| If you're looking for a vacation hot spot Costa | | | | - Of its three craters, only one of them is active |
| Rica is the place for you, literally! Out of Costa | | | | at nearly a mile wide and 984 feet deep - one of |
| Rica's five volcanoes three of them are active to | | | | the widest in the world. On a clear day you may |
| different degrees and all are national parks. It will | | | | be able to see to the bottom of the small |
| be worth the trip just to watch your neighbor's | | | | rain-filled lake and spot openings that emit gases |
| jaw-dropping response to your volcano vacation | | | | and steam called fumaroles. Sometimes you can |
| stories. Arenal is by far the most spectacular. | | | | see geyser type eruptions or bubbly emissions on |
| Poas and Irazu have rain water filled lakes and | | | | the surface. The best time of year to visit is |
| much of the action takes place underwater. | | | | during the dry season January through April. Poas |
| Costa Rica is also a hot spot for vacation rental | | | | National Park is open from 8 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. |
| homes. With more than 1200 to choose from you | | | | every day. It's important to arrive very early as |
| can decide if you want to stay near a volcano or | | | | the cloud cover is unpredictable and the main |
| simply use your vacation rental villa as a jumping | | | | crater may not be visible for hours. There's a |
| off point. Let's start with the most active volcano. | | | | beautiful hike through the park to Botos Lagoon |
| Arenal Volcano | | | | you don't want to miss. |
| - By far the most spectacular in Costa Rica | | | | Irazu Volcano |
| boasting daily eruptions. At times youhear rumbling | | | | - This 11,260 ft. volcano is the tallest in Costa Rica |
| and feel it rumbling under your feet. It's the | | | | with an eerie moonscape created by eruptions in |
| world's 3rd most active volcano and is about a 3 | | | | the early 1960's. On a crystal clear day you can |
| hour drive or a brief 30 minute flight from the | | | | see both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. |
| capital city of San Jose. Attractions such as | | | | - Of its several craters two of them are worth |
| natural hot springs, spas, Arenal Observatory, | | | | viewing. The largest puts on a show of steam |
| hiking, 5 species of toucans, zip lining, canyoning, a | | | | that rises into the sky. The other, Diego de la |
| Sky Tram gondola ride and white water river | | | | Haya has a mineral-rich lake that varies in color |
| rafting make it an exciting adventure destination. | | | | from jade green to red depending upon the |
| The nearby town of La Fortuna is charming but | | | | concentration of minerals on any given day. |
| don't stay there - it's far from the action. | | | | - The best time to visit is March through April. |
| - This 4,000 year old 5,271 foot volcano is | | | | High winds are common year round. The national |
| pocketed with air vents that allow gases to | | | | park is open from 8:00 A.M. to 3 P.M. Visit as |
| escape and provide a constant release of | | | | early in the morning as you can before clouds |
| pressure. There are still several eruptions a day | | | | obscure the views. |
| but these relatively minor explosions are just | | | | If you've been seeking a new thrilling kind of |
| enough to make for spectacular viewing but not | | | | vacation, Costa Rica's volcanoes will deliver. Add a |
| enough tomake you cry "Mommy!" | | | | couple of tours such as zip lining through the rain |
| - You'll want to stay 2-3 nights as the volcano is | | | | forest canopy and white water river rafting and |
| often shrouded in cloud cover. It's odd but the | | | | you'll have some epic tales to tell. Remember |
| best viewing is during the rainy season from May | | | | higher altitudes mean cooler weather, so bring |
| to November when the clouds often part like the | | | | along some layers of clothing to stay comfortable. |
| Red Sea to reveal one of Costa Rica's most | | | | With so many vacation rental homes listed online |
| spectacular natural wonders. | | | | and in directories, you'll have no trouble finding one |
| - No need to pay a park entrance fee as Arenal | | | | in just the perfect location for you. If you prefer |
| is visible from the main road. | | | | to stay in an outlying area pick one of the |
| Poas Volcano | | | | volcanoes just outside San Jose for a day trip or |
| - Only an hour and half drive away from San Jose | | | | stay at Arenal for a couple of nights then head to |
| this 8,659 feet high volcano has frequent small | | | | your vacation villa. What are you waiting for? |
| geyser and lava eruptions but not nearly as | | | | Paradise awaits! |
| spectacular as Arenal. | | | | |