Costa Rica – Pura Vida! A Family Adventure with Nature
Friday, August 13th 2010 @ 12:37 AM
Costa Rica – Pura Vida! A Family Adventure with Nature
by Gail Woloz
Nature-oriented family vacations can provide the perfect combination of adventure, shared learning, and the thrill of being close to wildlife. What can be more thrilling than hiking a jungle path and counting red poison dart frogs, squirrel faced monkeys or sleepy sloths? For families who love the outdoors, Costa Rica is a great place to travel with kids.
No further than Hawaii from LAX, Costa Rica can be reached on an overnight flight in just 5 hours. The time zone is the same as Chicago so minimal jet lag. Ticos speak Spanish, but English is spoken in the tourist areas. The Costa Rican people are exceptionally friendly and have a warm, accepting attitude toward children. Costa Rica's long tradition of democracy, public education, nationalized health care and its decision to abolish its army in 1948 all work together to make this small, beautiful country a safe place for children to visit. A valid U.S. Passport is required.
Costa Rica is teeming with wildlife! Highly experienced guides take you into the jungle paradise to witness long-nosed bats clinging to bark trees, an assortment of howler, spider and squirrel monkeys, colorful toucans, raucous scarlet macaws, large brown caimans, and an army of leaf cutter ants! And that’s not all……you surely won’t miss the brilliant blue morpho butterflies, red-eyed tree frogs, and iridescent hummingbirds!
While nature and wildlife are an important part of any trip to Costa Rica, other activities include ziplines, rafting & float trips, horseback riding, paddling kayaks along jungle waterways, hiking to cascading waterfalls, taking a beach walk to watch Green sea turtles lay their eggs, watching an erupting volcano or simply relaxing on a beautiful beach while the kids play.
Opportunities for cultural enrichment also add a unique focus to any itinerary. Special activities may include a morning visit to a local farmers’ market, meeting other children at a public school, lunches at local area restaurants, or a visit to a banana plantation.
If your family enjoys beach destinations, consider planning a trip to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. The beaches are beautiful and there are a number of family-friendly resorts and unique nature oriented activities as well.
Personally, I have been to Costa Rica several times. Each visit I find something new and exciting. A family vacation to Costa Rica may be customized to meet your particular interests, age group and budget. There is something for everyone in Costa Rica! Pura vida!
© Gail Woloz August 2010
Editors Note: Gail Woloz is a Family Vacation Specialist at TravelStore Palos Verdes. You can reach her at 310-545-3085; gw.travel@verizon.net or www.facebook/gailwoloz to book your next vacation.
