Costa Rica is awash with natural beauty. Volcanic mountains, lush green valleys, gorgeous waterfalls and mind-blowing beaches cover this Central American nation. Its conservation efforts lead the world. Over 25 percent of its landmass is dedicated to preservation of the rare plants and animals found there. It is home to numerous endangered species. It’s also a Mecca for serious surfers who come to challenge the ‘heavy salsa’ and long left-hand breaks. Whether you are looking for black-sand Pacific beaches or peaceful ones on the Caribbean Sea, you can find it in Costa Rica. You can even use your cell phone in Costa Rica to tell the folks back home how much fun you are having; but be sure you are on the right network.
Costa Rica is home to Volcanoes, some of which are active.
Costa Rica’s national parks are internationally famous. Places like Irazu Volcano National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park, Tortuguero National Park and Corcovado National Park draw thousands each year. There are rare giant leatherback turtles, ocelots, the great jaguar, tiny poison frogs, spider and Titi monkeys, yellow and blue macaws and more birds and butterflies than you ever imagined. There are 155 rare species;but if you try to jump on your American or European cell phone in Costa Rica to tell your wife you saw an ocelot, a tapir and the nest of a leatherback turtle, you may have no service or exorbitant roaming charges. Your best bet is a local 3G phone.
There are three systems for your cell phone in Costa Rica. The TDMA, the GSM and the 3G. The TDMA phones are being phased out so avoid them at all costs. Over 27,000 customers are blocked out occasionally as the company goes through the process of shutting down. GSM is one of the older systems. Service is spotty at best. Some companies try to foist GSM phones on you. Avoid it like the plague. The 3G system was launched in 2010. It is by far the best system in the country. Clear calls, easy connections and low prices make it the only way to go if you must call home from this Central American Eden.
You will find some of the best and most challenging surfing in the Pacific in Costa Rica. Your friends won’t believe the images you send them on your 3G phone. There Left hand breaks so long they are measured in minutes. Beaches like Dominical, Pavones, Witches Rock, Playa Hermosa and Salsa Brava will test your skill with some of the best surfing adventures anywhere. And then there is Tamarindo. Bring your whole surfing posse from novices to experts and everyone will have a great time there.
The Lush Green Landscape Of Costa Rica
You need a special cell phone for Costa Rica. With it you can call home while looking into the crater on Irazu Volcano, visiting a quaint town with buildings constructed in the colonial Spanish style or while lounging around a lagoon so beautiful and blue you’ll never want to leave. Costa Rica is number one on the Happy Planet Index. Any visitor will understand why. Whether you have been tricked into renting a TDMA phone, have settled for the ancient GSM network or are working with the powerful 3G network you will definitely want to call home after a night of partying in paradise. You can tell them about the strong tasty drinks, salsa, meringue, rock and reggae music and the wild and wonderful crowd. You will, however, need a cell phone for Costa Rica to do it.