In Costa Rica what better way of seeing nature is walking from point A to B and back to A. For almost 20 years they have a long-established reputation for being environmental protective and conversational that is the envy of many other countries around the world.
So if you like to hike, Costa Rica is a superb country for you to explore a wide variety of countryside and wildlife and can freeze you in time when you see your first monkey, those lazy sloth’s, and then the array of squawking colorful birds.
From the short walks from Quepos to Manual Antonio, to the more adventurous hikes of the Tarzan jungles of the Caribbean and Southern Pacific coast, to the mystic and unique cloud cover of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve it is one of the most biologically diverse places on earth. Almost 25% of the entire country is dedicated to national parks and reserves.
Your hiking adventure can be a a few hours or a several day eco-trip and it can start in places like remote Tortuguero National Park – a back-in-time system of islands and twisting waterways in the Caribbean rainforest – to experience the mystery of something more mountainous like beautiful Monteverde cloud forest, with fog covered ground, its darting butterflies and Resplendent Quetzals, a bird in the trogon family.
These cruising Sloths are pretty cool to watch.
Or it can be a pleasure awing morning or afternoon walk if you choose to take a casual 1-2 hours stroll in one of most beautiful Natural Wildlife Refuge, Fincas Butterfly Botanical Gardens in Manuel Antonio.
But be aware of two important things; 1) Costa Rica can be very rugged, so if you are unfamiliar with the area it is best to hire a guide, which costs between 50-$80/day and tip and, 2) Costa Rica is jungle for the most part with micro climates, – clothing is important because weather is a factor. Always follow the Boy Scout motto “Be prepared”. In the tropics, it can be bright and sunny, and change to a tropical downpour in seconds.
In general, Costa Rica has three types of hiking conditions.
1) Pacific coastal areas like Manual Antonio (Central Pacific) park is well touristed and very easy trail systems to follow. Nevertheless, it can be hot and humid like most areas in lowlands and near the ocean, so the earlier you go [morning], the lease apt you are to get hydrated and it is the better for wildlife. You can hike in trek type sandals, good tread tennis shoes, cargo shorts or swimsuit, and a t shirt and hat.
2) Coastal and mountainous areas like Osa Peninsula’s, Corocvado Park- this area is for the advance and we highly recommend a guide if it is the first time. It has extreme conditions, rivers to cross, hot and oppressive humidity, slippery trails of roots, moss, vines, thorns, and a risk of venomous snakes.
It is nice to learn to speak and read a bit of Spanish - in this case: Danger Flood Risk
Last November the area got pounded by Tropical Storm Tomas. We were staying at a small eco-lodge in Puerto Jimenez, and three hikers checked in who were not happy campers. They got lost when Tomas hit, got drenched to the bones, and ended up being scared and very miserable. They had no rain gear, food, or warm clothing.
Heavy afternoon rains happened in April to Sept, and Oct to Dec it’s all but closed. For hiking in this terrain, good trek shoes and pants of microfibre with zip off legs are a must so they can be shorts. T-shirt of light cotton, sunscreen, a hat, and even a walking stick for balance is also recommended. Your pack should be prepared for the worse, a small first aid kit, and small rain/windbreaker with a hood, a flashlight, compass, lighter/matches and a small umbrella and enough food for a couple of days. The area can get very hot and humid.
3) Mountainous regions like Monteverde continue south through Panama – and are at an elevation of 3000 to 10000ft have micro climate and cloud forests. The tallest peak is Cerro Chirripo at 12,500. Wet and warm gear is a must with its, damp, cold, rainy, windy, chilly, and very cool if not cool at night. Long sleeve T-shirts, good/weatherproof hiking books, a light fleece in Aug to Oct, windbreaker and wool socks are necessary.
One of the main things one must remember, nothing will ever dry in the tropics, so mildew and damp clothes are your main enemy, wearing high tech fibers make a huge difference of being comfortable or in pure misery as the three were.
Costa Rica is paradise but it is starting to get more and more dangerous not only from mother nature but from organized crime and desperate people. Organized Crime has been and always will be the something that has to be stopped because time and time again these people show no regard for human life… especially children and that’s just wrong. I love Costa Rica and I never would have thought that it would have been identified by Interpol as the fastest growing child sex trafficking country in Latin America. Please help & do what you can to raise awareness. Boycott hotels that knowingly allow child prostitution to occur in their facility. There are over 300 brothels in Costa Rica now and that’s just wrong! Work to bring Costa Rica back to what it is a beautiful eco-tourism, family oriented country where people can safely travel with friends.
If you want more information people contact maria(at)salvandocorazones.org. Thank you!
REMEDIES FOR FRAUD IN COSTA RICA
Unfortunately, many foreigners who purchase real estate, autos, other products and services are defrauded here in Costa Rica. I too, a nine year resident of Costa Rica, have been a victim of fraud, but I am one of the few lucky ones who was able to successful win my claims in the legal system here.
One has to be objective. There are many honest ticos, Costa Ricans, but there are also many ticos and foreign residents who will take advantage of a foreigner, and defraud their clients of serious amounts of money, sometimes their entire life´s savings.
The victims of these frauds, in many cases have the odds seriously stacked against them.
The perpetrators of these frauds are very intelligent. They are well aware that their clients.in many cases, have little knowledge of the language, customs and most importantly, the legal system. They also know that they can make arrangements, in many cases, with victim´s attorney to make the victims claim go away. It is a double pay day for many attorneys. It is not uncommon for a dishonest attorney to receive legal fees from the victim and a second fee from the defendant so that the claim is put in limbo.
Speaking from my experience, I have had very, very difficult experiences with many of the attorneys I have been involved with. Chorizo, bribery, is commonplace in many, but not all, situations here in Costa Rica. On the other hand, the judiciary system, is far less corrupt due to the fact that all judges are subject to strict review. If judges engage illegal decisions, and if you are lucky enough to have an attorney to follow only your interests completely, you have an excellent chance of success in a financial remedy. The judicial review board is very strict. A judge that hands down illegal decisions, if pursued, loses his job.
One of the problems here is that almost no lawyers work on a contingency basis. Not all, but may lawyers here want to extract their fees for the most amount of money in the least amount of time. This is totally contrary to the interests of the plaintiff.
I have had the very good fortune or luck to have been able to work with attorneys who were able, not only to get back my investments, but damages well in excess of the amounts for which I had been defrauded. They worked with me, and are working with me strictly on a contingency basis. You pay nothing. You only pay a percentage of your claim when they win your claim. I would be happy to offer whatever input I have to help anyone who has been defrauded here in.
Costa Rica.
Joseph Sacchetti
San Jose, Costa Rica
cgconversion(at)gmail.com
2223 8081
There are amazing, less known hiking opportunities around the capital area as well, such as the Escazu mountains and the Santa Ana mountains. We did the Punta Blanca walk the other morning (pictures can be seen on the website) and it was a fantastic walk. You need a good fitness level due to the altitude and the steepness of the walk at some points but once you get to the top (about 30 – 45 mins hike up) its so worth it!