Article by Victor Krumm

Here is a fun, little exam of your geography skills. What country:

a. Was discovered and named The Rich Coast by a world-famous explorer in 1503?b. Was criticized by its Governor in 1519 as “the most miserable” Spanish colony and today is a hot tourist destination?c. With war torn dictatorships to its north and south, abolished its army more than 60 years ago?d. Is ranked No. 1 as the Happiest Place on Earth?e. Is the first in the world to announce it will be completely carbon neutral by 2021?f. Has set aside more than a quarter of its country as parks and refuges?g. Plants millions of trees every year and, in a world beset by deforestation, has reforested more than 25% of its land in the last two decades?h. Has 112 volcanoes, including from one of which a traveler can see the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans at the same time?i. Has 400 miles of great Caribbean beaches waiting to be discovered?

Ready?

Costa Rica.

The Latin American country we call Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places in the world, famed for its beautiful sun-kissed waters, tropical mountains, and volcanoes. Tourists travel there for its white, brown, and black sand beaches, coral beaches, and rugged boulder strewn beaches with magnificent surf along two oceans. Because of its many attractions and warm, hospitable people, it has become one of the favorite tropical vacations for beach lovers and eco-tourists.

Explorer Christopher Columbus was the first Old World adventurer to explore the tropical waters off the Costa Rica Caribbean shores. He was so enthralled he named his discovery Costa Rica which means Rich Coast in Spanish. He was mistakenly convinced that the land was filled with metal treasure but the name stuck despite the Spanish Governor’s conclusion sixteen years later that it was “the most miserable” colony in Latin America.

Fortunately, Columbus was right (even if for the wrong reasons) and the Governor dead wrong. Better yet, Columbus left a lot of places to discover for future travelers. With nearly 400 miles of Caribbean coastline, tourists are sure to find that very memorable vacation spot, but, if you travel this part of Costa Rica do not expect to find the same attractions that are found along the Pacific. Indeed, the Caribbean has a distinctive reggae-type, Bob Marley, ambience.

For many nature lovers, a Costa Rica vacation is not complete without experiencing Tortuguero National Park along the northern Caribbean coast. There are no roads to Tortuguero so most visitors go to Limon and head north to the park by boat, although there are small airfields as well. This great park was voted by Costa Ricans as one of Costa Rica’s Seven Wonders. Initially created as the world’s largest green sea turtle nesting area, today it hosts many lodges and tours servicing fishermen and ecotourists who travel there to see its rivers, estuaries, and wildlife.

The city of Limon is south of Tortuguero and most travelers go through it to reach roadless Tortuguero and Barra Honda beaches north or to turn south to a number of small beach communities and kilometer after kilometer of great beaches. Limon is merely a jumping off point to head north or south because it is not a tourist destination. However, for those who travel south along the beaches Columbus sailed past, Puerto Viejo awaits. It has the world famous La Salsa Brava wave, a spectacular large wave that tests the best surfers anywhere, particularly when at its largest between November and April. Less experienced surfers should go a bit farther south to nearby Playa Cocles.

About 50 km. south of Limon and just a short distance north of Puerto Viejo is Cahuita, a very small, laid-back community with many kilometers of pristine beaches, some dark black and others sugar white. September and October are the driest months of the year and visitors who arrive around October 12 take in Carnaval at Limon, a week-long fiesta celebrating Columbus Day. Cahuita is famous for its wonderful reef snorkeling around its two shipwrecks. Not a lot of nightlife in this little burg so head a few kilometers south to Puerto Viejo.

If you continue venturing south, the Gandoco-Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve is encountered almost on the northern Panama border. This is where Columbus came ashore and gave the country its name. Here he discovered, and you will, too, crystal clear tropical waters perfect for swimming. But, unlike that mighty sea captain, you will be able to go scuba diving at the country’s largest coral reef. As an added bonus, the rare and recently discovered freshwater Tucuxi Porpoise lives only here. Visitors frequently see sea turtles nesting and fishermen often find silvery tarpon and snook. Lots of them. In the sea just offshore, in the many lagoons and rivers. Very few fishermen. But when they are here, lots of fish!

