Adventure Traveling For Softies

Costa Rica is the new haven for adventure travelers who seek fun and pampering.

by Blane Bachelor

September 1, 2005

I f you're like a lot of women, a great day in the wild should be followed by a luxurious soak in a tub. Here, the best of both worlds.

"Canopy tour" is a sugarcoated description of our latest adventure in Puntarenas, the largest region of the Central American country of Costa Rica. What we're really doing is zooming through the rainforest's upper reaches - its canopy - on a series of zip wires, strung between metal platforms affixed to towering trees.

Vacations packed with excursions like our giddy trip through the trees reflect a booming sector of the travel industry: adventure travel. According to a study released in June by the Outdoor Industry Association, 55.5 million Americans took a trip in 2004 where the main focus was adventure or outdoor activities, up from 40.9 million in 2001. And within the multibillion-dollar industry, women travelers account for another huge growth trend.

For a seasoned traveler or a first-time adventurer, Costa Rica provides a diverse array of options for ratcheting the adrenaline up a notch. This Central American country is the size of West Virginia but its diverse geography, incredible landscapes and stunning flora and wildlife make for an endless array of outdoor activities, from soft adventure outings like our canopy tour to forays into wild rivers and formidable surf.

Tourism is, in fact, the country's main industry. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. Yet, Costa Rica has retained a naturalist identity all its own. Many describe the country as the jewel of Central America, with its lush tropical rain forests, majestic mountains and hundreds of species of wildlife and plants bordered by miles of sparkling beaches on the Caribbean and Pacific. Costa Rican natives, or "Ticos," are friendly, helpful and intensely proud of the breathtaking beauty of their country.

With such a vast array of activities and sights, planning an itinerary can be challenging. Many visitors choose to stay in one of dozens of hotels around the San José area after flying into the Juan Santamar’a International Airport (direct flights are available from Atlanta), and then plan day trips and excursions from there. During one of my trips, I stayed in the spacious Real InterContinental Costa Rica.

Following the opening of the Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia, the capital of the Guanacaste region in the northwest part of the country, a number of luxury and all-inclusive hotels have begun to pop up in recent years. One of those is Occidental's Grand Papagayo, a gem of a resort nestled along the Papagayo Bay. Perfect for couples, the resort offers an ideal mix of romantic touches, like hot tubs overlooking the bay in the honeymoon suites and group activities. The resort's sister property, the Allegro Papagayo, is a better bet for families, with its huge pool area and an impressive range of activities. And after a day of horseback riding, hiking or kayaking, the properties offer ample ways to relax, with poolside drink service and a variety of spa treatments available on-site.

After securing accommodations, first-time visitors are advised to hook up with a tour guide or group. Ours was TAM Travel Corporation, which did a great job coordinating our events and providing a well-rounded schedule.
 
One of those activities was a visit to a volcano at the Poas National Park, which encompasses a nearly one-mile-wide, 984-foot-deep crater filled with emerald-green sulfuric water. A mild uphill hike, which at 8,800 feet had me breathing slightly heavier than normal, took us to the rim, where we joined others peering over the protective fences, waiting for the clouds billowing over the crater to clear.

Costa Rica's stunning geography made travel time pass quickly, as the routes wound through lively villages, and up and down curvy roads with the van virtually clinging to the side of a mountain. At one point, I was chatting with our driver, Jorge, about the steepness of the mountain we were chugging down. I explained that in some parts of the United States, sanded areas are built in alongside mountain roads to serve as an emergency option for stop-ping out-of-control vehicles.

"We have a similar system here," Jorge replied. "What is it?" I asked.

"The trees," as he burst out laughing.

While crashing into trees may not be a top concern for motorists, it's certainly a potential hazard on canopy tours. Those looking for a more tranquil way to experience the rain forest should head to the Braulio Carrillo National Park and the Rain Forest Aerial Tram. About an hour's drive from San JosŽ, the tram is part of a 1,175-acre sanctuary and provides a peaceful trip through the rain forest. We piled into the gondola with a guide, who pointed out several species of birds, a lizard, a trickling waterfall and some of the most interesting fauna I've ever seen as we floated through the treetops along the 1.6-mile route.

It's hard to notice such fascinating details of the rainforest when you're whizzing through it on a zip wire.

