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Costa Rica: First Time Visiting

If you’re planning your first international trip and Costa Rica is your destination, you’re in luck. Costa Rica is a great place for first time international travelers and thanks to a well developed tourist economy it is easy to plan a trip and get around this small, friendly Central American country.

Elizabeth Donatelli, a broadcast journalist with stories featured on MSNBC, CNN, HLN, and The Weather Channel, recently put together a video for Costa Rica Star News highlighting Costa Rica as a great choice for first time international travelers and helping put to rest any concerns that first time visitors might have.

Having backpacked Europe, driven across the United States five times, and spent several weeks in Central America, Elizabeth Donatelli has used her sense of adventure to help first time visitors to Costa Rica understand just how easy it is to get around Costa Rica, even for those who don’t speak Spanish and have never been to a Central American country.

Chances are those visitors planning a trip to Costa Rica already have a friend, family member or co-worker who has visited this popular destination so asking for recommendations is a great way to start planning a trip. Getting advice from fellow travelers is one of the best ways to plan any vacation, whether domestic or international. Reading online reviews is also a good strategy if you don’t know of anyone who’s visited Costa Rica before. Once you narrow down which places in Costa Rica you’d like to check out, the next step is looking into accommodations and transport.

Costa Rica has a thriving tourism economy and as such many of the popular destinations are filled with a wide variety of accommodations to suit the budget of any traveler. From high end, 5 star resorts, to budget backpacker hostels to beach front vacation houses, it’s easy to find a place to stay in Costa Rica. Unless you’re traveling during the busiest times of the year, Christmas, New Year’s, or Easter week, it is not necessary to make reservations in advance, although you may still chose to do so. There are plenty of places to stay in all of the popular destinations that most travelers visit during their time aboard. There are also multiple ways to get from point A to point B.

Some visitors to Costa Rica rent cars for the duration of their stay, while others may chose to use the numerous private shuttles found throughout the country. And, as Elizabeth Donatelli points out in her video about visiting Costa Rica, taking the public buses is a fine option as well. Getting around Costa Rica is relatively easy although the roads are not always in the best condition and traffic can be unpredictable. Other than some minor delays and a few bumps here and there, transportation throughout Costa Rica is affordable, easy to understand, and reliable.

Costa Rica is a great launching place for international travel as there are many tourists who visit this county each year and Costa Ricans are incredibly friendly and helpful people who want to make sure that all visitors enjoy their stay. After visiting Costa Rica, you’ll be ready to take on your next international adventure. But you may find that you loved Costa Rica so much, you just end up coming back for a second visit!

Every year various publications produce lists of the top 10 travel destinations for the current year and while these lists offer up untouched and more remote or off the wall suggestions, these lists also included the tried and tested favorite travel destinations throughout the years. Among one of the most popular travel destinations and common feature on numerous top 10 travel destination publications is the small Central American country of Costa Rica.

Year after year, Costa Rica finds itself listed as one of the best travel destinations in the world thanks to the wealth of natural beauty that the county has to offer. Volcanoes, white and black sand beaches, rivers and mangroves, lush rainforests, cloud forests, and tropical dry forests are just some of the natural attractions that draw millions of international visitors every year. Combine these magical environmental settings with a strong economy, a stable government, a high standard of living, and a strong tourism sector and it’s no wonder Costa Rica is among one of the favorite top 10 travel destinations.

With over one fourth of the land protected by as national parks, Costa Rica is home to some of the most biodiverse terrain on the planet and visitors have a chance to see many wild animals such as monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, iguanas, dolphins, and manatees, not to mention over 800 different species of birds. The wildlife alone is reason enough to visit Costa Rica. In addition there is the unique Costa Rican culture that spans from the rancheros of Guanacaste to the Rastafarians of the Caribbean coast. This unique country with a population of just over 4 million people is one of the most interesting and stable countries in the Americas.

In addition to finding on several top 10 travel destination lists this year, some new comers are hitting the scene and offering up some interesting alternatives to the standards. Featured on Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Travel Destination for 2015 is The Republic of Congo which will host the 2015 All-Africa Games. Other alternative countries on the Lonely Planet list include Namibia, Lithuania, The Philippines, Serbia, and Morocco.  International tourism is on the rise with the World Tourism Organization reporting 517 million tourists traveling internationally in the first six months of this year compared to 494 million in the same period for 2013. As more and more tourists plan international trips, the list of top destinations will continue to shift. While new countries become popular and gain more attention as top destinations, favorite locations such as Costa Rica may receive less attention although the attraction and reasons for visiting will remain the same.

