They are sexy, silky and mysterious. Some are hidden and hard to find while others are well known and favored by beach lovers. Images of dark, dramatic black sand beaches elicit the idea of exotic locales but many are found on nearby shorelines. As you travel the world make sure you add a couple of these intriguing coasts to your bucket list. Here, Playa Negra on Vieques is a favorite when visiting the Spanish Virgin Islands.
Photo: Earl Howard
Hana, Maui, Hawaii
The Road to Hana takes in winding and rugged coastlines leading to a collection of black sand coves and beaches. This stretch of highway from Paia unveils sea stacks, blowholes, lava caves, waterfalls, pineapple fields and bamboo jungles. While the journey is only about 45 miles long, with over 600 hairpin turns and 50-plus one-lane bridges, the trip is a full-day excursion, if not longer. You’ll want to allow time to linger at the bottom of waterfalls and explore black sand coves. Photo: Rich Hay
Grande Anse, Trois-Rivieres, Guadeloupe
Off the beaten path, this unspoiled stretch of dark fine silky sand is lined with coconut palms and presents itself as a wild natural beauty. While popular with surfers and body boarders, the spot is best for relaxing and watching the rolling waves hit the shoreline, as swimming is not recommended. Located on the southern end of Basse- Terre near the town of Trois-Rivieres the beach offers a direct view of Les Saintes. Photo: Fredww
Hiva Oa, Tahiti
French Polynesia is known for its palm-lined strips of sand ranging from white to pink and black. The islands are volcanic by nature unveiling rugged and mountainous topside fringed with stunning coves and bays. Known as the Garden of the Marquesas, Hiva Oa, the largest island in the southern Marquesas Archipelago is lined with black sand beaches where sharp ridges and peaks plunge into the Pacific. The rugged landscape is scattered with archeological sites and ruins. Photo: Tahiti Tourisme
Playa Negra, Vieques, Puerto Rico
Vieques is an island of beaches, bays, and coves along with mangrove forests, salt flats and bioluminescent waters. Visitors spend time hiking trails, kayaking and paddle boarding. This is a place where you can sit back and dig your toes in the black silky sands, a mixture of limestone and layers of sediment created as tectonic plates lifted. Beach lovers are intrigued by a walk along the glimmering shores of contrasting shades of golden honey and rich ebony. Photo: Jordan Benge
Kamari Beach, Santorini, Greece
The Greek islands offer visitors an assortment of beaches from brilliant snow white to deep charcoal and even red. On the island of Santorini, most visitors love Kamari Beach on the island’s east coast. It’s one of the longest stretches of sand on the island and is backed by the town of its namesake, a popular resort area with eateries, bars, shops and beach clubs where booking a couple of chairs and umbrella is in order. Formed by multiple subterranean explosions, Santorini is an active volcano, however, dormant. Photo: mtm2935
Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia
While St. Lucia has its gorgeous stretches of white sand, the darker hues on the southwest corner of the island promise endless opportunities. The beach sits beneath two resorts, Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet. Unless you happen to be staying at either getting to the sand is an excursion via a rough road from Soufriere or by boat. Backed by palms and fronted by a marine reserve with natural reefs, the snorkeling and diving are amazing as well as the vista of towering mountains as a backdrop. Photo: Lucas Gilman/Anse Chastanet
Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
The big attraction here is to surfers and those seeking solitude and relaxation. These black sands in Puntarenas, lead to some of the biggest beach breaks along the Pacific Coast and attract surfers year-round. Dark chocolate–colored dunes are backed by lush green foliage and palms providing a gorgeous canvas to view while riding a wave or lazing along the coast. A low-key tourist area, catering to surfers you’ll find an assortment of surf shops offering lessons and rentals. Photo: Max Boettinger
Punaluu Beach, The Big Island, Hawaii
The most well-known example of black dunes in the Hawaiian chain is on the Big Island. Created of basalt as lava flowed into the ocean, the jet black sand is backed by coconut palms. Ideal for swimming, when conditions are calm, taking a coastal hike, turtle watching and snorkeling nearby at Ninole Cove. Water temperatures range from warm to cool due to the freshwater spring that flows into the bay. Photo: Hawaii Tourism Authority
Famara Beach, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
According to some, this is the best beach on Lanzarote. Originally a fishing village, today’s visitors come to surf and kiteboard thanks to the predominant trade winds. Ocean currents keep swimmers close to shore; however, a walk and a splash along the shoreline make for a perfect day at the beach. Backed by and sheltered by dramatic mountain cliffs, the natural beauty is striking. Photo: AntonioJuan2
Sandy Bay, St. Vincent
In the southern Caribbean lie St. Vincent & The Grenadines, where the collection of islands is off the beaten path for most. While most beaches are of volcanic origin, there are some white stretches of sand on the southern shores. But on the northern windward side in a rural area of St. Vincent there is a beautiful wild spot at Sandy Bay. The secluded black sands, rough seas and onshore breezes make this a natural adventure just to watch. Swimming is out of the question even for the most daring. Photo: Flavio Vallenari
They are sexy, silky and mysterious. Some are hidden and hard to find while others are well known and favored by beach lovers. Images of dark, dramatic black sand beaches elicit the idea of exotic locales but many are found on nearby shorelines. As you travel the world make sure you add a couple of these intriguing coasts to your bucket list. Here, Playa Negra on Vieques is a favorite when visiting the Spanish Virgin Islands.
