Best of Costa Rica

Compared with the world's other tropical paradises, Costa Rica remains largely undiscovered.

International Living Postcards-- your daily escape

Monday, June 26, 2006

Dear International Living Reader,

What you'll find most surprising when visiting Costa Rica is that, despite all its natural beauty, despite all the favorable press it has received for years, despite its low cost of living, Edenic climate, and friendly populace, this tropical paradise has not yet been overrun with tourists.

Yes, there have been many more visitors to Costa Rica in recent years than a couple of decades ago. But, compared with the world's other tropical paradises, Costa Rica remains largely undiscovered.

The country boasts some of the best-preserved countryside in Latin America. There are acres upon acres of pristine forest and jungle. And there are long stretches of deserted and undeveloped beaches, on both the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts.

Two other characteristics set Costa Rica apart from its Central American neighbors: a high literacy rate (one of the highest in the world) and the absence of an army.

The primary drawback to Costa Rica is its capital city, San José, which is crowded, noisy, run-down, polluted, and crawling with pickpockets. At one time, though, San José must have been beautiful. The old sections of the city are filled with large, ornate buildings that were originally residences but have been converted into office space.

Take time to see the Téatro Nationale, a beautiful building inside and out. When you walk into the lobby, be sure to look up--to see one of the most beautifully painted ceilings outside Rome.

A short trip northwest of San José is Sarchi, a small artisan's town filled with the shops of local craftsmen. Sarchi exists solely as a tourist attraction but the wooden furniture here is so well made and so affordable that touristy Sarchi is worth the visit. Prices are often higher for gringos than for Ticos so, if possible, have your guide or hosts do your buying for you. Haggling is discouraged.

At one time, trains traveled from one coast to the other, with connections in all the major towns. Today, a single train runs from San José to Puntarenas. It departs the Pacific Coast Train Station every day at 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. It's slow-going, but you'll see some of Costa Rica's most picturesque landscapes...

Editor's note: This small selection appears courtesy of The World's Best, the ultimate book for the international traveler, detailing the world's best destinations...and the very best things to do and sights to see once you arrive.

But who's to say what's best? We are (that is, more than 200 seasoned travelers and expats scattered throughout the globe). And on that authority, we offer a collection that is neither complete nor objective. What we have attempted to do is to draw forth for you a small sampling of the wealth our world has to offer. Take a look.