Costa Rica eco tourism takes many forms, is enjoyed or experienced in different ways, affects people differently, and provides different societal consequences-some obvious, some not. In fact, the word “eco tourism” means different things to different people.

For many travelers, Costa Rica eco tourism is about enjoying and experiencing Costa Rica’s biological diversity. This little country comprises only about 1/10,000 of the world’s land surface (the size of West Virginia) yet, unbelievably, nearly one of every five species of plant and animal on the globe are found in Costa Rica. The country has more kinds of butterflies than in all of the countries on the entire African continent put together. Costa Rica has recorded almost 900 different kinds of birds, nearly as many as are in the continental United States. The world’s largest Green Sea Turtle preserve has been created off the Caribbean Coast at Tortuguero National Park. 35% of the world’s different species of whales and porpoises (cetaceans) are found in its offshore waters. Humpback whales from Antarctica travel thousands of miles north to Costa Rica every year while Arctic humpbacks swim thousands of miles south to the very same waters. For that reason, Costa Rica has the longest humpback viewing season anywhere. Corcovado National Park is just 20 miles long and some 8 miles wide but, according to National Geographic, is “the most biologically intense place” on the globe. Tens of thousands of persons visit Costa Rica annually to see or experience these kinds of things. I call them “vacation eco tourists.”

But, Costa Rica eco tourism is more diverse than Costa Rica whale watching, or a Costa Rica photography tour, scuba diving off magnificent Cocos Island, or hiking lovely jungle trails to waterfalls. And, few places exemplify that diversity of eco tourism experience better than the Tirimbina Rainforest Center. I bet you never heard of it.

The Tirimbina Rainforest Center sits on about 345 hectares, or 850 acres, of primary rain forest. This is the original rain forest that covered 99% of Central America when Christopher Columbus explored its Caribbean coast in 1502. Indeed, when you visit primary rain forest you will literally see trees that have been around since Columbus’ es time. Unfortunately, over the following five centuries, burning and logging decimated most of the Central American rain forests. Today, only vestiges of this important resource remain.

The Tirimbina Rainforest Center’s life story goes back to 1960 when a fellow named Robert Hunter arrived in Costa Rica from the U.S. to work for the Inter-American Institute for Science and Agriculture. He bought the land today occupied by the Center and set about preserving it. Mr. Hunter invited other scientists and researchers to visit. One of those researchers was Dr. Allen Young of the Milwaukee Public Museum, an internationally known and acclaimed expert on rain forests and cacao cultivation. He, and others like him, who have visited the Center over the last 40 years belong to a distinct group I like to think of as “research eco tourists.”

Dr. Young ’s fascination with Tirimbina carried over to the Milwaukee Public Museum itself. In 1986, it created a permanent exhibit about the tropical rain forest that it called “Exploring Life on Earth.” Over the next several decades hundreds of thousands of children, men, and women visited the Tirimbina exhibit as “virtual eco tourists” and their increasing awareness of the importance–and fragility-of rain forests have contributed to tropical forest preservation demands by the public. The Museum bought the Tirimbina Rainforest Center and managed it until its 2006 sale to a Milwaukee nonprofit called the Pura Vida Foundation. Today, the Center belongs to a Costa Rica nonprofit organization, the Asociacion Tirimbina Para La Conservacion, Investigacion y Educacion.

Should you be interested in conservation and eco tourism I recommend visiting the Tirimbina Rainforest Center if you are: (a) A “tropical research eco tourist.” The Center is a working rain forest research site with many national and international projects. For 30 years, doctorate research, graduate studies, and museum related projects have taken place there as well; (b) An undergraduate looking for a unique study abroad opportunity. Recently, Ball State University of Indianapolis announced a new Study Abroad in Costa Rica program that will be at the Tirimbina Rainforest Center starting Spring Semester 2010. Students will get college credits and live with local families. Modeled after two very popular Ball State study abroad programs in London and Australia, it will have a uniquely Costa Rica flavor. Each participant will be a “student eco tourist”‘; or (c) Looking to see or visit a working tropical forest research center that also hosts family activities and educational projects like hiking through primary rain forest (there are five miles of trails); a frog tour; a bird tour; a bat tour; even a chocolate tour. There is an aerial tram tour and boat tour as well plus a great number of optional activities (visit the Tirimbina Rainforest Center website for a list). Accommodations and a restaurant are on site for “family ecotourists” who want to stay overnight or for several days.

