US-travplan16

TDI

264

INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL

IntervalWorld.com

ZIP LINE:

Fly through the air amid the treetops on a Congo Trail Canopy Tour out of Playas del Coco.

ARENAL VOLCANO:

Take a day tour of the 7,000-year-old volcano, which last erupted in 2010.

OCOTAL BAY:

Just southwest of Playas del Coco, Ocotal is teeming with marine life, making it a great snorkeling spot.

CATALINA ISLANDS:

A quick boat ride from Guanacaste’s resort towns, the islands offer prime bird-watching.

hy Go?

For the ecotourism. Central America is a hotbed for unforgettable nature explorations, and nowhere is it

easier to venture into the wild than in Costa Rica. And if beach time is of equal importance, you can have your cake and

eat it too in Guanacaste Province, where picturesque rows of sand are as abundant as tour operators ready to shuttle

you to the country’s best nature attractions — including Arenal Volcano National Park and Monteverde Cloud Forest

Reserve — with ease.

Central America

14 – 26

Feeling adventurous? Head into the fierce trade

winds that make Guanacaste a renowned spot for

kitesurfing and

windsurfing

December through

May. Or spend a day at sea aboard the

Wave

Dancer

, fly fishing for marlin and sailfish. And

don’t let the activities end after sundown: Put on

your dancing shoes, and head across a footbridge

for La Vida Loca, a beachfront establishment with

live music. Or hang out at Coconutz, an American-

style sports bar.

1 – 13

Costa Rica’s dry season runs from late November

through April, allowing for excellent bask-by-the-

beach conditions. Peaceful Playa Ocotal sets a

lovely scene with black sands, blue waters, and a

backdrop of rocky cliffs, and boasts excellent

opportunities for sport fishing. For a more active

atmosphere, set your sights on vibrant

Playas del

Coco

, which affords views of surrounding hills

and plenty of restaurants and shopping. It’s also

a nightlife hub, with lively dance clubs, casinos,

and bars. For optimal diving, January through

March is the best time to swim with stingrays.

40 – 52

If you’re an animal lover, a turtle tour to Ostional

Wildlife Refuge is a must, and October through

November is the perfect time to see them nesting.

The refuge’s sands attract thousands of olive rid-

ley sea turtles each year, as well as leatherback

and Pacific green turtles. Or, marvel at the coun-

try’s diverse flora and fauna with a journey through

the jungle along the

Corobici River

, which winds

its way from the Guanacaste mountain range to

the Gulf of Nicoya, looking out for iguanas and

monkeys.

27 – 39

Rain is more likely during this time of year, but with

the precipitation comes greenery. With Anywhere

Costa Rica’s Borinquen Adventure Day tour, expe-

rience the country at its most verdant. Ride a

horse through beautiful scenery, enjoying the

views of the Pacific coast and

Rincón de la Vieja

Volcano

, then take a canopy tour, have lunch, and

soak in hot springs. A little rain’s also no big deal

when you’re underwater: Book a training course

with Rich Coast Diving in Playas del Coco or, if

you’re already certified, swim amid bull sharks

near the Bat Islands.

50 100 150

Weeks

Greatest

Demand

Greatest

Availability

Market

Average

2016 – 2017