Most travelers think Pacific when they are planning a Costa Rica beach vacation. From upscale retreats along the Gulf of Papagayo to fishing lodges in Quepos and surf clubs in Golfito, the country’s west coast has hundreds of resorts to choose from.
Not as well known are the limited number of small hotels and eco lodges that are scattered along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. There are a few on the dark sand beaches to the north, but travelers in the know gravitate to the southern shores, where golden sands flank a jungle-clad shore, and coral reefs lie close to shore. There are no high rises, and as you approach the border with Panama, a single road leads through small fishing villages to boutique resorts nestled into the rain forest, or set on wild beaches. Here are three of the best.
Adventurous surfers were the first to discover the coastal village of Puerto Viejo, on Costa Rica’s far southern Caribbean coast. But the word is now out, and the town has become a lively destination for the backpacking crowd. Hotel Banana Azul is located on the beach a quarter mile from downtown—close enough for an easy walk to shops and bars, but far enough away to avoid the late night party scene. The property includes 14 guest rooms in the main hotel, which is built from local hardwoods. Also on the grounds is the two-story Villas Banana Verde, which are luxury accommodations with a full kitchen and a private plunge pool. All accommodations are equipped with wireless Internet and are in close proximity to the ocean-view pool, beach and restaurant. The grounds feature lush tropical gardens and each villa’s open-air design allows guests to cook and dine in their private outdoor space. It that’s not your thing, the Azul Beach Club serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The lounge area at the Hotel Banana Azul showcases the warm, rich colors of sustainable local hardwoods and the cool counterpoint of native stonework. Photo: Banana Azul
The hotel provides a quiet, beachfront oasis, but it is also an ideal starting point for activities up and down the coast and into the surrounding rainforests. Guests can plan their own adventures or join daily-guided tours. A tasty favorite is the Chocolate Forest Experience tour, where guests learn the history of cacao cultivation, harvesting and chocolate making. Hikers and bird watchers can arrange day trips to Cahuita National Park, the Jaguar Rescue Center and the pristine Gandoca Manzanillo Refuge. The resort also offers a number of farther ranging tours that include whitewater rafting excursions, coastal sailing cruises, and trips into the mountains to hike, zip line and soak in volcanic hot springs.
The pool deck at the Hotel Banana Azul is surrounded by lush tropical landscaping. It is just a short walk from rooms to the uncrowded sands of Playa Chiquita beach. Photo: Banana Azul
Eco-conscious travelers will fall in love with La Kukula Lodge, which is about three miles south of Puerto Viejo. Set on the site of a former cocoa plantation now returning to rainforest, La Kukula Lodge is all about natural living. Fabricated from sustainably sourced local teak wood, the resort combines traditional craftsmanship with innovative architectural design elements to create accommodations that are both comfortable and environmentally responsible. All buildings are set on raised platforms, leaving the forest floor beneath undisturbed. This design also creates a cooling airflow that combines with design elements such as high, vaulted ceilings and shading roof overhangs to provide passive cooling, making artificial air conditioning unnecessary. Footpaths are narrow in order to maintain an uninterrupted canopy, allowing troops of howler monkeys and other animals to travel overhead without leaving the safety of the treetops.
