By Tom Crosby
 Costa Rica is a small mountainous country in Central America with tree lined tropical beaches whose warmth is exceeded only by the friendly people.
Spectacular birds and flowers whose intense colors rival those of erupting volcanoes fly everywhere, activities range from zip lines, whitewater rafting and surfing to sport fishing and golf, and more than a thousand lodging options exist to choose from, including everything from cozy bed and breakfasts to luxury five-diamond hotels with hot springs and spacious spas.
Zipping Above Costa Rica:
A Personal Account of a Costa Rican Adventure
By Kathy Kundla
It was the sixth day of my garden tour in Costa Rica, and I was ready for a physical challenge on the canopy zipline. I was traveling with Costa Rica Tours Ltd., a preferred tour operator of AAA Carolinas, in March 2008. Our group of 15 had already seen many of the country’s thousand varieties of orchids at the National Orchid Show in the capital city of San Jose. We had been to Lankester Botanical Garden to walk among the vast collection of tropical plants, to the butterfly garden at La Paz Waterfall Garden, Else Kientzler Gardens, Tabacon Hot Springs, Arenal Volcano and to the nation’s Tropical Agricultural Center. We had eaten great food and gotten to know and enjoy each other.
The offer of an optional zipline canopy tour seemed a proper counterpoint to sightseeing. Four other women my age signed up to join me on a zipline canopy tour of the rainforest. The others in our group opted for a rainforest hike on trails and multiple suspension bridges, but we were looking forward to experiencing an exhilarating, unique way to view the flora and fauna of the rain forest.
The zipline over the canopy originated in Costa Rica when scientists researching the rainforest canopy decided it would be a more efficient way to travel from tree to tree. Since then, the canopy zipline has expanded to other locations in Costa Rica as well as other tropical countries.
Our adventure started with an extensive safety lecture from our head guide. Then we were outfitted with helmets, harnesses that went around our waists and thighs, and something that looked like a portion of a thick leather glove with which to hold the line itself in order to control our speed and be able to stop at each platform.
As we climbed up the tower to a large viewing platform about 40 feet off the ground, we were told by the guide that there were 11 more platforms and anyone could opt out at the third platform and meet the rest of the group at the end. We were ready to get started, and my friends insisted that I go first, so after my harness was securely attached to the cable, I soared through the air like an eagle. Wow, it felt as if I was flying! I enjoyed the views of monkeys, sloths, exotic birds, and beautiful waterfalls in valleys hundreds of feet below me. Because of the speed of the ride, I momentarily forgot what I needed to do, which was to hold down on the cable hard enough with my hand to slow myself down before reaching the second platform. Fortunately, there was a large knot on the line to stop me with a bone-numbing jerk.
Trying to show I was a quick learner, before the next platform, I slowed down too soon and stopped half way to the platform and had to turn myself around and pull hand over hand on the cable until arriving there. Whew!
At platform four I was determined not to stop too soon and therefore approached it too quickly. My long legs swung out, and I nicked a tree with one knee. Looking down at my slightly scraped knee, I then looked back and discovered that my four buddies had opted to stop at platform three, and I was on my own with the rest of the group!
In response to my hasty arrival, the head guide spoke rapidly in Spanish to the other guides concerning my inability to control my speed. He must have decided I needed some assistance on the next especially steep traverse to the next platform, so he hooked on to the wire directly behind me on the cable, and held my line to stop me if necessary. What a relief! I did a few more short traverses on my own, but most of the time I was accompanied by my ever-present protector. Arriving at the twelfth platform I experienced a warm homecoming with my friends, who avidly cheered me for my courage and fortitude.
How’s that for a 63-year-old lady? |
Bio-diversity
Costa Rica’s stunning scenic heritage unfolds in an ever- changing panorama of steaming volcanoes, forested mountains, dramatic skies and bucolic countryside. Dark lowland jungles give away to rolling savannas; Pacific surf crashes against rocky headlines in sharp contrast to the tranquility of palm-fringed Caribbean-style beaches.
