Strapping myself into the rappelling gear was easier than I had anticipated; I simply stepped into a harness that functioned as a seat when I was hanging from the cable. I was also given a pair of gloves to protect my hands.

Thankfully, the tour started off with a relatively short and low ride. Taking a small run from a wooden platform (screaming required) thrust me to the other side, where another wooden platform stood and guides waited to help steer me to safety. I realized then that the first cable was just a practice run, as the second platform was attached to trees that stood on the top of a hill. The third landing was much farther away, and at the top of a much taller set of trees. But being at the top of a cloud forest, immersed in, well, clouds, was rather exhilarating and I was anxious to see more. Despite the rain, I could still see a significant portion of the forest and was overwhelmed by how much green there was. I couldn’t find a break in the forest line anywhere. 

The cables kept getting higher and higher off the ground, and the view more magnificent. The clouds did a fine job of disappearing and reappearing, allowing me peeks at the stunning scenery. The green stretched on forever. But try as I might, I could not see any of the jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, orchids or quetzals (or anything that wasn’t green, for that matter) that the brochures promised. But I wasn’t disappointed. I was alone, 150 meters above one of the most beautiful environments I had ever seen, with the fresh air whizzing through my hair and stinging my eyes. And a good reason to come back one day.

Sky Trek has eleven cables that provide about 3.4 kilometers of zipping line. If rappelling through the forest doesn’t appeal to you, Sky Walk, a set of suspended bridges, allows you to walk your way around the canopy.

If wildlife eludes you as it did me, the Butterfly Garden displays many of Costa Rica’s most attractive species of butterflies. Some are mounted and preserved, but there are also areas where the butterflies fly free in their natural habitat. It is also possible to see other insects here, including cockroaches, some of which were the size of my hand.

Arenal

Arenal is Costa Rica’s most active volcano, and this makes it another of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Even if geology was not your favorite subject, there’s nothing quite like the sights and sounds of an active volcano. Arenal Volcano is located 140 kilometers north of San Jose, near the tiny farming community of La Fortuna and is one of the world’s most regularly active volcanoes.

It is not possible to climb 1,600 meter Arenal due to its constant activity and eruptions. Its last major eruption was in July of 1968, when it sprang from hundreds of years of dormancy into sudden movement. Arenal National Park surrounds the area, and consists of 7,000 acres of viewing areas and trails over the old lava flows. Be warned, Arenal sits close to an expanse of cloud forests, which means that it, too, is often shrouded by clouds and rain, as it was on my visit. Thankfully, the mist and haze did little to dampen the Arenal experience. The best time to view the volcano is at night, when it is easier to see the red hot lava streaming down its sides. The clouds couldn’t completely obscure the sparks of red and orange spewing from the volcano into the night air. I was able to see enough color and movement to convince me that the volcano was indeed active. But perhaps more enthralling were the grumbles and groans that the volcano periodically produced. Maybe it was my imagination, but with every rumble, I could feel the earth shiver.

Night tours to the volcano are frequent and you’ll have plenty of choice from La Fortuna. If you have a car, drive towards Tabacon and Arenal National Park. The best views of the volcano are from the north and west sides of this road. There is one other way to view the volcano and its activity, and pamper yourself at the same time. Tabacon Hot Springs sits near the base of Arenal and its thermo mineral pools are heated by the volcano. The Hot Springs include natural mineral pools where the water runs freely into natural rock pools, some complete with waterfalls. Other man made pools surrounded by gardens are filled with the warm water, and feature amenities such as a swim up bar.

If soaking in thermal waters isn’t enough pampering for you, pay a visit to Iskindria Spa. Iskindria, the Spa at Tabacon Hot Spings, offers a variety of relaxing and renewing treatments. Why not have an aromatherapy massage, Tabacon’s Signature Mud Mask, or better yet – A Volcanic Body Wrap? All of the options offered take place in Arenal’s natural and tropical environment.

Although some find it difficult to completely relax while sitting at the foot of an active volcano, the warm water, a cold drink (like a Daiquiri perhaps), and the spectacular sights and sounds of Arenal make Tabacon Hot Springs an experience not to be missed.

