The Sheepdog: Sheepdog's Adventure

Costa Rica

Costa Rica means “Rich Coast”. Although I have never been there, people say Costa Rica is a wonderful place to visit. My brother and his wife were there recently and they loved it, so I felt inspired to do a little research. Also, a Facebook friend of mine says she and her husband are planning on retiring in Cost Rica. Central America seems to be a magnet for Canadians. Many are retiring down there, and I even have friends who have permanently left Canada to retire in Panama. I’ve tried to cram why Costa Rica seems to be so attractive into a very short article:

Costa Rica is a country located in Central America. Its size is 742 miles in length and is no wider than 190 miles, and it is bordered on the north by Nicaragua, on the southeast by Panama, on the west by the Pacific Ocean, and to its east is found the Caribbean Ocean. It is a democracy, and has been since 8th November 1949. Many of its people are poor, so don't be shocked at the amount of poverty you will see, but tourism is essential to its economy. Its climate is rated tropical year round, but the country has mountains and deep valleys as well as sandy beaches, so micro-climates cause the weather conditions to vary from one region to the next. Unlike North America, its seasons are restricted to just two each year. Typically, summer lasts from December to April and winter lasts from May to November.


Courtesy of Nat. Geographic

Nat. Geographic photo of Arenal Volcano


In San Jose

Night lights of San Jose

There are lots of things for the active tourist to do. In the capital city of San Jose, one can visit museums that are proud to show off the country’s pre-Columbian heritage, and there are lots of jazz clubs and fabulous restaurants. Then take a trip to Poas Volcano, just over an hour’s drive from San Jose. Peer down into its steaming crater from the observation centre near its summit. There are 5 active volcanoes in Costa Rica out of the 26 found in Central America. At the base of Arenal Volcano, one can hike trails, soak in hot springs, or go horseback riding. For bird watchers, there are over 850 recorded species of birds in Cost Rica, so you might want to visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Also at the reserve are interesting exhibits on bats, frogs and insects.

Courtesy of Nat. Geographic

For surfers, there are excellent world-class surfing beaches, and for the diver there is world-class diving, where one can swim amongst manta rays and sharks (if you like that sort of thing!). Sports fishermen can catch marlin and sailfish, and although I didn’t read it anywhere, I’m sure the women’s sport of shopping is most excellent.