Keel-billed toucan

To my mind, one of the most remarkable destinations in the world is Costa Rica, a tiny country in Central America, sitting in that thin curve that separates North America from South America. Cozily tucked between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica has no army, the longest and most democratic government in Central America, the highest literacy rate in all of Latin America, and the sweetest, most congenial people I've encountered almost anywhere. Nicknamed "Ticos," the Costa Rican people welcome all visitors with the same warmth and friendliness, proud of their country, its heritage, and its bountiful natural beauty.

The wise citizens of Costa Rica have voted to set aside more square miles of protected habitats than any other country in the world. The result is a plethora of national parks that encompass rain forests, jungles, river valleys, and a host of spectacular bird and animal species, all available up close and personal.

A few years ago I packed up my warm weather vacation suitcase, and set out with four friends for a nine-day trip to Costa Rica. What greeted us then, and what welcomes visitors now, is a wonderful surprise of a country and favorite destination.

Quiet Costa Rica beach

The ocean water off the coast of Costa Rica is beautiful and the beaches are white and sandy, but it's just not the same feel as the Mexico beach vacation -- nor are the same kind of amenities available in Costa Rica.

Interestingly, Costa Rica is bounded by two bodies of water...the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Caribbean to the east. If you can allocate at least 10 days for vacationing in Costa Rica, you'll see both coasts, the incredible diversity of the center of the country with active volcanos, cloud forests, rain forests, beautiful lakes and rivers, and rivers, coffee plantations, and jungles.

Your trip will likely cost you less than half of what you’d spend on the same-length vacation in Hawaii, or even Mexico. Your reward is getting to know a country that welcomes you, experiencing nature and wildlife in abundant amounts, and enjoying the smug feeling that you, too, are part of the "soft adventure/ecotourism" revolution.

Arenal Volcano. Photo by Michele Peterson.

As we became more interested in health and exercise, started respecting our environment more, and reveling in the outdoors, savvy travelers sought out new destinations. "Soft adventure" simply means we have no desire, nor the ability, to climb Mount Everest. However, it could mean that we would be willing to ride in a 4x4, walk two or three miles, help pitch the tent, and then watch those who do wish to make the climb.

During our vacation time, we would like to participate to the degree of our ability, in the getting from point A to point B. "Soft adventure" vacations are tailored to fit the level of experience and fitness of the individual. This is what makes Costa Rica a treasure trove of possibility. You can do a little, or do a lot.

Manuel Antonio National Park

And what should you do in this glorious country? Well, depends a bit as always on what you like to do. For my money, I'll never regret my three days spent at Manuel Antonio National Park, where, at my comfortable lodge, I stood under a shower head and looked at the most beautiful Pacific bay I'd ever seen, from my bathroom, which was totally screened-in, allowing a view of the blooming bougainvillea drifting into the panoramic beach scene.

Manuel Antonio, three hours by car or 20 minutes by plane from the capital city of San Jose, is one of several beautiful national parks. It's also an idyllic resort area, punctuated not by the Mexican type mega-resort hotels, but instead by small lodges and hotels, tucked into corners few tourists visit.

Reaching the beach after a soft-adventure-type walk straight down the hill from the hotel, then walking another mile to the edge of the protected jungle within the park, I encountered three-toed sloths, beautiful toucans, and small, happy howler-monkeys, laughing at me as they swung from tree to tree. Imagine in the same day also seeing iguanas, hummingbirds, and huge turtles; all of this and back in time for cocktails to boot! Who wouldn't love this place?

River rafting in Costa Rica

River rafting is another mainstay of the "soft adventure" vacation, and within my travel memories, floating down the river with friends and family has become a big favorite of mine. Firstly, it caters to the "Hilton Hotel Camper" in me. This means I love to be outside, don't mind a little work in assisting with the set up of camp, cooking and cleaning, but really prefer to have other folks do this for me. Rafting with a company of expert guides provides this wonderful sense of "sissy-camper."

If you sign on for a river raft trip, you arrive at the appointed spot, show your paid receipt, get introduced to your fellow guides and rafters, then start pointing. Point to your water-proof bags o' belongings... then they point you to your raft. The nice thing about river rafting is that unless you're Meryl Streep in The River Wild, you don't even have to know how to swim. Just do wear the life-jackets, which along with helmets, are required for rafting any class of river. Rafting in Costa Rica takes place on the Reventazon and Pacuare Rivers. You can do one or both, and if you have the time, I highly suggest combining both river trips with the camping overnight.

If bicycle adventures are your thing, then you are in for yet another treat in Costa Rica, because cycling on a mountain bike up to Arenal Volcano, between tropical dry forest and rain forest, is a memory worth making. Biking through the area around the volcano offers a diversity of wildlife, great birding, and you’ll encounter the hot springs at Tabacon and nearby Lake Arenal.

Selecting an escorted tour to Costa Rica is an excellent idea. As always, when you travel with a packaged tour, so many of your vacation costs are laid out up front, helping you control your travel budget. Many, many tour operators offer trips to Costa Rica, and they vary from down and dirty to super deluxe, and everything in between.

Go far, live well and have fun!