A villa at the La Kukula Lodge sits on a raised foundation that does not displace the jungle’s natural flora and fauna, and allows small animals to roam freely through the grounds. Photo: La Kukula
Guests at La Kukula have options that range from single rooms to stand-alone two-bedroom bungalows or a two-story, three bedroom house that is ideal for large family groups, Amenities include queen or king beds set beneath gauze netting, terraces with hammocks, and rainforest showers with large windows that provide private jungle views. The resort’s dining room creates gourmet meals that are prepared on site by local chefs using fresh, organic and locally sourced produce wherever possible. The menu blends Costa Rican and European influences, combining local recipes with a Mediterranean style. From the lodge, it is a five-minute walk to Playa Chiquita, which is one of the area’s lesser known and less visited beaches. This relatively small stretch of sand includes tide pools and coral reefs, making it ideal for snorkeling, walking or a quiet nap away from the crowds.
Like all buildings at the La Kukula Lodge, the main house is designed to have minimal impact on the natural surroundings. Toucans and sloths are often seen in the area. Photo: La Kukula
Moving south from Puerto Viejo, a single narrow road winds through the jungle towards the coastal outpost of Punta Uva, where a pair of gold sand beaches flank a green promontory. Branching off along the way is an even less obvious track that leads into a 10-acre oceanfront property nestled on the edge of the Gandoca Manzanillo wildlife refuge. This is the site of one of the most eclectic and intriguing lodges in Central America. The property has impeccable ecological credentials; many structures were created from fallen trees or sustainable bamboo, with roofs made from recycled materials. Features such as solar water heating, natural paints and wastewater reclamation programs have earned the lodge the highest possible 5 LEAVES certification from Certification for Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica. In addition to a strong commitment to ecological responsibility, the lodge focuses on wellness, with daily yoga classes and a fitness center that offers daily fitness, Pilates, and Taebo classes.
Near the Tree House Lodge, the coastline of Punta Uva includes a number of small beaches separated by points of land, with coral reefs rising close to the surface just yards from shore. Photo: Tree House Lodge
The Tree House Lodge is made up of five unique homes that combine open-air living and modern luxuries with whimsical designs. The two-level beach house is constructed entirely from a single fallen loquat tree. The Beach Suite’s futuristic profile wraps around a spacious bathing room set within a dome embedded with colored glass ports. The Crystal House has a massive sangrillo tree grown through its center, a miniature golf course running through the interior, and a wood-fired hot tub. The Garden House is built almost entirely from bamboo, and the Tree House is raised on stilts, and reached by a suspension bridge. Though rustic and unusual in appearance, the homes of the Tree House Lodge include modern comforts such as air conditioning, full kitchens and Wi-Fi service. Various layouts include one or two bedrooms and lofts, and can accommodate up to six people.
The Crystal House at the Tree House Lodge blends indoor and outdoor living spaces that are decorated with recycled art, and feature handmade furniture and open-air kitchens. Photo: Tree House Lodge
Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula is the new darling of the eco-adventure crowd. This thumb of land on the country’s Pacific coast harbors Central America’s largest remaining Pacific lowland rainforest, containing some 50 percent of all plant and animal species found in Costa Rica. There’s plenty of bucket-list activities awaiting, from jungle hikes and prospecting for gold to surfing safaris and big game fishing trips.
This landmark eco lodge is set in a 1,000-acre private nature preserve on the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula, where the waters of Gulfo Dulce meet the Pacific. The resort is recognized as one of the pioneers in the sustainable lodging movement. Lapa Rios was a founding member of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World program, and became the first hotel in Costa Rica to receive Five Leaf status from the Costa Rica Tourist Board. The lodge’s commitment to sustainability extends to all aspects of operation, from solar-heated water and the use of bio-degradable products to more eclectic solutions such as the use of locally produced bio-gas in the kitchen, and non-motorized farming techniques in the on-site organic gardens.
