Costa Rica is a country with abundant gifts from Mother Nature making it one of the world’s leaders in eco-tourism. The bio-diversity of this place is one-of-a–kind. Environmentalists, nature lovers and enthusiasts of extreme sports like water rafting, quad biking, surfing and zip line tours through the rainforest canopy will certainly fall in love to this country. Botanists and gardeners alike will also admire Costa Rica’s breathtaking plant life whose grandeur is evident in the country’s national parks.

Strong influences from the Europeans are seen in the culture and tradition of Costa Rica’s society from the use of Spanish language and the architecture style to the tastes of the delicacies in the markets and restaurants. The mix of colonial Spain with Caribbean flavours is an exciting combination. Indeed, the country is not only bio-diverse but multicultural as well.

San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica. Ticos (Costa Rican citizens) fondly call the city ‘Chepe’. San Jose is the complete opposite to what travel ads say about Costa Rica as a whole. Instead of finding the emerald rainforests, Chepe has more of the hustle and bustle of cities like Guatemala city and La Paz in Boliva. San Jose may be a noisy smoky mash up of a city but it is a city where you can find superb museums, excellent dining experience and fun bar hopping.

Our Top 3 must do’s in Costa Rica are :

1. Manuel Antonio National park
2. Arenal Volcano
3. Hit Pavones for a surf : http://www.surf-costarica.com/surfing-destination-pavones.shtml

Enjoy!

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Turkey

We come from a big country, but for some reason Turkey feels even bigger once you start traveling it. Buses seem to be the default transport for travelers – there is a plethora for good value companies and departures are frequent. But who wants to spend 12 hours on a bus?

The inexpensive air-conditioned train, with a bed in your private sleeper, meals in the restaurant car, whilst gently swaying as Turkish scenery rolls past is the best way to get to the great interior.

Try: Overnight from Istanbul to Göreme for the magical landscapes of Cappadocia.

Kazakhstan

You will have heard of the great rail trips in Russia, like the Trans-Siberian, but what about neighbouring Kazakhstan? Comfortable and safe in your private sleeper, you’ll cross the endless sea of steppe where two humped camels flicker past your window. Observe the frenzied action at impossibly remote villages as the train creates an instant, fleeting marketplace on the platform.

Try: Moscow to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, over five days. Continue from there to China.

Vietnam

Why would you fly between destinations in this long country when air-conditioned, safe and cheap trains get you there in much greater comfort, seeing gorgeous scenery on the way? You’ll pay the same price as the Vietnamese, have a bed to stretch out on may meet some locals.

Try: The stunning coastal section between Hué and Danang over the Hai Van Pass.

South Africa

Long-distance passenger trains are perhaps South Africa’s best-kept travel secret. It’s another big country that can be experienced at ground level in much greater comfort than days on a bus. The trains link major cities and are cheap and safe. Enjoy the restaurant cars and the tourist class of sleepers with two and four berth compartments.

Try: Johannesburg to Cape Town over 2 days.

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Nestled between Honduras and Coast Rica, the Spanish speaking country lies dead smack in the middle of the American continent.

When you mention the country to most people, they will probably not know what or where you are talking about.

When it comes to Central America, it is the nations like Costa Rica and Guatemala that draw the most publicity, not the likes of Nicaragua.

However, while it does not get much publicity, it makes up for it in pure beauty in certain parts of the nation.

Admittedly, there are many average areas in the country, and a lot of places not worth checking out during your stay.

However, that does not mean Nicaragua is all poor and violent. IN

Places like Managua, the city of Blue Fields and the Escondido River Basin are all worthy of their tiles of being some of the best locations in the Central American region.

There is the city of Granada, which is the oldest city in Central America and the city of Leon, which has the lovely Chiquita river running through it.

The country is home to over 5.5 million people and the majority o these are Roman Catholics. There is however, a large portion of local Protestants as well.
Tourists from all corners of the globe are welcomed to Nicaragua and it is well worth checking out if in the area.

The heritage of Guatemala is that of the Maya, a Mesoamerican civilisation that existed from about 2000 BC until the conquests of the Spanish in the 16th century.

The Maya civilisation was advanced in astronomy, writing, art, mathematics and architecture and its influence on modern Guatemala is pervasive and obvious.

