COSTA RICA

Costa Rica is a small country – its total area is 19,730 sq mi (51,100 sq km), a size that’s slightly smaller than the state of West Virginia. Still, its variety of destinations is impressive. There are white sand beaches, misty mountain towns, and culturally cool cities to explore. Indeed, for first time visitors the choices can be overwhelming.

1. Malpais - Santa Teresa

    The quiet surf village of Malpais provides a great opportunity for visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of more crowded destinations. It is an excellent place to enjoy the incredible natural surroundings in relative peace. Reflecting this relaxed attitude, the village of Malpais offers relatively few services with regard to tours. However, Canopy Tours are available, and one can also take Horseback rides along the beach.The beach at Malpais alternates between long stretches of sand and large patches of rock. A green jungle with its mischievous monkeys lines the shore. For the most part, beaches in Malpais have been sparred of development. Development has largely taken place in areas to the north, around the Beaches of Santa Teresa.The nearby Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve can make an excellent day trip from Malpais.                                                                                             Check with locals before heading to the Reserve. Usually a visit requires entering the town of Montezuma. There is a road closer to Malpais, but unfortunately, it is often in disrepair.The hamlet of Malpais is accessible by road via Highway 160, or you can take the ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera or Naranjo Beach, and ride a bus or drive the rest of the way. Flights to the nearby town of Tambor are also available via San Jose and Liberia.

   

                                                                                           

2. Playa Grande

    Female leatherback turtles come ashore to lay their eggs from October to May—an incredible spectacle to behold if you are one of those lucky enough to see it.  Guides are available for hire for those interested in this rare, but unforgettable opportunity.
   
   Surfing along Grande Beach is incredible and has attracted surfers from all around the globe.  Although many skilled surfers have descended upon Playa Grande it is also a considered one of the better places to learn to surf or improve your surfing skills.  Breaks are moderate and constant, earning Grande Beach a reputation of one of Costa Rica’s premier surf destinations. In fact, nearby Tamarindo hosts several international surf competitions, a testament to the quality of surf available at Grande Beach.                                                                                                                                           

3. Tenorio Volcano and Rio Celeste

     The scenic Tenorio Volcano, which stands 6,287 feet tall, is considered dormant. Yet the surrounding terrain is dotted with geothermal activity in the form of thermal hot springs and geysers. The area is perhaps best known for the mystical Rio Celeste, a fascinating river with a unique and strange blue hue, generated from a chemistry of sulfur and calcium carbonates.
   
   Tenorio National Park is part of the Tenorio Volcano and Miravalles Protected Zone, which includes a second dormant peak, Miravalles, to the west. The protected land sits to the northwest of the Arenal Tilaran Conservation Area. At 6,653 feet, Miravalles is the tallest peak in the Guanacaste Mountain Range, and between the two volcanoes sits the rural town of Bijagua.