Though it has been known by the scientific community for over 40 years, Tirimbina Rainforest Center is visited by only about 8,000 Costa Rica eco tourists a year. Until now, its existence has been almost a secret, but no more. If you are planning a Costa Rica vacation, give this place serious consideration.

Cocos Island is one of the treasures of the planet. The famous Jacques Cousteau called this Costa Rica island the most beautiful island he had ever explored, Costa Ricans have declared this little national park one of its Seven Wonders, and it is being considered as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The island is some 340 miles off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Though it is a very small island, only about nine square miles, its fame today comes from its underwater treasure. It is one of the truly great places in the world for scuba diving, considered by some to be the best place in the world for large marine animal viewing. The island sometimes has so many sharks around it that it has been known as Shark Island. There are an incredible number of species of tuna, rays, sharks, and other fish, as well as sea turtles, porpoises, and whales. Hammerhead sharks are common and some of the largest Hammerheads ever reported were seen off this island.

The island has long been famous for pirates, real and imagined. Some people think that it served as inspiration for Robert Lewis Stevenson’s famous adventure Treasure Island but real pirates often sailed to it to get away from the English fleet and to bury treasure. In fact to this day two great treasures, called the Devonshire Treasure and the Lima Treasure, may still be buried there. How big are they? Think hundreds of millions of dollars.

It also fired the imagination of Michael Crichton whose world famous Jurassic Park is set off the coast of Costa Rica.

The island is uninhabited except for a few Costa Rica park rangers who are stationed there to protect its waters from poaching. For centuries its isolation protected the island’s rainforest and undersea creatures from destruction .

Only a few lucky people get to visit Cocos and if you want to go ashore, you will need previous permission from the rangers. Overnight camping is forbidden. But, no matter. As you walk the shores, looking out over the great Pacific, your imagination can soar. You’ll be walking the very shores that famous pirates hid buried treasure and you will not be alone. It is almost as if some of the stones themselves can talk for you are going to find rocks and boulders bearing the inscriptions of past sailors who left their moment of history behind, writing their names, the names of their ships and ports of call, even the dates. Sailors, long gone but not forgotten by the rocks. Like Kilroy, they were here.

Costa Rica is a very small Central American country bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south. Many who visit find a tropical paradise. It got its name 600 years ago by Christopher Columbus who, when he landed along its Caribbean coast was so enraptured he named the place ‘Costa Rica’ or the ‘Rich Coast’.

Costa Rica is a stable democracy and, along with Switzerland, only one of two countries in the world without a military. With two international airports and an ever-growing tourism infrastructure, it is a great place to visit. There are many things to do and see and the country is particularly famous for its flora and fauna.

Though folks from around the world enjoy Costa Rica tourism, 40% of its tourists come from the United States. That country’s economic problems have proven challenging to Costa Rica tourism, which has been struggling. But, of course, every challenge creates an opportunity and now may be exactly the time to travel Costa Rica. You will find cheap airfares and some terrific travel and accommodation bargains. The Costa Rica government is trying to stimulate tourism from the Costa Rica Institute of Tourism (ICT) website which contains discount coupons. Google ‘visitcostarica.com/crplus’ and look for yourself but remember: there are hundreds of hotels, spas, resorts, and other places that will also give you a discount—–but you need to ask!

For many, Costa Rica is particularly famous for its plants and animals. Though tiny, only about the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica boasts one of every five species of plant and animal on the planet. There are more kinds of butterflies than on the entire African continent. Little Costa Rica has almost as many different kinds of birds as in the continental United States and only about 100 fewer species than in all of Europe. The diversity is simply staggering. You are going to find fascinating tropical rainforests, spectacular cloudforests, beautiful beaches and rugged coastlines along two tropical oceans. It even has a teeny, teeny park, just half the size of New York City, which National Geographic calls ‘the most biologically intense place’ on earth. Hundreds of kinds of birds, six species of wild cats (including the mighty jaguar and puma), reptiles, amphibians, and (yes!) insects galore in a staggering array of primary rainforest only 20 miles long and 8 miles wide.

