If you are planning a trip at all this year, then maybe you should consider taking a fun-filled excursion to Costa Rica! In 2008 more than two million people decided to take that small step in visiting Costa Rica and that did not just happen by chance! Costa Rica is a tropical oasis with over half of its land mass protected by natural reserves! It has been deemed politically stable and economically prosperous making it a hot-spot for those business men and women looking for a good getaway from the hustle and bustle of North American culture.

Even with all of these facts stated, a person cant help but wonder what to do once you get off the plane. After you get off the plane, what you do depends on which direction you set off in! The trip from the West coast of Costa Rica to the East coast takes about three to four hours on land and only 45 minutes by air. But in that small distance a person could tour a coffee plantation, go rafting on the beautiful tropical rivers, or even climb a volcano! Taking a pit-stop in San Jose, the Costa Rican capital city, would be a must for any serious sightseer. Experiencing things like the National Symphony Orchestra, the Marriott Costa Rica, eyeballing the 1880 piece gold collection at the Gold Museum or even touring the National Museum that is built within the former Buenavista fortress.

But if big cities arent your thing, you could easily find some of the most relaxing, tropical hideaways in the area within a couple of hour from San Jose. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve would be the place to go in February to witness not only the mating habits of the beautiful Quetzal but also the 2,500 types of plants, the 399 other species of birds, and the 110 different kinds of mammals! Or you could visit the Arenal Volcano Nation Park for a hiking excursion, the Caribbean coast to visit the Tortuguero Lodge that is placed inside the exotic Tortuguero National Park, or even the Manuel Antonio National Park that is found on the Central Pacific Coastline. There really is something for everyone that can be found in Costa Rica!

Book your trip today at TropicalTravel.net!

 As one of the most biologically diverse mountain systems in Mexico, The Sierra Norte is giving all it can give for hikers.  The Sierra Norte covers 6,500 square miles in the northern part of Oaxaca, and includes steep mountain slopes covered in pine and oak, cactus-covered 5,000-foot valleys and a beautiful tropical coastline, with an elevation range form sea level to 10,000 feet.  This area is part of a bioregion designated by Conservation International as one of the richest and most endangered in the world.  Here you will find unique species of orchids and wildlife such as southern flying squirrels, Pacific orange rip butterflies, Oaxaca hummingbirds and white-throated jays.

 Companies such as Journey Mexico offer tours through this rich tapestry of ecosystems.  Their nine-day tour starts with an exploration of the city of Oaxaca, and follows with visits to the pre-Columbian ruins of Monte Alban and Mitla, then to the mountains, where a few days are spent hiking and living in the Sierra Norte with Zapotec communities.  With this trip you get the chance to meet with local people and learn about the sacred traditions of the rural region, and get to stay two nights at a beach-side lodge in the fishing village of Puerto Escondido.  As you enjoy your stay here you can take pleasure in the surroundings through kayaking, hiking, scuba diving and snorkeling.