5 Things You Don't Know About Costa Rica

By Eliot Greenspan

I've lived in Costa Rica for more than 20 years and am still surprised by the number of new hot spots and creative adventures that the country offers. While I highly recommend that every visitor enjoy some of the country's amazing natural bounty, more and more travelers are coming to Costa Rica for a wider range of reasons. You also can now fly into a revamped Liberia airport, so whether you come to sample chocolate or to try the new adventure sport of canyoning, there's never been a better time to discover this small Central American country.

Photo Caption: Playa Espadilla Sur, in Manuel Antonio National Park, affords a sweeping, sandside view of densely forested Cathedral Point.

Arjen Toet/Flickr

1. Arenal Volcano is dormant yet still appealing

Arenal Volcano is currently dormant, but don't let that discourage you from going. It's been over a year since this amazing natural wonder has spewed lava and lit up the northern zone's night sky. No one knows when or if the volcano will enter an active phase again. Volcanoes are notoriously unpredictable and run on geological cycles that don't necessarily coincide with tightly scheduled vacations. That said, I still love the region. The views of the volcano are still stunning, albeit less exciting, and adventure opportunities abound. You can head out white-water rafting or kayaking, or ride a mountain bike along rugged rural roads. The waters of Lake Arenal are prime grounds for bass fishing and stand up paddling. There are several zip-line canopy tours, horseback riding adventures and two thrilling "canyoning" tours in the area. And there are still loads of lush rainforests perfect for hiking, and luscious hot springs perfect for soaking sore muscles.

Photo Caption: Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Arjen Toet/Flickr

1. Arenal Volcano is dormant yet still appealing

Arenal Volcano is currently dormant, but don't let that discourage you from going. It's been over a year since this amazing natural wonder has spewed lava and lit up the northern zone's night sky. No one knows when or if the volcano will enter an active phase again. Volcanoes are notoriously unpredictable and run on geological cycles that don't necessarily coincide with tightly scheduled vacations. That said, I still love the region. The views of the volcano are still stunning, albeit less exciting, and adventure opportunities abound. You can head out white-water rafting or kayaking, or ride a mountain bike along rugged rural roads. The waters of Lake Arenal are prime grounds for bass fishing and stand up paddling. There are several zip-line canopy tours, horseback riding adventures and two thrilling "canyoning" tours in the area. And there are still loads of lush rainforests perfect for hiking, and luscious hot springs perfect for soaking sore muscles.

Photo Caption: Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Thornton Cohen

2. The new adventure sport of "canyoning" is taking off

Popular in Europe, the sport of canyoning involves the exploration, usually a descent, of a mountain canyon. Most canyoning tours involve a mix of hiking, wading, swimming, and rappelling, often down the face of a waterfall. In Costa Rica, canyoning tours are offered in La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Turrialba, and on the Osa Peninsula. No previous experience is necessary and anyone in reasonably decent physical shape can go canyoning. All of the country's canyoning tours are fun and worthwhile, but my favorite is the Osa Peninsula's Psycho Tour (tel. 8353-8619; www.psychotours.com).

Photo Caption: Canyoning tour in La Fortuna.

Thornton Cohen

3. It's not Napa or Provence, but tasting tours are worth it

While Costa Rica's traditional cuisine is often justifiably dismissed, many of the world's most coveted culinary staples are produced here. The mountains above and around Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago, and Turrialba are prime coffee growing regions, and all feature plantations offering informative and tasty tours. My favorites include the Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Tour (tel. 2269-9392; www.fincarosablanca.com) and the Golden Bean Coffee Tour (tel. 2531-2008; www.goldenbean.net). In addition to coffee tours, visitors to Costa Rica can take tours of pineapple, macadamia, and banana plantations, sugar cane production facilities, vanilla and black pepper farms, and boutique chocolate factories. Of particular note are Villa Vanilla (tel. 2779-1155 or 8839-2721; www.rainforestspices.com) a vanilla, pepper, and cinnamon farm just outside Manuel Antonio, and ChocoRart (tel. 2750-0075), a cacao farm and basic production facility that offers a 2-hour chocolate tour.

Photo Caption: Sampling sugar cane on El Trapiche Tour.

Chad Martin

4. Flying in and out of Liberia is getting easier and maybe even cheaper

Final touches on a major expansion and new terminal at Liberia's Daniel Oduber International Airport (tel. 2666-9600; airport code LIR) have been completed. The large new terminal building began operations on January 12, 2012. The spacious facility is air-conditioned and features vastly expanded and improved customs, baggage claims, and check-in areas, as well as a range of retail spaces. The airport also has enclosed jetway bridges, eliminating the need to deplane onto the tarmac for most passengers. In addition to the regular service currently provided by American Airlines, Continental, Delta and US Airways, new seasonal service (beginning in late November or early December and running through April or May) has been announced by Air Canada, Air Berlin, Frontier, Jet Blue, Thomas Cook, and United, and even more airlines might add service to the airport. Early anecdotal reports are indicating that international fares are often less expensive to Liberia than to San Jose.

Photo Caption: Exterior of Liberia Airport.

Thornton Cohen

5. Watch yourself behind the wheel