What’s HOT in Costa Rica Travel – 2010

[Catalina_Cuervo]

What’s been hot this year in Costa Rica? As a travel planner here I wanted to take a moment to share with you my list of “What’s Hot” in travel these days.

It’s been a great year for some new tours, including the adventure sport of Canyoneering. Canyoneering is a sport that’s become popular all over the world. It has now found its way to Costa Rica. Imagine rappelling down a series of breathtaking waterfalls in the rain forest, some plunging over 150 feet into crystal pools! This unique, multi-sport adventure combines rappelling, down-climbing and river tracing for an adventure of a lifetime! Combine this with some White Water Rafting and you have a day you will never forget

Costa Rica has long been known as a surfing destination, great breaks and consistent surf is what comes to mind, but some might overlook the amazing Kite Surfing and Wind Surfing that can be found here.

We go to the La Fortuna area, home to the mighty Arenal Volcano and the largest lake in the country of the same name. Arenal has the distinction of being one of the top 20 most active volcanoes in the world, and Lake Arenal is also considered some of the best Windsurfing in the world, it’s a powerful combination. Windsurfing is a blast but it’s Kite Surfing that has everyone talking this year and where there is wind and water you have great Kite Surfing. Cruising along on your board, catching incredible air with the Volcano as your backdrop, few experiences can match it.

White Water Rafting down the Pacuare River is not a new tour, but it’s always been a hot one. Whether seasoned paddlers or first time rafters you will love this adventure. The Pacuare river starts in the Cordillera de Talamanca and flows the over 100 km to the Caribbean. National Geographic named it one of the top 10 river trips in the world and it guarantees not to disappoint. Surrounded by rainforest you travel the river through class 3 – 5 rapids. When not testing your rafting abilities, take in the wildlife and natural beauty all around you.

Avatar was a popular movie with all its vibrant colors, but did you know some places exist in the real world that would give it a run for its money. Rio Celeste is one of those places. The Rio Celeste, located in Tenorio National Park, has the most amazing color I have ever seen in my life. Due to a chemical reaction in the water caused by the volcano, the water is transformed to the most intense shade of turquoise, a true natural wonder in Costa Rica, and a favorite this year of travelers. Hike the trails to the Rio Celeste Falls and enjoy the thermal waters found in the area.

I hope you have enjoyed my first installment of What’s Hot in Costa Rica. I will be back with more exciting travel news and tour favorites to watch for 2011 soon.
Catalina Cuervo – CR Referrals – Costa Rica Vacations
http://www.crreferrals.com

[jdocop]

As a resident of Costa Rica, living near Lake Arenal, I think it is only fair to clarify for the uninformed that the activities described by C-C are pretty much seasonal. For instance, the water sports having to do with windsurfing on the Lake are pretty much confined to Feb. and March, when the winds are highest. I have not seen any signs of Kite surfing on the Lake. And, the part of the Lake where you find these activities is not really that close to La Fortuna, which is mostly devoted to things close to the volcano.
As for Rio Celeste, it is very difficult to get to the spot where that photo was taken. Travel to that location involves a lot of driving on very bad non-paved road (lots of big rocks; very narrow; very slow going), and then a hike of at least 45 minutes. (Personally, I was very disappointed to find that the water was not so brilliant as depicted, nor were the surroundings so much better than what I see every day, that I felt it was really not worth the trip; Keep in mind, here, that I am 64 years old, and very much overweight, so I am not an active person at all). So, obviously, this is not for everyone.
John

[Catalina_Cuervo]

Hi John,

Thank you for your comments. As I said these are the tours that have been very popular with my clients this year, I handle hundreds. I do customized adventure tours and many of them involve off the beaten path adventures and hikes like Rio Celeste and Cerro Chato, and more strenuous activities like Canyoneering and Kite Surfing. My clients tend to be adventure seekers.

Depending on rainfall, the Rio Celeste, and the chemical reaction that turns the water so blue, can be diluted. I am sorry to hear that you were unable to see it at its most brilliant. It was one of our best kept secrets here but more and more people are becoming aware and it has been extremely popular with my clients.

Thank you for your feedback, I enjoy writing and practicing my English. It is lovely you live in Arenal, I live and work in Atenas but visit Arenal as often as I can.

Catalina Cuervo – CR Referrals

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