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Avoiding the Worst Costa Rica Tourist Traps

Written by Tim Roseland

Like all thriving tourist economies, Costa Rica's tourism industry has its share of shady operators. While they are far outnumbered by the honest and friendly tour operators and Ticos, you don't want an encounter with one of them to spoil what could otherwise be the best vacation of your life. We've collected just a few tips to help you negotiate your way around some of Costa Rica's more notorious tourist traps:

Having a travel agent book your trip to Costa Rica may not be necessary and could end up costing you more than you need to pay, because some travel agents tack on as much as $50 per night to the cost of you hotel in Costa Rica. Spending a few hours to confirm your hotel reservations online could pay off with enough savings to let you extend your stay.

While you're making your hotel arrangements, be sure to check on the distance from each hotel to the major tourist attractions. The closer they are, the less you'll have to spend in cab or bus fare.

If you've decided to rent a car and drive yourself to the sights of Costa Rica, be aware that the metropolitan police have a habit of appearing out of nowhere to nail drivers on traffic violations. What most tourists don't know is that if they are tickets, they can pay the tickets at any Bank of Costa Rica and should never hand money over to a policeman who says that for a fee he will take care of the ticket himself.

But why risk any encounter with the local law enforcement if you don't need to? Taxi and bus service extremely easy to find in Costa Rica, and it will remove any chance of your winding up with your rental car stuck in a muddy ditch on some one-lane mountain road with the nearest help hours way. Simply include carfare in you're your travel budget, and keep some extra cash hidden in your sock or other safe place for a cab should an emergency arise.

If you're tempted to spend money on the Canopy or Sky Bridge Tours of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, stop and think. It's called a cloud forest for a reason, and if the clouds are present during your visit, the chances are that you won't see much in the way of forest wildlife. Even if you arrive at the Cloud Forest on a clear day, you shouldn't attempt the tours unless you have a streak of daredevil.

The Sky Bridge will have you walking on a bridge high enough to clear the forest canopy, and the Canopy Tours will have you riding a ski-lift type of car attached to the forest trees. While both may provide tremendous views on the wildlife, neither is meant for people who suffer from vertigo.

One rather disturbing facet of traveling to the remote areas of Costa Rica is that the public restrooms lack not only toilet paper, but toilet seats! If you know you have an adventure in the Cost Rican wilds scheduled, make use of the restroom at your hotel or restaurant before you start, and bring along your own toilet paper to be on the safe side.

Remember to book your Costa Rica vacation at http://www.myroadtotravel.com

myroadtotravel was created in late 2007 as way for my wife and I to do what we love most...Travel. We love to share our experiences with others and have recently created our first blog (http://www.myroadtotravelblog.com) to help us do just that. Through this blog, we offer travel tips, our own personal experiences/adventures and photos from our vacations. Please stop by and give us your feedback and remember, for all your travel booking needs please visit us at myroadtotravel.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Roseland

Top Activities and Tours In Costa Rica

Written by Darlene Berkel

There is nothing like going on a Costa Rica Tour and spending day after day relaxing on some of the most untouched beaches in the world. Take a look.

It does not really matter who you are, when you visit Costa Rica you will discover that there are always going to be plenty of things for you to do. Explore the many options for Rica Tours and you may have a hard time deciding where to start or which ones to choose. In fact, you are going to find that the possibilities for Costa Rica Tours are endless. The country has a vast and beautiful nature which means there are boundless activites to be found there.

First of all, you have to let your Costa Rica Tour take you to the beautiful and pristine beaches of Costa Rica. No where on earth is going to offer you such beautiful beaches. The great thing about them is that they are still relatively untouched. They have not been affected too much by the tourist market, which means that many of them are just they way they always were. They are all open and accessible to the public as well, because one of the greatest things about going on a Costa Rica Tour means that you are going to be able to access some of the most beautiful places on earth and you won't have to pay extra. There is nothing like going on a Costa Rica Tour and spending day after day relaxing on some of the most untouched beaches in the world.

Lodging

There are also great resorts that you can stay on while you are on your Costa Rica Tour. You will find that you have your choice "" first of all there are the big and name brand resorts that you can stay at, where you will be able to stay in high class hotel rooms and enjoy luxurious food and other dining aspects of your tour. There is something for every budget. Resorts and hotels come in all shapes and sizes, from the very luxurious resorts to the small and modest hotels that you can stay at for a modest cost. You can also shell out the bigger bucks for a Costa Rica Tour that includes staying in a small hut right on the beach. This is something that is completely worth doing because you will find that you can be right there where the action is, and where the most beautiful people in the world are.

Fishing

Remember that while you are on your Costa Rica Tour the best thing to do is to take advantage of the fishing. You will find that there are many catch and release tours. You can take anyone of these tours. They will take you out on the water where you can actually fish for some of the most interesting and sporting fish in the world. This is truly an experience that you can do that is going to live in your memories for the rest of your life. As it the case with any other resort area, you can expect to find plenty to see and do outside on your Costa Rica Tour. You can take in many different sights and go on many different tours. Remember that while you are in Costa Rica, get outside and experience the nature of it all. This is hands-down the best way to see Costa Rica, and in addition you will get the best idea of what awaits on your Costa Rica Tour.

