Discovering The Caribbean Beaches Of Costa Rica

By now nearly everyone is sick of winter and thinking about some place warmer. Costa Rica is the destination of choice, in part, because of its reputation for being one of the most beautiful countries in the world and also because of its staggering diversity. This small Latin America country is only a couple of hours south of Florida, has spectacular tropical mountains, volcanoes, and some of the great beaches anywhere. Travelers come for its great surfing beaches, beach communities with daytime fun and adult nightlife, and deserted beaches where tropical mountains meet the shore.

Most tourists travel to the country's Pacific coast and never tour the unspoiled Caribbean beaches where the country got its name more than 500 years ago from an explorer we know as Christopher Columbus. Only a relative handful of travelers know about Columbus and even fewer walk the very same beach where he came ashore in 1503. Even if history bored you to death in school, it has to give you chills to imagine walking in the footsteps of history.

Do not be fooled. Columbus may have gotten here earlier but was not the last explorer. There are still new places for modern day explorers to discover for themselves. Costa Rica has nearly 400 miles of Caribbean shoreline. Its eastern coast is still largely undeveloped compared to the Pacific side of the country and has a unique Caribbean ambiance. This is Bob Marley country.

For an increasing number of ecotourists, their Costa Rica vacation includes a trip to Tortuguero National Park. This is a remote reserve along the northern Caribbean Coast, initially formed to protect the ancient green sea turtle nesting grounds. Today it has become the largest green marine turtle nesting beach on the planet. Tortuguero provides critical nesting areas over a 20 mile stretch of beaches for four of the seven sea turtle species and thousands of people go there annually to witness a real spectacle of nature.

Limon is typically the starting point to head north by boat or small aircraft to Tortuguero or along the Costa Rica Caribbean highway to great beaches south, including the beach where Columbus first landed. Limon is not a recommended vacation destination and is best thought of as the place to go north or south. Heading south will take you to Puerto Viejo. This little town is legendary for surfers and a favorite trip to Costa Rica. From November through April, it is often filled with surfers. The best-of-the-best head for the world-famous three-mile long La Salsa Brava wave. A short distance away beginners and intermediates can have lots of fun surfing at Playa Cocles.

About 25 miles south of Limon and a short distance north of Puerto Viejo is Cahuita, a very small, laid-back community with kilometer after kilometer of pristine beaches, some almost black and others pure white. September and October are the driest months of the year and visitors who come around October 12 take in Carnaval at Limon, a week-long fiesta celebrating Columbus Day. Cahuita is popular for its wonderful reef snorkeling around its two shipwrecks. Not a lot of nightlife here so head a few miles south to Puerto Viejo.

Finally, there is the Gandoco-Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve nearly at the Panama border. When Christopher Columbus discovered Costa Rica, this is where his boat landed. In this tropical paradise you will find crystal clear waters perfect for swimming and scuba diving. Or, if you like, snorkeling at Costa Rica's largest coral reefs. Not to mention, kayaking, hiking, and terrific wildlife viewing. The rare Tuxuci freshwater porpoise was discovered here just a few years ago and the rivers and lagoons are often teeming with fighting tarpon and snook.

So, leave the crowds behind, discover adventure on a great Caribbean Costa Rica vacation.