Bungalows at the Lapa Rios Lodge sit on a hillside on the Pacific Ocean side of the Osa Peninsula. Guests are just a short walk away from a private surf- washed beach. Photo: Lapa Rios Lodge
Guests at Lapa Rios are housed in a collection of 17 rustic hilltop bungalows built from local and sustainable materials. Each bungalow features large ceiling fans, king-size or two queen-size beds and spacious indoor bathrooms with two showers, one with rain-like cool water and one with solar-heated hot water. An open-air design ushers in panoramic views of the rainforest and the waters of Gulfo Dulce, and includes expansive covered porches furnished with hammocks, lounges and an additional outdoor shower. The on-site restaurant provides similarly impressive views of forest and ocean, and delivers an upscale cuisine with a focus on fresh, property grown and locally sourced foods. Other amenities include a salt- based pool with direct beach access and a hilltop deck used for yoga sessions and al fresco massage treatments. For those who must stay connected with the outside world, the Guides’ Hut offers complimentary Wi-Fi.
Accommodations at the Lapa Rios Lodge are best described as eco-lux, as they blend sustainable practices with inviting creature comforts and lavish views. Photo: Lapa Rios Lodge
Nature takes center stage at Lapa Rios. Guests wake to bird songs and the sounds of the jungle. Since the entire property is maintained as a wildlife corridor, it’s not uncommon to see wildlife right from bungalow decks. A network of self guided hiking trails crisscross the property, and additional scheduled walks and tours include a waterfall hike, medicinal plant tour, rainforest ridge hike, sunrise and sunset birding excursions, tours of Corcovado National Park, and nighttime jungle walks. On-property activities include daily yoga and qigong sessions, regional cooking classes, cultural immersions and sustainability workshops. Guests can also engage in day trips for adventures from surfing lessons and zip lining to dolphin watching.
Hikers ford a jungle stream as they hike into the unspoiled rain forests of the Osa Peninsula. These woodlands are home to more than 300 species of birds. Photo: Lapa Rios Lodge
The back-to-nature experience at this premier eco-lodge begins with a boat ride, because there is no road leading to this pristine private nature preserve. The hillside buildings of Playa Nicuesa face a small, pristine beach on the shores of Gulfo Dulce, with the wild jungle of the Piedras Blancas National Park on all sides. The solar-powered lodges’ eco-credentials are impeccable, and the property’s design exudes rustic regional charm while also delivering a civilized take on jungle living.
The lodge at Playa Nicuesa is the resort’s social center, and the setting for nightly family-style dinners, where staff often join guests to share in the conversation. Photo: Playa Nicuesa
At the center of the resort is the main lodge, which is an open-air, two-story structure. The lower level is home to a library, lounge and terrace bar, and is fitted with hammocks and game tables. The second floor terrace provides all round views of the forest, and is the setting for family-style meals, which are served by candlelight in the evenings. Tucked into the property’s wooded hillside is a collection of private one and two-bedroom cabins, cabin suites and a tree house inspired two-story guesthouse with four private rooms. Each of these unique cabins is finished with rich hardwood floors, louvered windows, netting canopied beds, open-air showers and wraparound terraces that provide canopy level views of the forest.
Rooms at Playa Nicuesa put guests at the rainforest’s canopy level. Louvered doors and windows opened for total immersion in the natural surroundings. Photo: Playa Nicuesa
A network of trails leads from Playa Nicuesa into the forests of the surrounding national park. Guided walks include an edible landscape tour, where guests learn to forage for exotic edibles in the rain forest, then work with the chef to transform their finds into a savory meal. Other favorites include the guided night hike, and kayak trips on the Esquinas River, where mangroves teem with wildlife. The lodge’s kayaks can also be used for trips into the waters of Gulfo Dulce, which is an important habitat for dolphin and migrating humpback whales. Guests can also use the lodge’s fishing equipment to catch their own dinner, which will be expertly prepared by the lodge’s chefs.
There are no roads leading to the private beach at Playa Nicuesa. Guests can use kayaks to explore the shore, and venture into the rich waters of Gulfo Dulce. Photo: Playa Nicuesa
This relative newcomer to the Osa Peninsula offers civilized but still an authentic take on the eco-adventure theme. Crocodile Bay sits on 44 acres of manicured tropical gardens close to the village of Puerto Jimenez, and convenient to the town’s air strip. To provide fishermen with a wide range of marine ecosystems, the resort’s location was chosen for it’s strategic proximity to both the sheltered bays and coastal estuaries of Gulfo Dulce, and the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. This location also proved to be an ideal starting point for a wide range of land based activities on the Osa Peninsula, making Crocodile Bay an ideal destination not only for fishermen, but also for nature lovers and families seeking an adventure themed vacation.
