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BEACHES IN COSTA RICA
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COASTAL TREASURES
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It is no coincidence that Costa Rica means Rich Coast in Spanish. Mother Nature
has endowed the country with a virtual treasure trove of beaches, each one of
which has its own special charms. Those coastal jewels range from sheltered
coves where a crescent of white sand separates the verdure of the rainforest
from the ocean´s aquamarine waters, to long beaches washed by frothy surf
and lined with lanky coconut palms. Within that variety an natural exuberance
are the ingredients needed to fulfill every traveler´s tropical fantasy.
Countless stretches of sun-swathed sand await you on Costa Rica´s 762
miles of sinuous coastline, spread between the Pacific and Caribbean. Most of
those beaches are backed by forests that contain a myriad of rare flora and
fauna, while submerged off some lie such marine wonders as intricate coral formations
and kaleidoscopes of brightly colored tropical fish. And in addition to their
own attractions, many of those beaches can serve as your base for such varied
activities as whiter water river rafting, horseback riding, deep sea fishing,
skin diving and other outdoor adventures. The nation´s tradition of hospitality
is complemented by a modern transportation system and a cornucopia of coastal
accomodations to ensure comfortable beach vacations for all.
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NORTH PACIFIC OPULENCE
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No region represents Costa Rica´s coastal opulence better
than the Northwestern province of Guanacaste. The driest part
of the country, Guanacaste is a popular destination among sun
worshippers of all types. Its beaches run the gamut, from pristine
coves set deep within the wilderness of a national park, to modern
resorts complete with four-star hotels, gourmet restaurants and
charter boats equipped for sportfishing and other aquatic adventures.
Guanacaste´s wind-swept beaches, separated by rocky bluffs
and backed by patches of tropical dry forest, evoke what southern
California´s coastline might have looked like a century
ago. But unlike California, the forests of Guanacaste are home
for troops of howler monkeys and flocks of parrots.
Stretching south from Costa Rica´s boarder with Nicaragua,
down the western edge of the Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste´s
coast is divided by rocky points into dozens of beaches. Those
on the Santa Rosa Peninsula are wild and isolated, visited only
by adventurous nature lovers, dedicated surfers, and nesting sea
turtles. The Gulf of Papagayo, to the South of that peninsula,
features more accesible beaches, many of which slope down into
the tranquil waters of Culebra Bay.
The bay´s calm and crystaline
waters offer excellent conditions for swimming, skin diving, windsurfing
and other aquatic diversions. Some of the country´s newest
luxury hotels overlook Culebra Bay from such beaches as Hermosa
and Panama.
Playa del Coco, the region´s principal port and a colorful
little fishing town, is set in a deep cove with a long beach of
dark sand and calm waters, while Ocotal, to the south, lies in
a similar but considerably smaller bay.
If you follow the coast south from the Gulf fo Papagayo, the beaches become
more exposed the Pacific´s whims, which means the sea can resemble a swimming
pool one week and raise waves large enough to please expert surfers the next.
At such serene spots as beaches Pan
de Azucar, Potrero, Brasilito and Conchal,
you won´t have to share the beach with crowds of tourists, since relatively
few accomodations complement the coastal beauty there. Playa
Flamingo´s white sand beach is attractive enough to justify the
handful of hotels that overlook it, but the modern fleet of charter boats docked
in its marina are as much of a draw for many people. One of Guanacaste´s
major sportfishing spots, Flamingo provides anglers access to some of the best
sail an marlin fishing in the world, and is consequently the site of an annual
sailfish tournament.
Tamarindo,
to the south, features a long swath fo fine packed sand backed by the best selection
of hotels and restaurants available in the region. A popular spot among surfers,
Tamarindo has several equally impressive beaches nearby, such as Playa Grande,
an important sea turtle nesting beach, an Junquillal, a long stretch of sand
bordered by forest with accommodations of its own. As you head south from there,
the roads get rougher and the hotels grow scarcer, but the scenery doesn´t
suffer in the least a bit. Nosara is a spectacular spot that combines the charms
of long, empty beaches with the wildlife that inhabits patches of rare tropical
dry forest. Such beaches as Garza, Carrillo
and Islita
offer similar combinations of coastal and sylvan beauty, while the pale, hard-packed
sand of Sámara
is complemented by a wider selection of accommodations, and is a little easier
reach.
Turning towards the Gulf of Nicoya you will find laid-back Montezuma
and Tambor
featuring a variety of hotels for all tastes and budgets.
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