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INTR ODUCING . . .
COSTA RICA C
The happiest country of the world
“Costa Rica is the go-to destination for wildlife in Latin America. It’s also fantastic for families and honeymooners”
BY ALAN ORBELL
laiming to be the ‘Happiest Country of the World’ is quite a bold statement but that’s the banner that awaits arrivals at Costa Rica’s main airport in the capital San José. Costa Rica is something of an enigma in Central America being alone in avoiding all the civil strife that beset many of its neighbours in the 1970s/1990s. Its benign image encouraged some 35,689 British tourists to visit the country in 2011, around 3% up on the previous year. The half-yearly total for 2012 is 16,700. Almost half of all UK visitors travel to Costa Rica because of a recommendation from friends or families. So, no surprise it’s a place that has visitors reaching for superlatives.
Flora and fauna Some 25% of its land mass is protected national parks or reserves. Justin Egan, Travel 2’s Product & Purchasing Manager, says: “It is a low cost, nature lover’s paradise, an excellent family holiday destination and being small with a good road infrastructure, it’s an increasingly popular choice for self-drive.” Journey Latin America’s
Images: From the lush green landscapes to the colourful culture, Costa Rica has it all
Product Manager, Rafe Stone, concurs. “Costa Rica continues to be the go-to destination for wildlife in Latin America. It also has a fantastic infrastructure and is perfect for families,
honeymooners and those looking for a relaxing holiday. 2013 sales are already looking promising.”
Tortuguero
and Sarapiquí On Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline the Tortuguero National Park is highly popular, not least for its turtle breeding areas. Mawamba Lodge (www.
grupomawamba.com) offers simple accommodation (58 rooms) with access by river. It also has a pool, bar and restaurant. Close by are butterfl y, frog and iguana gardens and of course the local canals with their rich birdlife, monkeys, crocs and other wildlife. Inland is Sarapiquí where the Hacienda Pozo Azul Tent suites (
www.pozoazul.com) offers 30 ‘rooms with all amenities’ in the rainforest. Waking up to the sounds of the forest, surrounded by 4% of the world’s biodiversity is a unique experience. Activities include ziplines, horse-riding, rainforest treks and white-water rafting. Guests can also discover the history of local chocolate at the 20-room non-profi t Tirimbina Lodge (
www.tirimbina.org).
Heading north
and south Perhaps Costa Rica’s single best- known attraction is the perfectly symmetrical Arenal Volcano in
the northern highlands. Between 1968 and 2010 it spewed lava, gas and ash on a regular basis but has now entered a resting phase. The whole area is great for hiking, rafting and fi shing. Nearby are the Monteverde Cloudforest and the Nicoya peninsula surfi ng beaches. An alternative gateway for Costa
Rica’s north is Liberia, which is served from 10 US cities. With the largest prehistoric
rainforest along the Central American Pacifi c, Costa Rica’s Peninsula de Osa in the south west is claimed to be one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse locations on the planet. With few entry points, it remains relatively isolated but miles of uninhabited beach and the huge Corcovado National Park make this southern tip stunning.
Planning ahead The Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT) has carried out a number of activities in 2012 to promote the destination in the UK and will continue to do so in 2013. Ireth Rodriguez, Marketing Director, Costa Rica Tourist Board, says: “Activities included press trips and campaigns with British operators such as Cox & Kings, Exodus and The Natural Travel Collection. ICT has also agreed to host a travel agents fam trip with Cox & Kings in 2013. The reintroduction of TUI-UK charter fl ights for winter 2014 is also being discussed.”
FACTFILE
Capital: San José Language: Spanish with
English very widely spoken Time Zone: GMT -6 hours Visas: None required. Brits can stay for up to 90 days Currency: Costa Rican Colon (£1 = 836 COL – Jan 2013) Climate: Dry Season is Dec/ Apr in Pacifi c areas and Feb/ Mar and Sept/Oct in Caribbean areas. Rainy season is May/Nov in Pacifi c areas and Nov/Jan and Apr/Aug in Caribbean areas. Average temp is 21/27C Departure Tax: $28 Web:
www.visitcostarica.com
TOP TOUR OPS
www.travel2.com
www.explore.co.uk www.coxandkings.co.uk www.colletteworldwide.com
SUGGESTED ITINERARY: Journey
Latin America’s Highlights of Costa Rica holiday includes a stay in Tortuguero, Monteverde, Arenal and Manuel Antonio and costs from £2494 pp. This price includes fl ights from London, accommodation, transfers, excursions and most meals. For further information contact Journey Latin America (020 8622 8315, www.
journeylatinamerica.co.uk)
www.sellinglonghaul.com • January 2013 27
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