You can see first hand the links between the present population and the past at places like Chichicastenago, and get up close and personal with Maya structures at the archaeological sites of El Peten.

Travel in Guatemala is cheap, and you can stay in the capital, Guatemala City, for about $10 per night.

The capital has become distinctly more de huevos (cool) in recent times, thanks to a drop in the crime rate.

You could start your trip in Guatemala City before heading out to the smaller satellite towns for an intense cultural experience.

Things to see and do:

Guatemala City

Although it gets a bad rep for crime, Guatemala City has its attractions and can be greatly enjoyed in a short, sharp burst. There are a host of museums and parks to visit, but the most fun you will have is at the markets. Artisan and craft markets, textile and general markets are many in number and generally grand in size.

Guatemala City is raw and lively, and you will get a real feel for modern Guatemalan life after just a few days there.

Quetzaltenango

Don’t bother trying to pronounce its name, just call it Xela (shey-lah) as the locals do. It’s an interesting architectural experience, with the city centre revealing the influence of the Germans who came along after the Spanish moved out. The result is a distinctly gothic feel to this well-equipped, medium-sized town.

Here, you can learn Spanish, hike in the outstanding surrounding countryside, check out the Tajumulco volcanoes and even get involved with volunteer projects.

Monterrico

Directly south of Guatemala City, nestled among the dunes is Monterrico, a relaxed tropical coastal village where the pace of life is slow.

People come here to admire the distant volcanoes, kick up their feet on the beach and spend a lot of time in hammocks.

The local economy is driven by pachete (loofah), which will sometimes grow to the size of a human leg.

Tin roofs and thatched houses complete the picture, making Monterrico the ideal place to calm the soul during your trip to Guatemala.

Belize spreads its area across the Central American jungles and into the Caribbean Sea. It blends palm-dotted islets with ancient civilisations, national parks with luscious lagoons. Snorkellers swim through translucent seas gazing at a reef wonderland of coral, fish, dolphins and turtles or take their trek inland to investigate some of the 570 bird species that call Belize home.

Juxtaposed with these natural gifts, commercial tourism is country’s biggest source of employment and investment, making it the country’s biggest environmental threat. Belize does not have the resources to truly protect its sanctuaries so often accepts millions of investment dollars for condo and resort buildings.

Population: 320, 000
Capital: Belmopan
Languages: English
Currency: Belize Dollar, AU$1 = BZ$1.53
Religion: Christian, Hindu
Neighbours: South Mexico, Guatemala
Area: 23, 000 sq km
Time: UTC – 6
Seasons: Wet – June to November, Dry – December to May

Costa Rico isn’t anywhere near as ritzy as Mexico or the West Indies so it suits those who are on the hunt for the perfect secluded romantic getaway. There are endless resorts in Costa Rico offered on both the Pacific and Caribbean sides with magnificent views of the beautiful coastline or luscious forests – whichever you choose.

In recent times, Costa Rica has become a cornerstone in Central America’s pledge for a more sustainable tourism industry. Their countless species of flora and fauna makes for a veritable wildlife wonderland and tourism is Costa Rica’s top source of employment and investment. Of course, finding the delicate balance between tourism and preserving natural resources is difficult, but most Ticos are proud of their natural heritage and proud to recognise that economic prosperity and environmental conservation are not mutually exclusive.

Population: 4.25 million
Capital: San José
Languages: Spanish
Currency: Costa Rican colon, AU$1 = CRC 442.33
Religion: Christian
Neighbours: Nicaragua, Panama
Area: 51, 100 sq km
Time: UTC – 6
Seasons: Dry – December to April, Wet – May to November
Visas: All visitors require a visa

The people you meet are by far the highlight of any trip to Central America. Whether you skip from the lazy backpacker towns and white-sand beaches to the dense jungle and Mayan pyramids, you’re sure to find the cheery townsfolk wherever you go. Kick back in a Garífuna village, the home of African-Carib culture. Brush up on your Spanish or spend a lazy day in a boat over chocolaty waters.

Central America – Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and other parts of southern Mexico are much more a mystery than its better-known and bigger neighbours such as Mexico and North America. It is this mystery that makes the trip so much more rewarding.