Paying For It

One of the things that most people worry about is trying to find a way to pay for their trip. You should know that a Costa Rica Tour doesn't even really cost you that much money. There are so many ways that you can make it work when it comes to paying for your Costa Rica Tour, and one of the best things that you can do is simply look at all of your options. Here a great tip. If you are looking for even more options you should go at different times during the year, and take different types of tours each time you visit. This is going to afford you many more options than you may think possible.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Monteverde, a piece of heaven

This is the phrase that thousands of national and international tourists use after visiting the beautiful area of Monteverde every year. Not just for its impressive landscapes or exuberant vegetation, but for the warm reception by the Tico population. People from Monteverde are typical Costa Ricans.

Monteverde Costa Rica has become a tourist attraction all over the world, due the biodiversity of its forests, crystalline waters, fresh air and the existence of outstanding species such as the Quetzal, the Three-wattled Bellbird, the Bare-necked Umbrellabird and the Golden Toad (nowadays extinct).

For this reason, in 2007, Monteverde is considered one of the Costa Rica's Seven Wonders, along with Cocos Island, Tortuguero, Arenal Volcano, Chirripo Mountain, Celeste River and Poas Volcano.

There are 3 main reserves in the Monteverde area:
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve and the Children's Eternal Forest.

Flora and Fauna in Monteverde

The biodiversity of Monteverde includes more than 400 bird species, including the magnificent quetzal, bellbird and black guan, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, 490 of butterflies, 100 of mammals (60 being bat species). Some species of mammals like the tapir, ocelot and jaguar are nowadays threatened by extinction.

For more info www.MonteverdeForest.com

The largest number of orchids in the world

Due to the acclaimed rain forests and cloud forests in the greater Monteverde area, Monteverde has become a major part of the Costa Rican tourist trail - despite difficult access. It was recently voted one of the "7 Wonders of Costa Rica" by the Costa Rican newspaper La Nación. Of Monteverde's total 250,000 annual tourists, around 70,000 tourists visit the reserve.

The bulk of Monteverde's rain forest and cloud forest can be found in the Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde, a private nature reserve created in 1972 by scientist George Powell and Quaker Wilford Guindon. The area around the park entrance is the most visited, though camping deep in the reserve is possible with reservations. Nine main trails, which total 13 km, are well-kept and easy to access. The reserve features a large network of less accessible trails and a number of rustic research stations, two of which house 10 persons each, as well as one research station that can house as many as 43 persons, though these can now only be used by researchers.

To the West of the town of Monteverde lies the Bosque Eterno de los Niños conservation area, a project funded by schools and children from all over the world. Bajo del Tigre, a small section of the Bosque Eterno de los Niños, is known for birdwatching and night hikes.

Still farther north, past Santa Elena, is the Reserva Santa Elena. This area is visited less frequently by tourists than the Monteverde Reserve, but offers a rustic station and views of Arenal Volcano.

The Preserve

Arguably the main attraction of Monteverde, the massive 10,500 hectare Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde draws 70,000 tourists a year.

It is known as the site with the largest number of orchids in the world, with 34 of its 500 species newly discovered. Over 60 species of amphibians, including the extinct Monteverde-endemic golden toad, have been found in Monteverde. This area is also a stop for 91 species of migratory birds. The famed quetzal resides here seasonally. The mammals of Monteverde include representatives from both North and South America as endemic species. The mammalian fauna of the region includes six species of marsupials, three muskrats, at least 58 bats, three primates, seven edentates, two rabbits, one ground hog, three species of squirrels, one species of spiny mouse, at least 15 species of long-tailed rats and mice (Muridae family); one species of porcupine, one species of agouti, one of pacca, two canides, five mustelides, four species of procionides, six species of felines, two species of wild pigs, two species of deer, and one species of tapir.

Other sights

In terms of nature-related attractions, Monteverde boasts a modest array of businesses. There are several serpentariums, insect museums, butterfly gardens and other zoological attractions in the area. A surge in these types of attractions has occurred within the last five years. Zip lines and suspension bridges through surrounding forest have also become popular. Other activities include horseback riding and mountain biking. The town of Santa Elena also includes several bars and restaurants providing everything from local food selections to home made pizza.

Relax in Tamarindo Beach

If you love the sea, the waves surf and the adventure, we guaranteed to you that in Tamarindo you will find it, and we will be in charge that your stay is Pura Vida!
Guanacaste's climate and culture are unique among Costa Rican provinces.

The province experiences little rain and consistent heat from November to April.

Tourists seek out this dry heat during the North American winter to enjoy the breathtaking Guanacastecan beaches.

From May to October, the climate is similar to that of San José, consisting of showers daily and moderate temperatures. Guanacaste is, however, considerably warmer than provinces residing in higher elevations.

For more info http://www.tamarai.net

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