A bird’s-eye view of the Crocodile Bay fishing and eco-adventure resort, which is located on the shores of Gulfo Dulce, near the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula. Photo: Crocodile Bay
The resort’s 28 rooms are spread across the property in a group of two-story buildings. All rooms are air conditioned, and include telephone service for connectivity. Families and groups can stay together by booking the three- bedroom villa. Guests are immersed in nature the moment they step onto private balconies or terraces, where hundreds of species of birds and butterflies fill the nearby forest canopy. A short walk through garden-like landscaping leads from rooms to the central lodge and dining room, where all meals are included in the daily room rate. Nearby is the resort’s pool, which includes a swim-up bar and a Jacuzzi set on an elevated terrace to take in jungle views. Also nearby is the 5,000-square-foot spa, which offers a full range of treatments. A long dock extending into the waters of the gulf houses a fleet of sport fishing and excursion boats.
At Crocodile Bay, a collection of red tile roof villas house individual guest rooms. Private balconies and terraces overlook the resort’s landscaped grounds. Photo: Crocodile Bay
Many guests of Crocodile Bay come for world-class fishing, which includes both inshore and offshore big game angling, and specialized kayak angling programs. But there’s more to this prime property than fishing, as the list of available activities includes more than 30 distinct adventures. Relaxing options include butterfly tours, rainforest walks and bird watching excursions. For the more active, there are waterfall hikes, climbs and rappels, zip line experiences, cross-country bike rides and a chance to pan for gold in jungle streams. Kayaks and paddleboards are available to tour coastal mangrove forests, and boat trips to deserted beaches include opportunities to snorkel and possibly swim with dolphins in the wild.
Rooms at Crocodile Bay blend clean, modern design with handcrafted furnishings and décor to create a functional and authentic regional ambiance. Photo: Crocodile Bay
There’s nothing like standing under the cool, cleansing flow of an outdoor shower set amid natural surroundings. While lathering up in bubbles, you might hear the songs of birds, monkeys chattering in the trees or the sea rolling ashore. Bringing you closer to nature and pictured here is a close up of a private courtyard outdoor shower at the Blancaneuax Lodge in Belize.
Once you’ve had your fill of sun, beach and water, it’s time to try something different. And at resorts all across the Caribbean, you can do just that. Young and old alike will find activities that entertain, educate or encourage engagement. Here are ten experiences that go beyond the ordinary resort experience.
Lace up your walking shoes and ask the concierge for directions and a map. From the Strawberry Hill resort, the path to Redlight village winds through the wooded hillsides of the Blue Mountains, passing streams and a waterfall along the way. It’s an easy 20-minute walk, and once there, you can tour the historic St. Mark’s Chapel, which was built by the British in the early 1800s. To make a day of it, have the resort’s kitchen staff prepare a picnic lunch to bring along.
She might join you in the pool, or make a surprise visit during a snorkel trip. Amarylis is St. Bart’s resident mermaid, delighting imaginations of all ages at the Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France resort. This upscale boutique property overlooks the stunning beach at Baie des Flamands, where crystal- clear waters are ideal for young snorkelers. In keeping with its family- friendly atmosphere, the Isle de France often hosts Amaryllis, who poses for photos, and shares stories of her home in the sea.
Amarylis the mermaid photographed while diving beneath a breaking wave. She makes regular beach and pool appearances at Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France. Photo: Amarylis
End your day with a private sunset tour of the Four Seasons’ Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course. As you wander the hillside fairways, you’ll learn about the native flora and enjoy sweeping views of the resort, the Caribbean Sea and the nearby island of St. Kitts. And be sure to scan the trees and hillsides for a glimpse of the island’s famous green vervet monkeys. First brought to Nevis in the 1800s as pets, they now roam free across the island.