So, welcome to the Caribbean Costa Rica beaches. Pura Vida!

Question by Happymom13: Is there a Caribbean beach with huge boulders to walk thru/climb on? (similar to The Baths on Virgin Gorda)?
I’ve been to The Baths beach on Virgin Gorda (BVI) and it is simply spectacular. The “hike” through the rocks to Devil’s Bay is amazing! It does get crowded though, and I’d like to find an alternative. Are there any other Caribbean beaches with big rocks (like the Baths) for climbing through and on?

My family and I thank you for your suggestions!

Best answer:

Answer by joe
Nope there are no others, really and they deffinatly wont be as you expect them to be base on your experiences.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Post from: Cheap Caribbean Vacation Packages

Off The Beaten Track Caribbean Beaches of Costa Rica: From Columbus To You

Article by DOLA RAHEEM

If you have a Caribbean beach wedding, you will have a fantastic wedding day that you will never forget. Getting married on the beach is wonderful wherever you are, but there is something about a Caribbean beach that makes it extra special.

The Caribbean is famed for its fabulous red, orange and golden sunsets and there are few more romantic settings than being married with that beautiful warm glow spreading over the sky and the Caribbean sea, with a dazzling gown picking up the tints to make you look even more beautiful than usual. These words might be full of superlatives, but they by no means exaggerate the effect that these sunsets have on those lucky enough to enjoy them.

Perhaps it is the pure white or coral pink sand, or just the fabulous setting, who knows. Everybody is different and have their own reasons for wanting to get married in the Caribbean, and if you have traveled that far why settle for anything less than a beach wedding? One of the advantages of getting married here is that it is great all year round, spring, summer, fall and winter. It will be warm, and as long as you give the hurricane season a miss you will have a destination wedding that everybody will talk about for years to come.

The food is wonderful and even if seafood is not the meal of your choice many Caribbean islands have wide range of local delicacies from goat to chicken. However, the local paellas are absolutely delicious, and each is made to the recipe of the individual chef. The range of shellfish available in their many different guises is also vast, and you will have a wedding reception menu that will suit every taste imaginable, from the fiery hot (ever tried Jamaican Hellfire sauce?) to the beautiful creaminess of Caribbean coconut chicken.

The specific island you choose is very much a matter of personal choice. It doesn’t really matter, though some brides have a preference. Grand Cayman, for example, is ideal if you and your partner want a secluded wedding with just the two of you. You can have one or two guests, but even if you have none, there are always witnesses available. All you need is your marriage license. You can get the minister, flowers, photographer and cake included for less than a thousand dollars. What a fantastic price for a wedding in such a beautiful beach setting.

Most people prefer beach weddings, though it might be a bit hot in mid summer. Some prefer to marry in a hotel or other shaded area, and then have the reception on the beach. You can easily change out of your dress into something more comfortable for the reception. Others decide to be wed in the early evening, once the heat of the sun has died down a bit. Whatever you decide for yourself, a beach wedding in the Caribbean will normally be less expensive that getting married in your home town. Mainland USA weddings can be very expensive, largely due to the number of guests you usually have to invite.

Fewer people tend to accept invitations to destination weddings due to the distance and the transport and accommodation costs, so it could be just the two of you plus your immediate family. Many get married on a Caribbean beach and then have a buffet reception back home after a church blessing. Or even a full reception: the choice is yours. The main point is that you can have your dream wedding without disappointing or upsetting anybody by having a proper reception back home.

Most locations such as Jamaica, Guadeloupe and St. Lucia offer wedding packages for all sizes of weddings. They know that many people getting married in the Caribbean will likely not be bringing a massive number of guests with them, and there are special packages for small parties of six or ten people, with transport on the island, a tour and even champagne included. What better way to start off married life?

Although there should be few problems with a Caribbean beach wedding, don’t lose sight of the fact that you are being married outdoors so will be at the mercy of the weather. There are some things that even the best wedding organizers cannot control for you, so you should be prepared for bad weather. However, apart from the hurricane season, you should have less need for rainwear in Trinidad than in Chicago.

