| Located in southern Central America, Costa Rica | | | | be booked today. The memories will last a |
| is surrounded by three different bodies of water | | | | lifetime. |
| including the Panama Canal on the southeast, the | | | | An Abundance of Outdoor Recreation: Costa Rica |
| Pacific Ocean on the southwest and west and the | | | | is big on water related activities. Wave riders |
| Caribbean Ocean on the east. Because of Costa | | | | travel from all over the world to test out their |
| Rica's close proximity to several bodies of water, | | | | expertise in Costa Rica's waters. Both the Pacific |
| the country is an ideal stopping point for various | | | | and Atlantic coasts offer up some notorious |
| cruise ships carrying throngs of adventurous | | | | surfing. On the Atlantic Coast, Puerto Viejo's Salsa |
| vacationers. Depending on the area of Costa Rica | | | | Brava gets some great breaks during the winter |
| you are in, the climate can differ dramatically. | | | | months although this area is often crowded. On |
| There are cool wet mountain ranges, rain forests, | | | | the Pacific side, Playa Hermosa is the most |
| dry tropical forests, cloud forests, the very dry | | | | consistent place to catch some waves. If these |
| Pacific coast and the damp Caribbean coast. | | | | areas are flat, no need to worry, snorkeling and |
| Because of Costa Rica's diverse climate, the | | | | kayaking are always an option. Wind surfers have |
| country is home to 850 species of birds, 205 | | | | nothing but praise for Lake Arenal. It is considered |
| species of mammals, 9,000 species of flowering | | | | one of the world's best wind surfing spots and on |
| plants, 1,200 species of orchids and 376 species | | | | good days you can cruise over 25 miles across |
| of reptiles and amphibians. For a country that only | | | | the lake. There might not be anything more |
| measures 51,060 square kilometers, this is a wide | | | | romantic when you're on vacation with the one |
| variety of natural wildlife. Costa Rica strives to | | | | you love than enjoying a horseback ride. Whether |
| maintain the land's natural beauty and wildlife by | | | | it's on the beach or through a National Park, the |
| designating one sixth of the country to national | | | | experience is sure to be memorable. Other |
| parks and wildlife refuges. Costa Rica is also home | | | | popular outdoor activities to be enjoyed while in |
| to several active volcanoes. Arenal erupts daily | | | | Costa Rica include hiking, mountain biking, deep |
| every fifteen minutes or so. The locals welcome | | | | sea fishing, bungee jumping, sailing, bird watching |
| foreigners with open arms making Costa Rica one | | | | and ballooning. More adventurous activities include |
| of the most desirable vacation and retirement | | | | repelling down through the center of waterfalls, |
| spots in the world. It is for these and other | | | | canopy tours through the tropical trees and white |
| reasons that a Costa Rica vacation cruise should | | | | water rafting. |