The green vervet monkeys of Nevis are often sighted on the grounds of the Four Seasons Resort. These monkeys communicate using an elaborate series of calls. Photo: David Danzig/Flickr
Costa Rica is known for its fine coffees, and you can sample some of the best blends at Mi Cafecito, which is Nayara Springs’ in-house expresso bar. The flavors are created by resident coffee connoisseur Ken Palmer, who learned his craft training with Alfred Peet of Peet’s Coffee. Palmer will also guide guests through the steps of creating their own personal blends. The results are delicious, as novice blenders work with high-quality beans from the country’s premier Tarrazu region.
Rum is the Caribbean’s signature spirit. Guests of the Jamaica Inn can get into this spirit of the islands during a Rumology class held each Thursday morning at Teddy’s Beach Bar. In addition to mingling with other rum enthusiasts, participants learn to create a number of signature drinks such as Teddy’s signature planter’s punch, the dark and stormy, dirty banana and the piña colada. The session is hosted by the knowledgeable bar team, who also recounts the history of popular rum mixes, share stories of the rich Jamaican heritage of rum, and describe mixing techniques.
Sun and Rum. All the elements come together at Teddy’s Beach Bar, where guests of the Jamaica Inn can learn to mix some of the Caribbean’s most iconic rum drinks. Photo: David Massey/Jamaica Inn
The recent hundred-million-dollar upgrading of the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club included the addition of an extensive collection of contemporary art. Today as your walk through the lobby and public spaces these art works are juxtaposed against the hotel’s historic architectural details such as crown molding and oriental rugs. The collection includes works from Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Nelson Mandela, Banksy, and Philippe Decrauzat among others. You can walk through the collection on your own or join a guided tour, which is offered every Saturday morning.
To provide the kitchen with the freshest and finest possible ingredients, this upscale beach resort maintains an 18,000-square foot greenhouse, which supplies much of the produce used in the restaurants. Crops include vine- ripened tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuces and micro-greens and herbs. The chefs delight in being able to pick fresh dill, basil and parsley on a daily basis, and in creating dishes featuring guava and pumpkin grown on the property. Guests can tour the greenhouse, help with the harvest and even take a seat at a hands-on cooking class.
Food doesn’t get more local that this. The on-site greenhouse at the CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa supplies the kitchen with an abundance of fresh produce. Photo: Joe Rahim/CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa
Spread over an eight-block compound in the center of Willemstad, Kura Hulanda village is a collection of meticulously restored historic buildings that now house boutique lodgings and the anthropological museum of Kura Hulanda. The museum focuses on the predominant cultures of Curacao, taking visitors on a journey that ranges from the origin of man to West African empires, a chronicle of the African slave trade, pre-Columbian gold, Mesopotamian relics and Antillean art. Visitors can conduct self-guided visits or join an interpretive tour.
Guests of Tortuga Bay are invited to take a complimentary self-guided tour of the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park and Reserve. This 1,500-acre nature reserve provides a habitat for indigenous birds, reptiles, insects and native plants. A series of interpretive trails cover the natural and cultural history of the island, and include a sugar cane exhibit, a fruit tree garden and an iguana habitat. Pack a swimsuit, because trails also lead to 12 freshwater lagoons where you can take a dip.
Visitors can cool off in one of the numerous freshwater lagoons that are scattered through the grounds of the Dominican Republic’s Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park and Reserve. Photo: Ecological Park
It’s a great way to begin or end your day. Join other guests in the W Retreat’s Living Room, an eclectic, neo-Bohemian relaxation space, where you can hang out and mingle before heading out to the deck for a mind, body and breath workout. Sunrise and sunset yoga sessions meet daily. Private yoga sessions available through the AWAY Spa, featuring Detox Yoga, Art of Meditation, and Introduction to Breath. If you are feeling more energetic and awake a bit earlier, join the kayak tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.
On April 22, the natural world takes center stage as humans around the globe pause to reflect on the importance of protecting and enhancing the ecosystems we share with all other living creatures. Here, a colorful little red-eyed tree frog from the rainforests of Costa Rica serves as a visual reminder of the diverse, beautiful and sometimes-fragile nature of the planet Earth and its inhabitants.
From a simple observance in 1970, Earth Day has grown into the world’s largest secular civic event, involving more than 17,000 environmental groups and drawing support from more than 190 countries. Events are staged in major cities around the globe, but small islands and other tropical destinations also get in on the act.