Costa Ricans peaceful beauty and natural treasures today attract tens of thousands of visitors annually.
Located in the tropical latitudes, between the giant biological influences of North and South America and bordered by two oceans, mountainous Costa Rica enjoys 6% of the world’s bio-diversity in climates and environmental regions with twelve major life zones harboring an astounding amount of plant and animal life.
Volcanoes
Costa Rica's’ nine active volcanoes vividly remind visitors of the awesome power contained in the earth’s thin mantle. At Irazu Volcano, the desolate landscape looks like the surface of the moon. Anyone peering into Poas Mammoth crater with its boiling sulfurous lake, is reminded just how tenuous is man’s supposed dominion over the world. Arenal, the most active of all Costa Rica’s volcanoes, booms and rumbles with an unnerving consistency and its nocturnal pyrotechnics have struck awe in the hearts of thousand of observers. Nearby are the popular Tabacon Hot Springs of Lake Arenal.
Forests
The forests on the upper slopes of Costa Rica’s mountains and volcanoes are frequently draped in mist and clouds. Algae, mosses and lichens get a foothold on the (constantly) wet surfaces, providing a place for orchids, bromeliads, fern and innumerable plants to cling to.
So prolific is this “epiphytic” growth in the cloud forest that bare branches are virtually non-existent
Rainforest
In the foothills and lowlands of both slopes, Costa Rica’s rainforests harbor thousands of known life forms. They are among the last strongholds of bio-diversity on earth. Resonating with the songs of birds, at dawn the rainforest is quiet; in the heat of the day, its stillness punctuated by the insect-like call of poison dart frogs, the rasping of cicadas or the whistled notes of wrens and antbirds. The dark, cool interior of the primary rainforest is surprisingly free of (entangling) vegetation. Walking in the rainforest is like taking a step back in time. Bizarre and colorful insects, vast numbers of flowering trees, shrubs and plants in every color of the rainbow, are all part of the infinitely rewarding experience with tropical nature. Zip lines dangle over deep valleys as adventurous tourists slide down them, awed by the activity in the forest canopy.
Coast
Those who venture beneath the seas, will find Costa Rica’s oceans teeming with fish and countless other creatures of the deep. White water rafting on Costa Rica’s wild and scenic rivers is one of the most popular adventure sports in the country. World champions have called Costa Rica’s Lake Arenal one of the globe’s top five windsurfing spots.
From anywhere in the county, the warm surf is only a few hours away. The northwest Pacific Coast offers scuba diving in a magnificent setting throughout the year, with more than 20 local dive sites, many in the Gulf of Papagayo. Huge schools of fish are the norm and Jacks, Moray Eels, White-tipped Sharks, Eagle Rays and Pufferfish are commonly observed.
Sport Fishing
Costa Rica’s rich marine life also means excellent sport fishing. Along the Pacific Coast, from the Gulf of Papoagayo all the way to Golfito, anglers find some of the vest blue water and inshore fishing in the world.
Costa Rica’s has more than 621 miles of beautiful beaches along the shoreline; each has beauty and character all of its own, in every hue and texture. Many beaches are wild and undeveloped; others have cabins to rent or small hotels with typical Costa Rican style.
Flowers
Thousands of varieties of orchids are found in the country, and tropical plants are on display at the Lankaster Gardens and butterflies inhabit a garden near the La Paz Waterfall. The Tropical Agricultural Center provides an educational snapshot of the country’s agrarian culture – all popular spots for AAA Carolina’s tour partners, like Tauck Bridges, Adventures by Disney and Costa Rica Tours Limited.
Eco-activity
Costa Rica is the ideal spot for mountain biking, with its mountainous terrain and thousands of miles of highways, byways and forest trails. Horseback riding in Costa Rica can take you along beaches, country roads, through pastures and along forest trails.
National Parks are ideal for trekking, although you definitely need a guide if you plan to venture away from well-marked trails.
The spontaneous hospitality of the Costa Rican people can make your vacation extra special. To “Ticos”, a smiling face and helping hand to friends, both old and new, is almost second nature. |
