Beautiful beaches and rich biodiversity at their best in Costa Rica

Get away this winter to a tropical paradise known for diverse landscapes and wildlife, thrilling activities, and sustainable tourism and progressive environmental practices. Costa Rica is calling.

Adelman’s Janice Mason recently traveled to Costa Rica to learn firsthand about Guanacaste Province, which is located in the northwest region of the country. Guanacaste, often referred to as the “Gold Coast,” boasts pristine shorelines skirting the Pacific Ocean, stunning mountain ranges and volcanoes, and several bio-diverse national parks and wildlife reserves where visitors can witness the intriguing flora and fauna or engage in a variety of adventures. For example,

Santa Rosa National Park is home to a rare dry tropical forest, surfing sites, and some 250 bird species. Playa Hermosa is popular for diving and water sports while Playa Blanca lulls visitors with its pleasing calm waters. Those looking for golf or other luxury resort experiences will find them, especially in the Papagayo Peninsula.

Janice visited several Guanacaste–area resorts during her stay in Costa Rica. Among her favorites was the all-inclusive family friendly Dreams Las Mareas, which is located in a remote area of the jungle. It features beautiful grounds, plentiful pools (including an adult pool), and beach area. Dreams Las Mareas offers a variety of activities on site, a large spa, five restaurants, and a buffet.

The Riu Guanacaste and Riu Palace are expansive resorts characterized with Hawaii-like landscapes. The gorgeous grounds at these beautiful resorts are graced with striking fountains, large pools, and spacious eating areas. According to Janice, “One of the major draws to the Riu resorts is that the Diamante Eco Adventure Park is right next door.” As Janice explains, “Many of the adventure tours are located in the interior of the country so visitors may have to travel a couple of hours to get there, but Riu guests have easy access to the Diamante Eco Adventure Park.” This ocean-front adventure area touts a zip line course nearly a mile-long with water views, a 30-foot free fall Quick Jump, and a hanging bridge over crocodiles along with dual lines allowing guests to ride side by side so they can share this exciting experience with family or friends. Diamante also boasts a large animal sanctuary situated in a lush tropical setting. The unique design of the habitats allows guests to view and learn about key aspects regarding the animals and their environment. Guests can also take an ATV tour on private trails or go horseback riding through the backcountry.

The Andaz by Hyatt was another of Janice’s favorite resorts. “It was beautiful and we saw Howler monkeys hanging out in the trees over the pool,” Janice said. This luxury family resort offers a European plan instead of being all-inclusive. It features regional cuisine with a mixology program and premium spirits selection. Janice also noted that it had one of the best spas that she had toured on her trip.

The JW Marriott resort was also impressive, according to Janice. It offers many ocean view suites, a beautiful beach, and excellent food, including a breakfast program for registered guests. The JW Marriott has the largest spa in Guanacaste and also features meeting facilities, and even an astronomy observatory.

Janice’s experience at the Planet Hollywood resort was exciting. “Characters from movies including Star Wars and Maleficent greeted us as a fun surprise!” Janice exclaimed. This modern new resort opened just over a year ago and features large rooms with scenic views of the bay. “Guests at the Planet Hollywood resort will enjoy great hospitality and beautiful grounds with numerous pools. The fun entertainment and delicious food was a real treat,” Janice noted.

Overall, Costa Rica is a great choice for those looking for a tropical vacation that offers more than just a lovely beach. It is home to six percent of the world’s biodiversity, even though the country only covers three percent of the earth’s surface, allowing visitors to really experience a variety of natural sites at its various parklands. Adventure seekers will find plenty of thrilling activities and visitors can relax and rejuvenate at one of the area’s fine resorts. For more information on Costa Rica, give Janice or one of our other experienced vacations consultants a call at 800-749-7116 or visit our website at www.adelmanvacations.com.