1. On the Bahamian Out Island of Eleuthera, the One Eleuthera Foundation will sponsor a daylong celebration of the earth and ocean that includes musical performances, dance, art, cultural events and environmental education programs, plus plenty of good food.
2. Each year on Earth Day, the Sandals Foundation, which is sponsored by the Sandals Resort group, partners with environmental organizations across the Caribbean to help volunteers plant more than 1,000 trees.
3. The month-long Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival will kick off on Earth Day. At dozens of islands throughout the region, organizers from the Birds Caribbean foundation will stage presentations, bird walks, art competitions, clean ups, and more.
4. On the big island of Hawaii, volunteers will head to Ke‘ei Beach to remove trash that could pose a hazard to turtles and other marine life. The cleanup is sponsored by the Kona Brew Pub, and will end with a beach barbecue.
5. In the Puerto Rican beach town of Rincon, the Liga Ecologica will stage an Earth Day Fair. Here, forums and talks with an ecological theme mix with a street fair offering local arts, crafts and foods. A highlight is the human-powered shaved ice machine.
6. The Florida-based Xtreme Adventures group will stage their third annual Earth Day Adventure Race, which will send participants biking, trekking and paddling across the central part of the state to spread the message: “reuse, recycle, and repurpose.”
7. If you can’t make it to Costa Rica’s Sloth Sanctuary to participate in Earth Day observances, you can sponsor a sloth with a donation to restore its natural habitat, and plant more of these animal’s favorite almond trees.
8. The Maldives are revered for their natural beauty, and a number of resorts across the island chain stage special Earth Day activities such as tree plantings and reef cleanings. Kurumba Resort will follow their annual lagoon cleaning with a party, while the Constance Resort has created a “Low Carbon Foot Print Menu,” and will observe an hour- long power shutdown.
9. On Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Merida Verde is staging a series of free cultural and musical events for Earth Day, including a slow foods festival and street dances in the historic district of Merida.
10. In the South Pacific, citizens of the small nation of Kiribati will come out in force to restore the mangrove forests that are essential to protecting their coastlines from erosion.
Bird watching is fine, but for a real treat; search the treetops for monkeys the next time you are in Costa Rica. The country’s extensive nature preserves are home to the most robust populations of primates in Central America. There are five native species, and once you get to know your monkeys, they can provide hours of entertaining viewing.
From surf washed beaches to mountain cloud forests, Costa Rica packs a lot of adventures into a compact country. You can snorkel a reef in the morning, climb a volcano that afternoon, and then dance to Cumbia rhythms that night. It’s also one of the friendliest and safest countries in the world. If you still need a reason to pack your bags, here are ten more.
Volcanoes are one of Costa Rica’s big attractions, as a number of national parks lie within the Pacific Ring Of Fire. The country is laced with mountain ranges that offer fascinating hikes to dormant volcanoes, plus hot springs and hidden crater lakes. Today’s popular and active cones include mile-high Arenal, which was active as recently as 2010. Poás Volcano National Park is just an hour away from San José, making it a popular option for day- trippers. It’s also the country’s largest and most active volcano. The highest is Irazú, which rises from the central highlands to a height of 1,259 feet.
Horses graze in the shadow of Costa Rica’s Arenal volcano. Although currently in a resting phase, mile-high Arenal remains the country’s most active volcano. Photo: Simon Dannhauer/iStock
All of the world’s five species of sea turtles visit Costa Rica, and at least one group or another are laying eggs on Atlantic or Pacific beaches every month of the year. This means that visitors have a chance to see hatchlings emerging at almost any time. Some species spend their lives far out to sea, and move ashore only to nest. Others are commonly seen by swimmers and snorkelers. The Caribbean is active July to October, with green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles. Leatherbacks come to shore from February to April. On the Pacific shore the greens and Olive Ridleys nest year- round, and favor Guanacaste’s Ostinal National Wildlife Refuge.
Outdoor adventures play a key role in many Costa Rica vacations. Canopy tours include high-flying zip lining excursions that carry riders through forest canopies from platform to platform. There are even night zip line tours. More sedate are hanging bridges and aerial trams that allow more time to soak in the natural habitats. Other varieties of adrenaline-fueled outdoor activities include white water rafting, river and sea kayaking and mountain biking.
