenal-region.aspx Costa Rica’s Arenal region offers natural attractions including thermo-mineral hot springs, waterfall hikes, horseback riding, birdwatching, biking and boat tours and close proximity to La Fortuna for nightlife, restaurants and shops. Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:27:20 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-arenal-region.aspx#1000116 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-san-jose-central-valley-cloud-forest-region.aspx San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, and the Central Valley Cloud Forest regions are located in the geographic center of the country offering both cloud forest and rainforest attractions including volcanoes, coffee tours, white-water rafting, horseback riding and hiking. Hotels range from value accommodations to luxury resorts, active to tranquil. Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:46:16 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-san-jose-central-valley-cloud-forest-region.aspx#1000115 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-monteverde-region.aspx Costa Rica’s Monteverde Region, located northwest of San Jose and just south of Arenal Volcano, is known for the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Activities include canopy and hanging bridges tours, butterfly, hummingbird, reptile and orchid exhibits, horseback riding and cheese factory visit. Fri, 03 Dec 2010 14:46:49 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-monteverde-region.aspx#1000114 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-puntarenas-region.aspx The Puntarenas region is located along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, with beautiful beaches, boating, surfing, national parks and luxury beachfront family-friendly resorts. Main cities are lively Jaco and Playa Hermosa and Playa Herradura, both excellent surfing locations. Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:11:09 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-puntarenas-region.aspx#1000113 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-manuel-antonio-region.aspx The Manuel Antonio Region is located on the south central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio offers both jungle and beach attractions with The Manuel Antonio National Park as the primary attraction. Adventure activities include fishing, river rafting, canopy tours, hiking and horseback riding. Exceptional resort hotels offer excellent accommodations and amenities. Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:24:50 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-manuel-antonio-region.aspx#1000112 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/activities-sport-fishing.aspx Costa Rica is one of the best sport fishing destinations in the world. Billfish are Costa Rica’s biggest attractions and deep sea fishing for sailfish and marlin off the Pacific coast is world-renowned. There is great fresh water fishing in Lake Arenal and the larger rivers in the Northern Zone. Tue, 18 May 2010 15:13:14 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/activities-sport-fishing.aspx#1000111 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/activities-horseback-riding.aspx Horseback riding in Costa Rica is a popular adventure activity and an excellent way to see the countryside, get close to the wildlife and birdlife. Horseback riding excursions are readily available throughout all the regions. Mon, 10 May 2010 16:09:31 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/activities-horseback-riding.aspx#1000110 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/travel-tips-what-to-pack.aspx Packing tips include warm jacket, rain gear, swimsuit, quick-drying garments, comfortable hiking shoes and waterproof sandals and personal items. Thu, 01 Apr 2010 01:10:18 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/travel-tips-what-to-pack.aspx#1000109 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-rincon-de-la-vieja-national-park.aspx One of Costa Rica’s most diverse ecological parks, Rincon de la Vieja National Park in Guanacaste province features volcanoes and abundant flora and fauna. Popular activities and attractions include hiking, thermal mud pools, waterfall swimming areas and freshwater lakes. Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:13:56 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-rincon-de-la-vieja-national-park.aspx#1000108 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-manuel-antonio-national-park.aspx Costa Rica’s smallest, most beautiful national park, Manuel Antonio National Park, located in the mid Pacific coastal region, boasts three spectacular white-sand beaches, water sports, hiking trails, abundant wildlife and a variety of marine life. Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:11:46 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-manuel-antonio-national-park.aspx#1000107 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/travel-tips-primary-airports.aspx Costa Rica features two major full service international airports: Juan Santamaría International Airport (Costa Rica’s primary airport) near San Jose in the Central Valley and Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste, in the north Pacific region. Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:56:15 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/travel-tips-primary-airports.aspx#1000106 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/travel-tips-when-to-go.aspx Costa Rica is a year-round destination with a rainy season (or Green Season) from May through November and the dry season from December through April. The highlands are cool. The Central Valley is spring-like. The coastal regions are tropical and hot. Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:29:01 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/travel-tips-when-to-go.aspx#1000105 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-monteverde-cloud-forest-reserve.aspx Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a biological and ecological treasure, known worldwide for its conservation efforts. Activities include bird watching, hiking, canopy tours, suspension bridges and numerous wildlife observatories. Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:30:00 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-monteverde-cloud-forest-reserve.aspx#1000104 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-arenal-volcano-national-park.aspx One of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist attractions, the over 7000 acre Arenal National Park contains the active Arenal Volcano, two miles of hiking trails with panoramic volcano views and is near the 25 mile long Lake Arenal. Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:19:08 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/geography-arenal-volcano-national-park.aspx#1000103 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/culture-government.aspx Costa Rica became a democratic republic in 1949. The president of Costa Rica and the members of the Cabinet make up the Council of Government which conducts foreign affairs and enforces federal laws. All citizens 18 years or older may vote in national elections. The army was abolished in 1948. Costa Rica is an active member of the United Nations. Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:36:10 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/culture-government.aspx#1000102 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/ecology-sustainability-initiatives.aspx The Costa Rican Tourism Board has developed a program to promote the concept of sustainable tourism among tourism companies with a set of guidelines focusing on proper care of natural resources, improvement of life of local communities and economic success that can contribute to other programs. Tue, 30 Mar 2010 01:33:43 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/ecology-sustainability-initiatives.aspx#1000101 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/ecology-eco-systems.aspx Costa Rica offers over twelve diverse ecosystems due to its varied topography and unusual atmospheric conditions. Major ecosystems in Costa Rica include the rainforests, cloud forests, dry Pacific forests, mangroves and coral reefs. Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:49:04 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/ecology-eco-systems.aspx#1000100 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/ecology-eco-tourism.aspx Costa Rica has developed one of the world's most successful ecotourism industries. An ecotourism vacation involves responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people. Mon, 29 Mar 2010 18:56:09 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/ecology-eco-tourism.aspx#1000099 http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/activities-surfing.aspx Costa Rica offers some of the best surfing in the world. With challenging waves, surf shops, trendy surf towns, great beaches and affordable hotels, Costa Rica is a surfer hotspot. The Pacific towns of Tamarindo and Jaco are popular with surfers from all over the world. Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:14:53 CST http://costarica.vacationexpress.com/activities-surfing.aspx#1000098