Spend Your Vacations at Costa Rica

If one is looking to spend their vacation at an ideal tourist destination spot, then they needn't go further. Costa Rica in the region of Central America with its tropical paradise is an amazing destination for those who are looking to laze around and take in the warm tropical climate. The literal translation of Costa Rica is the "Gold Coast" and was the first county to remove its army as stated in its constitution. Tourism in this part of Latin America is rampant as tourism is responsible for earning even more foreign exchange than the export of its coffee and bananas.

Tourism in Costa Rica has gained importance since it does contribute a lot towards the countries economy. It is the best place for those who love the environment and are "green minded". This is the reason why Eco tourism in Costa Rica is very popular and the main sites that tourists love to visit are the national parks and the protected areas. Costa Rica believes in preserving and conserving their forests, this is one of their most unique feature that's constantly being promoted. This eco tourism promotion has proved fruitful and many tourist rush to this county to gape at the luxurious habitat that can be found in the forests. The wide varieties of species that thrive in these forests are what tourist come to see, as they are unique and cannot be found elsewhere.

Apart from the beautiful eco setting and climates, Costa Rica Vacations is also attractive to tourists because of its pristine beaches, volcanoes that are active, tropical forests, mountain settings and activities like canopy zip lining, surfing, bird watching, hiking and fishing. No wonder with so much to offer, tourists find this country very interesting and exciting to spend their vacation.

Costa Rica Vacation is abundant in flora and fauna and is also home to a rich diversity of animals and plants. With 5% of the entire world's biodiversity and almost 25% of its land that are protected areas and protected national parks one can surely be charmed by its beauty and richness. The Corcovado National Park is one of the world's renowned national parks and is well known among ecologists. Its biodiversity is fascinating and also includes tapirs and other big cats. It is one national park where all the four species of monkey's can be found. The other national park that's worth mentioning is the Tortuguero National Park which houses the howler, variety of spiders, three toed sloth variety of reptiles as well as 320 species of birds.

Other activities that an adventurists can enjoy doing at their Costa Rica vacations is horseback riding, hiking through its rainforests, cycling through its trails, white water rafting in its wild waters and water sports like snorkeling, diving, fishing, surfing etc are just a few of the several activities that one can engage themselves in. Sport Fishing in all of Costa Rica vacation and is the best in the entire world. The Pacific side of the ocean has vast fishing grounds where one can fish for Snapper, Wahoo, Tuna and more. One can also indulge in adventure sports like bungee jumping, ballooning and canopy tours. With its extensive landscapes, Costa Rica also sports several golf courses that are world class like the Valle del Sol, Los Defines etc.

It is surely an exciting place to spend ones vacation in.

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Whales Vacations In Costa Rica

The whales of the world come from the Artic and Antarctic to a huge shelf off the Southern Pacific Coast called "the Dome". Why the Dome? In this area low-oxygen cold waters well up through shallow warm waters, creating a rich eco-system and marine life. The humpback takes leave of his cold Antarctic home, traveling over 11,000 miles for a romantic vacation in these warm waters from July to November. Those whales living in the Arctic take leave to the warmer waters off Costa Rica during October to April. The real purpose of both groups is romance and making babies.

Up to 35% of all whale and porpoise species, around 25 varieties, are found in these warmer waters. The largest of all whales is the Blue Whale. This whale has been hunted to almost extinction with about 5% remaining since 50 years ago. Humpbacks seem to be the majority whale to be seen in this area and their numbers are down to 10,000. Pilot, Sperm, Pygmy and False Killer whales are also to be seen here. What is surprising to me is to think that the Humpback whales come from two divergent places, the Artic and Antarctic, two cultures of Humpback whales to meet, romance and mate. The meeting time and place seems to be heightened in October and November. The dance and songs begin.

Literally, a symphony of whale songs begins. Each year they are different, maybe changing their tune to attract a more beautiful female. This call of the ocean can be heard for 1000 miles away. The two hemispheres have their own unique songs, but surprisingly they are similar to the prior year's but also different and exceedingly complex. Each consists of grunts, squeaks and hauntingly beautiful sounds. It seems the males only sing their songs in the warm waters off the Ballena/OSA coasts.

Mating takes place and the calves are born off the coast of Cao Island, some 18 miles from the mouth of the Sierpe River. At 4000 birth pounds, a baby consumes more milk in one day than a human in one year. Weight gain is significant at up to 200 pounds in one day. The babies and mother do not feed on marine life in the Costa Rican waters. Mother subsists on her own blubber and looses a great deal of weight during this nursing season. During this summer in Costa Rican waters, mother and baby may be seen with a male escort and mothers can be seen teaching her baby to breach fully out of the water. The mother and baby will spend about a year together and finally separate when the baby has grown to 8-10 meters.

In an effort to preserve this magnificent creature, the Costa Rican Government created in 2008, a presidential executive order, to create a whale and porpoise sanctuary in all its waters. The whale species are critically endangered and all that can be done must be done to preserve these extraordinary creatures.

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