As I lay on the beach in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, and listened to the waves crash, a deer walked by. I got up and turned around to see little monkeys swinging in the trees behind me. Farther up the beach, locals and tourists danced up a sweat in the hot humid evening air at the outdoor dance club.
As the end of the school year draws near, students get ready for their summer vacations and study abroad programs. Costa Rica is a popular destination choice because of its beautiful beaches, great surfing and exotic rainforests. There is much more to Costa Rica than meets the eye. Below the surface are rare creatures, a unique culture and daring adventures.
Nature
In the depths of the rainforests, beautiful flowers bloom and rare animals and insects live among the trees. Through the many different nature hikes available, tourists are able to walk through the forest with a guide who points out each of the unique species to be found.
The “Jesus Christ Lizard” was given its nickname because of how it flees from predators by running across the water. The two-toed sloth only steps down from its tree about once each week and moves at about one foot per minute.
In Tortuguero, tourists sometimes have the opportunity to see the giant sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach before returning to the ocean. These, among many other rare or endangered animals, can be seen during hikes through the forest, during boat rides along the coast or by swinging through the trees on zip-lines.
Adventure
In many of the rainforests, long metal cables stretch across the tops of the trees and people swing along them, landing on platform after platform and viewing the wildlife from above as they pass by. For those who are afraid of heights, there are also adventurous options that allow them to remain grounded.
In Arenal, horseback riding trips take visitors through the forest to the bottom of a large volcano. Other activities include whitewater rafting, swimming in the giant waterfalls and visiting the warm, relaxing natural hot springs in Tabacon.
Culture
The people in Costa Rica are easy to get along with because of their slow-paced, relaxed outlook on life. A phrase commonly used there is “pura vida” (pure life).
People seem to take life one day at a time and enjoy every minute of it. One of the small towns I visited did not have any numbered addresses on the houses. When someone was to mail something to someone living in this town, mail was addressed with descriptions like “green house on the corner.” And because of this need to distinguish the houses by their description rather than by their order, each house was painted in a different bright color to make it easier for the letter carrier to find.
Though the people here speak Spanish amongst themselves, most of the citizens speak some English and are easy to communicate with.
Although Costa Rica offers many beautiful sights and activities, there are also dangerous things to look out for. There are many creatures in the forest that appear harmless but can be fatal to humans if they come in contact with them. The poisonous dart frog, for example, is a beautiful, brightly colored little frog about the size of a quarter and has a sticky lining that can kill a human if it gets into his or her bloodstream.
I also found it difficult to wake up each morning without finding a new bug bite that had formed on my body overnight. Because of the humidity, mosquitoes are always close by and ready to attack, so insect repellent is a must on this vacation.
Costa Rica offers a number of different experiences ranging from a visit to the natural hot springs, a zip-line through the forest, a boat trip down the river or a relaxing day at the beach. The warm climate and beautiful scenery makes Costa Rica a popular summer vacation destination and a unique cultural experience for students and families alike.