If you are looking for a wedding with a difference that you will remember for ever and that your guests will equally enjoy, opt for a Caribbean beach wedding and have a truly fantastic wedding day.

St Lucia: beaches
The best beaches on the Caribbean island of St Lucia, chosen by our expert Fred Mawer. By most measurements the best, and certainly busiest, beach on the island: more than a mile of fine golden sand, with lovely views across the bay to double humped …
Read more on Telegraph.co.uk

Post from: Cheap Caribbean Vacation Packages

Have A Caribbean Beach Wedding For A Fantastic Wedding Day

Article by best-carribean-beaches.info

The Caribbean – it’s a dream of every traveler, best place for vacations and rest! Beautifully nature, emerald woods, golden Caribbean beaches and more other, you can find there! Did you read or see films about Caribbean pirates? Most of them was live at there places. Every island has own richest history.

Caribbean beaches are beautiful and various. There are rocky beaches, sandy beaches, shingly beaches, but most of Carribean beaches – sandy beaches. Sandy beaches divide by white sandy beaches, black sandy beaches, yellow sandy beaches. Caribbean white sandy beaches are most popular, but black sandy beaches are more unique or most unique – you can see black sand beach from one side of island and white sand beach from another side. The immediate cause of black sandy Caribbean beaches is active volcano, for example volcano on Montserrat. Interesting facts – Antigua and Barbuda islands have 365 beaches, Dominica have 365 rivers. The white sands of Antigua are world-renowned. The best beaches in the Caribbean are here. Though many of Antigua’s offerings are similar, Runaway Beach and Half Moon Bay stand head and shoulders above the others. Many Caribbean beach vacations include a travel to Jamaica. “Seven Mile Beach”, located in Negril is understandably popular for one simple reason – the party rarely stops. Home to many of the most notoriously wild Carribean beach resorts, this beach is guaranteed to be hopping at any time of day or night. Jamaica have white sandy beaches. Another best Caribbean beaches you can find in Anguilla – Shoal Bay one of them. Anguilla have 33 best beaches. White and black sand beaches You found on Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts. If you find wild or jungle beaches – Saint Lucia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago Your choice. Or if You find extreme feelings – Wellcome to Montserrat or to beach of Saint Martin. The beauty of Caribbean beaches is indescribable – It needs to be seen and I want to see to in real. But here You can see all beauty of Caribbean beaches in Caribbean beaches gallery.

Post from: Cheap Caribbean Vacation Packages

Caribbean beaches

Beachfront Resorts

When you are looking for the best Caribbean beaches to vacation at, you will find that price does matter. The brochure for a chain of hotels may only show you the best beaches. If you are staying in on of there economy hotels, the quality of the Caribbean beaches you are staying near may drop in quality. This might be a small issue since you are in the middle of paradise, but it is best to be prepared when you get there.

No matter what island you are staying on, there are a few things that you should know about Caribbean beaches. First, there are certain beaches that will allow nudity. If you are wanting to bathe topless, these are probably the areas where you should because the other tropical beaches will not permit topless bathing.

All Caribbean beaches are not created equal, and because of this there are many private beaches. Most hotels own some part of the beachfront, but every island has at least one beach that is public with public access to the water and facilities.

And common sense rules for Caribbean beaches are to wear sunscreen in this sunny tropical paradise, be sure to drink plenty of water in order to stay hydrated out in the sun all day, and make sure that you use a little bit caution when swimming. Although swimming is very safe on Caribbean beaches, you will need to watch for rip currents or undertows that could be dangerous.

Most of the Caribbean beaches that you will come in contact with will have warm, clear water and the pure white sand that will be like walking on a cloud. There are also different settings that you will see. Some Caribbean beaches will be lined with coconut palms, and other will have rocky cliffs just above the beachfront. It is truly a dream to be able to explore Caribbean beaches and stay in island resorts, so make the most of your vacation and take the time to relax, take pictures, and enjoy the calm Caribbean waters.

Post from: Cheap Caribbean Vacation Packages

The Quality of Caribbean Beaches