Gloom and Doom Getting You Down, Partner? Time To Make Plans For Costa Rica Vacation

Is the world getting you down, Bucko? Are you feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders? World passing you by? A Costa Rica vacation may be the best thing between you and wintertime blues. Consider:

1. Airfares have not been this cheap in years. The world economic downturn has come to Costa Rica. Tourism in Costa Rica is down by at least fifteen percent this year, presenting terrific travel deals to a frugal, informed traveler . Want affordable luxury? The Hilton Papagayo Resort is offering rates as low as $160.00 a night. Seniors can get an extra discount. More budget-conscious folks who travel Costa Rica can stay at very nice Costa Rica hostels (some with private rooms) for about $12.00. Travel Tip: For the best bargains, visit between May and mid-November and avoid the holiday periods. Bonus Tip: always ask the hotel, resort, or hostel if there is a discount for cash ("effectivo" in Spanish).

2. With almost eight hundred miles of coastline on two oceans visit one or more of hundreds of pristine Costa Rica beaches. Fish off of Drake Bay, named after Sir Francis Drake, who visited the southern Costa Rica Pacific coast a decade before defeating the Spanish Armada and saving England in 1588. You can even explore the same Caribbean beach where Columbus named Costa Rica six centuries ago. Black, brown, and white sand beaches, sea shell beaches, rugged rock-strewn beaches are everywhere.

3. All beaches in Costa Rica are public so you can frolic on the same Costa Rica beaches as movie stars and celebrities. Take romantic walks or just be lazy. Do not forget to bring your surfboard because some of the best surfing in the world is found here. Most beaches are completely free but if you prefer to visit a very popular national beach park called Manuel Antonio, there will be a small entry fee.

4. Become an ecotourist. Costa Rica ecotourism has become very popular and is helping to preserve endangered sea turtles, exotic macaws, and many other species while bringing in much needed revenue to local communities. Be sure to check out Ostional National Preserve on the popular Pacific Gold Coast, where thousands of olive ridley sea turtles come ashore in massive nestings, called "arribadas", perhaps the largest remaining on the planet. Arribadas occur year-round but the biggest (sometimes involving hundreds of thousands of turtles) typically are from July through November when the moon is in its last quarter.

5. Think Green. Imagine the Switzerland of Latin America with nearly as many different species of birds as in the entire continental U.S., nearly 1000 in all. It is a peaceful democracy with more species of butterflies than Africa---the entire continent. One of every 10 species of butterflies on earth live in a place the size of little West Virginia.

6. You can hike the tallest mountain in Latin America, Mt. Chirripo. Voted one of Costa Rica's Seven Natural Wonders, hikers start at its tropical forest base and, if they have the stamina, end at its frigid summit. Bring a backpack with warm clothes as you climb this beauty to a little night time shelter that looks over remnant glacial lakes carved from ancient glaciers. Climbing requires a permit and reservation but the cost is very modest and when you reach the top you may be reminded of the mighty Andes. Most hikers make this a two day trip.