Why Costa Rica on the Life Goal List?
The country is a lot smaller than Bavaria and, admittedly, still quite far away. A flight there is not exactly a bargain. And after all, you can also just fly to, say, Mallorca.
You're spoilt for choice. Two seas crash against the coasts here: the roaring Pacific Ocean on one side and the turquoise-coloured Caribbean Sea on the other. In a relatively small country, it is almost impossible to be far from the shore. Ergo, you can swim here. And that means swimming in a class of its own. On white icing sugar beaches with crystal clear water and Caribbean flair - definitely tops Mallorca. Tanned surfers naturally play their own part. So one important criterion has already been met. Ultimate bathing experience: check.
A quarter of the entire area is protected. The country is located in one of the most active volcanic areas on our planet. Have you ever seen a lava-spewing volcano in action? And we're certainly not talking about the film 2012 or Pompeii 3D. But rather live on stage.
Have you ever taken a relaxing bath in a hot thermal spring in the middle of nature? You can forget about your bathtub at home. Do you find bubbling solfataras and steaming fumaroles on our streets? Or are you wondering what that even is? Gotcha.
Have you ever abseiled down a rushing waterfall? Have you ever walked across gigantic gorges on a wobbly suspension bridge? Flown like Tarzan through the deep green rainforest? Through dry and cloud forest, mangrove areas, from the swamps of the lowlands to rugged hills and mountain ranges with peaks almost 4000 metres high?
By the way, you won't hear any of the Ballermann roar here. Instead, you can hear the chirping of songbirds. There are more than twice as many bird species in this small country as in the whole of Spain, Italy and Greece combined.
Because exotic animals are simply better off here than in our zoo. Because you'd rather watch leaping dolphins and snorting whales next to your boat than behind glass walls. And you can get closer to them here in the wild, their real home. Sometimes perhaps closer than you would like.
But you forgive the little monkey that stole your lunch on the beach and makes common cause with the coati. The palm viper and caiman also somehow seem more likeable than the house spider on your bedroom wall. Although that's probably only because they're not in your bedroom (hopefully).
The underwater world is an experience in itself, where some sea creatures visibly feel at home. Accept the invitation to dive with colourful schools of fish and giant manta rays. By the time you are surrounded by a few reef sharks, you will be breathless and your only thought will probably be Steven Spielberg's Great White Shark (a horror film after all). Then remember that you are probably more likely to be killed by the falling coconut on the beach than eaten by these nice sharks :-) Nature experience, adventure, variety: definitely check.
To Costa Rica - perhaps just to find out what a juicy, sweet mango really tastes like.
Or because of the "Pura Vida" motto of the locals, who like to remind us to live.
To Costa Rica, so as not to miss anything of the world.
Find out more about travelling to Costa Rica HERE.
Travelling Central America
A trip to Central America is so much more than rainforests, volcanoes and dream beaches. Look forward to colourful colonial cities, warm-hearted people, exotic wildlife, living traditions and real adventures between the Pacific and the Caribbean.