ESCAPE TO… COSTA RICA, a tropical paradise through the eyes of JETLIVING.COM - THE STANDARD IN VACATIONING - PART 2

Puntarenas - Known as the “Pearl of the Pacific”, Puntarenas is the largest province of Costa Rica, with an area of 11.276 Km2. Its main attraction is its Pacific coastline, extending over more than 500 miles down to the Panamanian boarder. This vast province offers a variety of beaches, national parks, and natural reserves of an extraordinary ecological importance, since it is a transition
area between the dry tropical lands of Guanacaste and the green forests of the Central Pacific.  The Port of Caldera and the City of Puntarenas, receive hundreds of tourists daily, from countless cruise ships making shore on its coasts. Some of these ships are traveling with the Panama Canal as destination, which allows passengers to explore Costa Rica’s inland, only to meet their cruise ship some days later at the port of Limón, in the Caribbean.  Carara’s Biological Reserve constitutes one of the best showcases to the
natural heritage of Puntarenas. This reserve includes an extension of 11.600 acres of forests and mangroves.
Today, only some portions of the reserve are available to tourists, but professional guides, who are allowed to explore some restricted areas, may be hired.  Manuel Antonio National Park is another destination of the province of Puntarenas. With its impressive white-sand beaches, blue waters of the Pacific and hundreds of hectares of rainforest, this park is one of the smallest in
Costa Rica, but at the same time, one of the most highly visited. Manuel Antonio is one of the few places in Costa Rica where the spider monkey (tití) still lives. Within the park you may also find over 100 species of mammals and an equal number of bird types.
Also belonging to Puntarenas, another feature is the Corcovado National Park -located south and constituting the habitat of important endemic species such as the gold frog as well as the Tárcoles River, whose margins are guarded by hundreds of American crocodiles.
Good food –especially seafood- as well as the well-known carnivals held each summer, and the warmth of its people, are some of the nice surprises expecting tourists visiting this province. Find a vacation home to fit your needs at www.jetliving.com
Cartago - Also known as the Ancient Metropoli, Cartago was the capital of Costa Rica until 1823, when this title was transferred to the city of San José. It is a relatively small province, with barely 3.124 km2 and almost 35 000 inhabitants.  It is perhaps Costa Rica’s most important area in matters of colonial art. The best example is the temple of Orosi, dating back to 1743, a historical jewel
that was witness to the birth of a nation.  Cartago has a humid, tropical climate. Its mountain system is made up of two mountain ranges: the Central, is where we find the Irazú and Turrialba volcanoes. The Talamanca mountain range is the other great mountain formation of the province. The imposing Cerro Chirripó, the highest point in Costa Rica, is located here, at 3.600 meters over sea level.  Cartago is a land of traditions and religiosity. To the north we find the national monument of Guayabo, located on the outskirts of the town of Turrialba. In Guayabo, visitors may admire the enigmatic constructions, dating back to
Pre-Colombian times. It’s one of the largest archeological areas discovered in the country. Mounds, bridges, plazas and highways, as well as an aqueduct that is still working, are some of the remains of ancient cultures.
Pilgrimage to Our Lady of the Angels Basilica at the center of the city of Cartago is the most important religious activity of Costa Rica. Celebrated each August 2nd, here attend millions of people from all around the country.  Nevertheless, the main attraction of Cartago could be the Irazú volcano, a splendid giant which still remains active and that, with its five craters, gather thousands of tourists yearly.  It is the volcano found at highest altitude in the country, 3.432 meters over sea level. Several rivers nurturing the basins of others, like Chirripó, Reventazón, Sarapiquí, and Grande de Tárcoles are born here.  Find a vacation home to fit your needs at www.jetliving.com
Alajuela - Is one of the most extensive provinces of Costa Rica, known as “The Land of Mangoes”. Its territory spreads to the north, reaching the boundary with Nicaragua. Alajuela was founded in 1782 and gave birth to such famous historical characters like Juan Santamaría, the national hero that burned down the “Mesón de Rivas” in 1856.  This province has an enviable natural richness. Its uneven topography includes the rainforest and exuberant plains to the north. Visitors have a choice of the two most impressive, active volcanoes of the country: Arenal volcano, in the City of San Carlos and the Poás volcano, at the Central Volcanic Mountain Range.  Poás volcano is one of the most splendid volcanoes in Costa Rica, known for its beautiful landscape. Around it you may appreciate different habitats, from the cloud forest to areas of scarce vegetation, where species have become adapted to emissions of gas and the climatic factor characteristic of a volcano.
The Arenal volcano, on the other hand, with its beautiful conic silhouette, is one of the most active in the world. Its charm is enhanced at night, when the color of its eruptions and lava rivers can be fully appreciated. Many of the hotels offer a panoramic view of the volcano and its evening show.  During the last decades, Alajuela has become an obliged journey for those who love Costa Rica’s natural richness. Find a vacation home to fit your needs at www.jetliving.com
Limón - The Caribbean province is a natural paradise, formed by a combination of dense jungles, imposing mountains, and paradisiacal beaches. Limón has the highest percentage of protected land in Costa Rica, as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna. Its vegetation is exuberant, as are the cultures meeting throughout the province.  The road to Limón from San José, crosses the majestic Braulio Carrillo National Park. At this point begins a beautiful journey to the lowlands of the Caribbean. A significant change in temperature and landscape can be experienced.  Perhaps the most exuberant region of Limón is Tortuguero National Park, at
the north part of the province. A vast extension of protected land and the most important of the Atlantic coasts of the American continent for the spawning of the green turtle. The city of Limón is the point of arrival for visitors. It is a port, which is essential in Costa Rica’s economic life and the greatest living example of the multicultural meeting experienced in this region throughout history.
Traveling south, at an hour’s distance, we find Cahuita, a typical Caribbean villa. This town has become “a must” for tourists, for it represents the essence of a culture, and the beauty of Cahuita National Park, which protects an important expanse of coral reefs.  The quiet waters in this spot, are a plus for those lovers of “snorkeling”.  The underwater scenery is marvelous, with a wide chain of coral reefs, composed of different types of coral and occupied by an immense variety of tropical fish.  Another important point in the Caribbean province is Puerto Viejo, barely 30 minutes from Cahuita. In this town you can breathe the profound respect for the cultural identity of its people. A combination of music, beaches and food, so characteristic of the place, are the elements attracting thousands of tourists year by year.
Along the coastal area, travelers find a good number of options for lodging. The vast majority of hotels and cabins are small and formed of traditional Bungalows, a very particular type of construction of the Caribbean.  Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge is located just at the end of the coastline, almost at the border with Panama. This refuge protects almost 4500 hectares of beaches and sea, for the spawning of 4 species of turtles.  In Manzanillo you may rent kayaks and glide through the gentle mangroves in search of birds and reptiles characteristic of the area.  The province of Limón possesses a unique culture in Costa Rica, a way of life
that may be fully appreciated during the traditional carnivals held each year, an experience of rhythms and euphoric and captivating wonder. Find a vacation home to fit your needs at www.jetliving.com