Costa Rica is a travel wonderland

10 reasons why Costa Rica is the perfect holiday destination for anyone

I do wonder whether, as a travel company who operates in destinations all over the world, it’s improper to ‘have a favourite place’. I didn’t, until a recent trip to Costa Rica. And now I’m breaking all the rules. The allure of this green and pleasant land has been there for me for many years and I knew from the reviews of Odyssey World clients who returned from a trip, that our local ground agent did a marvellous job of looking after them. So, after my visit this summer, these are the reasons I think, in no particular order, that Costa Rica absolutely should be on everyone’s dream holiday list.

Untamed Beaches

Who doesn’t love a wide, expansive beach with thrashing waves, gnarly surf and warm waters? Or a gentle bay with crystal clear sparkling agua azul, sprightly fish and soft sand. From the golden beaches of the Caribbean to the wet and wild Pacific, Costa Rica has it all and we can tell you where to find it.

Colourful and quirky wildlife

There’s a quirky cast of characters wherever you look. In addition to the highly protected residents of the National Parks, you can have a surprise encounter anytime – monkeys swinging from power lines (yikes), sloths lounging in a tree outside your hotel room, endangered red macaws noisily swooping past the restaurant or an ant-eater out for lunch in the mangroves. This is a place you really do want to look up from your unsociable mobile device to catch the best action.

Laze or Blaze? Your choice…

What do we want? OPTIONS! When do we want them? WHENEVER WE WANT! As every member of the family gets more demanding with their ‘must haves’, variety on a family holiday is crucial. Costa Rica has variety. Let the teenagers take a surf lesson while you relax on a wide beach and spot sloths. Wake up with the monkeys, hike to a waterfall, feast on a gourmet lunch, read a book, go kayaking with iguanas, take a sunset boat trip followed by a night walk in muddy puddles to find the red-eyed tree frog. All in one day.

Luxury lodging

Partly due to the demands of North American tourists, but mostly due to the ‘Tico’s’ desire to offer memorable, fantastic experiences, the lodging standards are excellent. You can truly indulge in stunning five star resorts offering ‘dock to dish’ cuisine, shimmering infinity pools, nature trails and open air stylish bathrooms, or choose an equally charming smaller boutique property. Leave formalities behind, and just allow the wonderful hospitality staff to predict and care for your every need and wish.

The constant chorus

While you’ve committed to putting down your phone, it’s also good to dump the headphones. Embracing quiet isn’t exactly possible but with a soundtrack of rushing waves, tweeting birds, whooping monkeys, chirping cicadas and roaring thunderstorms, silence is over-rated.

Safety & Security

A country without a national military is a political confidence statement I can get behind! Not only do you feel in very good hands with the hospitality staff and professional guides you’ll meet on your travels, the general comfort level is well-maintained. Yes, this is Central America and you should always follow the same basic travel safety rules, but in addition to the national encouragement of tourism, this is a place where poverty is relatively low, education and literacy are high, and crime is below average. In addition, there’s no malaria, very few poisonous snakes and good standards of hygiene. It’s a place where anyone will feel comfortable.

Fawn over fauna

I didn’t think I was necessarily a ‘plant person’ but the variety of beautiful and fascinating trees, flowers, greenery, forest plants and the critters that lurk between them leaves you in awe. This is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet and when you learn about the impact this symbiotic and complex existence has on all of our lives, you’ll be constantly in awe.

Fun for everyone

I would recommend Costa Rica to every single traveller I know. There’s nothing to not like. For the wild and free, the comfort-seekers, lovers of luxury, foodies, earth-mothers, families, honeymooners, LGBT travellers (a new progressive president is keeping the country liberal and forward-thinking), senior travellers, babies, solo travellers. And anyone who loves nature, wildlife, unique hotels, warm hospitality and gorgeous people.

Essence of Pura Vida

See points 1-8 above! Pura Vida, or ‘pure life’ is more than just a slogan on a t-shirt. A resident gringo told me that if you set out for the day with 5 things on your ‘to-do’list, you’d be lucky if you get around to 2. People take time to chat, to smile, to care about your comfort and nothing is too much trouble and nothing needs to be rushed. People, animals and the natural surroundings are valued above ‘things and stuff’. So you might find there’s no TV in your room and wi-fi is a bit sketchy in the most remote places. Good! Be in the here and now; you never get this moment back…

Responsible Tourism

Costa Rica is a land with interesting agricultural history, thanks to it’s rich climate and expanding fruit and palm oil multi-nationals raping the land 40 years ago. However, with a progressive government, Costa Rica saw the need to preserve their natural environment, promote tourism and protect what they had left. Now, Costa Rica has 25% of their total land mass declared as protected areas or National Parks and their efforts towards responsible travel deserve recognition. Most of the locally owned family run boutique hotels used by Odyssey World have excellent conservation policies around recycling, organic food, banning single use plastic and straws and protecting the local wildlife. It’s a wonderful place to be to see it all in practice….and very pleasing to know that this could help keep Costa Rica the wonderful destination it is now for many decades to come.

Odyssey World has a wide selection of tailor made private tours for your dream Costa Rica holiday. Fly direct from London to San Jose with British Airways and let you perfect Costa Rica honeymoon, eco-adventure or family holiday unfold.