For years Costa Rica has been a favorite travel destination for all types of travelers, from backpackers to honeymooners, family get-aways to yoga retreats. And while new destinations may begin to appear on different top 10 travel destination lists one thing is certain, Costa Rica will continue to delight. All of the reasons that visitors have loved coming to Costa Rica over the years remain the same and Costa Rica remains one of the top 10 travel destinations in the world. 

5 – PLAYA GRANDE

Playa Grande is found within the Marino Las Baulas National Park, and is a prime nesting site for the leatherback turtle. One can undertake turtle spotting night tours, although it is worth noting that the leatherback population has (alas) drastically declined in recent years. The Costa Rican authorities are, however, doing everything they can to protect these creatures and increase the numbers of these endangered species – so it is to be hoped that eco-conscious visitors may soon be rewarded by the sight of a great many turtles once again flocking to the sands of Playa Grande. Quite apart from the turtles, however, Grande offers great opportunities for eager surfers, and is recognized as a fantastic place from which to catch your first waves. There are plenty of wonderful vacation rentals in this area – which is also close enough to transport and urban links to make it a great base from which to explore Guanacaste as a whole.

4 – PLAYA TAMARINDO

Playa Tamarindo is the place for those who like a beach with a buzz. Arguably the most developed of Costa Rica’s beaches, this resort boasts a fine array of restaurants and activities to suit even the most bored and jaded palate. The Lazy Wave restaurant comes particularly recommended for its relaxed and congenial atmosphere (as well as a stellar menu), while El Coconut makes fish dishes to die for. The beach itself may be a little busy at times, but there are very good reasons behind its status as tourist favorite. The beach is smooth and sandy, the sea inviting, and the sunsets sublime. Furthermore, the proximity of the Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge makes it an excellent destination for eco-tourists and sun-seekers alike. Snorkeling, boat rides, watersports and so forth abound in the area, so visitors will certainly not be short of things to do! Tamarindo is a top pick for best beaches in Guanacaste. 

3 – PLAYA HERMOSA

Hermosa Beach gives modern tourists a glimpse of what the first explorers saw in Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s name literally translates as ‘rich coast’, as the Spaniards who viewed this land from the shore were so stunned by its lush and fertile beauty that they felt sure it must contain untold riches. In fact, it proved not to be the literal goldmine that they had hoped – but visitors going on a cruise past the wonders of beaches such as Hermosa will have little doubt that the coast is nonetheless just as ‘rich’ as the name suggests. This beach is stunningly beautiful, with light sand and a long shore lapped by shallow waters. The sunsets are utterly spectacular, and perhaps best viewed from the ocean – although the sight of the sun setting over the palm-fringed beach is just as wonderful in its own way. Hermosa has the undeniable advantage of being close enough to amenities such as shops and restaurants to make it convenient, yet distant enough to provide some seclusion from the crowds.

2 – PLAYA FLAMINGO

Playa Flamingo has light brown sand which is perfectly smooth and feels great underfoot. It’s also an excellent beach from which to introduce kids to the joys of beaches, as it has what could almost be termed a ‘shallow end’ for paddling near the coast, and shady places in which to take a break from the sun. There is ample parking and plenty of space along the long sandy stretch. The fabulous Casa Palombia is located at Flamingo, as are various other wonderful rental properties from which to enjoy all that this lovely beach has to offer.

1 – PLAYA CONCHAL

Conchal is widely considered to be one of the best beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Its secluded location and gleaming white sands give it a relatively unspoiled feel, and the sunsets sparkling over the waters are truly phenomenal. The sands give a satisfying rustly crunch underfoot, and the white beach is sandwiched between perfect azure seas and rich forest. The waters of the perfect, sweeping bay are absolutely clear, making this the ideal spot for paddling, bathing, or simply enjoying an entrancing view. Nearby are several nature reserves in which visitors can take the opportunity to experience Guanacaste’s abundant birdlife. This beach does take some getting to – but it’s more than worth the journey! Should you wish to stay near this calm and beautiful place, properties are available within walking distance of the beach. contributor, Susie Jackson