Manuel Antonio

The beach. A visit to any tropical country is not really complete without at least one trip to the beach. Especially when it’s one of the most incredible beaches in the world. Quepos, the base for visiting Manuel Antonio National Park, is admittedly becoming overrun with hotels – they now stretch all the way down the 7 kilometer road leading to the park. The good news is that the area which everyone is there to see, Playa Manuel Antonio, is controlled and protected.

Closed on Mondays, there is an entrance fee of $6 and only a limited number of people can enter each day, so get there early. The one major drawback of the beach is that it is quite a distance from any of the hotels. The park itself is quite small and covers only 1,700 hectares, but the walk from the entrance is full of beauty and (without a doubt) wildlife. Trails lead visitors through the park and if you plan to hike around instead of just lie on the beach, bring a good set of walking shoes, or at least sturdy sandals. A circular hike around a tall outcropping will take you to Punta Catedral (Cathedral Point) which provides a breathtaking view of the Pacific’s blue water, rocky islands offshore and the rainforest directly below you.

There are actually three idyllic beaches within the park, Puerto Escondido, Playa Espadrillo and the most popular - Manuel Antonio. On the way to any of the three beaches, you will certainly discover bright pink flowers, purple and orange crabs, as well as countless monkeys. Both squirrel monkeys and white-faced monkeys inhabit the park, but squirrel monkeys are rarely spotted. White-faced monkeys on the other hand, are everywhere and some visitors consider them to be pests. Accustomed to tourists and tamed by their never-ending presence, these monkeys have no fear. It is not uncommon for them to approach you. I even saw one monkey dig through a lady’s knapsack while she took a mid-day swim.
 

Manuel Antonio’s sandy beach makes basking in the sun a pleasure. The calm, blue water invites swimmers and is often clear enough to encourage snorkelers. Crescent shaped, the beach is bordered by rocky sections where the tide catches and creates slippery pools of water that beg to be explored. It may be more crowded than it has been in past years, but the National Park ensures that the rainforest, its inhabitants and its beaches remain moderately untouched. Signs of development within the actual park are limited.

Isla Tortuga

Isla Tortuga, Turtle Island or Tortuga Island, makes a fantastic day trip. Located in the southeastern part of the Gulf of Nicoya, the island measures 120 hectares with its highest point reaching 172 meters above sea level. The island is state property but is leased to a Costa Rican family who devoted themselves to protecting the island from deforestation.  For almost twenty years they replanted the island and reintroduced species that were in danger of disappearing. Now, the tropical dry forest is visited by nature lovers from all over the world. A short catamaran trip (with an abundance of local Costa Rican beer - Imperial) brings you to the impressive island. White sand and shimmering blue water await your arrival and many visitors opt to do nothing more than frolic in the ocean or sunbathe on the perfect beach and enjoy the relaxing view.

A guided trail winds around the island, littered with signs explaining the island’s ecosystems, flora and fauna. At a slow pace, the trail takes only forty minutes. A tropical dry forest is characterized by high temperatures, very little precipitation and a long dry season. Its forest floor is relatively bare. During the dry season, many transformations take place. Most of the plants lose their leaves, growth slows and fruit and flower production consumes the plants’ energy. Butterflies, wasps, bats and birds become very active in their role as agents of pollination and seed dispersal.

Monkey ladder is one of the first plants marked on the trail. This slow growing vine is one of the most common in a dry forest. Some of the other plant life found on the trail includes guava fruit, termites, strangler figs, orchids and bromeliads. Trompillos, belonging to the coffee family, are also present on the island. The fruit it produces is edible and has a similar taste to guava. It serves as a vital food source for several animals on the island. Near the end of the trail sits a remarkable species of tree. The Naked Indian is named for its reddish trunk and belongs to the same family as the Camphor tree. When the branches of a Naked Indian are cut, they release a fragrant and flammable resin.

After some moderate climbing, nature rewards you with yet another breathtaking view. Looking out over the Pacific Ocean, two other islands are visible in the distance. What is perhaps more amazing are the various shades of blue that surround the land masses. The sand, rocks and dead coral at the bottom of the canals contribute to the various shades of water. Costa Rica has something to offer almost every traveler, whether you’re seeking thrilling adventure, superb scenery, art and culture, nature preserves or simply relaxing on a white sand beach. Costa Rica really is “Pure Life”.

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