subject: Costa Rica: A Must-see Tourist Destination [print this page] Costa Rica is growing in popularity as a vacation destination for travelers from all over the world. But what makes Costa Rica so enticing to visitors? Here are a few reasons why the country is a must-see tourist destination:
Costa Rica is located in Central America, just south of Nicaragua, and northwest of Panama. The country is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east, providing hundreds of miles of coastline and making Costa Rica a great spot for sport fishing. Many species of fish, including Sailfish, Marlin, Yellow Fin Tuna, Red Snapper, Cubera Snapper, Wahoo, Grouper, Snook, Dorado, Rooster Fish, Mackerel, and Jackfish, can be targeted throughout the year.
Costa Rica is a nature-lover's dream, offering diverse flora and fauna for eco-tourists year round. The country boasts a surprising array of geographic diversity, including rain forests, volcanoes, marshlands, beaches, lakes and mountains which are home to the world's largest variety of wildlife. Nearly three million years ago, what is now Costa Rica rose out of the ocean to form a land bridge which connected North and South America, allowing different animal species from the two continents to come together and intermingle and giving rise to new and unique species, many of which exist only in Costa Rica. Visitors who want to see wildlife that they have never before seen will be surprised by the many mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and insects that thrive in this fascinating country.
Costa Ricans take pride in the country's rich National Park lands. In fact, nearly a quarter of Costa Rica's territory consists of protected National Parks, including Cahuita National Park, Cocos Island National Park, Corcovado National Park and the breathtaking Manuel Antonio National Park. Whether you want to see active volcanoes, untouched rain forest, pristine mangrove swamps or sandy beaches, Costa Rica offers something for everyone.
Aside from world-class sport fishing, eco-tourism and National Parks, Costa Rica also offers a variety of activities for the outdoor sports enthusiast, as well. From snorkeling, surfing and scuba diving to hiking, mountain climbing and whitewater rafting, Costa Rica is an adventure seeker's paradise! And because the weather is nearly perfect throughout the year, Costa Rica also boasts some of the finest golfing in the world.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan that ultimate Costa Rican vacation, and discover why this picturesque country is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world!