You will also find some the world’s most famous volcanoes here. Arenal Volcano is a tourist hotspot, with resorts built around hot springs where you can loll in luxury, drink a margarita, and perhaps watch the fabulous eruptions of this volcano. There is also Irazu, just outside San Jose. Here, on the day in 1963 that John F. Kennedy visited Costa Rica, a monstruous eruption greeted the President—I like to think of it as a salute. And, only here on a clear day can you drive to the top of its summit, look into its crater, then look west and see the Pacific Ocean, or look east and see the Atlantic ocean. Or, look at both of them at the same time! This ain’t Dubuque!

Do not forget Costa Rica’s Seven Wonders, chosen by Ticos themselves. Two great volcanoes: mighty Arenal Volcano and spectacular Poas Volcano near San Jose International. World famous for its ecotourism is Monteverde Cloudforest Reserve with its great plant and animal diversity—including its spectacular orchids! Hop a boat for a get-away to magnificent Cocos Island (300 miles off the coast), described as the “most beautiful island in the world” by Jacques Cousteau, a famous pirate island with millions of dollars of still-missing buried treasure, and the best large animal diving anywhere. The tallest mountain in Central America is called Mount Chirripo where you will hike from tropical forests to glacial lakes. Unknown to most folks is the Rio Celeste (Celestial River) where the river changes, literally and almost magically, from crystal clear to sky-blue in front of your eyes. And, for real nature lovers, there is remote Tortuguero National Park along the Caribbean coast, the world’s largest protected area for green sea turtles and waters teeming with great sportfish.

Costa Rica has no shortage of things to do. With nearly 800 miles of coastline on two tropical oceans, Costa Rica beaches are simply stunning, among the most beautiful in the world. Close to Liberia International Airport along the northwest Pacific coast, are spectacular beaches and lots of developments catering to western tourists. The Caribbean coast is far less developed and has a completely different aura: this is Bob Marley country. Wherever you go, whether on the Pacific or Caribbean sides, you will find mile after mile of sand beaches, white sand, brown sand, black sand, or rugged deserted beaches.

In Costa Rica there are activities to suit just about everyone. While you can go in for the extreme sports, many people take part in swimming, cycling or sunbathing, all pastimes which are particular popular for tourists to Costa Rica. Costa Rica is also famous for having some of the best tropical golf courses in the world. And, if that is not enough, here are a few more things to do to keep you busy during the days: 1. Fish the deep sea for marlin (I recently fought a 450 pounder before releasing it), sailfish, huge tarpon, snook, and dozens of other varieties. 2. Surf! Don’t know how? Go to surf school. 3. Raft or kayak in some of the world’s best whitewater or leisurely raft a tropical river with the kids. 4. Sail or take a dinner cruise. 5. Windsurf at Lake Arenal, considered the second best place in the world. 6. Defy death and bungee jump into deep canyons or at night. 7. Take an ecotour 8. Zipline 80 feet up the air through tropical forests. 9. Become a bullfighter. But beware that in Costa Rica the bulls cannot be harmed, anybody can jump into the ring with these critters, and you can buy insurance just before you take your life into your hands. 10. Take a horseback ride in the mountains, along the beaches, or even across the entire country. 11. Take a hot air balloon ride or go hang gliding. 12. Become a canyoneer and rappel tropical waterfalls. 13. Take a train ride—in a genuine Swiss train to a genuine Swiss mountain hotel or from San Jose to the beach. 14. Visit a tiny park, Corcovado, only half the size of NYC but the most biologically intense place on earth. 15. Scuba dive or skin dive in a Caribbean marine park at the largest coral reef in the country. 16. Watch whales (Costa Rica has the world’s longest whale-watching season). Wonder at the sea turtles as they have nested since the days of dinosaurs. 17. Enjoy tropical gardens or tour plantations where the finest coffee in the world is grown. 18. Hike, bike, rent motorcycles or ATVs. 19. Take a walk on the wild-side into the crater of an active volcano. 20. Tour an African wildlife park. 21. Take a photography tour. 22. Go on a volunteer vacation. Enough ideas? I have more!

The capital is definitely worth a visit too. At night, San Jose and most of the beach communities provide lots of adult entertainment. Restaurants, theatres, cinemas, bars, nightclubs (many, very adult in tone and tenor), gambling, and beautiful women—what happens here, stays here. And for lesbians and gays, there are an increasing number of places to go and things to do as well.