Getting To Costa Rica
Costa Rica has only two different seasons: a rainy season from May to November, and a dry season, which goes from December through April. Most tourists visit during the dry season, which is reflected by higher hotel prices and airline fares. Favorable times to visit are the cusp months between the seasons.

 In recent years, American-based airlines have increased coverage to Costa Rica. The Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia now offers direct flights to Atlanta. Flights serving eastern U.S. cities on United (www.united.com, (800) 241-6522) fly through Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C. to San José. Delta (www.delta.com, (800) 221-1212) also has a direct flight from Atlanta to San José. During the fall months, see if you can snag a flight for as low as $500.
 
Don't forget that the country has an exit tax of US $26.

If You Go
The capital, San José, offers a wide variety of chain hotels. A good bet is the Real InterContinental Costa Rica, whose upscale but comfortable accommodations provide the perfect way to relax after an adventure-filled day. Rates start at $185. Reservations: (888) 303-1758, (506) 289-7000 (in Costa Rica), www.gruporeal.com.

If you're opting for all-inclusive luxury and convenience, the Occidental Grand Papagayois a great choice. Discounted fall rates start at approximately $110 per adult per night at Grand Papagayo, including all meals, drinks and tips; prices start at approximately $89 per adult per night at the hotel's sister property, Allegro Papagayo. Reservations: (800) 858-2258. www.occidental-hoteles.com.

TAM Travel Corporation: (506) 256-0203 (in Costa Rica). www.tamtravel.com. A variety of adventure-based and informational tours around the country. Guides are extremely knowledgeable and speak excellent English.

Rain Forest Aerial Trams: Reservations: (506) 257-5961(in Costa Rica); (866) 759-8726, www.rainforesttram.com.

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Adventure Travel
You don't have to travel far from Atlanta to get a taste of adventure. Here are options for adventure-oriented excursions - no plane tickets required.

East Tennessee outdoor adventures. Forget the gimmicky theme parks and tourist attractions of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. If you're an adventurous traveler, head to East Tennessee. Just a few hours' drive from Metro Atlanta, this region boasts some of the most thrilling outdoor activities the Southeast has to offer. You can mountain bike, hike, kayak, canoe and even trek into the mountains with a llama. "It's like being in Boulder, Colorado, but much less trendy and expensive," says Lois Martin, a local mountain biking and hiking enthusiast who was my companion for a day in Oak Ridge. There, I learned how to navigate my bike through roots, ruts and rocky ascents on the trails at Haw Ridge (www.hawridge.org). Equipment is available for rental at Cedar Bluff Cycles in Knoxville, (865) 692-1010. For information on llama trekking, visit www.hikinginthesmokies.com.

There's no better place to rest weary muscles than at the Lodge at Buckberry Creek in Gatlinburg, where country lodging meets high-end luxury. Rustic furnishings are a tribute to the great camps of the Adirondacks. Doubles from $175. Reservations: (865) 430-8030; www.buckberrylodge.com. For more information about activities, lodging and attractions, visit the Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council website at www.vacationeasttennessee.org.
 
Hiking in North Georgia. Who would have guessed that just a few short hours north of Atlanta is some of the most scenic hiking in the East, including a 78-mile stretch of the famous Appalachian Trail? North Georgia offers a tantalizing array of all types of trails for the novice to the experienced hiker, as well as trails that are perfect for a family outing. You can hike for a day, or plan an overnight trip and stay at one of dozens of quaint cabin-style inns and lodges. Visit www.georgiatrails.com for more information, including trail maps, lodging and specific details about dozens of trails throughout North Georgia.

Flying at Lookout Mountain. Just two hours north of Atlanta, set your spirit - and yourself - soaring at Lookout Mountain Flight Park, the largest hang gliding park and training school in the United States. At the park's 44-acre mountain retreat, which lies close to the Georgia/Tennessee border, you can learn to master the art of hang gliding through a series of classes or take a tandem ride with an instructor. Certified instructors teach you the basics of flying - how to set up your equipment, launch and land on two training hills, 65- and 95-feet high. Eventually, you'll be ready to conquer the main launch, which towers 1,340 feet above the valley. Tandem aerotow flights, in which an ultra-light airplane tows the glider to heights of 2,000 or 4,000 feet and then releases it, are also available. For more information, visit www.hanglide.com, or call (800) 688-5637.