Sure, there is a global economic downturn but it is not going to last and every challenge presents an opportunity. Here is a great one: take a Costa Rica vacation. Let me give you 10 reasons.

1. Airplane and cruise fares to Costa Rica are great right now and you will find great travel bargains to Costa Rica , not to mention off-season rates.

2. The beach is always fun and with more than 780 miles of pristine Costa Rica beaches, you will have beach-after-beach to yourself. On two oceans! White sand beaches, black sand beaches, great Costa Rica surfing beaches.

3. Like ecotourism? Imagine a tiny little country with nearly as many different species of birds as in the entire continental U.S., nearly 1000 in all.

4. It boasts a park on its Osa Peninsula which National Geograpic calls the most biologically intense place on the planet. In fact, tiny Costa Rica has nearly one-fifth of all the species of plants and animals in the world. Imagine that!

5. Visit mighty Irazu volcano that saluted John F. Kennedy by erupting on the day he visited Costa Rica. Or go to Arenal Volcano, another of the Seven Wonders, and luxuriate in magnificent hot springs, drink in hand while the monster spits out glowing lava far into the night sky.

6. Thousands of Americans travel to Costa Rica for cosmetic surgery, dental, or other medical care because the quality of care is world-class but often only about a one-third of the price in the States.

7. Might be a good time to break out of your daily routine. Try bungee jumping into a deep canyon or at night! Whether young or not-so-young, try hanging five on a surfboard. And do not forget Costa Rica’s famous adult nightlife. Remember: what happens here, stays here.

8. Like to cool off in the suf? With fantastic temperatures year-round, this is the place to be. And, of course, with mountains everywhere you can take a cool hike. You can even hover above the verdant forests in a hot-air balloon.

9. Like a good fish story? I do. This will not be the story about the one that got away. Bring your camera or video camera. You will have proof! You can fish every day of the year for an unimaginable variety of fish. The Caribbean is filled with huge tarpon. Sailfish and marlin (I hooked a 450 pound, 13 marlin recently) are common. Not to mention whales and sea turtles.

10. Costa Rica is just a short flight away”or take a cruise. Hop on a plane or luxury liner, leave your worries behind and prepare to meet some of the nicest folks anywhere. You will make new friends. Lots of them.

You do not need to know Spanish. Here is a short Spanish lesson: Pura Vida! You will hear it from everybody because life is truly good here.

Share This