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Experiencing Monteverde Costa Rica

October 8th, 2009 No comments
by Janet K. Rustiford

When traveling in Costa Rica, you must make it a point to visit Monteverde. The town is tucked away high in the mountains and the views are incredible. Monteverde offers a variety of tours of things to see and do.

A tour that offers many thrills and chills is zip lining over the canopy. The staff will clip you onto the cable and send you flying across 600 meters of open space, you’ll be extremely high and will be able to see the canopy from above. Now, that is a great combination.

If you are avoiding adrenaline, try the suspended bridges. You can go to Selvatura and see the canopy in another very personal way. Up at Selvatura you can also experience the hummingbird garden. It is truly incredible something to be that close.

Costa Rica is known for having a lot of bio-diversity and every area of the country is different. Be sure to hike one of the two reserves in Monteverde. If you’ve got a good eye or ear you might see and hear toucans or monkeys.

If you want to learn about the forest while hiking, you can hire a guide for a private tour. With this option you will have a better chance at seeing animals. The guides are trained to know all about the cloud forest life.

In Santa Elena, which is one kilometer from Monteverde, there is a Frog Pond Exhibit. They have the famous Red Eyed Tree Frog and Poison Dart Frog. Inside, there are 28 different species of frogs.

For those who enjoy everything outdoors, try horseback riding with the company La Estrella. You can spend an hour, an afternoon or the day riding through the forest. The trails wind along the tops of the mountains. Be sure to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Nicoya.

After you have spent the day enjoying the tours, be sure to spoil yourself at one of the fine restaurants. Don Juan and Morphos are great choices and if you are looking for the local place, go to Donde Henry. As for desert, Stellas Bakery is where its at.

And the place to lay your head is a place literally in the trees. Hidden Canopy Tree House Hotel has four tree houses available. Treat yourself to their waterfall showers and be sure to catch the sunset on the patio.

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What To Do In Costa Rica

April 20th, 2009 No comments

Visiting Costa Rica for many people is the vacation of a lifetime. With some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, stunning nature and scenery, a fabulous culture and some of the most fun activities for you and your family it is difficult to choose the very best thing that you can do while you are in Costa Rica.

One special activity comes to mind, however, that will give you the thrill of your life while you are enjoying the spectacular natural beauty of this area. Ziplining is an adrenaline rush and is a sure way to liven up your trip. The Costa Rican Cloud Forest will provide you and your family with everything you need for a tremendous activity.

Santa Elena de Monteverde is located at 5000 feet above sea level, on CR’s Pacific Slope, in the province of Puntarenas. It boasts a very unique ecosystem that is home to a diverse range of endemic species of flora and fauna. It became well known in the early 90′s when National Geographic filmed in the area and featured the newly discovered cloud forest canopy. University student groups and biologists working out of research stations throughout the region continue to make new discoveries in this ecosystem.

A Monteverde zip line tour will introduce you to the amazing natural beauty of the cloud forest canopy from a bird’s eye view. Yep, you’ll be zipping from tree top to tree top in one of the most exciting tours of your life. Not only is this a thrill , but the majestic surroundings are absolutely breathtaking.

It is a perfectly safe activity. You’ll be wearing safety equipment that climbers use, and you’ll learn everything you need to know from the guides and instructors that will accompany you. Once you get the low-down, you can glide out over the forest and check out the life below.

You will reach new heights as the tour takes you from 20 feet above the forest floor to 80 feet. The views will change from open panoramas to lush vegetation. Regardless of how high above the forest floor you are, this tour will rock you to your soul.

Be sure to check this one out on your trip. If you don’t make it a point to soar through the canopy, you may just live to regret not having done so. But , then again, there’s always the next time you find the time for another trip.

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