Without a doubt, Costa Rica is a beautiful, spectacular country and a premier tourist destination. Most people, though, have never heard of its natural gem, Corcovado National Park. This teeny park covers only 100,000 acres (about 42,000 hectares) of the Osa Peninsula, situated along the south Pacific coast of Costa Rica, and protects eight unique habitats. It is unlike almost anywhere else on the planet and the largest remaining primary forest in Central America.

In 1502, Christopher Columbus explored the Americas along the Caribbean from Mexico south to a land he called Costa Rica, the rich coast (you may have heard the name!). Spectacular, verdant tropical forests covered the lands from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Wildlife was incredibly abundant back then. Indeed, there were so many sea turtles that mariners, lost in the fog, relied upon the sounds of tens of thousands of them paddling towards nesting beaches to find land. The passing of five centuries has been unkind to both the forests and animals and today most of the primary forests from Mexico to South America have been cut down or burned. Fortunately, Costa Rica showed good sense and preserved Corcovado.

Columbus never saw Corcovado. The first Western explorer to see it was Sir Frances Drake (remember him? The sea captain who destroyed the Spanish Armada in 1588 and saved England from Spain) who landed just north of the Osa Peninsula in a beautiful place now named after him: Drake Bay. The bay serves as the gateway to Corcovado.

Do not be misled by the tiny size of this gem. Though it is less than 160 square miles in size (your daily commute is probably larger) this national park protects has been described by National Geographic as ‘the most biologically intense place’ on the planet. There are 400 species of birds in an area only about 20 miles long and 8 miles wide. How intense is this? Consider. The continental United States—48 States—has 900 or so different species. The largest remaining population of magnificent Scarlet Macaws in Central America lives there, some 1000. Visitors are regularly able to watch these birds in flight or feeding near the shoreline. The mangrove swamps, montane forest and jolillo palms of Corcovado provide a home for 139 different species of mammal and 116 species of amphibian and reptile. The mammals (including six species of wild cats) represent a 10th of the species of mammals still alive in the Americas and are supported on only 0.000101777% of the landmass.

If you like frogs (and who does not?) then visiting this national park will be a rare treat. There are species of poison-arrow, glass, and re-eyed tree frogs which make this park their home. It is one of just a couple of places in Costa Rica to find squirrel monkeys, and visitors are able to watch fishing bats fish the rivers of the reserve at night. At one time you could also find the harpy eagle in Corcovado, however, it has not been see for a number of years and is believed to be extinct in the area.

The seemingly deserted beaches of the park provide a nesting ground for four species of sea turtle and because of the large tapir population jaguars and crocodiles also inhabit this area. They prefer to hunt around the edges of the Corcovado Lagoon and are often sighted. The footprints of this large carnivorous cat are often found in the mud trails which surround the lagoon.

This is rainforest so expect precipitation, lots of it—200 inches or more a year. The trees, incredible in their diversity, are as tall as any found in the Amazon, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and it is easy to see why the park is often referred to as the Amazon of Costa Rica. The best time to visit is in the dry months from January to April as the park is inundated by torrential rains from April to December.

Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, world-famous for its beaches, tropical mountains, and volcanoes. Beaches in Costa Rica are unbeatable in their beauty. There are white, brown, and black sand beaches, coral beaches, and rugged boulder strewn beaches with magnificent surf, along two oceans.

The Caribbean beaches were first discovered and explored by Christopher Columbus, who was so taken that he named his discovery Costa Rica, the rich coast. The Spanish were soon followed by English sea captains like Sir Francis Drake (he is the same fellow who defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588). Indeed, Drake Bay along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica is named for this captain who docked there on his explorations.

Despite the passage of centuries, there is still a lot for visitors to discover. The Caribbean coast is far less developed and has a very different ambience from the Pacific. Think reggae and Bob Marley. Tortuguero National Park is a remote, world famous nesting site for green sea turtles. Sportsman from around the world come here for some of the best tarpon (and other) fishing on the globe. The Pacific Coast is far more popular with tourists and expats alike and an enormous number of attractions keep people coming year after year.

Costa Rica is developing a great, world-class tourism infrastructure. The country has year-round warm weather and waters, two coasts, and access to virtually limitless nearby attractions. Only in Costa Rica can you drive to the top of a volcano and see the Atlantic—and the Pacific—at the same time. There are, literally, hundreds and hundreds of beaches for you to choose from, all just a few hours from San Jose, the country’s largest city.