Costa Rica was among the first countries to offer canopy tours and zip line adventures. Today, there are dozens of locations around the country where riders can take flight. Photo: iStock
The country’s 125-mile eastern shore is a place of exotic nature preserves and uncrowded beaches. The province of Limón is the wettest and lushest region of the country, receiving rainfall almost year round. There are lush jungles to explore, a living coral reef that attracts divers and snorkelers and plenty of black and white sands to discover. The area is culturally diverse, with a mix of Afro-Caribbean, Ticos and foreign cultures that mesh together with a Caribbean island vibe.
Known as a surfing mecca, Costa Rica is home to a growing number of surf-centric resorts, schools and camps. Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts have good breaks. On the eastern coast, the waves are less predictable but often much larger when they roll in, as they are produced when there are tropical storms off the coast of Mexico. The season is short and hard-core experts usually head to Puerto Viejo. On the Pacific side the surfing sites are numerous and more predictable. On the southern Pacific coast the popular break is at Dominical Beach. The central coast has Playa Escondido and Hermosa and on the northern coast surfers head to Playa Naranjo and Playa Grande.
Costa Rica is considered a surfer’s paradise. Photo: iStock
Surfers, sunsets and sand are the big attractions on the west coast. The climate is dryer and a bit cooler than the Atlantic coast, and the area boasts more sunny days than anywhere else in the country. Surfers come for perfect waves at Tamarindo, Nosara and Dominical, fishermen and divers head for coastal islands where fish school, and an international crowd of sun worshipers flock to beach towns and resorts near the Gulf of Papagallo.
Home to an array of weird and interesting animals, Costa Rica’s rain forests and natural preserves provide a habitat for some of the worlds most exotic creatures. There are four varieties of monkey, including the capuchin (white faced) spider, squirrel and the noisy and rowdy howler monkey. The two- and three-toed sloths make their home in the tree canopy and the coatimundi, a cross between a raccoon with a tail that is used like a monkey’s tail are common sightings as are the leafcutter ants that are seen marching along the ground.
A squirrel monkey perches on a branch in a Costa Rica rain forest. The animal’s long tail is not used for climbing, but rather for balance as it runs from branch to branch. Photo: iStock
Warm and friendly, the people known as Ticos have reason to be happy. Decades ago, the country dismantled their military and focused government funds on education and health care. The country leads the world in literacy and environment protection, producing 99 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. According to the Happy Planet Index, they are among the most contented people in the world, and those living on the Nicoya peninsular are among those who live the longest.
There are almost 300 beaches and 750 miles of shoreline along the country’s two coasts. Sand colors vary from white to brown and black while the beach of Playa Conchal is almost pink, as it is formed from conch shells. Some areas are known for deserted stretches of beaches that are far from civilization, while others are busy tourist hubs flanked by resorts, cafes and beach clubs. White sands are found at Uva and Manzanillo and waves attract surfers at Jaco and Hermosa.
A deserted beach on Costa Rica’s central Caribbean coast. This sparsely settled region is popular with adventure travelers, surfers and divers. Photo: Simon Dannhauer/iStock
Between it’s opposing coastlines and mountainous interior, Costa Rica nurtures one of the world’s highest levels of biodiversity. And this natural bounty is well protected. With 20 natural parks, 8 biological reserves and a growing number of private reserves, Costa Rica maintains 25 percent of its total land in a protected and natural state. The 500,000 species that make their home there continue to thrive.
Costa Rica is an ornithologist’s paradise, home to more than 850 full time or seasonal species of birds. Of these many and varied species, none are more flamboyant or fascinating than the scarlet macaw.
As the largest member of the parrot family, these birds can grow wingspans of three feet. They are strong fliers, reaching speeds of 35 miles an hour. Macaws are social birds that mate for life, which may be longer than the average human relationship, as these birds can live for 40 years or more in the wild.
Macaw couples often join flocks up to 30 individuals, which travel together as they forage on fruits, nuts, flowers and nectar. In addition to beauty, these brilliantly-plumage birds have brains, and are among the most intelligent members of the avian family.
Macaws are found through Costa Rica, but are more common on the Pacific side of mountain ranges. Favorite viewing areas include Corcovado National Park, Carara National Park, and Palo Verde National Park.
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