Issue Date: 10/3/05
Rich Coast
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Costa Rica is a place for growth and relaxation. Life is slower. Adapt the country's motto - "pura vida." It translates to 'pure life,' meaning 'to take it easy.'
The scenic country reminds you to pause and appreciate the small things. From the city to the countryside, the rainforest paints the mountains all shades of green and calms your soul. Let the warm air fill your lungs on a black sand beach. Bask in the beauty of nature.
It is called the 'Switzerland of Central America' - a peaceful country that welcomes everyone. Here is a true guide from a frequent visitor on a student budget.
Start saving now to plan the perfect summer vacation. There are too many attractions to mention, but I recommend catching a few highlights in the capitol, San Jose, visiting the beaches and finding adventure in the mountains.
Plane Ticket
The first step is getting the ticket, which will vary in price depending on the time of the year and the airline. The best airlines to search are American, America West, Continental and TACA. Flights depart locally out of San Diego, Carlsbad, Los Angeles, Long Beach and Santa Ana and then arrive in San Jose after one stop.
The search engines such as Expedia and Travelocity will give you the best comparison on rates. Try to buy the ticket on the airline's web site to avoid extra fees and poor cancellation policies.
The best time to travel as a student is in the off-season for the best rates. Summertime here is Costa Rica's "winter," which they call the rainy season. Between May and September fares are low, ranging from $275-$500.
San Jose
San Jose is a great spot to start your adventure with great shopping and museum hopping. The most popular museums are the jade museum, gold museum and children's museum.
I would also recommend seeing an opera at the national theatre. Just the theatre itself is a beautiful, historic site built in 1897 and will be a well-remembered experience. Be open-minded about not understanding the language. Most of the operas are performed in Italian and translated into Spanish.
The scenic country reminds you to pause and appreciate the small things. From the city to the countryside, the rainforest paints the mountains all shades of green and calms your soul. Let the warm air fill your lungs on a black sand beach. Bask in the beauty of nature.
It is called the 'Switzerland of Central America' - a peaceful country that welcomes everyone. Here is a true guide from a frequent visitor on a student budget.
Start saving now to plan the perfect summer vacation. There are too many attractions to mention, but I recommend catching a few highlights in the capitol, San Jose, visiting the beaches and finding adventure in the mountains.
Plane Ticket
The first step is getting the ticket, which will vary in price depending on the time of the year and the airline. The best airlines to search are American, America West, Continental and TACA. Flights depart locally out of San Diego, Carlsbad, Los Angeles, Long Beach and Santa Ana and then arrive in San Jose after one stop.
The search engines such as Expedia and Travelocity will give you the best comparison on rates. Try to buy the ticket on the airline's web site to avoid extra fees and poor cancellation policies.
The best time to travel as a student is in the off-season for the best rates. Summertime here is Costa Rica's "winter," which they call the rainy season. Between May and September fares are low, ranging from $275-$500.
San Jose
San Jose is a great spot to start your adventure with great shopping and museum hopping. The most popular museums are the jade museum, gold museum and children's museum.
I would also recommend seeing an opera at the national theatre. Just the theatre itself is a beautiful, historic site built in 1897 and will be a well-remembered experience. Be open-minded about not understanding the language. Most of the operas are performed in Italian and translated into Spanish.