Costa Rica - Your Place in the Sun

In Central America, just south of Nicaragua anddormant Barva in Heredia. Arenal, a young volcano
north of Panama is Costa Rica. Costa Rica has thein the northern part of the country is constantly
Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Oceanactive (and is the site of a spa with natural hot
on the west side. Therefore, the majority ofsprings). The country's highest peak, Mount
Costa Rica's borders, sixty-five percent, areChirripó, is not volcanic; it measures 12.412
coastline.feet. On a clear day one can see both the Pacific
Although a relatively small area, about the size ofand Atlantic oceans from atop Mt. Chirripo.
Vermont and New Hampshire combined, it hasThe capital of Costa Rica is San José and is
everything one could want in a vacation. Beautifula good starting place for exploring the country. It
white sand beaches, great surf, active volcanoes,is conveniently located in the center of the
natural hot springs, and towering rain forests arecountry and all the bus lines stop here. The port
just some of the sites in Costa Rica. Site seeing inof Limon on the Caribbean Coast has quite a
the area is relatively simple via rental car or publicdifferent atmosphere from the capital. Life is easy
bus.going on the Caribbean coast compared to the
A number of the principal mountain ranges arecity life in San Jose.
volcanic, and visitors can easily visit many ofSan José is located in the Central Valley
these areas. In the province of Cartago, forregion of the country. Evenings in San José
example, which is not far from the capital of Sancan be cool do to the high altitude, but you will
José, you will find Irazú volcano, whichnot forget that you are in a tropical place even in
erupted in the early sixties. Poás volcano,this bustling city. The city itself is busy and filed
located in the province of Alajuela, has one of thewith traffic. There are many things to do, but
largest active craters in the world. In addition,travelers often miss these sites choosing instead
Arenal volcano, in the northwestern region,to head straight from the airport to beaches or
delights thousands of visitors each year to arainforests. Although San José is not the
constant stream of red, hot lava rocks tumblingmost beautiful city in the world, it is generally safe
down its slopes.and has a lot to offer tourists.
Picturesque forests grow in the crater of the