You could spend years trying to discover the beauty of all the beaches in Costa Rica but, even then that may not be enough time. So, my recommendation for first timers is the Nicoya Peninsula on the north Pacific coast. It is filled with stunning beaches and you will probably have a hard time deciding which is your favorite.

One of the more famous beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula is Playa Grande. It is said to be haunted by the spirits of an ancient people because it is situated on the site of their burial ground. It is a great beach for surfing, and there is camping in the area, though you may find some clothing optional folks.

Because there are so many intriguing and scenic beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula it would be difficult for us to name them all in this short space. If you are interested in great beaches and an active nightlife, I recommend trying Jaco (very popular with the younger set) or Tamarindo (more upscale).

Regardless of which beach you choose, whether Tamarindo, Flamingo, Conchal, Tambor, or some beach without a name, if you enjoy beach life, a wonderful experience is awaiting you. Some of the beaches are easy to reach by car or bus. Others require more unconventional means, like flying into nearby areas or boating or even hiking. But the trouble of getting to them makes the stay all that much more worthwhile.

If you are looking for information on where to go and what to do in Cuba this might be a good place to start. This charming Caribbean Island certainly has everything you need for fantastic holidays to Cuba and there are options to please the most discerning traveler.

Cuba being the largest of the Caribbean Island it is favourite over other Caribbean destinations. The fact is that there is so much to do and see that even 2 week holidays are not enough to get to know the Island.

Guardalavaca in the eastern part of Cuba should be considered as number one option for those looking for just relaxation on a beach resort. It is not too commercialized as perhaps other beach locations in Cuba and it is definitely one of the best places for snorkeling in Cuba.

Interested in Nature? Well then you have to explore the mountains, valleys and rivers of Cuba. Pinar del Rio area, Escambray Mountain and Sierra Maestra are the richest in terms of natural attributes.

Baracoa in the eastern most part of Cuba is one of the most charismatic villages in Cuba from the Spanish Colonial Times. Its mountainous surroundings make it also ideal for those who enjoy direct contact with nature.

Havana without a doubt should not be left out in your visit. This city represents the main interaction with the Cuban culture. Havana?s Old Town is one of its best assets. You can find life music almost in every corner and every square.

You can put together as many locations as it make sense depending on your on time and travel distances in between places. Of course the budget is determinant in deciding what to see. Cuba is a large island and sometimes you have to travel 6 hours on the road to go from A to B and that comes at a high price.

Cuba has accumulated in the last 4 centuries a wealth of history and character. Especially in the last 50 years after the triumph of Castro?s revolution in 1959. Some consider it all might change soon so my advice is to start planning your holidays sooner rather than later.

Death Valley is known for being one of the harshest locations in the USA. It’s hot, it’s barren and it certainly wasn’t the location of the gold mine that was supposedly there and funding the construction of Albert Mussey Johnson’s vacation retreat. There wasn’t a gold mine, even though Johnson had invested in one.

Walter Scott was a miner, a dreamer and apparently a scammer to boot. He convinced Mr. Johnson to invest in the gold mine in Death Valley. It was probably going along just fine (with Scott getting his money from the investment) until Mr. Johnson decided to visit. He thought a tour of the mine would be a good idea. It was hard to do since there wasn’t a mine to see.

Mr. Johnson and his wife liked Walter Scott, even after the knowledge that there was no mine. Mr. Johnson became enamored by Death Valley and with the encouragement of his wife built a vacation retreat. Although the retreat was actually named Death Valley Ranch it became known as Scotty’s Castle.

The alure of seeing the retreat built by the “richest gold miner in California” was a huge attraction to the rich and famous. They came to see just what that type of money could buy. Mr. Johnson never told that there was no mine. It would have taken some of the charm away from the retreat to know it was built with money he had earned in other ventures and not the mine.

Today there are tours of the castle for anyone that wants to see it. There are interactive displays, living history exhibits and other displays inside the house. There are guided tours available daily on the hour.

The second tour available for you while you are at the castle is of the underground area. It shows you the technology used to provide electricity to the castle. There is a 1/4 mile tunnel system that runs under the castle that you will be able to see.

Thanks for the National Park Service the castle is maintained for people to visit. Technology from the past and present are both used in the lower level of the castle to keep it functioning as it should. You will enjoy the tour and the history of the castle.